Paul’s defense before the _______ almost results in a second _________.
17“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance. 18I saw the Lord telling me: ‘Hurry, get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ (Ac 22:17–18)
17and I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me. Instead I went away into Arabia, and then I returned again to Damascus. 18Next, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. (Ga 1:17–18)
... the Righteous One (Ac 22:14)
... they were looking for a way to kill him (Ac 9:29b)
19“I said, ‘Lord, these people know that I went from one synagogue to another imprisoning and beating those who believed in you. 20And when the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I stood by, giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were putting him to death.’ (Ac 22:19–20)
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” (Ac 22:21)
They were listening to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he is not fit to live!” (Ac 22:22)
23When they started shouting and throwing off their cloaks and throwing dust into the air, 24athe commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. (Ac 22:23–24a)
Paul’s Roman _______________________ offers him _____________________.
Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” (Ac 21:39)
24bHe directed that Paul be interrogated by whipping, in order to learn why the people were shouting at him like this. 25As they stretched him for the whipping, Paul asked the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and who has not been found guilty by a proper trial?” 26When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and said, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen!” 27The commander came and asked him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” He answered, “Yes.” 28Then the commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship for a large sum of money.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29Immediately, those who were about to interrogate him moved away from him. The commander was also alarmed when he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen, because he had tied him up. (Ac 22:24b–29)
Lutheran Commentator, “He realized that he had put a Roman in chains, had committed a crime that might cost him dearly if the procurator learned of it and took a strict view. ... The fact that he had acted in ignorance might or might not be accepted as an excuse.”
4bIf anyone else thinks that he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6in regard to zeal, persecuting the church; in regard to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. (Php 3:4b–6)
This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” of whom I am the worst. (1 Ti 1:15)
22To the weak, I became weak so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people so that I may save at least some. 23And I do everything for the sake of the gospel so that I may share in it along with others. (1 Co 9:22–23)
God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Co 5:21)
Points to Ponder
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
Look closely at this passage, “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Co 5:21). What does these words mean to you? How could you use them to share the gospel?
Think about your life and your gifts. How has God prepared you for carrying out the Great Commission?
