Paul's Defense (ii)

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Paul's Defense (ii)

Date: Oct. 7, 2014

Passage

Acts 22:17-29 (ESV)

17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

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Daily Bread

First, I will send you far away to the Gentiles (17-21). As Paul was praying, he fell into a trance and the Lord told him to leave Jerusalem because his testimony would not be accepted. Paul thought that his previous life as a persecutor of the church would give weight to his testimony but the Lord told him, "Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles." The Lord had other plans for Paul to make him an apostle to the Gentiles.

Second, Paul, a Roman citizen (22-29). This last statement provoked the Jews to insane jealousy and hatred. They were about to kill him but the commander ordered him to be taken to the barracks. The centurion was about to flog Paul when Paul calmly asked if it was legal to flog a Roman citizen. The commander was alarmed to hear that Paul was born a Roman citizen in Tarsus while the commander had to pay for his citizenship. God was using Paul's status as a Roman citizen to carry the gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire.

Prayer: Lord, help me to use all available means to preach the gospel. May your kingdom come.

One Word: Go into all the world with the gospel!

Worthy is Jesus the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

saying with a loud voice,

  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
  and honor and glory and blessing!”

Today's Question

What does the fifth commandment forbid?

See answer and references