Acts 22

Acts 22:1

Working through this section of Scripture, some days I think Paul must have known something no one else knew. He must have been completely convinced that no matter what everyone else told him, no matter what persecution he would faceit was the Lord’s will he go to Jerusalem. Others days I think he was just stubborn. He had a heart for the Lord, and yet, on this issue, he thought he knew better than the Lord. The Book of Isaiah asks, “Who has been the Lord’s counselor?” (see Isa_40:13). The answer? I have. And most of you have as well. We’ve counseled the Lord, saying, “Now, Lord, this is the way it should work out. Here’s who needs to do this, and here’s how we need to do that.” And I’m wondering if Paul, this great man, this giant of the faith, wasn’t showing his humanness by insisting that he could be effective in Jerusalem. It’s an open question to which I don’t know the answer. But I do know that when Paul arrived in Jerusalem, trouble was there to greet him, for no sooner had he entered the temple than the entire city was filled with the rumor that he had taken Gentiles in with him. A riot erupted, which would have ended in his demise had not Roman soldiers rushed in and rescued him from his own people. Taken into protective custody, on his way into the Fortress Antonia, Paul stopped long enough to ask Claudius Lysias permission to speak to the crowd that wanted to kill him. Surely his heart must have been pounding as he anticipated the opportunity to address the city. At last the Lord will see how powerful I can be, he might have thought. We pick up the story on the steps of the Fortress as Paul addresses virtually the entire city of Jerusalem. The Greek word translated “defence” is apologia, from which we get our word “apologetics.” Theologically, “apologetics” means defending the faithgiving reason and rationale for the things we believe.

Acts 22:2

Paul spoke to the centurion in Greek, but he addressed his countrymen in Hebrew. Why? Because although the Jews understood Greek, Hebrew was the language they learned from birth. Therefore, Paul used their mother tongue to speak to their hearts.

Acts 22:3

Paul’s message was neither a teaching on Old Testament prophecy nor an exposition of temple typology. No, Paul’s “apology” was his own testimony. And this encourages me greatlybecause even I can give my own testimony. “Who is this Jesus?” asked the Pharisees of the blind man whom Jesus had healed. “All I know is this,” he answered. “Once I was blind and now I see” (see Joh_9:25). The most powerful defense you have is your own testimony. People can argue with anything you say theologically or philosophically. But they cannot argue with what the Lord has done for you personally. Tarsus being a city in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Paul would have been a Hellenista Jew with a Greek background. “I was born in Tarsus, yet I was brought up in Jerusalem,“said Paul. This meant he could relate not only to the Hellenists but also to the Hebrews. One of the greatest rabbis in Hebrew history, Gamaliel wasrespected by all JewsHebrews and Hellenists alike.

Acts 22:4

“The Way” was a phrase that referred to believers. With letters from the high priest in hand, prior to his conversion, Paul headed toward Damascus on a mission to bring the Christians from that region to trial in Jerusalem. In Act_9:7, we read, “And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” Here in his testimony, however, Paul said, “They heard not the voice of him that spake to me.” Is this a contradiction? No. The Greek usage in Act_9:7 indicates the men with Paul heard a noise. But here in Act_22:9, Paul used the Greek word phonea to indicate that the men with him heard no words.

Acts 22:10

You’ll always know when someone’s truly saved because, like Paul, he’ll say, “Lord, what do You want me to do? What do You want from me? What do You want for me? What do You want to do in and through me?” “Go into the city, Paul. And when you get there, further instructions will be given.” The way of the Lord is always one step at a time. He gives His people one instruction and waits until they obey it before more information is given. In the midst of a great revival taking place through Philip’s ministry in Samaria, the Lord told him to go to Gaza. Philip obeyed, and the Ethiopian eunuch was saved (Acts 8). While Peter was praying on his rooftop, the Lord instructed him to follow three men who would knock on his door. Peter obeyed and the house of Cornelius was converted (Acts 10). The Lord called Abraham from Ur and told him to follow Him one step at a time. Abraham obeyed and a nation was born (Heb_11:8). Every time the Lord calls a man or a woman, every time He wants to bless someone, He does it by encouraging them to take a step of faith. Many times a lot of us miss out on years, or even a lifetime, of being in God’s will because we don’t act on the singular instruction He gives us. Precious people, we must obey the one thing the Lord has made known to us either through His Word, times of prayer, or the desires He has placed within our hearts. If we knew how it was going to workit wouldn’t be faith. If we knew where the supplies would come fromit wouldn’t be faith. If we had it all mapped outit wouldn’t be faith. Faith says, “Okay, Lord. Like Abraham, I don’t know exactly how it’s all going to work outbut here we go!” In 1 Samuel 14, the Israelites were at a stand-off in a battle against the Philistines. Perhaps looking up at the stars one night, Jonathan was reminded that the Creator who made such beauty and displayed such glory was with him constantly. Perhaps pondering God’s promise that one could chase one thousand and two could put ten thousand to flight if they were in God’s will (Deu_32:30), he poked his armor-bearer and said, “Let’s sneak over to the Philistine camp and see what the Lord might want to do.” So while the other guys snoozed, Jonathan and his armor-bearer made their way to the camp of the Philistines. As they approached the Philistine garrison, Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Now wait a minute. We want to be men of faith, but we don’t want to be fools. I’ll yell to the Philistines, and if they say, “Stay there, you guys. We see you, and we’re coming to get you,“we’ll split and make our way back to camp as fast as we can. But, if they say, “Come up here, you guys. We’ll take you on"we’ll take that as a word from the Lord, and we’ll go get them.” That’s the way I believe the Christian life should be lived: by taking steps of faith without being foolish. We should put on our armor, get ready for battle, go out to the edge, and say, “Here we are, Lord. What do You want to do?” Jonathan called out. The Philistines answered, “Hey, come up here, and we’ll teach you guys a lesson,“and Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “God is with us. Let’s go get ’em.” God was indeed with them. And a great, miraculous victory took place that day as two guys took on an entire armyand won. Stepping out in faith and yet always being willing to pull back if God isn’t in itthat’s the key. Step out in faithbut if you sense the Lord’s not in it, regroup, and see what else He might want to do. Be a Jonathan. Take a step of faith. You’ll never regret it.

Acts 22:11

Paul could have sat by the roadside, saying, “I can’t go to Damascus, Lord, because I can’t see.” But although he was blinded physically, he had 20/20 vision spiritually because he knew he must go in accordance with the divine directive he had been given. Speaking to a Jewish audience, Paul pointed out that Ananias was a devout man according to the law, a good man in the sight of all Jews. Conveniently, however, Paul didn’t bother to mention that Ananias also happened to be a Christian. The last thing Paul saw before he was blinded was the Person of Christ. The first thing he saw when he received his sight was a disciple of Christ. He saw the Head firstand then the body. So, too, although I’ve seen the Lord through a glass darkly, I’ve seen His body very clearly. I see the reality of Jesus in you, His body.

Acts 22:14

This was my prayer for each of youthat you might know His will, see His face, and hear His voice.

Acts 22:15

Continuing his testimony, Paul said, “After I left Damascus by way of a basket, I went to Jerusalem.” “Get out of Jerusalem,” the Lord said. What did Paul say? “But, Lord, my background and my talents, my training and my gifts fit perfectly with these people.” And what did the Lord say? “Split, Paul. This isn’t what I want for you.” The Jews listened to Pauluntil he said the word “Gentile.” “Blasphemy!” cried the Jews. “How dare Paul say that God sent him to the Gentiles. Everyone knows Gentiles are good for nothing but to keep hell hot.”

Acts 22:23

It was fortunate there were no rocks on the temple mount, for had there been, Paul would most likely have been stoned on the spot.

Acts 22:24

Examination by scourging was a tortuous, cruel method used to extract information. The accused would be bound and beaten with the flagellum until he either confessed or died.

Acts 22:25

It was a jailable offense to even bind a Roman citizen without following proper legal procedures and a capital offense to scourge him without doing so. Why did Paul wait until he was bound to declare his Roman citizenship? Because in so doing, he had Claudius Lysias right where he wanted him. Sometimes people ask, “Should a Christian stand up for his civil rights?” When dealing with believers, we are told very clearly that we are not to take them to trial (Mat_18:15). But Paul’s example tells me that when dealing with the world, sometimes it’s appropriate and very necessary to do so. Surely in the litigation-mad world in which we live, this has been taken to an extreme. But I believe there are times when it is valid.

Acts 22:26

The wife of Emperor Claudius encouraged him to raise money for their personal treasury by selling Roman citizenships. Claudius Lysias was one who took advantage of that practice. Most historians believe Paul’s father was a Jew who had been granted Roman citizenship because of some service he had given to the empire.

Acts 22:29

Claudius Lysias knew he was on thin ice.

Acts 22:30

Unable to examine Paul by scourging, yet still wanting to get to the bottom of the issue, Claudius Lysias decided to bring Paul before the Jewish Supreme Courtthe Sanhedrin.