Podcast 161, Acts, “Pt 22, Ch 22”

From A New Voice of Freedom · 11:53

Show by Ronald

Podcast 161, Acts, “Pt 22, Ch 22”In Chapter 21 we learn that Paul was bound and beaten by a group of Jews. He was delivered from the mob by Roman soldiers. Paul is given permission by the Chief Captain to speak. That is where Chapter 21 ended. Chapter 22 contains Paul’s speech. Acts 22:1-3Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.We learn that Paul is an intellectual and a scholar “taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers.” Gamaliel is famous for his wisdom. The following story is well known to Christians. Acts 5:33-39When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.Paul is forthright about his persecutions of Christians before his conversion.Acts 22:4-5And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.We have several versions of Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus. Each gives us added information. Acts 22:5-9And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutes. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.What do we learn from that vision? It is interesting that others saw the light but did not hear the voice of Christ or see Christ as Paul did. Paul alone bears the burden of the testimony. That is the nature of faith. How many Christians have actually seen Christ, yet believe the testimonies of those who have? Why do we believe without seeing? The answer is really quite simple. It is only through the Holy Ghost that anyone can know that Jesus is the Christ, even those who see him in vision. All who know Christ know him only because of the Holy Ghost bearing witness to their hearts. Those who feel Christ in their hearts are at no disadvantage to those who have seen him with their eyes; however, those who have seen him with their eyes bear a greater responsibility for if they denied him after seeing him, they would become sons of perdition for whom there is no redemption. Paul’s answer is a model for us all. Moments before the vision Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute the Christians even unto the death as he said. Immediately upon his conversion, he asks,Acts 22:10And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.Paul’s question is one, I suppose, that all Christians must ask, “What shall I do, Lord?” Paul immediately obeys God though he is now blind due to the bright light.

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