Acts 22 -- Paul Speaks To The Crowd

Paul had asked for permission to speak to the crowd that wanted him arrested.  As he began, he concentrated particularly on his Jewish qualifications, and he presented a resume that would impress them.  His upbringing and education would certainly make them envious.  He'd been trained by the best!  "He admitted that he too had been guilty of having people arrested and bound, and even killed,"  just as they were doing to him!  He was even on official Sanhedrin business when he was blinded during his meeting with the risen Christ.  "Note Paul's wisdom as he identified himself with Ananias, a devout Jew who kept the law and who called him brother ...  In quoting Ananias, Paul gave reason for his listeners to accept his salvation experience and his call for service," my commentary said.

The Lord's command to him had been, "Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles."  When he relayed that to the crowd, things broke loose.  "At the mention of Gentiles, he lost the crowd.  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.  However, he had to be faithful in his witness, no matter what it cost him," my commentary added.

Paul informed Claudius of his Roman citizenship, which stopped the planned torture and would also get him to Rome, "and the Romans paid the bill!" by commentary said.

Father God, I can't imagine going through what Paul endured.  Such treatment would today cause many to even doubt that one was in Your will!  But I learned during Josh's adoption to trust You to get Your will done.  Keep me in that trust!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford