PRAYER REQUESTS

***(If I have left off someone’s name, and you want it on, it’s was not intentional; remind me, please) We all need prayer, even if our name is not on the List.

Please don’t be offended, ANYONE WHO WANTS YOUR NAME OFF, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW. ALL Names are here because you or someone else requested it. 

Praying for one another reminds us that we are not alone, and that God may do greater things via our combined prayers (James 5:16).

PRAYER REQUESTS

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 PRAYER

DEVOTIONAL SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 41:10

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 

FROM FEAR TO COURAGE

Have you ever had questions or doubts that you felt you had to figure out on your own? Sometimes, we’re embarrassed to ask our questions because we think we should already know the answers. But Jesus invites us to bring all of our doubts, fears, and questions to Him.

In John 3, we see Nicodemus, respected, Religious man of influence, come to Jesus privately one night and asked Him some questions.

Many people think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was afraid of the other Sanhedrin Council Members, who were always looking for ways to get rid of Jesus, and had they seen Nicodemus with Jesus, they would have put him out of the Temple/Synagogue.

As the Pharisee, Nicodemus had spent his entire life studying Scripture. But he still didn’t have all the answers. Instead of relying on his own abilities and knowledge, Nicodemus set aside his pride and status and went to Jesus.

While Nicodemus may have been afraid of the Pharisees’ judgment, Jesus didn’t judge him. He welcomed Nicodemus’ questions and answered him with the truth.

Jesus said in response to Nicodemus, (read John 3:1-21: the quote is verses 19- 21: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.²⁰For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” – John 3:19-21.

Jesus is saying that whoever has lived by the Truth and followed Him, lives in the light. Those who don’t live like Jesus, run away from the light and live in darkness.

Nicodemus may have approached Jesus at night out of fear of what others might think. But Jesus challenged him to live in the light and follow Him. The encounter with Jesus changed Nicodemus’ life. He no longer followed Jesus in the shadows. In John 7, he defended Jesus to the other Pharisees, and in John 19, he was there to bury Jesus’ Body.

Just like Nicodemus, when we choose to walk with Jesus, we move from darkness to light and from Fear to Courage (¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins – Colossians 1:12-14)  And when we come to Jesus, He meets us Where we are and guides us toward His Truth.

Isaiah 41:10 is a powerful verse that comforts and carries reassurance and hope. It reminds Believers that they are not alone. That God is always there to support and protect them, even in times of uncertainty. This promise of strength, help and support is meant to instill confidence and faith in God’s Presence and Power. 

Hide it in your heart by memorizing it. Recall it when fear and doubt come to weaken you in any area of your Ministry.

REVIEW LAST WEEK

Last week, Paul was to be sent to Felix at Caesarea by night. The Commander, Claudius Lysias had two Centurions prepare the men to take Paul. 200 Soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen were prepared. They were to take Paul to Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Paul was to go before Governor Felix. The Commander, Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to Felix to accompany Paul. The letter summarized the situation with Paul. The Jews had seized Paul and were about to kill him. Troops were sent to rescue Paul. In an attempt to learn of the Jews’ accusation of Paul, he took him before the Sanhedrin Council. He only learned that Paul was accused “concerning questions of the law,” but nothing deserving death or imprisonment. The Commander learned of a plot to ambush and kill Paul. Due to this discovery, he sent Paul to the Governor, Felix and ordered his accusers to appear before Felix to state their charges against him.

The letter gave Felix the background. The soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen took Paul by night to Antipatris (An-tip-pa-tris). The next day, the horsemen continued, and took Paul to Caesarea, while the soldiers and spearmen returned. They presented Paul and the letter to Felix. The Governor inquired where Paul was from (a required question asked before a trial began) and understood that he was from Cilicia. He agreed to hear Paul when his accusers arrived. Felix had Paul held in Herod’s Praetorium (The official residence of an ancient Roman Governor.) (23-35)

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The Sanhedrin Council was the highest judicial and legislative court in Ancient Israel. It was the Supreme Court which consisted of Seventy members. The Sanhedrin court had significant authority, including interpretation of the Jewish Law. It stood as a central institution in Jewish Society until its dissolution in 70 CE (Common Era).

(BCE is Before Common Era; CE means Common Era. Both relating to the Year ONE (1), the year considered as Jesus’ Birth year.

The image below is for those who have not had this information.

BC and BCE are used for the same time: All years before year 1.

CE relates to the time: All years after year 1.

BCE, a secular term; BC, (before Christ) a Christian term.

CE, a secular term; AD, (Anno Domini) Christian term.

 LAST WEEK WE WENT THROUGH VERSES 1-11.

Paul addressing the Sanhedrin Council. Paul was comfortable addressing them because he had been a Pharisee before his Conversion.  He immediately spoke in his own defense, stating that his public life had been blameless and his conscience clear. This infuriated the high priest, Ananias, who ordered one of the men near Paul to hit him on the mouth. Paul called the High Priest a wicked man (whited wall). This infuriated some. 

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        History tells us that Ananias was one of the worst High Priests the nation ever had. He stole money from the other priests, used every political trick to enlarge his power, and finally was assassinated. People love the bad boy. We have one in the White House. They love him because “their deeds are evil.” They hate Obama, even now they can’t stand the sight of him because he represented all the people. We see evil against good daily.  

Conflict came up between the Pharisees and Sadducees.

God encouraged Paul despite the adversity he faced in his Ministry. 

Paul had to be rushed out by night and sent to Governor Felix in Caesarea.

Today, we will examine Paul’s transport to Caesarea to appear before Governor Felix. We will see how a conspiracy was set to kill Paul and how it was handled.

We will begin at the bottom of page 9 with II “Paul and the Conspirators.” Verses 12-22.

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Paul uses this same imagery when he explains that the Church was built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, saying that Gentile Believers are “fellow citizens with God’s People (the Jews) and also members of his (God’s) household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19–20).

When the Church understand whose they are, and what their role is as Believers, it

helps them in being clear on what to do to see success, and that it is essential for it to function as the “Habitation of God’ through the Spirit.”’

Everything we do must Glorify God and not ourselves. Our sole purpose, as the Body of Christ, is to ensure God’s Children’s best interests are prioritized at all times. And sometimes, working to that end incurs discomfort, pain and disagreements. (“While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies” – II Cor. 5.) Every encounter in life is temporary and transitional (from one grace to another) It is only Transformative if it encounters Christ. The sole purpose of man is Glorify God and make Him Known. When we make Him known, He make us known. 

Paul’s defense before the Jerusalem crowd is not just a historical account of his Apostolic Mission but a Theological Exposition of the Core Principles that underpin the Christian Faith – the Transformative Power of encountering Christ, the Divine Origin of Christian Ministry, and the inclusive Call of the Gospel. When anyone encounters Christ, there will be a Transformation (from sinner to Saint). When you meet Christ, you can’t go on the same way. That’s what happened to the Wise Men who met the Baby Jesus, they went home a different way… than what Herod had commanded, knowing Herod was killing all boy babies, for fear of losing his kingship. Jesus is in control, but only when your life is Surrender through Trust and Obedience. 

Paul was a Jew with valued Roman citizenship. In Acts 22:28 he stated that he was “free born,” which indicates that his father had been a Roman Citizen as well. His early training at the feet of the great Rabbi Gamaliel was the finest (Acts 5:34). In Phil. 3:1-21 we see another picture of Paul the Pharisee; Paul was religious before he was saved, but religion cannot save anyone. Paul had to lose his religion in order to find eternal life! No one could deny that the young Paul was zealous for the Law of Moses, even to the extent of persecuting Christians. What a paradox that Paul should say in Acts 22:5 that his plan was to bring Christians “bound unto Jerusalem,” when he himself stood in Jerusalem a prisoner!

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Paul gave His Testimony to show: a) I’m SAVED. I’ve been WASHED in the Blood of the LAMB. What is your Testimony? When is your Spiritual Birthday? It is more important than Your Natural Birthday, which means nothing unless you’ve had an encounter with Christ Jesus. If you don’t have an encounter with Him, you only occupy space on the earth, walking the Wide Road to Destruction for however many years that God gives you to live on the earth, and then you DIE Eternally in flames where the worm never dies, the flames never cease to burn, and like the Burning Bush of Moses, never consumes your soul.

***My Testimony: It was a Tuesday in 1950, I was Nine years old. My mother, had a ritual. Monday, we washed clothes. Tuesday, we ironed; Wednesday, cleaned kitchen; Thursday, house cleaned; Friday, yard cleaned; Saturday, play, visit friends, etc. Sunday, Worship. So, it was Tuesday, I was ironing a white shirt, got sidetracked, started playing. My iron (in front of the fire), got too hot for the shirt. I got the bright idea to pour cold water over it while it was in my hand… no M.D.’s to go to. And for two weeks, I was in agony, using home remedies. It was also mid-July. No electricity. At the time, I thought getting to Heaven was like getting promoted at School, if you kept your grades at a certain standard, you were promoted. My mother explained the difference, saying No to my idea. To get to Heaven, I had to believe in Jesus. (many years later, I learned what to believe about Jesus.) she also explained that hell was hotter than the steam that came off the iron that burned my hand. That gave me a new way of thinking about getting to Heaven and learning about Jesus, and yet, not understanding. (Teaching is so valuable and application is even more valuable. At that time, many of the Teachers couldn’t read well and lacked understanding, as well. But knew enough to trust God and they knew more than I knew) At the same time of my ironing experience, the Church was in preparation for a two-week Revival: week one, Prayer; week two. Preaching. Mourners Benches were the norm. (the front bench in the Church). So the first week unsaved people (sinners) sat on the Mourners’ Bench and prayers were for Salvation for them. Week two, the Preacher preached about Salvation and the lack thereof (Hell). It was the Friday Night of the second week, that I gave my life to Christ. At age 28, by attending Bible Study, I learned how to Surrender and grow in the Faith. I’ve learned how to Study over the years and have grown closer to Him. I had to learn how to Trust Him. I’m still growing in the Faith, even as I teach… My Spiritual Birthday is the Fourth Friday Night in 1950.

In our encounter with Christ Jesus, we experience our Spiritual Birthday, without which, you can go to Church all your life, but, you cannot/will not go to Heaven.

In order to become Christian, there must be a CHANGE in a person’s life. The change must be from a SINNER (Adam’s Family) to a SAINT (God’s Family). Step one of the change is: a) REPENTANCE. Which is a deep, sincere change of thinking and feeling toward SIN and God. a) SIN (evil nature) carries a Penalty; b) Having a FEAR of God. Fearing God is the foundation of wisdom and knowledge. It also implies that understanding God is essential for wisdom and knowledge to occur. – Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of THE HOLY is understanding. So, when you Repent, you are acknowledging that SIN is going to destroy me…and knowing God will be the beginning of my Salvation. b) SURRENDERING MY LIFE TO CHRIST is Denying SELF, Selling OUT! GIVING SELF AWAY! “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” – I Cor. 6:19,20. THE CHANGE ACKNOWLEDGING GOD IS RIGHT, AND “I know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, I have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” If you’re in denial or reject God’s Plan of Salvation, God will deny you. It’s HIS PLAN! He died for you, so you’d have the opportunity to be Saved. The first two steps, you must take on your own without coercion.

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Ec) The Holy Spirit comes in the moment you believe in Jesus’ Death, Burial, Resurrection from the dead, and His Coming Again (to keep Satan from snatching you back), He (The Holy Spirit) washes SIN AWAY with the Blood of Jesus and places you in God’s Family where He wants you (I Cor. 12:18). You are sealed forever IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (Ephesians 1:13).

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” Titus 3:5-7.

Once Regeneration has occurred, d) God Himself declares you NOT GUILTY of SIN (the Evil Nature that you inherited from Adam). Because of the deadly character of the evil nature, God Himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ, had to die for it and be raised from the dead by His Spirit to bring SIN under control. Jesus is and was PURE, HOLY, SINLESS, MORALLY SOUND, and for that reason, He was ANOINTED to become SAVIOR of the world. Adam rendered everybody born in this world, Impure, unholy, sinful, immoral, and therefore unclean and unfit to take on the Messianic Role. Adam sinned, Noah sinned, Abraham sinned, Isaac sinned, Jacob sinned, the Twelve Tribes sinned. Nobody was capable of Messiahship because of the natural Inheritance, SIN. These were not bad people, but all sinful. That’s the Purpose of the CALL or INVITATION TO CHANGE FROM SINNER TO SAINT: nobody has to Change, nobody can or will make you change. Your decision (free will) determines your destination. The Invitation:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” – CHRIST JESUS.

Living in SIN is such a Laboring Experience. But the Christ Experience is meek, lowly; it’s longsuffering, it’s forbearing, and it’s restful and peaceful to have Christ Jesus carry the load. It is not robbery to think highly of the Vocation to which you are called, because He offered it, and it’s free. There are No Hidden Fees, or No Fine Print. And therefore, Paul admonishes us: “… whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Phil. 4:8.

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II. Defending The Faith verses 6-10

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.10And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

In verses 6-10, Paul defends his Apostolic Authority by sharing his Conversion Story and the Divine Calling he received directly from Jesus. Here are some key scriptures from this chapter that support his Apostolic Authority: If you’re Christian, sooner or later, you will have to defend your Faith. What’s your story? Your natural birthday is null and void. If you are saved, you have been GIVEN Authority to Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

HERE: Paul describes his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, where he sees a great light and hears Jesus speaking to him: he said, “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’”

God wants you to ask, “What shall I do, Lord?” He is Knocking at the Door of Your Heart. Jesus is not coming in until YOU open the Door and allow His Light to flood Your Heart. He wants to clean up every room in the house. (BOOKLETS: “My Heart, Christ’s Home.” Read the booklet, pick a room that you wish God would not go into and explain the room’s usefulness and what God would need to do in your room in the Home.)

This was no artificial light. The Heavenly Light was at its brightest (noon), this light outshined the sun. The satanic darkness in Paul’s heart was at its deepest, for he was out to arrest all the Christians he could find. But God, in His Grace, “arrested” Paul with a great light from Heaven. Jesus had been knocking on the door of his heart; he wouldn’t open it. But when Saul had run his course, it was time, the Great “I AM”, manifest Himself; He did so as a great light!! (someone said, God showed up and showed out! God doesn’t “show out”. It sounds cute, (showing out is an act that is out of character); those words do not describe God’s actions or His Character.) God does what God does. He made Himself known (manifest) to demonstrate a Transformation of Saul from spiritual darkness into the Kingdom of His Dear Son – Colossians 1:13. He changed Saul. That’s not showing out. It was God in Character, answering the Prayers of the Saints for relief of persecution.

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And Saul surrendered. The sinner is in darkness until God’s light shines upon him (II Cor. 4:1-18). Paul saw and heard the Glorified Christ, Trusted Him and surrendered, and was Saved! Note how Paul called Ananias “a devout man according to the law,” a statement that would have impressed his antagonists. Some of the Jews in the city may have known Ananias, and that statement would have been in Paul’s favor. Ananias declared that Paul had a Special Commission from God to be Christ’s Witness.

PAUL’S SURRENDER, verses 11-16

11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.14And he 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.15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Verse 11: “My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.”

Here: The blinding light symbolizes not only the physical impairment that Paul experienced but also the Spiritual Enlightenment he received. His dependence on others to guide him signifies a moment of humility and vulnerability, highlighting that his transformation began with an act of surrender and reliance on Divine Intervention.

Acts 22:12-13: “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment, I was able to see him.”

Here: Ananias’ role is significant; he bridges the gap between Paul’s past and his new path. Despite Paul’s reputation as a persecutor of Christians, Ananias addresses him as “Brother Saul,” indicating immediate acceptance and forgiveness. The restoration of Paul’s sight is a powerful metaphor for Spiritual Awakening and new perception. 

Verses 14-15: “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.’”

These verses outline Paul’s Divine Mission. He is Chosen to have a personal encounter with Jesus (“the Righteous One”) and to understand God’s Will. This Calling Transforms him from a persecutor to an Apostle. His New Purpose is to: a) Bear Witness to Jesus’ Resurrection and b) Share his experiences with all, emphasizing the Universal Nature of his Mission.

Acts 22:16: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

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Baptism here symbolizes a full commitment to his New Faith and the cleansing of his past sins. This act of baptism is both a public declaration of Faith and a Spiritual Purification, Marking the beginning of his life as Paul the Apostle. Paul’s recount of his Conversion emphasizes his Transformation, and the Divine Purpose bestowed upon him. His journey from blindness to sight mirrors his path from ignorance to enlightenment, and from persecution to proclamation of faith.

Paul’s Special Commission (Acts 22:17-21).

17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:20And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. 

Paul had a special meeting with the Lord while praying in the temple (This comes from what happened in Acts 9:26, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”). 

Paul recounts a significant vision he had while praying in the Temple in Jerusalem. In this vision, the Lord instructs him to leave Jerusalem immediately because the people there will reject his testimony about Jesus. This command emphasizes the urgency and Divine Guidance in Paul’s Mission. The trance and the Lord’s appearance signify a Direct and Profound Communication from God, affirming Paul’s role as His Chosen Messenger.

Verses 19-20: Paul responds to the Lord by acknowledging his notorious past, where he persecuted Christians, even approving of Stephen’s martyrdom. This admission highlights Paul’s dramatic Transformation and serves to underscore his Credibility as a Witness – he was once an adversary, now a fervent advocate. Paul’s past actions lend weight to his testimony, showing the Power of his Conversion.

Verse 21: The Lord then commands Paul to go far away and preach to the Gentiles. This marks a pivotal moment in Paul’s Ministry, emphasizing the shift from a predominantly Jewish audience to a broader, inclusive Mission to the Gentiles. This directive aligns with the overall theme of the Book of Acts, showcasing the spread of Christianity (Acts 1:8) beyond the Jewish community and into the “Uttermost part of the world.”

This passage highlights the Theme of Divine Intervention and Guidance in Paul’s life. It underscores the notion that his Mission was Divinely Ordained and that his Transformation and Ministry were part of a larger Divine Plan. The shift to a Gentile audience also signifies the Universal Nature of the Christian Message.

It is interesting to compare this experience with Peter’s trance in Acts 10:1-48, when God prepared him to go to the Gentiles. Peter was hungry for physical food, while Paul had a “hunger” of heart to win his nation to Christ. But Christ clearly told Paul to get out of Jerusalem (“everybody will not receive you, but God’s got you covered, 

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if they are harmful, He will warn you and He will make a Way of Escape. He’ll tell you when to keep it moving) The Apostle’s pleading did not change the Divine Command: Paul had to go to the Gentiles, for one thing, and the Jews would not receive Paul’s testimony anyway, and they might arrest and stone him, thereby ending his Ministry too soon. The Jews listened intently to Paul’s account until he spoke that hated word “Gentiles” (“21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” – Acts 22:21).

PAUL AND THE ROMAN TRIBUNE

22And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.23And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,24The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.25And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.27Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.28And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.29Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Verses 22-24: “The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, ‘Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!’ As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.”’

We see Paul’s audience, which had been listening attentively, erupted in outrage when he mentioned his Mission to the Gentiles. This reaction underscores the deep-seated prejudice and division between Jews and Gentiles at the time. The violent response – shouting, throwing off cloaks, and flinging dust – demonstrates their intense anger and desire for Paul’s death. The Roman Commander, confused by the sudden uproar, decided to take Paul into custody and have him flogged for interrogation, a common practice to extract information through pain.

Acts 22:25: “As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, 'Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?’”

Here: Paul strategically reveals his Roman citizenship, which afforded him certain legal protections, including the right to a fair trial and exemption from degrading punishments like flogging. By invoking his citizenship, Paul not only protects himself from immediate physical harm but also highlights the Roman legal system’s obligation to uphold justice.

Acts 22:26-27: “When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. 'What are you going to do?' he asked. 'This man is a Roman citizen.' The

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commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?' “Yes, I am,’ he answered.’”

Here, we see The Centurion’s response indicates the seriousness of Paul’s claim. Roman Citizenship was highly valued and carried significant legal weight. The centurion immediately informs the commander, who comes to verify Paul’s status personally. This interaction highlights the authority and respect commanded by Roman Citizenship.

Acts 22:28: “Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.’ ‘But I was born a citizen,’ Paul replied.”

The Commander expresses surprise and perhaps a hint of envy, as he had acquired his citizenship through substantial financial cost – a common practice for non-citizens seeking the privileges of Citizenship. In contrast, Paul reveals that he was born a Roman Citizen, which places him in an even higher social standing and emphasizes the legitimacy of his claim.

Acts 22:29: “Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.”

Upon confirming Paul’s Citizenship, those preparing to flog him withdraw quickly to avoid severe repercussions for mistreating a Roman Citizen. The Commander’s alarm underscores the potential gravity of the situation and the respect for Roman legal rights. Paul’s strategic revelation not only spared him from immediate punishment but also asserted his rights within the Roman legal framework.

This passage vividly illustrates the Power and Protections afforded by Roman Citizenship. It also showcases Paul’s Intelligence in leveraging his legal status to ensure fair treatment and continue his Mission.

PAUL BEFORE THE COUNCIL

30On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Christ’s prediction came true: the nation did not receive Paul’s testimony. Instead, a riot broke out! The captain ordered Paul to be taken into the nearby castle where they could examine him under scourging. But Paul again used his rights as a Roman citizen to protect himself and his ministry. It was unlawful to treat a Roman citizen in this way (Acts 16:35-40), and Paul took advantage of these legal privileges. The chief captain had purchased his Roman citizenship and seemed proud of it, while Paul announced that he was “free born.” This meant that his father was a recognized Roman citizen.

The captain released the bonds and kept Paul in ward until the Jewish council could meet the next day (an event covered in Acts 23:1-35).

At this point it is good to review the history of Israel in the Book of Acts. The people of the nation had already been involved in three murders: John the Baptist, Christ, 

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and Stephen. They would have committed a fourth had not God delivered Paul through the intervention of the Roman guard. Paul’s memory of the death of Stephen was still vivid (Acts 22:20), and he wanted in some way to atone for his share in this national crime. But Israel was now set aside; Christ had forbidden Paul to witness in Jerusalem (Acts 22:18) because its period of probation was over.

The remaining chapters of Acts describe Paul the prisoner, his trials before the Jews, and his appeal to Caesar. How these chapters would have read had Paul not gone to Jerusalem and been arrested, we do not know. But God overruled His Servant’s mistakes for His own Glory and the Church’s good. While a prisoner in Rome, Paul wrote letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and to Philemon, messages filled with Church Truth that is desperately needed today.

SUMMARY

1. Paul's Defense and Testimony: Paul uses this opportunity to defend himself against accusations from the Jewish crowd. He recounts his background, emphasizing his Jewish heritage and strict adherence to the Law, which establishes his credibility.

2. Recounting Conversion: Paul shares his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, highlighting the divine intervention that transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle of Jesus Christ.

3. Validation of Apostleship: By describing his encounter with Jesus and his subsequent calling, Paul validates his apostolic authority. He emphasizes that his mission and message are divinely ordained.

4. Highlighting the Inclusiveness of the Gospel: Paul’s Mission extends beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles, emphasizing the Universal Nature of the Christian Message. This extension of the Gospel to all people is a significant Theme in Paul’s Ministry.

5. Interaction with Roman Authorities: The chapter also illustrates Paul’s interactions with Roman Authorities, showcasing his rights as a Roman Citizen and the protections those rights afford him, which is critical in understanding his later trials and appeals.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1. What are the main events in this chapter?

2. When Paul addressed the mob, what caused them to become quiet? (1-2)

3. List the information that Paul used to describe himself? (3-5)

4. What was the question that Paul heard on the road to Damascus? (6-7)

5. How did the Lord answer Paul's question, "Who are You, Lord?" (8)

6. When Paul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" what was the answer? (10)

7. Why was Paul led by the hand into Damascus? (11)

8. Why did Paul have the Damascus road encounter? (14-15)

9. At this point, did Paul still have his sins? What did he need to do to have them forgiven ("washed away")? (16)

10. While in a trance in the temple, what did the Lord say to him? (17-18)

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11. At what word did the Jewish mob stop listening to Paul? (21-22)

12. Why did the commander want to bind and scourge Paul? (24)

13. What did Paul ask the centurion, as they were binding him? (25)

14. What was the reaction to Paul's question? (26-29)

15. Who was Paul set before next and why? Was he still bound? (30)