DAY #216: Acts 22:3-21

Paul began his defense with a brief personal history. The statement, I am a Jew, declared Paul’s brotherhood with the crowd. Though born in Tarsus, Paul had been educated in Jerusalem. Not only that, but under Gamaliel, the most honored rabbi of that time. Gamaliel was well known and respected as an expert on religious law and as a voice for moderation .

This statement by Paul was intended to refute the allegation that he had been telling everyone to disobey the Jewish laws.

In saying he was zealous to honor God in everything, Paul was alluding to his former prominent role in the persecution of Christians. He recognized the sincere motives behind their desire to kill him and that a few years earlier, he had shared that same well-meaning but misguided passion.

Next, tells the story of how he met Jesus, making it clear that his conversion was not an issue of defection but a matter of divine intervention! Paul had been about his business, intent on his mission (rounding up the followers of Jesus)—and apparently very content and settled in his pro-Jewish, anti-Christian state of mind. Suddenly Jesus himself intervened and spoke to Paul.

Blinded, confused, shocked, scared—Paul’s mind must have been reeling as he lay in the dust. He had responded with a humble question, “What shall I do, Lord?” Paul related to his audience the physical effects of this divine revelation.

Paul reported that he had heard through the lips of this respected, devout Jew his unexpected, unsought commission. Ananias had made it clear that the supernatural events being experienced by Paul were the sovereign work of none other than the God of our ancestors. In zealously opposing Jesus and his followers, Paul had assumed that he had been serving and honoring the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.

Through the announcement of Ananias, he had learned the truth. The God of the Hebrews—far from leading Paul to fight Christianity—was selecting him to become the leading spokesman for this new faith! Paul would take his message everywhere. So Paul was baptized right then—a powerful outward sign of Paul’s inward cleansing from sin and his embracing of the truth.

Paul continued to answer the mob’s accusations. He stated, in effect, that he was not anti-Temple. By praying and worshiping there, he demonstrated his continued respect for the Temple—even as a follower of Jesus.

While he was praying in the Temple, Paul received a heavenly vision. In this vision, Jesus appeared and warned Paul to promptly leave Jerusalem because the Jews would not accept his testimony.

Never one to run from controversy or trouble, Paul protested mildly. He obviously felt convinced that his conversion from a notorious persecutor of Christians into an ardent evangelist for the Way would impress his Jewish accusers. Surely, they would marvel at the change in his life. He could not and would not have done such a complete about-face without compelling reasons.

Perhaps implicit in Paul’s rejoinder was the thought that preaching to such a volatile audience might in some way make up for the damage he had done to the church—especially assisting in and approving of the killing of Stephen. Paul’s appeal to the Lord was unsuccessful. For Paul’s own safety and for the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan, Paul needed to leave Jerusalem. A plot on his life was in the works. The Lord was commissioning Paul to take the message of salvation to the Gentiles.

SO WHAT? (what will i do with what i have read today?)

The most powerful tool we have, when it comes to sharing our faith, is our testimony. Our story of how God has worked in our lives and hearts. It is our story of how God has changed us and blessed us and made a way for us.

So, let me ask you today - have you developed your testimony? 2 Timothy 4:2 from the Message Bible says "proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch, so as to be ready at anytime. Challenge, warn, and urge people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple."

What is God saying? We have to be ready at all times to share what God has done in us. This is called your testimony. Below is a link to a website where you can download a personal testimony worksheet. I encourage you - I exhort you, do the work. Get prepared. Put in the time. And when you do, watch how many opportunities God will bring your way to share your faith.

http://www.everyschool.com/PULSE/Equip/TestimonyWorkSheet.pdf