Protected by the Holy Spirit

Acts 21:40-22:29

“And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.” (Acts 21:40-22:1)

Having been given permission to speak, Paul got the crowd’s attention and began to explain what had happened. The mob as a whole only knew what he was accused of. Jerusalem was an occupied city, and many languages were in common use. As an occupied city, they were constantly forced to accept other peoples way even when it conflicted with their tradition. That Paul spoke Hebrew as a native implied that he might at least understand their traditions and beliefs.

“(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” (Acts 22:2-3)

The first ting Paul did was describe his qualifications to be heard on the subject. No one has any reason other than good manners for listening to someone who has not demonstrated their qualifications. It is why a holy life style is so critical if we are to be an effective witness. He started by showing that he had lived a similar life to many of them, and thus understood their concerns.

“And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.” (Acts 22:4-5)

Though there were thousands of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, it was still very much a minority religion. Like those who were opposing him, Paul had originally tried to destroy Christianity. He shared his testimony as to what changed his mind.

“And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.” (Acts 22:6-13)

Paul had accepted the Lord as a result of the Holy Spirit’s power, not as a result of some impassioned plea or psychological manipulation. Ananias had only served to instruct Paul in what he needed to do next.

“And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:14-16)

After obeying the instruction to call on the name of the Lord and be baptized, Paul spent three years in Arabia being personally taught by the Lord, fulfilling Ananias’ prophecy that he would see and hear the Lord and know his will. After that three years, he returned to Jerusalem.

“And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:17-21)

Paul had assumed that knowing his past would cause the Jews to wonder why he changed his beliefs. Instead, God warned him that they would view him as a traitor and try to kill him making him ineffective in reaching the Jews, so God would send him to reach the Gentiles.

“And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.” (Acts 22:22)

Nothing had changed. The Jews still viewed him as a traitor, and like many other groups, demanded his death for turning away. That he had gone and taught the Gentiles what they viewed as heresy only inflamed them further.

“And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?” (Acts 22:23-25)

Roman law, laws protected Citizens from torture and imprisonment until convicted of a crime, but not non- citizens. Paul reminded the centurion of that law.

“When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.” (Acts 22:26-28)

Since Paul’s family were citizens, there was no hope that any violation of his rights would be overlooked. Any questioning was likely to be challenged in court and dealt with severely. God used the existing laws to protect him.

“Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.” (Acts 22:29)