Acts 22: Share Your Story

Key Verse
1 Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” 2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet…
 
Meditation
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, but is a stumbling block to the religious and folly to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Whether welcomed or rejected, Christians are called to be ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15).

In today’s reading, Paul stands before the very crowd that had just beaten him (Acts 21) and shares his testimony. He begins by identifying with his audience, establishing common ground (v. 3) before openly confessing his rebellion against Jesus. Paul refuses to minimize his sin (vv. 4-5). Quickly, he magnifies God's grace by recounting Jesus’ pursuit of him on the Damascus Road (vv. 6-16). Paul shares his story multiple times in the New Testament, and in every case, Jesus and His sovereign grace are magnified. 

Every Christian testimony includes the same ingredients: We were spiritually blind until Jesus opened our eyes. We were walking our own way until Jesus redirected our path. We belonged to the world until Jesus adopted us into His family. We were enemies until Jesus made us family. We lived for ourselves until Jesus gave us a new purpose to proclaim His name (vv. 17-21).

Sharing the gospel is as simple as telling the story of God's grace in our lives, personally, and of Jesus’ work historically. The response is God's responsibility. Some will believe, while others will reject the message, just as they did Paul's (vv. 22-29). But our calling remains unchanged: proclaim Christ, trusting that the same Savior who transformed us can redeem them.


Today’s Reading
Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” 
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: 
 
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. 
 
6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone 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 of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now 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, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 
 
12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ 
 
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.’ ” 

Paul and the Roman Tribune
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. 

Paul Before the Council
30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the pattern of Paul’s testimony?
 
-Why are you scared to share your story? How does the sovereignty of Jesus strengthen you?
 
-Who is someone you need to share your story with today? Take time to look through Paul’s pattern and make it your own. Ask God’s Spirit to lead and guide- and go share what Christ has done for you!
 
Key Verse
1 Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” 2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet…