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Acts 21:37-22:30

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These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Closed doors…
    • To Jerusalem…
      • Paul was in a rush to get back to Jerusalem before the feast of Pentecost…
      • But in EVERY city the Spirit warned him: Chains – Prison – Tribulation waited for him there!
    • Different Traditions…
      • When Paul first arrived in Jerusalem he was greeted GLADLY [financial gift from the gentiles]
      • But the next day James [brother of Jesus] and ALL [πᾶς] the elders gathered…
      • The WARM greeting of the day before was GONE – there was a BIG problem…
      • There were MANY [10 thousand] Jews that had come [perfect] to the FAITH…
      • ALL [πᾶς] of them were defined [ὑπάρχω] by a ZEAL for the LAW [τοῦ νόμου]
      • And they heard that Paul taught Jews NOT to be circumcised or keep their CUSTOMS…
      • Paul agreed to take a VOW of a Nazarite with FOUR other men…
      • He would do so PUBLICLY so the Jews could see – bring PEACE to the church – I Corinthians 9:22
    • Shut door…
      • When Paul went to shave his head after SEVEN days – Jews from Ephesus recognized him…
      • They shouted to the crowd – this is the MAN who speaks against the Jews – the Law – and Temple…
      • A mob grabbed Paul and threw him out of the Temple – and SHUT the doors…
      • They would have beaten Paul to death – but Roman soldiers came to stop the RIOT…
      • They arrested Paul – as the people shouted AWAY with him!
  • 1st – Being understood… vs. 37-40
    • 1st – No Assumptions… vs. 37-39
      • Asking permission… vs. 37
      • Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks he said to the commander:
      • May I speak to you? He replied: Can you speak Greek?
      • As Paul was being taken into the Antonia Fortress by the COMMANDER [χιλίαρχος]
      • He turned to him and asked IF he could speak [indicative] to him…
      • The commander was SURPRISED that Paul KNEW [γινώσκω] Greek!
      • If there was a RIOT in Bacolod square – with people all SHOUTING in Ilonggo…
      • And the POLICE came to break it up – assuming everyone involved was a TROUBLE maker…
      • They might be SURPRISED if one of the THUGS began to speak in fluent ENGLISH!
      • Egyptian… vs. 38
      • Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion.
      • And led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?
      • The COMMANDER impatiently assumed [ἄρα] Paul was an infamous criminal…
      • The EGYPTIAN who had tried to stir up a REBELLION against ROME…
      • Leading FOUR thousand ASSASSINS [σικάριος] into the WILDERNESS!
      • Josephus [historian] tells us about this FALSE Jewish prophet from Egypt [spoke Greek]
      • He led a large group up Jews to the Mount of Olives in an effort to overthrow Rome…
      • The Governor [Antonius Felix] put down the rebellion – but the FALSE prophet escaped…
      • The COMMANDER assumed Paul was that man – and was happy to have CAPTURED him!
      • Jewish… vs. 39
      • But Paul said: I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia – a citizen of no mean city.
      • Paul corrected the COMMANDER – he was from TARSUS in Cilicia [southern Turkey]
      • And his city had NO reputation for people rebelling against Rome…
      • Then the commander recognized his assumption was wrong!
      • Assumptions are like bombs – one mistake and they can blow up on us…
      • Which is why we do NOT assume – especially if we do NOT have all the information…
      • Because if we are NOT careful we will do and say things we will regret!
      • Luke 6:37 – “Do not condemn others or it will all come back against you.” [NLT]
    • 2nd – Right language… vs. 39-40
      • I implore you permit me to speak to the people.
      • When he had given him permission Paul stood on the stairs – motioned with his hand to the people.
      • And when there was a great silence – he spoke to them in the Hebrew language!
      • Paul asked the COMMANDER if he would ALLOW [imperative] him to speak to the crowd…
      • Having been given PERMISSION – he waved his hands to SILENCE the mob…
      • And then began to speak to them in the HEBREW language…
      • Because he wanted to make sure all of the JEWS could understand what he said!
      • Imagine if we taught the Bible studies in RUSSIAN – NO translation…
      • Even if the teachings were amazing – if we cannot understand – what good is it!
      • When I teach I will often use BOTH English and Ilonggo…
      • The reason is because some people understand English better – while other prefer Ilonggo…
      • And the goal is to make sure that people can HEAR and UNDERSTAND the Word!
      • I Corinthians 14:9 – “If you speak to people in words they do not understand how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking [to the air].” [NLT]
  • 2nd – The Testimony… vs. 1-23
    • 1st – The Defense… vs. 1-2
      • Brethren and fathers – hear my defense before you now.
      • When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language they kept all the more silent!
      • Paul turned to the CROWD and commanded [imperative] them to LISTEN…
      • When they heard Paul speak in HEBREW [3x in NT] – they got all the more SILENT…
      • And he gave his DEFENSE [ἀπολογία] – where we get the word APOLOGETICS!
      • I Peter 3:15 – “Always be ready to give a defense [ἀπολογία] to everyone who asks.”
      • Paul could have given them an in depth study proving Jesus was the Christ…
      • But his DEFENSE of his faith – was in the TESTIMONY of his life….
      • He broke it into THREE sections: before Jesus – meeting Jesus – sent by Jesus!
      • WHEN someone asks us about Jesus – can we DEFEND our faith…
      • If we are unfamiliar with our Bible – we are NOT going to be very effective…
      • Which is why we take the time to STUDY the Word – II Timothy 2:15
      • That the very BEST defense we can give for our faith…
      • Is to share our TESTIMONY – what God has done in our lives!
    • 2nd – Before Jesus… vs. 3-5
      • Relatable… vs. 3
      • Then he said: I am indeed a Jew born in Tarsus of Cilicia.
      • But brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel.
      • Taught according to the strictness of our fathers law – zealous toward God as you all are today!
      • Most of the people there did NOT know who Paul was…
      • So he went back to the BEGINNING – he was a JEW born in Tarsus [southern Turkey]
      • But [δὲ] he was TRAINED [school] in Jerusalem by GAMALIEL…
      • GAMALIEL – a famous Pharisee – well respected by the people – Acts 5:34
      • Who trained [παιδεύω] Paul in a CONSERVATIVE [ἀκρίβεια] interpretation of the Law…
      • That made him ZEALOUS for God – just as ALL [πᾶς] of the Jews listening to him were!
      • When we talk to people about Jesus – we FIRST need to relate to them…
      • Discuss a common interest – something they are PASSIONATE about…
      • Then from there we can turn the conversation towards Christ!
      • Dung… vs. 4-5
      • I persecuted this Way to the death – binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
      • As also the high priest bears me witness and all the council of the elders.
      • From whom I also received letters to the brethren.
      • Went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished!
      • Paul did NOT start out as the follower of Jesus – just the opposite…
      • He PERSECUTED [διώκω] the way – putting both men and women in PRISON and to DEATH…
      • Every BREATH from his mouth was full of THREATS and MURDER [φόνος] – Acts 9:1
      • When SAUL ran out of DISCIPLES in Jerusalem to persecute and imprison…
      • He went to the High Priest and asked for LETTERS [ἐπιστολή] to hunt them in other cities…
      • Because He was so convinced his RELIGION was right – and the DISCIPLES were wrong…
      • But in the end Paul REJECTED that religion – in order to gain a relationship with Christ!
      • Philippians 3:7-8 – “What things were gain to me these I have counted loss for Christ…  and count them as [dung] that I may gain Christ.”
      • When we show up in heaven and try and present our works to God…
      • It is like handing Him a pile of poop [or menstrual cloth] – Isaiah 64:6
      • Throw out the TRASH – forget trying to be good enough to earn heaven…
      • Being a better Christian is NOT about what we do – it is all about WHO we know…
      • And the more we get to know Jesus – the more we will be like Jesus!
    • 3rd – Meeting Jesus… vs. 6-16
      • Persecution… vs. 6-8
      • Now it happened as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon.
      • Suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
      • I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me: Saul – Saul – why are you persecuting Me?
      • I answered: Who are You Lord? He said to me: I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.
      • Paul retells the STORY of how he met Jesus along the road to Damascus…
      • Damascus is about TWO hundred kilometers north of Jerusalem [modern day Syria]
      • There is only ONE road between the two cities [to this very day]
      • Without any warning [suddenly] – a LIGHT [φῶς] shone around him from heaven…
      • It was so powerful – it was BRIGHTER than the noon SUN…
      • SAUL fell to the ground – overcome by the LIGHT…
      • And he HEARD a voice asking him – WHY are you PERSECUTING [διώκω] Me…
      • It is worth noting – the voice spoke to him in HEBREW [heart language] – Acts 26:14
      • SAUL asked – who are you MASTER [κύριος]
      • He answered and said He was JESUS [only time Paul uses his name in this chapter]
      • Yet Saul had NEVER met Jesus– so how had he PERSECUTED [διώκω] Him!
      • Matthew 25:42-45 – “[Jesus said] I was hungry and you did not feed Me… when you refused to help the least of these My brothers – you were refusing to help Me.” [NLT]
      • The family with NO food – the NEW face at church – the neighbor who is SICK…
      • The SINNER waiting for us to come and tell them about the LOVE of God…
      • When we turn our back on the needs of others – it is Jesus we are ignoring!
      • Contradiction… vs. 9
      • Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid.
      • But they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me!
      • The men with Paul SAW the light [φῶς] – but did NOT hear the VOICE [φωνή] of Jesus!
      • Before we were told the men HEARD but did NOT see – Acts 9
      • This appears to be a contradiction – till we take a CLOSER look…
      • The men SAW a light – Acts 22:9 – but did NOT see Jesus – Acts 9:7
      • The men HEARD a sound – Acts 9:7 – but did NOT understand His voice – Acts 22:9
      • The Bible does NOT contradict itself – it is the inerrant Word of God…
      • When we come across an apparent CONTRADICTION in the Bible…
      • Dig a little deeper – we will always find the Bible is right!
      • Blinded… vs. 10-11
      • So I said: What shall I do Lord? And the Lord said to me: Arise and go into Damascus.
      • And there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.
      • Since I could not see for the glory of that light.
      • Being led by the hand of those who were with me I came into Damascus!
      • Paul surrendered and simply asked – WHAT should I do [subjuntive]
      • To which God gave him a SIMPLE command – get up and go [imperative] into the city…
      • It would be told to him LATER [future] what he was going to DO [infinitive]
      • Because it was ALL he could handle at the moment – to realize he had been WRONG…
      • To realize that he could NOT [imperfect] see [blinded by the light]
      • Jesus blinded Saul [physically] – to show him he was blind [spiritually]!
      • John 9:39 – “I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”
      • We CANNOT convince a blind man that he is going the WRONG way…
      • Until we first help him to see – that he is blind!
      • Those who are RELIGIOUS think they are right – because they CANNOT see the truth…
      • Those who cling to their RULES – need to first see those rules CANNOT save them…
      • Then they will be willing to open their eyes and look to Jesus!
      • Chosen… vs. 12-16
      • Then a certain Ananias – a devout man according to the law.
      • Having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there – came to me.
      • He stood and said to me: Brother Saul receive your sight. At that same hour I looked up at him.
      • Then he said: The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will.
      • And see the Just One – and hear the voice of His mouth.
      • For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
      • Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized.
      • And wash away your sins – calling on the name of the Lord!
      • There was [imperfect] a DISCIPLE [μαθητής] in Damascus called ANANIAS…
      • ANANIAS – his name means the LORD [יָהּ] is GRACIOUS [חָנַן]
      • He came prayed for Saul to receive his sight – calling him BROTHER [ἀδελφός]
      • God had CHOSEN him [προχειρίζω] – to put [πρό] in His hands [χείρ]
      • Paul was CHOSEN so that he could KNOW [γινώσκω] the WILL [θέλημα] of God…
      • His will for was Paul to SEE Jesus [just one] – HEAR His voice [along the road]
      • Because [ὅτι] he would WITNESS [μάρτυς] to ALL [πᾶς] of what he had SEEN and HEARD…
      • The GREATEST persecutor of the church – a man who HATED Jesus…
      • Was [imperative] BAPTIZED – as he CALLED on the name of the LORD!
      • I Timothy 1:16 – “God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they too can believe in him and receive eternal life.” [NLT]
      • Paul was used by God as a personal example of how GRACE works…
      • If God can choose to save a sinner as bad as Paul – murdered Christians…
      • Then no one is beyond the reach of His GRACE – God can save ANYONE!
    • 4th – Sent by Jesus… vs. 17-21
      • Not Religion… vs. 17-18
      • Now it happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple.
      • I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me: Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly.
      • For they will not receive your testimony concerning Me!
      • After THREE years Paul returned to Jerusalem – Galatians 1:18
      • He was in the TEMPLE praying when he saw Jesus speaking to him [trance]
      • The Lord told him to QUICKLY get out of Jerusalem…
      • Because [διότι] the people would NOT listen to his TESTIMONY [μαρτυρία]
      • Paul was NO longer preaching RELIGION – he was preaching RELATIONSHIP!
      • RELIGION is NOT about pleasing God – it is all about looking good before men…
      • Wear the right clothes – the right words – the right traditions…
      • It is all to impress those around us – but it has NO power to save us from our sin!
      • Reputation… vs. 19-20
      • So I said: Lord they know in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
      • When the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed I was standing by consenting to his death.
      • Guarding the clothes of those who were killing him!
      • Saul wanted more than anything to be able to reach the JEWS – Romans 9:3
      • He assumed that because of his PAST – his PERSECUTION of the church…
      • That he had consented to the DEATH of Stephen – the Jews would believe him…
      • But God told him they would REJECT him – because they did NOT want Jesus!
      • Just because we REALLY want someone to be saved – does NOT mean they will listen…
      • God wants more than anything for EVERYONE to be saved – but it is their choice – II Peter 3:9
      • All we can do is open the door – it is up to the person to choose to step through!
    • 5th – Wrong crowd… vs. 21-23
      • The Gentiles… vs. 21
      • Then [Jesus] said to me: Depart for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles!
      • And God said to Paul – GO [imperative] because he was sending him [ἀποστέλλω]
      • Not to the JEWS – but to reach the GENTILES [ἔθνος]
      • These would be the LAST words Paul shared publicly to the Jews [in Acts]
      • Because God had NOT called him to reach his BROTHERS – he was called to the NATIONS!
      • Closed door… vs. 22
      • They listened to him until this word and then they raised their voices and said:
      • Away with such a fellow from the earth for he is not fit to live!
      • Then as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air!
      • They Jews were LISTENING [imperfect] to Paul up until THIS word [gentiles]
      • The moment they heard it they SHOUTED: kill him [imperative] for he was not fit to live…
      • And because they could NOT get to Paul [Roman soldiers]
      • They TORE their clothes – and threw DUST into the air [rage]!
      • We can always tell when we are NOT doing what God wants us to – it fails miserably…
      • But it is just as easy to tell when we are where God wants – there is LOTS of fruit!
      • John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
  • 3rd – Citizenship… vs. 24-30
    • 1st – Unlawful… vs. 24-29
      • Scourging… vs. 24
      • The commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks and said:
      • He should be examined under scourging so he might know why they shouted so against him!
      • The COMMANDER ordered Paul to be brought into the Antonia Fortress…
      • He had been speaking in Hebrew – so the COMMANDER had NO idea what was said…
      • He was to be EXAMINED [by testing] – to KNOW [ἐπιγινώσκω] what got the crowd angry…
      • Roman EXAMINATIONS were done through TORTURE [μάστιξ]!
      • Uncondemned… vs. 25-26
      • As they bound him with thongs Paul said to the centurion who stood by:
      • Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman – and uncondemned?
      • When the centurion heard that he went and told the commander saying:
      • Take care what you do for this man is a Roman!
      • As they BOUND Paul [only here NT] – to stretch [τείνω] your hands before you [πρό]
      • To expose the back of Paul as they prepared to SCOURGE him…
      • He turned to the CENTURION next to him and calmly asked a question…
      • Was it LAWFUL to SCOURGE an uncondemned [ἀ-κατακρίνω] Roman citizen…
      • The CENTURION immediately went and warned the COMMANDER…
      • Be careful [imperative] what he did to Paul – he was a ROMAN!
      • Slaves were very common in Rome in the New Testament [10-20% of population]
      • To be FREE was far from a guarantee – many never experienced it…
      • But to be a Roman CITIZEN was extremely rare in Judea [less than 1%]
      • And it came with BENEFITS – Romans could NOT be lawfully beaten without a trial!
      • Citizenship… vs. 27-29
      • Then the commander came and said to him: Tell me are you a Roman? He said: Yes.
      • The commander answered: With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.
      • And Paul said: But I was born a citizen.
      • Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him.
      • The commander was also afraid after he found out he was a Roman because he had bound him!
      • The COMMANDER came and demanded [imperative] to know if Paul was ROMAN…
      • Paul continuously confirmed [imperfect] that he was…
      • The COMMANDER challenged Paul that he paid a LARGE sum to become a CITIZEN [πολιτεία]
      • But Paul repeated [imperfect] that he had been born ROMAN…
      • Those who were supposed to EXAMINE Paul – immediately left…
      • And the COMMANDER was AFRAID [φοβέω] – because he had [imperfect] BOUND a Roman!
      • When we TRAVEL we have a PASSPORT – that tells people where we are FROM…
      • It has a NAME marked on the front of it declaring our CITIZENSHIP…
      • We do NOT usually choose our CITIZENSHIP – we are BORN into!
      • We can ONLY be citizens of one of TWO kingdoms – Matthew 12:30
      • We either belong to the KINGDOM of God – or the KINGDOM of this world
      • And if we try to get into heaven with the wrong CITIZENSHIP – the doors are closed!
      • Philippians 3:20 – “For our citizenship [πολίτευμα] is in heaven!”
    • 2nd – Sanhedrin… vs. 30
      • The next day because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews.
      • He released him from his bonds – commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear.
      • And brought Paul down and set him before them!
      • The next day the COMMANDER called a meeting…
      • He needed to find out why the Jews had tried to kill Paul [a Roman citizen]
      • Since he could not BEAT Paul to get the answer – he went a more civil route…
      • He released him from his bonds – and set him before the COUNSEL [συνέδριον]
      • His intention was to get to uncover the reason for the RIOT…
      • But Paul had a different plan – to preach Jesus to ALL of the leaders of Israel!