Monday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 22
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
Commentary:
22:2 Just as Paul got the tribune’s attention with his Greek (21:37), he quieted the Jewish crowd by speaking Aramaic (see ESV footnote on 21:40), the most common language spoken by ordinary Jews in Jerusalem.
22:3 Brought up in this city most likely means that Paul’s parents moved to Jerusalem when he was very young and he was reared in the city (cf. 23:16), but some take it to mean only that Paul came to Jerusalem as a young man for his rabbinic training under Gamaliel. (On Gamaliel, see note on 5:34.)
22:4 Saul’s papers from the high priest may have been official extradition documents or letters of introduction to the synagogues at Damascus. It is not known how Christianity had come to Damascus—perhaps through converts at Pentecost or by some of those “scattered” following Stephen’s martyrdom (8:1). This is the first time in Acts that Christians are described as belonging to the Way (Gk. hodos, “road, highway, way of life”), meaning either the way of salvation (16:17; cf. Jesus’ teachings in Matt. 7:14; John 14:6) or the true way of life in relation to God (cf. Acts 18:25–26; cf. Ps. 1:1, 6; 27:11). The expression also occurs at Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22.
22:3 Brought up in this city most likely means that Paul’s parents moved to Jerusalem when he was very young and he was reared in the city (cf. 23:16), but some take it to mean only that Paul came to Jerusalem as a young man for his rabbinic training under Gamaliel. (On Gamaliel, see note on 5:34.)
22:4 Saul’s papers from the high priest may have been official extradition documents or letters of introduction to the synagogues at Damascus. It is not known how Christianity had come to Damascus—perhaps through converts at Pentecost or by some of those “scattered” following Stephen’s martyrdom (8:1). This is the first time in Acts that Christians are described as belonging to the Way (Gk. hodos, “road, highway, way of life”), meaning either the way of salvation (16:17; cf. Jesus’ teachings in Matt. 7:14; John 14:6) or the true way of life in relation to God (cf. Acts 18:25–26; cf. Ps. 1:1, 6; 27:11). The expression also occurs at Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22.
Questions:
- At the end of Acts 21, an angry mob has attacked Paul and dragged him out of the temple based on rumors that weren't true. In chapter 22 he gets his chance to offer his defense, or "apologia." This is where we get our word for apologetics. This word has nothing to do with an apology... it's simply Paul sharing his story with people about how Jesus radically transformed his life. It's a defense of the hope he professes. What is your God story? When was the last time you shared your hope with someone? When was the last time you told someone what Jesus has done in YOUR life?
- The first part of any apologia is explaining who you were before you met Jesus. This is how Paul began as well... with this CONDUCT before his conversion. This can be difficult for a lot of people because we usually aren't very proud of things we've done in our past. But it is crucial part of what God has done in our lives. And when you think about it, no ones story is as bad as Paul's. He systematically hunted down and beat, imprisoned and even killed Christians. What about you? Who were you before you met Jesus? What all has Jesus brought you out of? How different was your life before? Take some time to thank God today for the transformation He's made in you.
Prayer Topics:
- That God would help you look for opportunities to share your story with someone this week.
- That you would remember to be grateful for all God has brought you through.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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