Acts 22 -- That One Word

Paul was suddenly in the middle of a riot – and he was the one it was focused on.   The Roman captain wasn’t about to have a riot occurring on his watch.  The crowd was quieted and Paul began to speak in Aramaic, first using his background as a Pharisee to capture their attention, and then describing his conversion on the way to Damascus.  The people listened well until he said one thing:

 

“But the Lord said to me, ‘Leave now.  I will send you far away to the Gentile people.’”

 

My commentary said, “Paul was about to explain why he was involved with the Gentiles, but the Jews in the temple courts would not permit him to go on.  No devout Jew would have anything to do with the Gentiles!  Had Paul not uttered that one word, he might have later been released; and perhaps he knew this.”

 

The Jews began to riot again over this.  Paul played his Roman citizen card to prevent a beating.  It would be the start of his government-paid trip to Rome.

 

Father, I admire Paul’s courage in the face of such persecution.  You really changed him and led him to be bold for You.  I pray that I will not shrink from declaring the gospel.  Thank You that we are more free now to discuss it than Paul ever was.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford