Acts 22

Acts 22 (NKJV)

Paul the Prisoner

A. Rescued from the Temple (21:27-39) [1]

B. Rescued from the turmoil (21:40-22:30)

1. Paul and his countrymen (21:40-23:23)

a. He had their instant attention (21:40-22:2)

(1) With his hand (40)

(2) With his humility (22:1)

22 “Brethren (my fellow Jews) and fathers (leaders of our nation), hear my defense before you now.”

(3) With his Hebrew

2 And when they (surprisingly) heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language (their own language, pleased), they kept all the more silent (you could hear a pin drop now).

b. He had their interested attention (3-21)

(1) How Judaism once controlled his life (3-5)

(a) Born in a Jewish family (3a)

Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew (like you and not anti-Jewish), born in Tarsus of Cilicia,

(b) Bred in a Jewish fold (3b)

but brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of (the most venerated rabbi of our day) Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness (the exact and complete teaching) of our fathers’ law (concerning the Old Testament and rabbinic teachings), and was zealous (fervent and militant) toward God (just) as you all are today.

The accusation that Paul was opposed to the law was obviously not true.  There was no warrant for the accusations that were being made about Paul.

But, truth didn’t have anything to do with the situation from the start, so why should it now. 

  • The accusations were what they wanted to believe was the truth. 
  • The accusations fit their feelings about Paul.
  • The accusations fit what they wanted done with Paul.

As believers, like Paul, we are to speak from the truth and only the truth, but it’s not the same for the world.  It’s about ideas, personal beliefs and spinning the circumstances to promote your ideas and personal beliefs.  Just like it is today in our world and the media.

They were responding to the social media of their day.  The gossip post of the day.  Then one, then two, then ten like it, and before you know it, the accusations go viral.  The masses believe it because so many have liked it and posted it on their lips.  Now the truth won’t change the gossip, because the masses want to be a part of the movement for self. 

We see the same thing in journalism today; fake news.

Once one set of accusations reach a dead end, they don’t repent and confess their wrong doing, they simply start a new set of accusations.

But for the believer, we must not sink to the same patterns.  We must stick to what it truth and trust that God with the results.

(c) Bold for the Jewish faith (4-5)

 4 (In verse 4 Paul continues saying he was so zealous and committed to the law that) I persecuted this Way (the followers of Christ) to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women (because Paul wanted to believe it was wrong.  It fit his feelings concerning Christ followers and was what Paul wanted done to them.  Paul didn’t and wouldn’t listen to Stephen’s testimony of truth as these men won’t listen to his here.), 5 as also the high priest bears me witness (can testify to these facts), and all the council of the elders (the Sanhedrin, as well), from whom I also received letters to the brethren (non-Christian Jews—Paul was following the likes and affirmations of his friends), and went (was on my way) to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished (Paul’s accusers are attempting to do the same as they follow the likes and affirmations of their friends).

(2) How Jesus now controlled Paul’s life (6-21)

(a)How he confronted Paul (6-9)

i. The light from heaven (6)

6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus (to carry out my authorized and intended task that) at about noon (when the light of day is the brightest), suddenly a great light (a much brighter, blazing light) from heaven shone around me (enveloped me).

ii. the Lord from Heaven (7-9)

7 And I fell (in terror, prostrate) to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting (harassing) Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting (and are on your way to Damascus to further harass Me).’  ..

Paul knowing the light came from heaven, would instantly know that he had been wrong and was indeed persecuting the very God he assumed he had been defending.

Just as I and you are zealous for the law, Paul was telling his accusers, so you and I are wrong to persecute the Way, the Christ followers.

God’s intervention is what can change any movement.  This is what gospels must move towards and pray for.

9 “And those who were with me (assisting me in the persecution of the Christ followers) indeed saw the (brilliant) light and were afraid (too), but they did not hear the voice (the words) of Him (Christ) who spoke to me (only an indiscernible sound).

(b) How Jesus commanded Paul (10-16)

i. The first step he should take (10-11)

10 So (convicted as I was of my wrong beliefs and thus actions) I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord (Master)?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and (continue to) go into Damascus (as my servant, no longer as my adversary), and there you will be told (receive further instructions as to) all things (further things) which are appointed (assigned) for you to do (to accomplish for Me, Christ the Lord, your Master).’

In Acts 9:15–16, Paul is sharing his story, just like here in Acts 22.  In verses 15-16 of Acts 9, we are told—15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

What does being appointed, chosen, appointed mean for us today?

  • God has a plan for our lives. (chosen & appointed)
    • God is going to direct us down a particular path and confront us with His will for us. (Cain and his wrong offering, Ester saving the Jews, Paul on the road to Damascus)
    • We can be oblivious to the plan and still get there. (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, etc.)
    • If God has a plan for our lives, He will also equip us to fulfill His plan. (The sword of the Lord and Gideon, Joshua—I will not leave nor forsake you)
  • God’s plan involves bearing His name to those we have contact with. (for My names sake)
    • Of all the infinite options God has to select from, He selects the best one for His children to put Him on display through. (Daniel—interpreting dreams & the lions’ den; and his friends in the fiery furnace)
  • God’s plan involves bearing His name with the powerful and influential as well as with the everyday individuals. (kings & children of Israel)
    • God expects us to influence in some way, every life we come into contact with, regardless of their personal status. (Be no respecter of persons, Love you neighbor as yourself)
  • God’s plan involves suffering while being a witness to Him (he must suffer for My names sake)
    • God’s plan is always good, but not usually easy; one we would choose.

11 And since (after the encounter with Christ Jesus) I could not see for the glory of that light (which had blinded Paul, and now the leader of this band was), being led by the hand of those who were with me, (and eventually) I came into Damascus.

  • Paul was now in a physical condition that matched his spiritual condition. 
    • He believed he was going forward and in reality he was going backwards. 
    • He believed he was making something of his life, and in reality he was destroying it along with the lives of others.

It took an intervention of God to turn Paul around. But at the same time, Paul had to have eyes to see and ears to hear.

God intercedes on all our behalf’s, but do we always listen.  Unfortunately no.

  • Another thing we can learn from Paul here is that:
    • Our beliefs dictate our actions, right or wrong, as well as our bents.
    • Wrong beliefs dictate wrong action, disobedience.
    • Right beliefs dictate right actions, obedience.
    • Obedience is to be progressive.
    • Nebuchadnezzer is a good example of a life changed.

What to we believe about work, entertainment, marriage, dating, sex, friendships, church, God, the Scriptures?

Are we still like the old Nebuchadnezzer who said in Daniel 4:30, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

  • In verse 10 Paul asked, “What shall I do?”

That is the proper response to God’s interventions in our lives. This question in forever on the minds and hearts of those who seek to renew their mind.

  • This is living not the “good life,” but the “new and best life!” 
    • It’s living “above the sun” rather than “under the sun.”
  • ii. The further steps he would take (12-15)
  • a. How Ananias restored his vision (12-13)

12 “Then (after entering Damascus) a certain Ananias, a devout (pious) man according to the law (according to the heart and will of God), having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there(validifying his devoutness, genuineness), 13 came to me (by the direct command of God); and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul (Ananias identified me, Paul, as one like him, not physically, but spiritually saying), receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him (the miracle verifying the work of God Himself).

b. How Ananias revealed his vocation (14-15)

14 Then (verifying this fact) he said, ‘The God of our fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) has chosen you (selected, set apart and appointed you) that you should know His will (concerning His heart [attitude & motivation], Word [knowledge] and service [acting on His will]), and (physically) see the Just One (the living, resurrected, Lord Jesus Christ), and hear the voice of His mouth (to talk face to face with Him).

“To know his will.” For the Jews, to know God’s will meant to obey his precepts. They understood that anyone who knows God’s will, but disobeys, receives just punishment. It would be better for such a person if he had never known God’s will. Paul had tried to do God a service by persecuting the Christians, but God told him that his divine will was entirely different. Paul had to see God’s will in relation to the Righteous One.[2]

Paul certainly didn’t know God’s heart and Word prior to this event and thus was not serving the Lord either.  He was in fact in opposition to the Lord.

Observe, Those whom God has chosen to know his will must have an eye to Christ, and must see him, and hear the voice of his mouth; for it is by him that God has made known his will, his good-will to us, and he has said, Hear you him.[3] In Matthew 17:5b God said at the mount of transfiguration, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

How often do we put ourselves in a place to God?  To get our orders for the day? 

  • Do we make plans/appointments to sit down with the Just One?
  • Are we open to sitting down with Him?
  • Do we have eyes and ears to see and hear Him?
  • Or, have we lost our first love?

If we have, we voluntarily surrender a priceless gift, given to us personally by our Savior who died in order to provide it. No one can take this from us.

This is what the church of Ephesus did, notice Jesus’ verdict against the church in Revelation 2:1-4.

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

4 “Nevertheless (in spite of the wonderful things you are doing), I (Jesus Christ), have this against you (I cannot overlook the fact), that you have left (drifted away from, let the flame die out concerning), your first (and primary), love, (Me.  No amount of work, labor, patience, or proper theology (no matter how good can override that. [cf., Mat. 22:36-40]).

The church “left” its first love.  It was not lost or stolen.  They must then go back where they left it and retrieve it.  But what exactly is it that they must retrieve?

  • Their deeds were proper.
  • Their resolve was passionate.
  • Their motives were pure.
  • Their doctrine was perfect.

What is the problem?! Love always rates over action.  As important as being zealous for sound doctrine and ministry is, it is not more important than being zealous in our love of Christ.

“You can be right theologically, but if you have lost your first love for Jesus Christ, then your theology is nothing but cold academics.  It is the beautiful combination of sound doctrine and love for Christ that makes a church what it should be.”

A wife who has a husband who lives out the marriage by the book, would prefer over him, the one who lives out the marriage from his heart.  But, she would prefer over both a husband who lives out the marriage with a balance of both; the book and the heart.  So too, does Christ.

This is the second generation of Christians.  Dad and Mom get saved and develop a godly home that the children grow up in and some children become like the Ephesus church.  They can quote fact after fact about the doctrines of the Bible, but their hearts are cold toward the Author of the Bible.

Twelve Evidences

We’ve Lost Our First Love for the Lord

  1. When our delight in the Lord is no longer as great as our delight in someone else.

  2. When our soul does not long for times of rich fellowship in God’s Word or in prayer.

  3. When our thoughts during leisure moments do not reflect upon the Lord.

  4. When we claim to be “only human” and easily give in to those things we know displease the Lord.

  5. When we do not willingly and cheerfully give to God’s work or to the needs of others.

  6. When we cease to treat every Christian brother as we would the Lord.

  7. When we view the commands of Christ as restrictions to our happiness rather than expressions of His love.

  8. When we inwardly strive for the acclaim of this world rather than the approval of the Lord.

  9. When we fail to make Christ or His Words known because we fear rejection.

10. When we refuse to give up an activity which we know is offending a weaker brother.

11. When we become complacent to sinful conditions around us.

12. When we are unable to forgive another for offending us.

15 For you will be His (the Lord Jesus’) witness (give a full report) to all men (Jew and Gentile alike) of what you have seen and heard (not about what you independently think or want to believe).

A stone pillar was often used as a witness concerning a matter of God in the OT.

Genesis 31:45–50 – So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, 49 also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!”

Joshua 22:26–29 – Therefore we said, ‘Let us now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, 27 but that it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the Lord before Him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, “You have no part in the Lord.” ’ 28 Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, ‘Here is the replica of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us.’ 29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn from following the Lord this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle.”

  • What kind of witness are we to be?
  • What is the pillar of our life supposed to represent each day to those who observe us?

Luke 10:27 – So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

If we will do this we will keep the command in Ecclesiastes 12:13–14, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

iii. The final step he should take (16)

16 And now why are you waiting? (We would say today, “Get a move on, don’t dilly dally.”) Arise and be baptized (this would be a gospel believer’s baptism), and wash away your sins, calling (or having called) on the name of the Lord.’ (who does the forgiving and saving)

Washing away one’s sins is different than being forgiven of ones sins.  Paul could be baptized because his sins were forgiven, and by his public baptism Paul testifies to this fact.  Through his baptism he symbolizes his sins being washed away by baptism, along with their penalty, guilt and power. 

This would be huge in helping Paul move forward to truly serve the Lord now.

We are saved by faith, not works like baptism. Ephesians 2:8–10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Baptism always follows faith. Acts 18:8 – Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

(c) How Jesus commissioned Paul (17-21)

i. Jesus broke my will for me (17-20)

a. Paul’s intense devotion (17)

17 “Now it happened (this would be after Paul’s conversion and 3 year discipleship program [Gal. 1:17-18]), when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance

b. Paul’s intense desire (18-20)

  1. God’s imperative purpose (18)

18 and (in this supernatural realm and experience I) saw Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) saying to me, ‘Make haste (there is no time to lose) and get out of Jerusalem quickly (immediately), for they will not receive your (seemingly traitorous) testimony concerning Me (Christ the Messiah, the Savior, My good news).’

2. Paul’s forceful plea(19-20)

19 So I said (in this case argued), ‘Lord (are you sure?), they know that in every synagogue (without exception) I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You (those who professed saving faith in You). 20 And (not only that) when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death (agreeing he should die for his faith in You) and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ (Paul is saying that his conversion is so incredibly radical, who in their right mind would not believe him!)

ii. He brought the world before me (21)

21 Then He (Christ) said to me (without responding at all to my argument—surprise, surprise 😊), ‘Depart, (do what I told you) for I will send you far from here to (distant lands, to the lands of) the Gentiles.’ ”

Gentiles being accepted by God without first becoming Jewish proselytes and an anathema to the orthodox Jews, it was heresy.

c. He had their infuriated attention (22-23)

(1) Expressed verbally (22)

22 And they listened to him until this word (up to this point), and then they raised their voices (again) and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth (put him to death), for he is not fit to live!” (He is polluting the earth).

(2) Expressed violently (23)

23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes (in demonstration of their horror and in preparation to stone Paul) and threw dust into the air (as a testament of their outrage),

3. Paul and his captors (24-30)

a. The Captain’s dilemma (24-38)

(1) He did not know what Paul said (24)

24 the commander (seeing this and knowing what was about to happen) ordered him (Paul) to be brought into (the safety of) the barracks, and said (probably very frustrated at this point after the second violent outbreak and no closer to solving the situation) that he (Paul) should be examined under scourging so that he might know why they shouted so (murderously) against him, (we’ll either get the truth out of him or kill him our self, either way we’re done with him).

(2) He did not know where Paul stood (25-28)

(a) Paul’s word of caution (25-26)

25 And as they bound him with thongs (to prepare him for the whipping), Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman (it was against the law to), and uncondemned (of a crime to boot!)?”

It appears that all through this tumult with the Jews and Romans, Paul remains calm in his faith in the Lord’s handling of this situation.

26 When the centurion heard that (that Paul was a Roman citizen), he (halted everything and) went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman (as it could ruin Lysias’s career or even cost him his life).”

For the Roman commander, things just keep getting worse and worse. He is certainly, unlike Paul, getting more and more riled up.

(b) Paul’s word of confirmation(27-28)

27 Then the commander came (to examine Paul’s claim) and said to him, “Tell me (the truth), are you (really) a Roman (citizen)?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship (Lysias is asking Paul how he became a citizen).”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” (the most powerful means of being a Roman citizen and the one that carried the most authority.)

b. The Captain’s dread (29)

29 Then immediately (upon hearing Paul was a Roman citizen by birth) those who were about to examine him (by whipping him) withdrew from him (took several step back from him); and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had (even so much as) bound him (without even a hearing which was also illegal.)

c. The Captain’s decision

30 The next day (while Paul was still in the custody of the Romans and), because he wanted to know for certain (exactly) why he was (so violently) accused by the Jews, he released him (Paul) from his bonds (while waiting for his accusers to arrive) and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear (to give an answer for their actions), and brought Paul down (when they arrived) and set him before them (to face them).

Paul’s conduct throughout his ordeal provides an example for all believers of how to give a positive testimony in negative circumstances. Several principles can be noted.

First, Paul accepted the situation as God ordained it. Facing persecution never caused him to be unfaithful to God’s plan. He had known for some time that he faced arrest when he arrived at Jerusalem (20:22–23; 21:4, 10–13). He calmly accepted that as God’s will, telling those trying to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem, “I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (21:13).

Second, Paul used his circumstances as an opportunity. The crowd had not gathered to hear him preach but to beat and kill him. Paul, however, used that occasion to proclaim to them how God’s saving power had transformed his life.

Third, Paul was conciliatory toward his persecutors. He did not threaten the hostile crowd or seek revenge. Instead, he courteously addressed them as “brethren and fathers” (22:1) and even assigned to their vicious beating of him the noble motive of zeal for God. Paul practiced the command he had earlier given to the Roman Christians: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not” (Rom. 12:14). He was like his Lord Jesus, who “being reviled … did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23).

ILL: Kyle Idleman, Grace Is Greater

We rented a condo for four days and had to check out by 10 a.m. on Friday. Before checkout the renter is asked to do a few things: strip the sheets off the bed, put all the towels in the hallway, take out the trash, and load and start the dishwasher. My wife assigned me dishwasher duty. At about 10:05 a man in his fifties and a couple of women walked into the condo, spotted me, and said, “Ummm, we are here to clean. You were supposed to be out of here by 10.” I apologized, thanked them, and told them we were headed out the door. We grabbed our stuff and made our way from the third-floor condo down to the car. Just before we reached it, the guy came out of our room and yelled down to us in the parking lot, “Hey! Thanks a lot for starting the dishwasher. There’s only a few <BEEP> things you’re asked to do and you couldn’t bring yourself to push the <BEEP> button?” I had just finished writing a sermon explaining that because we have God, we don’t have to let our circumstances rob us of joy. So you might think I would respond humbly. You would be wrong. Instead I thought, Oh, you want to overreact and get sarcastic? I can speak that language. I yelled up at him, “I’m so sorry you had to push that button. I’m sure that had to be exhausting,” and then laughed condescendingly. He yelled back at me, with a few more choice words, and I yelled back at him. By now my wife is in the car with the door shut. Finally, he stormed off, still yelling. The last thing I heard is him calling me “a worthless <BEEP> of <BEEP>.” I got in the car and slammed the door. At this point I should have held the situation in my hand, taken a look at it, realized it wasn’t sparking joy, and let it go. I should’ve thought to myself, Be joyful always. I should have remembered that love is patient and love is kind. I should have put the car in gear and pulled out as I laughed the whole thing off. That’s what I should have done. That’s not what I did. I sat there steaming about how I had been disrespected. I heard my wife say, “Let’s just go.” … I said, “Oh, no. That man needs to hear some hard truth.” I got out of the car, but before I could shut the door I heard my wife tell me, “Say a quick prayer on your way up.” I started to head up the three flights of stairs to confront Mr. “Can’t push the button on the dishwasher in the condo but has plenty of energy to yell at me from the third-floor balcony.” After the first flight of stairs I felt convicted and embarrassed.* By the second floor I was telling God I was sorry, and almost immediately it was impressed upon me that I needed to apologize and give the man a tip for his extra work. I opened my wallet, and all I had was a $100 bill. I thought, Well, apparently giving the man a tip is not what God wants me to do. I walked into the condo, and the second he saw me he started yelling again. I could hear a voice inside of me saying, One more round! But even though I didn’t feel like it, I said, “I want to apologize. I’m sure it’s frustrating to come in and clean up after someone who doesn’t do the little things. I’m sorry. I want to give this to you for the extra work you have to do and as a way to say thank you.” I held out the $100 bill. Almost immediately his eyes welled up with tears. He said, “Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” and began to apologize. Now my eyes were filled with tears. I think we both wanted to hug it out, but instead we just shook hands. I walked back down the steps, not feeling proud of that moment but instead brokenhearted that it had reached the point it did, and wondering in how many similar moments I had missed grace because of my pride. I began repenting of my sin to God. How many times had God wanted me to show grace and humility but I was too arrogant and self-righteous? I opened the car door and sat down. I was crying. Well, not crying, just teary-eyed. My wife asked, “What happened?” I told her. She patted me on the leg and said with a smile, “Oh, it’s so cute. You’re growing up.” It was her playful way of letting me know she was proud of me, but the truth is that when it comes to extending grace over the little things, I should’ve grown up a long time ago.[4]

Fourth, Paul exalted the Lord. His defense to the crowd focused not on his impressive credentials and achievements but on what God had accomplished in his life. That was consistent with his words to the Corinthians: “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:31). Exalting the Lord also served to exonerate Paul and put the crowd in the position of opposing God.

Finally, and most important, Paul maintained the proper attitude—one of selfless love.

  • It was his love for other believers that brought him to Jerusalem (to deliver the offering).
  • It was his love for his weaker brethren and desire for unity in the church that brought him to the temple.
  • It was his love for his unsaved countrymen (cf. Rom. 9:1–3) that led him to evangelize the hostile crowd.
  • And it was his love for God that motivated his love for people and caused him to give glory to Him.

Believers who practice these principles will, like Paul, be able to give a positive testimony in the most negative of circumstances.[5]

[1] Outline from, Exploring Acts, Vol. 2, John Phillips, p.195-196

[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 17, p. 789). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[3] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2166). Peabody: Hendrickson.

[4] Idleman, Kyle. Grace Is Greater: God’s Plan to Overcome Your Past, Redeem Your Pain, and Rewrite Your Story (pp. 87-90). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

[5] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts (Vol. 2, p. 273). Chicago: Moody Press.