ACTS SERIES: PAUL’S DEFENSE TO THE RIOTOUS JERUALEM CROWD- CHAPTER 22

Acts 21 concluded with Paul getting ready to speak to the mob that attempted to kill him prior to his rescue by the Roman military. Chapter twenty-two begins with Paul having received the approval of the chief captain to speak; thus, he stood on the stairs of the tower of Antonia and presented his defense to the people. Speaking to those gathered in their native Hebrew language, Paul caught their attention and caused them to listen quietly.

Paul began by sharing his lineage, his religious and educational training, and his previous zeal for persecuting the Christians. He shared the events of his conversion on the road to Damascus to capture and bring back Christians to Jerusalem to be punished. However, while traveling, a light from heaven shone on him, causing him to fall to the ground. He heard a distinct voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” to which he responded, “Who art thou, Lord?”  Jesus then said, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. ”Those traveling with Paul saw the light, but only he heard the voice.

He revealed that due to temporary blindness from the light, he was led to Damascus by his companions, following the instruction from the Lord. In Damascus, his future was revealed to him by Ananias, a godly, law-abiding, respected Jew who visited him and said, “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Furthermore, at the command of Ananias, Paul received his sight.

When Paul returned to Jerusalem, he had a trance while in the temple praying. In a trance, he was directed by God to leave Jerusalem quickly because of his past persecution, and the Jews would not believe he had been converted nor accept his message. Agreeing with God, Paul acknowledged his cruelty to the Christians and his part in the death of Stephen.

When Paul announced, God said, “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles,” the listeners became furious, shook off their clothes, threw dust into the air, and yelled for Paul to be killed. This prompted the chief captain to bring Paul into the castle and interrogate him by scourging. However, Paul stopped this from happening by informing the centurion, who related the information to the chief captain, that he was a Roman citizen. After questioning him, the chief captain canceled the scourging.

Acts 22 concludes on the next day with the chief captain unshackling Paul and commanding the Jewish Sanhedrin council to appear before him so that he might seek out Paul’s case.

Here are the nuggets that I gathered from Acts 22:

Sharing your credentials may be necessary to gain people’s attention.

Despite possible harm when able share your testimony.

In your testimony, share the good and the bad.

Thank God for those that can lead you when you are unable to see.

Command the sight of the blind to be restored.

As needed, God will reveal your future to you.

Following God’s instruction can save your life.

Citizenship yields benefits.