Dig In:
Passage: Acts 22
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-21 - RECAP: Paul has been arrested after returning to Jerusalem where a giant mob formed to kill him while he was at the temple. The Roman commander had assumed Paul was a wanted terrorist from Egypt (21:38), and when he finds out Paul is not, he allows Paul to speak to the mob. Paul goes on to tell his conversion experience to the crowd. Notice how Paul shifts from speaking Greek to the Romans, which got their attention and likely saved Paul's life (21:37), to speaking Aramaic, the common language at this point in history for the Jewish people. We must learn to express what we believe in all of the different contexts we find ourselves in each day.
v22-29 - The crowd doesn't interrupt Paul's speech until he mentions that Jesus has sent him with the message of salvation to the Gentiles. Upon hearing this, the Jewish crowd erupts into chaos and pandemonium. The Roman guards wisk Paul away before a riot breaks out with the intention of beating the truth out of Paul. Once again, however, Paul pulls out the citizenship card and asserts his rights to a fair trial
v30 - To be continued - Be eager to come back tomorrow as the drama continues to unfold.
Old Testament Reference -
Joel 2:28-32 - This is the same passage that Peter had quoted in his first sermon back in chapter 2, telling of both the terror and the salvation of the coming Day of the Lord.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Seed & Stem 12:27
Imagine three reporters were covering this story, one from a Jewish newspaper, another from a Christian paper, and the third from a Roman paper. How would the three headlines look different?
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The God of our fathers, who has chosen you to know His will (v14)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will give you the words and courage to witness for Him in the different situations you will face.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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