GOD ACTS! (Chapter 22 & 23) - Listen Now to My Defense

Come see the possibilities of how God may use us in touching the lives of others. We will also discover that when we speak God's truth it brings God's power into peoples lives.

Then + Now = The book of Acts tells us not only what happened THEN, and not only gives us information about the Jesus movement and the establishment of the Christian faith in Jerusalem and beyond. In addition to what happened THEN, this book speaks to us NOW. It gives us clear illustration and clear testimony of how we are to live our lives in Jesus.

And so as Paul begins he starts with

Personal Testimony - Acts 22:1-3 (see also 1 Peter 3:15 be prepared to give an "answer" … for the reason for the hope you have…" The word "answer" in this verse is the greek work ἀπολογία (apologia which is the same word Paul used in verse 1 of today's reading when he said, "listen now to my "defense." In the following verses we will see Paul give a defense - an apologia - of his faith. We will see how Paul articulates his faith story (then) and for us today (now) we can learn from Paul how to articulate our faith.  Honest Humility - Acts 22:4-5 Paul starts his personal story, telling that he was devote to the Jewish faith of their fathers and trained in the law of their ancestors. He shares how he persecuted followers of The Way (Jesus) admitting that as a wrong. He doesn't hide that prior to his conversion he was against the Way just like they were though he speaks of it as having been wrong. (See also 1 Timothy 1:15-16 …"Christ came to save sinners of who I am the worst.")  He humbly admits he was wrong to have persecuted believers in Jesus. Glorify Christ - Acts 22:6-9. And then Paul begins to speak the story of his personal encounter with God (Jesus) through a bright Light and voice and how he had been blinded by the Light. (See Deuteronomy 28:28-29 … if you rejects me …. Then you will grope about like a blind person in the dark.') Paul testifies to the glory of Christ.  Acts 22:10-22 - Paul shares how he receives back his sight, is baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit and becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus.  He has a complete turn around. Paul continues with how the Lord tells him to leave Jerusalem because the people won't receive his testimony and to instead go share the message of Jesus with the Gentiles.  Acts 22:23-29 It was at this point in Paul's testimony that the crowd begins to get riled up again and begins shouting. The Commander had Paul whisked away into the Roman fortr