May 31, 2015
Acts 22:1-29


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http://zachadams.org/acts/acts22_1-29.mp3

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Outline:


Recap: The Apostle Paul made a misstep. While in Ephesus the Spirit told him to go to Rome, but he instead purposed first to go to Jerusalem. Then despite the continued warnings of the Spirit that “chains and tribulations awaited him” and the loving counsel of his friends not to go Paul remained stubborn in his determination. 


Sadly, upon his arrival, Paul further compounds this initial misstep by capitulating to the wishes of “James and the elders” by compromising his core beliefs. Though he’d hoped to build a bridge with his critics his attempt epically failed, a group determined to kill him morphed into a mob, and the Roman’s were forced to move in to save him. 


Then, consistent with everything we know of Paul, as he’s being brought into the Fortress of Antonia (located on the NW corner of the temple mount) he requests of the commander the opportunity to address this crowd of Jews who’ve just made an attempt on his life. 


Acts 21 closes with the commander (a man named Claudius Lysias) granting the Apostle permission to speak hoping that in doing so he might be able to gain a better understanding as to why the Jews were bent on killing him. Ironically, because Paul addresses the mob in Hebrew the commander wouldn’t be able to understand a word of Paul’s sermon.


Note: The opportunity to publicly address his countrymen and present Jesus as the Christ had long been Paul’s dream. And to make things even better… He would be able to do so while being under Roman protection. Paul was safe to say what was on his heart!



Acts 22:1-3, “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.” 



While it’s important to remember that Paul has been accused by these “Jews from Asia” of minimizing the importance of the law and defaming the temple, keep in mind, both of these accusations stem from the general perception that Paul was anti-Hebrew! 


This means before Paul can deal with these secondary issues he must first address his own Jewishness. Obviously, this opening line “brethren and fathers” intended to build a bridge hoping his audience might grant him the opportunity to lay out “his defense.” 


You can imagine in an age before Wikipedia most of what people knew concerning Paul had been left to the rumor-mill churned by his detractors. Sure he was known to be “turning the world upside down” for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, but few knew of his backstory.


We’re even told in Acts 21:33-34 that when “the commander came near and took Paul… He asked who he was and what he had done. And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.”


In order to correct the mirky record fostered by his critics, Paul begins by telling his audience the he was “indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city…” before explaining that “at the feet of Gamaliel” he was “taught according to the strictness of the law, and was zealous toward God as they all were that day.” Not only was his ethnic heritage pure, but he’d been given an elite religious upbringing most could not afford. 


Paul’s point was that he had been just like them. Born a Jew… Raised in Jerusalem… Taught the strictest form of the law by Gamaliel… Not to mention “zealous towards God” just as they were that day. Paul could relate to his audience and their rage. “I get it! I understand why you’re so upset! Years ago I would have been right there with you!” Then to hammer home this point he continues by explaining how “zealous” he had really been…



Acts 22:4-5, “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.”



It’s as though Paul is saying, “While in your zeal you tried to kill me, in my zeal I was successful in ‘persecuting this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prison both men and women.’ I even traveled to Damascus in order to root out this perceived cancer.” 


Before we continue I think it would be beneficial to once again set what Paul is saying in context to a larger point. While we have read the first part of Acts and know Paul’s history, for many in this audience what they’ve just heard came as a complete shock. 


Don’t forget for 20 years Paul has been a staunch, outspoken, public follower and defender of Jesus. The idea that Paul had originally been an avid opponent of “the Way” would have been news to many of the folks in his audience. 


Understand Paul’s strategy… Because most knew him as a “Jesus Freak” he has wisely and honestly presented his former life in Judaism and persecution of the Church in order to induce a question in the mind of his audience… What happened?



Acts 22:6-16, “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.” 


“So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.”


“Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.” 


“Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”



For a full examination of Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus I’d like to refer you to our studies in Acts 9. That said… I think its important we keep in mind that few people had ever heard Paul explain what happened to him on the road to Damascus.


Those with history knew that from Jerusalem Paul traveled to Damascus intending to persecute Christians; and yet, not only had there been no report of a persecution taking place, but Paul went MIA for 2 to 3 years (Galatians 1 says Paul went to Arabia).


Then to confound matters when Paul finally does resurface in Damascus he immediately takes company with Christians and begins publicly proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. 


The mystery deepens further when, after being run out of Damascus, Paul finally returns to Jerusalem only to spend 15 days there before heading to Tarsus for the next decade.


What’s interesting is that during these two weeks while we’re told Paul privately recounted the events surrounding his dramatic conversion to the Apostles (Acts 9:27) there is no record of him speaking of these things publicly leaving everyone else in the dark. 


Note: Aside from this there are only two other instances where Paul visits Jerusalem and both limit him to a private settings. (Acts 11 - Financial Aid, Acts 15 - Jerusalem Council.)


Here’s my point… While we know what took place on the road to Damascus because we’ve read Acts 9 very few people outside the inner circle of the Jerusalem church had ever been given an explanation as to what had actually happened to Paul. 


People knew something had to of occurred for Paul to go from being an opponent of “the Way” to its chief proponent, but few if any had ever been given the actual story. Paul even affirms that the only other witnesses (while seeing a light and hearing a noise) didn’t really know what happen as they were unable to understand the voice coming from heaven.


In recounting his previous life in Judaism Paul left his audience considering what could have possibly happened that would have caused such a dramatic transformation? Now (and in many ways for the first time) Paul publicly goes on the record by explaining that while traveling to Damascus with the intention of persecuting the Church his life was radically changed through an encounter with the resurrected Jesus.


While we’re refraining from getting into the particulars of this event because we’ve already covered them in our exposition through Acts 9, I would like to point out the central idea Paul emphasizes in recounting his exchange in Damascus with Ananias. 


He says, “The God of our fathers chose me to know His will, see the Just One, and hear His voice” so that I might be “His witness to all men of the things I’d seen and heard.” 


Paul’s Point… “At no point have I ever been against the Hebrew people or acted contrary to my desire to please God! As a good Jew zealous for God I persecuted “the Way” until on the road to Damascus I “heard the voice” of God, “saw the Just One” Jesus, and realized I’d actually been acting contrary to “His will.” It was only then that I adjusted course and became Jesus’ “witness to all men of the things I’d had seen and heard.” It’s as though Paul is asking the audience… “In light of all of the things that happened to me what would you have done?”


While Paul’s story may have served to correct some misconceptions concerning his Jewish heritage as well as explain why he’d become a follower of Jesus, two fundamental questions still remained: (1) Why is this the first time they were hearing this particular story? And (2) Why was Paul ministering to the Gentiles? 



Acts 22:17-21, “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”



In order to answer these two questions Paul fast-forwards the narrative 3 years from his conversion to a private moment that occurred in the temple during his 15 day stay. Paul explains that while he “was praying” Jesus appeared to him “in a trace” and told him two very specific things he was supposed to do…


First, he needed to “get out of Jerusalem quickly” because the Jews “would not receive his testimony.” Basically, Jesus was telling Paul that while he’d come to Jerusalem with the intention of publicly sharing the things that had occurred to him on the road to Damascus he needed to abandon this ambition and leave the city at once.


To his own admission Paul’s initial reaction was disbelief. In attempting to enlighten God as to why they would “receive his testimony” Paul said, “Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” “Jesus they’ll listen because I have street cred!” Side Note: “Anytime you’re in an argument with God you’re wrong!”


Paul is honest… “I came to Jerusalem with every intention of sharing my testimony. I wanted to tell you what happened on that road to Damascus. I want to tell you Jesus was alive, had radically changed my life, and was willing to do the same for you. And the only reason I didn’t was because Jesus forbid me knowing you wouldn’t receive what I wanted to say.” 


Now it’s at this point in his sermon that Paul throws a live-grenade into the armory… He continues, “And it’s because you wouldn’t receive my testimony that Jesus commanded me to “depart” from Jerusalem intending instead to “send me far from here to the Gentiles!” 



Acts 22:22-23, “And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air…”



Understand, the reason this mob lost their mind was more than the idea that God had sent Paul to the Gentiles (simple prejudice)… I’m convinced what irked them even more was the notion God had done this at their expense. Don’t forget why Jesus was sending Paul to the Gentiles… “They (the Jews) would not receive your testimony concerning Me.” 


Because the Jews had consistently rejected the revelation of God (first, the Father in the OT - then the Son by nailing Him to the cross - before finally the testimony of the Holy Spirit following Pentecost) there was nothing else that could be done for them. 


The implied point was that in rejecting Jesus the Jewish people were actively resisting God which is why God’s revelation was moving from them to the Gentile.


It’s interesting to note that Paul’s attempt to reach his brethren not only proved fruitless, but ended up fulling the prophetic word Jesus had shared with him so many years earlier… “They will not receive your testimony concerning Me.” Not only did the people resist what Paul presented, but all he accomplished was stirring up more violence and outrage.



Acts 22:24-26, “The commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”



Under Roman law citizens were a protected class. Not only was it required they be tried before being punished, but a citizen had the right to appeal their case to Caesar himself. The reality of this situation was that the commander has already violated Paul’s rights by having him “bound with thongs…” Having a Roman “examined under scourging” would have been so egregious it would have been punishable by his own death. 



Acts 22:27-29, “Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.”



I find it interesting that Paul waited until “he had been bound” before telling anyone he was a Roman. Personally, I don’t think this was an accident. Knowing the commander had already committed a crime, Paul now has the upper hand… A card to play if things turned sour.


Before we close I would like to make a couple observations… First… One of the incredible things about Paul’s story is the reality that Jesus stepped into his world uninvited! 


In Proverbs 8:17 the Lord promised that “those who seek Him diligently will find Him.” Jesus even said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” And while this is true for the seeker what I find amazing is that even if you’re not seeking Jesus still might crash your party anyway. 


Secondly… I’m struck by the reality that when Paul was finally given the opportunity to share Christ with his brethren this great theologian chooses to give his testimony. 


Instead of presenting theological proofs or apologetical arguments Paul instead points to the trajectory of his own life as being the greatest evidence of the resurrected Jesus. How else could you explain how Paul went from being an enemy of Jesus to an avid follower? It’s true that it’s hard to argue with a personal encounter.


One of the things we learn from Paul’s example is that the power of your testimony depends entirely on the life you’re presently living! Paul’s story presented powerful evidence that something had transformed his life because who he now was stood in direct contrast with who he had been. 


Let me ask… If no one can tell you’re a Christian without you telling them you’re a Christian, are you really a Christian? Now before you recoil at the shocking nature of the question, consider this same question applied to different things… 



Honestly… If no one can tell you’re a follower of Jesus without you telling them you follow Jesus, are you really following Jesus? What Paul’s testimony illustrates is that an encounter with Jesus will naturally bring with it fundamental, life-altering changes that can be seen by those around you. Jesus calls us to be the “salt of the earth” & “light of the world.”


And it’s with this in mind that I’d like to point out that in its simplicity a testimony should keep our focus on a simple, yet powerful reality. What was it that changed your life?  What set your life on a new trajectory? What softened that heart of stone? What satisfied that longing for love, joy, peace, and purpose? What changed Paul? Was it religion zeal? Was it greater personal discipline to obey the rules? Was it self-help? No! 


The only thing powerful enough to transform Paul’s life and the only thing powerful enough to change ours is an encounter with the Jesus! And since this is the case, a testimony should remind us what is so often and easily forgotten when it comes to the Christian life… The catalyst for change is still a continued, personal encounter with Jesus! 


In his book “What’s So Amazing about Grace?” author Philip Yancey posses a powerful challenge, “By striving to prove how much they deserve God’s love, legalists miss the whole point of the gospel, that it is a gift from God to people who don’t deserve it. The solution to sin is not to impose an ever-stricter code of behavior. It is to know God… Women much like the prostitute fled toward Jesus, not away from him. The worse a person felt about themselves, the more likely they saw Jesus as a refuge. Has the church lost that gift?” 

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