ETB Acts 22:6-21

Session 11 - p.100 - Witness

I imagine most of you men have served on a jury or participated in court proceedings.

What would make you doubt the credibility of a witness?

What makes you believe one witness over another?

How can we apply these truths in our “witnessing” about Christ? Can we make our testimony more credible or less credible to the one we are speaking to?

Today’s passage is the second of three accounts of Paul’s conversion. But this audience is different than the other so the intent and content of the presentation changes slightly. As we read through the passages, see if any our of criteria for more or less credibility is revealed.

Understand the Context

Out of curiosity of its accuracy, I had an AI tool summarize chapter 21 for me.

In this passage, Paul embarks on a journey to Jerusalem, stopping at various locations including Tyre and Caesarea, where he receives warnings from disciples and a prophet named Agabus about the dangers he will face in Jerusalem. Despite their pleas, Paul insists he is prepared to face imprisonment or death for the sake of Jesus. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, he is warmly welcomed by the brothers and meets with James and the elders, sharing the successes of his ministry among the Gentiles. However, they express concern about rumors that Paul teaches Jews to abandon the law. To counter this, they suggest he participate in a purification ritual with four men under a vow, which Paul agrees to do. While in the temple, Paul is recognized by Jews from Asia, who falsely accuse him of defiling the temple by bringing Greeks inside. This incites a violent uproar, leading to his arrest by a Roman tribune who intervenes to prevent his lynching. As Paul is taken away, he requests to speak to the crowd, revealing his identity as a Jew from Tarsus and seeking permission to address the people in Hebrew. The passage highlights Paul's commitment to his mission despite the escalating tensions and dangers he faces.

I think it did a decent job. Today’s passage begins as Paul is allowed to address the Jewish people in the Temple before being taken away into Roman custody.

Explore the Text

Acts 22:6–9 ESV

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.

As I was on my way

Something to keep in mind as we go through the verses today is that Paul is speaking to the crowd after his third missionary journey, but he is telling the people before him about events that happened before his ministry began. Although he is a seasoned servant at this time, he is recalling for them things and thoughts that happened before he understood what it truly meant to follow Christ. I had to catch myself several times this week trying to add trains of thought or experiences to Paul that he would not have had at that time.

This is also something to share with others as you tell them about your experiences in Christ. Let them know how you may have acted or reacted in a way the was not correct and how God helped you do better as you walked with Him.

About noon

This reference to time appears only in this account of Paul’s conversion. Paul’s inclusion of the time added validity to the account and highlighted the prominence of the great light he experienced. The verse noted that the light appeared about noon when it suddenly shone around him. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

This reference also eliminates the possibility of lighting or other “natural occurences” causing the flash of light.

Paul’s testimony provides a stark contrast between the light of Christ’s glory on the road to Damascus and Paul’s personal life filled with darkness to that point. The man who was then called “Saul” had dedicated his life to persecuting Christians. While he was convinced of his own righteousness, Paul was overwhelmed by evil. This episode marked a significant change for Paul as light took over the darkness of his previous life. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

I fell to the ground

Paul did not trip and “fall” to the ground. This Greek word is used for one making themselves prostrate on the ground, and typically in an act of worship. The object or person to worship had even become visible, merely the light of His glory. He describes it as a “light from heaven” but his actions let us know that is not a physical heaven, as the heavens above the earth, but a spiritual light that immediately made the person within it realize its significance. Paul does not see Jesus in the physical sense at this time, but he does hear His voice coming from His Glorious Presence.

‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

Luke & Acts Commentary

In biblical thought, “persecution” always signified oppression against the righteous innocent, including Israel’s actions against true prophets (Luke 11:49; Pss 70:11; 118:84, 86; 2 Chr 36:19).

Paul had thought he was the one who was acting righteously by going after those he deemed as heretics. Now he is being told the opposite is true.

This question from Jesus, and answer to Paul’s question, is one of the few parts that is identical in all three accounts of Paul conversion. When the God of the Universe speaks to you, you do not forget what He says. It is one of the reasons that when someone says, “I don’t know if I am saved”, I say - you’re not.

Who are you, Lord?

Paul’s question back to Jesus is reminiscent of Moses’ encounter at the burning bush, “What is Your name?”

I am Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus answers with a specific name to impact Paul the most. He could have said, I am the Messiah, just I AM, but that was not the person whose followers Paul had set out to eradicate. It was the followers of Jesus of Nazareth that Paul was persecuting. Now Paul hears from the Lord’s own voice that he has been personally attacking the Lord whom He claimed to be waiting for and worshipping.

saw the light but did not understand

I like the connection of the differences between Paul and his traveling companion’s reactions with the passage in Daniel.

Daniel 10:7 “7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.”

We discussed the reasons why the men with Paul did not react the same way as he did when we looked at the Chapter 9 account. Luke and Paul give different reasons in the different accounts, but they do not conflict with each other. This message was from Paul, and these men would be Paul’s first opportunity to tell others about what had happened to him on this road.

I also see a correlation in this phrase “saw the light but did not understand” for a lot of people in our world today. Some may even be sitting in church pews today, thinking they are like Paul but actually more like Saul. Or worse yet, like these traveling companions, seeing a supernatural light, seeing it affect those around them, but having no lasting impact on them.

The leader’s guide had a note for discussion:

Paul was speaking to a hostile audience. Note that Paul understood his audience, so he was wise in picking his details. Affirm that adapting our message to our audience is an important part of sharing our faith story with others. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

I agree that we must adapt to our audience, but never at the cost of compromising the message. Speaking all the truth of God’s Word is more important than being politically correct. We can adjust the presentation, but never the content or context.

Acts 22:10–16 ESV

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.’

What shall I do, Lord?

Once Paul understood who is talking, his next question is the next logical step, “What shall I do?”

It was interesting to use my software as see all the times this question comes up in Scripture.

There are multiple emotional states and reasons for a person to ask that question.

If you are servant and your master calls, it is a question of service and desire to please.

If you are a criminal and suddenly confronted by an authority that can punish you, it is a question of fear and self-preservation.

Pilate asked the question of the crowds after he released Barabbas and presented the with Jesus again.

Elisha asked it of the widow before she went home and filled all the vessels with oil.

It is the same question that the crowds asked Peter after his first sermon on Pentecost.

Acts 2:37–38 “37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Which of these examples, or maybe you have another, do you think most closely matches with Paul’s question?

Rise, and go

Regardless of the motive behind Paul’s question, Jesus’ answer gives the new convert only enough information to obey until more information can be accepted. Jesus knew Paul would need some time before giving him his future role, but his also knew Paul’s desire not to sit idle. Go, and wait to hear “all that is appointed for you.” He would receive his life’s work soon, but he needed to be in the right state of mind and heart. We know from the other accounts that he did go to Damascus and for three days he prayed and fasted until Ananias came. It is not difficult to imagine Paul going through all the lessons and Scriptures that he had memorized and studied about the Messiah and begin reconciling them with his knew perspective. I think that he may have continued that process once he could see and begin reading through all the available scrolls again, which could easily have taken those three years in Arabia before returning to Jerusalem.

Another “Question for Heaven.” Paul, what did you do?

all that is appointed for you

God through Ananias tells Paul all the things that God had set him apart to do. Although there are only 4 things, it will take up all of his energy and life to complete them well.

Ananias.. a devout man

Paul describes Ananias as devout “according to the law” and “well spoken of” by other Jews who knew him.

This seems to be similar language to what Luke used to describe Jesus as he grew from a boy into manhood.

Luke 2:52 “52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

Ananias was “approved by God and man” so what he did for Paul could also be viewed as being approved by God. Then Paul describes how God used the man, further honoring and confirming his devotion.

receive your sight

There are several imperative phrases in our passage today but this one from Ananias to “receive your sight” was the hardest for me to grasp and imagine. He is commanding Paul to see again, but he has no power to do so. Maybe that’s the point, it is a command of faith. You cannot, but you can trust God will, now in faith allow it to manifest.

Luke 18:42 “42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.””

God appointed you to

Here is the list of jobs that God had appointed, anointed, or set aside Paul aside to do.

To know His will

To see the Righteous One

To hear His voice

To be His witness.

The fact that we are reading His account proves he did the last one, and the end of our passage today reveals at least one instance of the other three happening in Paul life.

This is a good list for all believers to try and use, although we cannot accomplish them or receive the same way as Paul, Through His Word, we can do the first three, and by obeying it we can be effective in the fourth.

These things are also a good thing to pray for other believers and us as well - that we may know His will, see His face, hear His voice, and spread His Gospel.

Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins

The MacArthur Bible Commentary E. Paul’s Jerusalem and Caesarean Trials (21:17–26:32)

Grammatically this phrase, “calling on the name of the Lord,” precedes “arise and be baptized.” Salvation comes from calling on the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:9, 10, 13), not from being baptized (see note on 2:38)

Although the ESV and several other English translations have the phrase as I read it, and is supposed closer to the original Greek structure, for the modern reader it makes an association between the acts that is not there in context. I think the NLT has it best to break the phrase and separate the context with, “Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.”

This clearly separates the baptism (an outward display) from the God’s redemptive cleansing (the inner eternal work).

Psalm 51:2 “2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”

1 Corinthians 6:11 “11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Only God can remove our sin and the penalty for them, but that is not outwardly observable to others, so He commands baptism as that visible sign of His work being done within our hearts.

Acts 22:17–21 ESV

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.’ ”

I fell into a trance

There is at least a 3-year lapse of time between verses 16 and 17 in Paul’s life, but the accounts are placed next to each to show the fulfillment of the promise and work of God through and to Paul.

Luke recorded these words, but this account is Paul telling of the experience and he uses a different word for “trance.” We get our English word for ecstasy from this word, letting us know how blissful or ecstatic this vision was to Paul. Unlike some of the visions in Scripture, especially those of judgments to come, this one left its recipient in a state with traces memories of divine glory and peace.

I get hints of this whenever God shows me something I had not seen before from His word.

because

Jesus told Paul to leave Jerusalem quickly not because there was danger, because he would not be listened to. Yes, the was danger but God would protect and strengthen him many times in the years to come, but unyielding hearts were a bigger threat to Paul’s ministry in Jerusalem at this time.

The apostle, however, was still relatively new to mission work for the Lord so he proceeded to “explain” why he should stay. Almost like a counterpart to Moses telling God why he could not go to the enslaved Hebrews, Paul tells God why he should stay and free his Jewish brethren.

Go

Jesus allowed Paul’s protests, but they did not change His divine agenda. As one might expect, go appears as an imperative, making it a command. The Greek wording indicates starting on a journey. In this case, God was sending Paul on the next phase of his spiritual walk. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

As Paul is telling the story, he has faithfully traveled this path for many years.

I will send you far away to the Gentiles

In Paul’s “plan” to stay in Jerusalem, who was he expecting to influence with his changed life and the gospel of Christ? What people group?

Who did God’s plans for Paul’s ministry include as the primary focus?

We must be willing to allow God to change our plans into His, even when they seem to be in the opposite direction.

Reflect: Explain that the Lord places people in our lives who need to hear our faith story. Paul faithfully witnessed for Jesus even when his audience refused to hear. We are not responsible for people’s response. Our role is to take the gospel of Jesus to people He puts in our path.

Apply the Text

AMG Bible Illustrations Common Sense in Witnessing

Common Sense in Witnessing

The man who charges up to a perfect stranger and demands, “Are you saved?” may indeed be zealous for the Lord, but he shows very little understanding or love for his fellowman. His tactless approach indicates that he has no real interest in the man as a person, but only as a potential candidate for conversion, an object to witness to. Common sense is essential even in witnessing. Remember this. You should witness not for the sake of witnessing but for the purpose of winning souls to Christ. As a fisher of men you must exercise judgment in casting the net. Or, to change the simile, you must hold your fire until you see the target. Firing your rifle into the air will not accomplish anything. Let this be the judgment you exercise as a steward of the higher truths of life.

Pray:

Remind us often that You called us to share our testimony with others.

Help us courageously take advantage and to see that You, Lord place people in our lives who need to hear our faith story.

Strengthen us to be obedient, discerning, and faithful to tell them and others how we came to know Jesus as Savior.