Study From the Book of Acts,22

Study From the Book of Acts,22

Today we study the twenty-second chapter of the Book of Acts and we choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

After speaking Greek to the commander, Paul addressed the people in the Hebrew dialect most likely Aramaic. When the people heard him speaking to them in their own language they were reminded that Paul was not a Gentile but a Jew like themselves. So, they listened to what he had to say.

Paul explained to the crowd that he understood why they were beating him and wanted him dead. They were zealous for God. Paul was not blaming them for what they had done to him. He pointed out that in his former zeal he would have done the same thing. Paul showed compassion even to his attackers; we should model that same type of compassion for all people who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus.

Paul then shared his personal testimony. God has given each of us a testimony of how He has changed our lives. We must share that testimony to everyone who will listen. Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 3:15: “always to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.”

The Jews did not hate all Gentiles. In fact, they permitted God -fearing Gentiles to worship in the Court of Gentiles. The Gentile could even become a proselyte, recognized as a Jew, by circumcised and obeying the laws of Moses. So, the Jews in this passage were not upset about allowing Gentiles could be on the equal footing with them before God without being proselytes. The fact that the Gentiles could come to God directly by faith in Jesus Christ was offensive to them.

The punishment of scourging was worse than beating by a leather-whip. Paul had been beaten by whips and rods. But scourging was used to cripple or to kill criminals.  Under the Roman law the Roman citizen couldn’t be scourged without a proper trial. Failure to obey this law resulted in sever punishment. Paul had been chained and was about to be scourged without any formal charges having been made.  So Paul objected saying he was a Roman Citizen.  Possibly Paul’s father or grandfather had become a citizen this way with the result that Paul was born a Roman.  Ultimately, God used Paul’s Roman citizenship to spread the gospel to Rome.

Structure:

Verses 1-21: addressing the Jerusalem mob, continue.

Verses 22-29: Paul’s Roman Citizenship

Verses:30: the Sanhedrin divided.

Principle 43: verse 22: 14----"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.”

Lesson 43: Paul never forgot the words of Ananias that God had chosen him to both see and hear Jesus and to know His will. He never allowed affliction to shake him, for he wrote, “We are appointed to this.” 1 Thess.3:3.

Principle 44 verse 22:29:” ----Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him”

Lesson 44:  It was a serious offense to injure or harm a Roman citizen who had not been convicted of an offense. Paul did not hesitate to use the law when it helped his cause. (13/7/2025).