065 Learning From Paul's Testimony (part 1)
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1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.
Then he said: 3 “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, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven 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 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 “And 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. 10 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.’ 11 And 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.
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 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. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
1. Paul shows the error of his zeal.
1. Paul shows the error of his zeal.
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.
Then he said: 3 “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, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
(1) A. Paul caught their attention by speaking in Hebrew.
(1) A. Paul caught their attention by speaking in Hebrew.
The Jews would have understood Greek.
They fully expected this rebel to speak in Greek.
Paul’s fluent Hebrew caught their attention.
Other scholars argue it was Aramaic.
Either way it was not Greek.
Paul was a skilled communicator.
He was not a skilled speaker.
10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
But his speech had order.
Paul knew Greek and Hebrew well.
His ability to clearly communicate with the Romans suggests he was also fluent in Latin.
Also, Paul addresses them as brothers and fathers. A sign of true respect for them. (this is how the Sanhedrin was addressed)
Stephen addressed them the same way.
2 And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
I wonder how respectful we are to our fellow countrymen that we disagree with...
Paul knows what he needs to do to get the attention of the Jews.
In this moment he is once again sharing their need for the gospel.
Let’s look at how he does this...
(1) B. Paul affirms his rich Jewish heritage.
(1) B. Paul affirms his rich Jewish heritage.
There is a time for us to embrace our heritage.
There is a time for us to be proud that are citizens of this country!
We need to understand when and how to do that.
So Paul leans into his Jewish heritage.
What Paul does is far more clear than the plan the Elders had and it still didn’t work.
a. He grew up in Jerusalem.
a. He grew up in Jerusalem.
He clearly points out that he is a Jew.
This would be for the sake of the Jews but also for the Romans who thought he was an unruly Egyptian.
We know him as Saul of Tarsus.
He was a diaspora Jew.
Born outside of Israel in a Jewish colony.
But he was raised in Jerusalem.
He moved there for his education.
This happened by his 13th birthday.
This is his city. These are his people.
People he grew up with.
People he played in the streets with.
People he went to school with.
People he went to the synagogue with.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
b. He studied at the feet of Gamaliel.
b. He studied at the feet of Gamaliel.
This was an important part of Paul’s story.
It stands in the same relation as Moses being taught by the Egyptians.
It was God’s preparation for the future.
There was not a Jewish teacher more respected at the time.
34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
c. He followed the law with strictness.
c. He followed the law with strictness.
Gamaliel taught with preciseness and strictness.
4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
d. He was zealous toward God (as the
Jews were).
d. He was zealous toward God (as the
Jews were).
Paul was zealous but for the wrong thing.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Paul said he was zealous as they were.
Paul was so zealous for the law and God (he thought) that his zeal turned to a desire for blood.
Not only is he telling the Jews he was once exactly where they are… this serves as a learning opportunity for us.
Paul has an immense amount of patience for the Jews.
WHY? Because he was once just like them.
Except for a miracle from God.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
We too should be patient with those who we once were like.
Remembering that they need the same miracle we had.
Until then they don’t know any better.
(1) C. Paul confesses his persecution of Christians (the Way).
(1) C. Paul confesses his persecution of Christians (the Way).
a. He put Christians in prison.
a. He put Christians in prison.
b. He beat Christians.
b. He beat Christians.
c. He killed Christians.
c. He killed Christians.
d. He watched approvingly as Stephen was killed.
d. He watched approvingly as Stephen was killed.
54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
1 Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
We are angered and broken when we hear about Christians in Afghanistan (or other parts of the world). - That is what Paul was doing.
He was leading the cause.
Let that be real to you this morning.
Can you imagine how Paul felt rehearsing this to the Jews?
Paul was an active enemy of Christ.
Devoting his entire life to fighting against Christ and his church.
Don’t forget there is no neutral ground with God.
There is no place for fence riders.
There is not an exception given for those who do not outwardly disagree with Christ.
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
We have been over this… there is no neutral ground with God.
Any unbeliever is no different than Paul or the Jews.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
This should give you an overwhelming thankfulness and love for God.
God proved His love for us in the most lavish way possible.
(1) D. Paul revealed his approval from Jewish religious leaders.
(1) D. Paul revealed his approval from Jewish religious leaders.
5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
These were the same guys that were once in approval of Paul/Saul.
He was doing their dirty work.
(1) E. Paul identified his reason for being on the road to Damascus.
(1) E. Paul identified his reason for being on the road to Damascus.
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Paul was living life.
Doing what he wanted.
Doing what he thought was right.
He had power.
He had prestige.
a. To carry out the wishes of Jewish leaders.
a. To carry out the wishes of Jewish leaders.
He told the Jews… I was carrying letters from the very people who now want me dead.
b. To arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment.
b. To arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment.
Paul is saying… I get it. I was where you are.
But for that reason listen to me.
Imagine how Paul must have felt.
Recounting his past life.
Telling the Jews who he once was.
Paul was a murder.
He had destroyed lives.
He had forever changed families.
In that moment forced to relive all that he had done.
A lifetime spent learning the law and pursuing Judaism.
Time that he could never get back.
Money spent that was gone forever.
Sin committed that could never be changed.
It was a part of his past.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Paul will immediately roll into the turning point in his life.
2. Paul shares his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
2. Paul shares his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
This is the second time Luke has recounted Paul’s conversion.
The first time was written in Luke’s words.
This time Luke records Paul’s personal testimony.
6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven 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 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 “And 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.
(2) A. Paul’s encounter with Jesus was the act of a sovereign God.
(2) A. Paul’s encounter with Jesus was the act of a sovereign God.
About noon a great light shown around me.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice.
Saul, why are you persecuting me.
Saul asks… who are you Lord?
In this moment God could have revealed Himself as Yahweh (God the Father)
Yet Paul would have still felt justified in persecuting the church.
The response is clear… Jesus of Nazareth.
Immediately Paul knows the crucified one lives!
Paul reflects on this moment with Joy.
No matter how your encounter with Christ happened.
No matter how He revealed Himself to you, it is time that is remembered with great joy.
We see this as an incredible act of God’s sovereign work.
Are we any different?
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(2) B. Paul’s encounter with Jesus confronted who he was.
(2) B. Paul’s encounter with Jesus confronted who he was.
Paul realized his actions were opposed to God’s will.
9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
His encounter with Jesus confronted his sin.
We cannot have a true encounter with Jesus without being confronted by our sin.
(2) C. Paul’s encounter with Jesus humbled him.
(2) C. Paul’s encounter with Jesus humbled him.
10 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.’ 11 And 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.
a. He was now blind.
a. He was now blind.
b. He had to rely on someone else leading him by the hand.
b. He had to rely on someone else leading him by the hand.
The man most feared by the church now had to be led by the hand to finish his journey.
C. He had no idea how long his blindness would last.
C. He had no idea how long his blindness would last.
His encounter with Jesus brought him to the lowest point in his life.
This is often the way God works.
We are brought to the lowest point of our lives.
He humbles us in such a way that it is undeniable that our way of living life is not working.
(2) D. Paul’s encounter radically changed his life.
(2) D. Paul’s encounter radically changed his life.
“who are you Lord?”
Repentance demands action.
The was a complete change in Paul’s life.
This moment is a clear picture of that change.
Paul standing in Jerusalem defending himself from the Jews.
Will to die for the one he once persecuted.
Paul will recount his clear call to take the gospel to the gentiles.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Conclusion
When you think about your past...
Remember that is part of who God designed you to be.
There is a reason for it.
There is a purpose for you and your past probably has a role in that.
Think about the sovereign love of God in your life.
God pursued you while in your sin.