Friday, July 11 – Acts 22, 23

1. How did Paul grab the attention of the Jews when he started his defense? (Acts 22:1–2)2)

2. What summary did Paul give to the Jews to help them understand his background in Judaism? (Acts 22:3–5)5)

3. What did Paul appeal to avoid being flogged? (Acts 22:24–29)

4. What strategy did Paul use before the Sanhedrin to prevent their evil plans from succeeding? (Acts 23:1–11)

We continue with Paul’s experiences in Jerusalem before the Jews, the Sanhedrin, and the Roman authorities. The apostle delivered a powerful and prudent defense, upheld by his trust in Jesus, who had called him to the ministry. His decision to go to Jerusalem was guided by divine providence. As we will see, that assurance came directly from Jesus, who told him He would protect him from the blind hatred of the Jews so that he might fulfill his mission among the Gentiles.

The story that started in chapter 21 about Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem is powerful and striking. In verses 37–40, the apostle asked for and received permission to speak to the Jews. To get their attention, he spoke to them in Hebrew, his native language (vv. 1–2).

He spoke to them with tact and prudence. When they realized he kept speaking in Hebrew, they listened quietly and very intently. He told them that even though he was born in Tarsus in Asia Minor, he was a Jew by blood and had been educated by Gamaliel, a respected rabbi and member of the Sanhedrin.

When he told them that he had once been a passionate warrior of the Jewish faith and that he had persecuted the first Christians, some of the religious leaders likely present remembered his zealous persecution of the new sect (The Way). Those Jews who heard Paul’s testimony of his conversion could not deny that only a miracle of God could have caused such a transformation. But the hardness of their hearts prevented the light of truth from dispelling their spiritual darkness.

In verses 17–21, Paul recounted his experience upon returning to Jerusalem, saying that while praying in the temple, he fell into a trance and received a vision from heaven. When he repeated the Lord’s words in verse 21, “Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles,’” they could bear it no longer. They raised their voices and shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Disturbed by the crowd’s reaction, the Roman commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. Unaware of Paul’s status, he ordered him to be bound and flogged to get a confession about the uproar. At this point, Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen by birth. The worry then shifted to the tribune, who knew well that Roman law strictly forbade binding or flogging a Roman citizen without proper legal procedures.

The commander’s next step was to summon the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin. As Paul began his speech, he looked intently at the council and respectfully emphasized that he had lived with a good conscience before God. What follows is a striking scene showing Paul’s cleverness in raising a point that would divide the council. He declared that he was being judged for believing in the resurrection. The Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection, sided with Paul, arguing that he was being unfairly treated. The Roman official then took Paul away to protect him from harm.

The next episode describes a plot to assassinate Paul. About forty Jews swore an oath to carry it out. When unscrupulous people become obsessed with their goals, they may even use religious language and rituals to make it seem as though they are doing God’s will.

Once again, divine providence stepped in to protect God’s servant. Through Paul’s nephew, the Roman commander learned of the plot and arranged for Paul to be transferred to Governor Felix. A military escort was organized to accompany Paul roughly 100 kilometers north to Caesarea Maritima. The operation was carried out successfully. Clearly, God was guiding all these events.

Tomorrow, Paul’s defense before Governor Felix will proceed.

From Paul’s experience in Jerusalem and his trials, we can affirm that God rises like a mighty warrior to protect His children in difficult circumstances. When it is our turn to testify for Him, let us pray for Paul’s faith. May we stay faithful even if the heavens fall. May the Lord help us.

May everyone have a blessed day in the presence of God.