Paul was standing before the Roman commander and the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin).  The commander called a special session and desired to know why the Jewish people had formed a mob against Paul with the intent to kill him.  (Acts 22:30)

What Paul knew.
Paul looked intently at the Council.  He told them that he had a “good conscience” by living his life pleasing to God.  (Acts 23:1)

Paul knew the Law of Moses and what it said about treatment of prisoners.
The high priest, Ananias commanded those standing beside Paul to hit him in the mouth.
Paul knew the Law of Moses. He proved this by saying, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!  Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?”

Paul knew the Law of Moses and what it said about respecting Godly authority.
Other Jewish men asked Paul, “You are to insult the high priest?”  Paul answered immediately, “I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” (Acts 23:4-5 NIV)

Paul knew the two different parties and what they believed.
Paul was not “cowed” by the accusation…and he agreed with what the Law said about the high priest.  Paul knew that some of those Jewish men were in two different religious parties.  One was the party of the Pharisees and the other was the Sadducees. (Acts 23:6)

He knew that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, or in angels or spirits, and the Pharisees believed in them all.
He continued to “cry out to the Council” when he said, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.”  (Acts 23:6 NIV)  He divided the Council when he spoke of the resurrection.

(NASB) Acts 23:9 “And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’”

The Roman commander’s fear
  A great dissension developed, becoming violent and the commander feared for Paul, that he would be torn to pieces!  He commanded his troops to take Paul out of the melee and bring him into the Roman barracks.  Paul stood firm in explosive circumstances.

Paul knew what he was told by the Lord later that night.
(NASB) Acts 23:11 “…the Lord stood at his side and said, ‘Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

Being in God’s will is not always comfortable or easy!