In The Word
Read: Acts 21:37-22:16
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he *said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
Paul’s Defense before the Jews
22 “Brothers and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said,
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the Law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brothers, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.
6 “But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus at about noon, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’9 And those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that has been appointed for you to do.’ 11 But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I came into Damascus being led by the hand by those who were with me.
12 “Now a certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing nearby he said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a message from His mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.’
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Before being locked away in the barracks, Paul realized the opportunity. Having received permission to speak to the mob, he motioned them in. Notice that instead of shrinking from the threat, he stood up to the occasion. He began to speak in Hebrew. This grabbed the attention of the mob and silenced them. God gave Paul an opportunity to speak. What would he say? Would he give a theological lecture in the defense of Jesus Christ? No, Paul shared what is most dear to him: his personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The greatest defense that the Apostle had for Jesus was his one-on-one experience. It was that road-to-Damascus experience that Paul returned to time and time again. It was there that he met Jesus, and it was there that his life was changed. For Paul, his personal encounter with God was sufficient for the moment.
Many times, Christians are intimidated when it comes to sharing their faith. They have a false notion that they have to have a seminary degree or know the Bible forwards and backwards. The truth is you just need to know Jesus Christ. God does not need us to defend Him or explain Him; He just wants us to share our personal encounters with Him. People can argue theology or doctrine, but they can’t argue your experience. It is your life-changing encounter with the living God that is the fuel that ignites a holy fire.