College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 22:1-21
c.
Paul addresses the Jewish mob. Acts 22:1-21.
Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you.
And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And I answered, Who are thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
And 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.
And 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.
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there,
came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.
And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.
For thou shalt be a witness for him 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 his name.
And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple; I fell into a trance,
and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.
And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.
I like very much the outline of this speech as given by Wm. Dallmann in his book Paul page 219. In introducing the speech Dallmann has written:
Chrysostom says: -What nobler spectacle than that of Paul at this moment. There he stands, bound with two chains, ready to make his defense to the people. The Roman commander sits by to enforce order by his presence. An enraged populace looks up to him from below. Yet in the midst of so many dangers, how self-possessed is he, how tranquil!-'
1.
Paul spoke of his birth and training as a strict Pharisee, with rare courtesy adding -as ye all are this day-'.
2.
Paul spoke of his persecuting those of -this Way-', the Christians, as they well remembered.
3.
Paul told of his conversion while engaged in persecution.
4.
Paul told of his commission from God Himself to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Gentiles. That stung them to the quick. They gave him audience unto this word and then lifted up their voices and shouted: -Away with such a fellow from the earth, for it is not fit that he should live!-' Here are a few points in this speech that I deem worthy of special note:
1.
The general knowledge of the teaching of Christ revealed in the manner in which Paul refers to it. He gives no introduction to the subject but simply refers to it as this Way.
2.
The use of the term brethren in the fifth verse. Here as in the earlier part of his speech he appears to be anxious to gain a favorable impression with these Jews if at all possible.
3.
I refer you to the harmony of the account of Paul's conversion that is given previously in Acts 9:13.
4.
The connection of baptism to the remission of sins in Acts 22:16. This same connection is found in Acts 2:38; Acts 8:38-39; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:33-34, etc. Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, but was saved or forgiven when he obeyed the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
5.
The vision in the temple in Jerusalem, which vision or trance is not spoken of anywhere else. (Acts 22:17-21)
That fatal wordGentiles.Up to this moment they were charmed by his use of the Hebrew language; and perchance they thought to hear some new promise of the coming Messiah, the one that would break this Roman power. Strange indeed was the record of this man's life. Paul hoped withal to free himself of the charge of a heretic. He evidently felt that what convinced him in his stubborness would persuade these Jews.
850.
How did Paul show rare courtesy on this occasion?
851.
Why so object to one word?
852.
How do we know of the general knowledge of the teachings of Christ?
853.
How is the term brethren applied in verse one?
854.
How is baptism obedience to the gospel?