Explore the Bible: November 10

Witness • Acts 22:6-21

By Becky Brown

After saying goodbye to the elders of Ephesus, Paul boarded a ship at Miletus headed eastward to Israel across the Mediterranean Sea. A reminder fits here: make sure you are reading and studying through the Book of Acts with a map. Never forget these events happened in real time in actual places to the living, breathing characters in these scripture passages. When they landed in Tyre, they found disciples. They would warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem, not even to set a foot in that city. Paul better have a “bon voyage” because the unwelcome reception would be less than pleasant. 

They sailed south to Ptolemais and finally to Caesarea Maritima. In the house of Philip the evangelist, a prophet named Agabus warned Paul he would be bound and delivered into the hands of Gentiles in Jerusalem. Paul assured them his life and ministry belonged to God. He was ready to not only be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus. His next steps would lead Paul straight to Jerusalem.  

Paul met with James and the elders. He related to them what God had accomplished through his work among the Gentiles. Many Jews had also come to understand the truth of the Gospel. Paul went into the temple with four men who were offering a sacrifice as a part of a vow they had kept before the Lord. Immediately, the Jews assumed that Paul had broken the law by bringing Gentiles into the temple. They grabbed Paul, threw him out of the temple and shut the doors. Their intent was to kill Paul.  

The Romans intervened, basically saving the life of Paul. They bound him with chains, just as Agabus had prophesied in Caesarea. The soldiers literally had to carry Paul out of grasp of the hands of these people. In Greek, Paul asked for an opportunity to speak first to his captors and then to the crowd of people. Assured that Paul was not an insurrectionist, they stopped and set him on his feet. From the stairs, Paul motioned to those below. A hush fell over the crowd.  

Speaking in Hebrew, Paul addressed his angry listeners as brothers and fathers. He was speaking in their heart language so they gave him their full attention. These were the moments Paul lived for and loved to see. He was about to share his own personal testimony.  

FIRST, Paul gave them his “pedigree” credentials. A Jew. Brought up in Tarsus of Cilicia. Lived and learned scriptures in Jerusalem under the teaching of the widely, well-known Rabbi Gamaliel. He was an A-plus student of the Old Testament scriptures. He had been a persecutor of those who believed in “The Way” of Jesus Christ. He was teacher’s pet and friend of the high priest and The Sanhedrin Council leaders. Paul was a member of this Council. His desire had been to destroy all of the people of The Way.  

SECOND, Paul revealed his salvation experience. On his way from Jerusalem to Damascus to arrest even more Christians, Paul met Jesus. It was high noon but the light from heaven was brighter than the sunshine directly above him. Paul was immediately struck with a blindness that would last three full days. Jesus called Paul to follow Him and forsake his mission to destroy The Way. Paul responded with two questions: “Who are you, Lord?  What would you have me to do, Lord?” We can submit that these are two very important questions for all of us to ask. 

God sent a Damascus believer named Ananias to address Paul as “brother” and welcome him into the Kingdom. Ananias would be used to reveal Paul’s new assignment. His blindness was healed. God was the Author of Paul’s new ministry. Jesus had appeared to Paul and spoken to him. Paul believed and was baptized and set into service of the One he had persecuted. Paul was told to share this witness with others. 

THIRD, Paul admitted being the “coat hanger” on the day of the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr. I don’t think Paul ever forgot the face of Stephen. These listeners would be happy that Stephen was stoned, so…Paul finished with a shocker: God sent me to give the Gospel to the Gentiles.” Claiming his Roman citizenship, Paul’s life was spared. Grab every witnessing opportunity. Before Jesus. Meeting Jesus. Since Jesus. SHARE!   

Brown leads LittleBrownLight Ministries.