1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
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. 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.’
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.’”
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Paul addressed the crowds as brothers and fathers in reference to their relationship as fellow Jews, not as fellow believers. When they heard that he was speaking in Aramaic, the crowd quieted down even more.
Paul established his credentials as a Jew with an educational pedigree under Gamaliel and one who had been as zealous for God as they were that day. His zeal had led him to persecute the Way (Christians) to the point of death as well as throwing men and children into prison. The high priest and council of the Jewish leaders could testify to this because he had received letters from them to go to Damascus and arrest the Christians who were there and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.
On his way to Damascus, at about lunchtime, he saw a great light from heaven that surrounded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” When he asked who was speaking, the voice replied, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” Jesus so strongly identifies with His church that he sees persecution against the church as an assault against Him personally. Paul clarifies that those who were with him saw the light but didn’t understand. This parallels the situation of the Jewish nation who saw Jesus but did not comprehend that He was their Messiah. After asking Jesus what he should do, the Lord told him to continue on to Damascus where he would be told all that was planned for him. Because of the brightness of the light, Paul could not see and had to be led by the hand to Damascus.
In Damascus, he met with Ananias. Ananias is introduced as a witness, a devout Jew of good reputation. Ananias told him his sight would be restored and at that time he was able to look up at Ananias. Ananias told him that the God of his fathers, that is the God of Israel, had chosen Paul to know His will and to see Righteous One, Jesus, and to hear Him speak. This qualified Paul as an apostle with a direct mission from Jesus equal in authority to the twelve. Paul then underwent water baptism to identify with the Lord Jesus he had previously persecuted. Like other instructions to the Jews, Paul’s baptism symbolised the washing away of his sins of rejecting the Messiah and established restored fellowship with God.
When Paul returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, he fell into a trance where he was able to converse with Jesus. Jesus instructed him to leave Jerusalem because the Jews would not accept his testimony about Jesus. Even Paul’s radical transformation from persecutor to believer would not convince them. Jesus told him that he would send him far away to the Gentiles. At the mention of Paul’s mission to the Gentiles, the crowd erupted and again called for Paul’s death.
Paul’s testimony was unique. So is yours. Your own story about how you encountered Jesus and came to believe is a great way to begin a gospel conversation. Like Paul, you can emphasise the parts of your story that resonate with who you are speaking with. Who can you share your testimony with today?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Nature of the Son: Hebrews 1-2