A Study of Acts: Paul’s Defense, Avoiding a Scourging
Acts 22:1-30 - Humble believers should share their testimony with love, optimism and gratitude, three things that are sorely missing in this world.
““Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.” And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.
“But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ But 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. “
“A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’ “It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You. And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’ And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!” And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.” The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.” Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains. But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.”
Acts 22:1-30 NASB1995
Paul addresses the mob; they quiet down and listen when they realize he is speaking in Hebrew. He delivers an apologia or reasoned defense of his experiences and faith. Christians should always be prepared to offer a defense of our faith. This overview of Christian apologetics from Gotquestions.org is quite good (I’ve probably shared it before, but information like this is always worth sharing more than once):
The English word “apology” comes from a Greek word which basically means “to give a defense.” Christian apologetics, then, is the science of giving a defense of the Christian faith. There are many skeptics who doubt the existence of God and/or attack belief in the God of the Bible. There are many critics who attack the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. There are many false teachers who promote false doctrines and deny the key truths of the Christian faith. The mission of Christian apologetics is to combat these movements and instead promote the Christian God and Christian truth.
Probably the key verse for Christian apologetics is 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...” There is no excuse for a Christian to be completely unable to defend his or her faith. Every Christian should be able to give a reasonable presentation of his or her faith in Christ. No, not every Christian needs to be an expert in apologetics. Every Christian, though, should know what he believes, why he believes it, how to share it with others, and how to defend it against lies and attacks.
A second aspect of Christian apologetics that is often ignored is the second half of 1 Peter 3:15, “but do this with gentleness and respect...” Defending the Christian faith with apologetics should never involve being rude, angry, or disrespectful. While practicing Christian apologetics, we should strive to be strong in our defense and at the same time Christlike in our presentation. If we win a debate but turn a person even further away from Christ by our attitude, we have lost the true purpose of Christian apologetics.
There are two primary methods of Christian apologetics. The first, commonly known as classical apologetics, involves sharing proofs and evidences that the Christian message is true. The second, commonly known as “presuppositional” apologetics, involves confronting the presuppositions (preconceived ideas, assumptions) behind anti-Christian positions. Proponents of the two methods of Christian apologetics often debate each other as to which method is most effective. It would seem to be far more productive to be using both methods, depending on the person and situation.
Christian apologetics is simply presenting a reasonable defense of the Christian faith and truth to those who disagree. Christian apologetics is a necessary aspect of the Christian life. We are all commanded to be ready and equipped to proclaim the gospel and defend our faith (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:15). That is the essence of Christian apologetics.
I’ve mentioned before that the transformation of Paul is a great scriptural story to tell skeptics and it can lead to the greater story of Jesus. I do fear I would run like a rabbit if challenged to defend my faith and the existence of God, but one should have an outline of things they believe floating around in their minds. In this day and age of hatred, cynicism, and ingratitude, a humble believer shares their apologia with love, optimism, and thanksgiving.
Paul begins by talking about his persecution of those who followed the Way and how he zealously pursues them to Damascus. His travels are interrupted by one of the most profound encounters with Jesus in Scripture and he uses this conversion story in scripture several times to teach lessons. According to Enduring Word, these are the main occurrences and their purposes:
I am indeed a Jew: Paul spoke as a Jew unto Jews. He was careful to lay the common ground between them. With this, Paul began telling the story of his life before Jesus Christ and then his conversion.
Luke told the story of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. After that, Paul told the story in some way at least four more times in the New Testament, each with its own intention.
Acts 22: Telling the story to persuade the Jews.
Acts 26: Telling the story to persuade the Gentiles.
Philippians 3: Telling the story for theological understanding.
1 Timothy 1: Telling the story to give encouragement.
From the Providence Lithograph Company, 1897.
An interesting second encounter with Jesus is told in this testimony by Paul that we have not heard before. After he meets with Ananias and receives his sight again, not much later he travels to Jerusalem. He was praying in the temple (demonstrating to the mob that he honored this tradition) when he went into a trance and Jesus spoke to him, telling him to make haste and leave Jerusalem, as they (the Jews there) will not believe Paul’s testimony. Paul replies to the Lord and says that they will know that Paul persecuted believers like Stephen and would perhaps listen to him. Jesus tells him that he must depart, because he will be sent far to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. Enduring Word has good commentary about this passage:
When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple: Paul told them about something that happened about 20 years before, when he had been a follower of Jesus for 2 or 3 years. Even though he had been a Christian for a few years, yet he still came to Jerusalem to pray in the temple. He wanted the crowd to know that even though he trusted in Jesus, he was not against all Jewish ceremonies and rituals.
I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me: Paul had an impressive vision of Jesus while in the temple; yet he never referred to this vision in his letters, and seems to only mention it now out of necessity. Paul’s Christian life was founded on God’s truth, not spiritual experiences, and he didn’t even like to talk a lot about his spiritual experiences.
Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me: This word from Jesus probably was a surprise to Paul. With good reason, he probably thought of himself as the perfect one to bring the gospel to his fellow Jews. Nevertheless, Jesus gave him this warning, even telling him to make haste.
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Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You: This was Paul’s gentle objection to the warning Jesus just gave him in his vision. Paul’s idea is, “Lord, they will listen to me. They know I used to persecute Christians, so my story will be powerful and persuasive to them.”
And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death: Paul thought his early, energetic persecution of the church gave him more credibility with the Jewish people who were against Christianity. He tried to explain to Jesus why he should really stay in Jerusalem and work to tell the Jewish people about Jesus.
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Then He said to me, “Depart”: Jesus didn’t agree with Paul’s response. Jesus knew that it was not Paul’s time and place to preach to the Jewish people the way Paul wanted to. Instead, for his own safety, 20 years before this, Jesus told Paul to simply depart from Jerusalem.
For I will send you far from here to the Gentiles: When Paul was touched by God in Damascus, he was told then of his call to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), so the words from Jesus to him in the temple at Jerusalem were not new. However, we can see that in his first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion, it would have been easy for Paul to care so much for the conversion of Israel that he would want to concentrate on that – that’s why Jesus gave him the reminder in the temple.
Paul made it clear that it wasn’t his idea to preach to the Gentiles; this was God’s plan, not his. He hoped it also explained to the crowd why he seemed so friendly to the Gentiles: Paul was simply obeying Jesus and His word to him.
Well, that opens Pandora’s box with the crowd. By saying that he was meant to go to Gentiles to bring them to salvation, the mob cries out that Paul should not be allowed to live. They throw off their cloaks and toss up handfuls of dust, stomping around in a rage. The Romans are taken aback by this ferocity. The mob is apoplectic about the fact that Paul tells them that salvation through Jesus is for all peoples, not just the “chosen” of Israel. Alexander MacLaren has interesting commentary on these actions in Precept Austin:
“What a picture of frenzied hate! And what was it all for? Because Gentiles were to be allowed to share in Israel’s privileges. And what were the privileges which they thus jealously monopolized? The favor and protection of the God who, as their own prophets had taught them, was the God of the whole earth, and revealed Him to Israel that Israel might reveal Him to the world. The less they entered into the true possession of their heritage, the more savagely they resented sharing it with the nations. The more their prerogative became a mere outward thing, the more they snarled at any one who proposed to participate in it. To seek to keep religious blessings to one’s self is a conclusive proof that they are not really possessed. If we have them we shall long to impart them.” [Emphasis from Precept Austin]
What great advice! If we have blessings we should share them far and wide! This furor on the part of the Jerusalem Jews is pure selfishness and prejudice against the Gentiles, who are people that God created and God loves. I should also note that Enduring Word says that rage like this is just as bad as pure inaction on our part as believers. Indifference to the eternal fate of nonbelievers is just as bad as rage against them for their sinful lifestyles and rejection of God.
Paul is taken away by the Roman guards to the barracks. They intend to use the lovely practice of scourging to try and find out why the mob is so full of hatred for him. As we know from the passion of Jesus, He was scourged to within inches of His death before He was crucified. As they tie up Paul and get ready for this interrogation technique, Paul asks the guards if it is lawful for them to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and has not been condemned. This stops them in their tracks. They elevate this up the chain of command to their commander. He comes to Paul and asks him if he is a citizen, because the commander acquired his citizenship with a large sum of money. Paul tells him that he was born a Roman citizen. Well, the Romans are now very concerned and they stop their actions. They were wrong to even bind a citizen of Rome.
Enduring Word has excellent commentary about this passage:
Tell me, are you a Roman? The penalty for lying about one’s Roman citizenship was significant. It wasn’t the kind of thing people commonly lied about, so the commander could simply ask Paul directly.
“The verbal claim to Roman citizenship was accepted at face value; penalties for falsifying documents and making false claims of citizenship were exceedingly stiff – Epictetus speaks of death for such acts.” (Richard Longenecker)
With a large sum I obtained this citizenship: Because of all the commotion and the beating Paul had received, he probably looked terrible. The commander wondered how someone who looked like this could purchase his citizenship.
“Something of this sort may have been in the tribune’s mind as he said, It cost me a very large sum of money to obtain Roman citizenship – the implication being that the privilege must have become cheap of late if such a sorry-looking figure as Paul could claim it.” (F.F. Bruce)
According to [John] Stott, Roman citizenship could not be bought for a fee, only for a bribe. Normally, only right or reward granted it. “The point was not that the tribune doubted Paul’s claim, but rather he was implying that anybody could become a citizen these days!” (I. Howard Marshall)
But I was born a citizen: Paul’s parents (or grandparents) must have been awarded the rights of citizenship for some good done on behalf of Rome.
“How the citizenship was acquired by Paul’s father or grandfather we have no means of knowing, but analogy would suggest that it was for valuable services rendered to a Roman general or administrator in the southeastern area of Asia Minor.” (F.F. Bruce)
Paul was an extremely rare individual. It was uncommon to find such an educated, intelligent, devout Jew who was also a Roman citizen. God would use this unique background to use Paul in a special way, even as he wants to use your unique background to use you in a special way.
The commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him: Knowing what he now knew about Paul, the commander was very concerned for his own sake.
Paul’s word is taken at face value, for the reasons noted in this commentary. He does spend the rest of the book of Acts in the custody of the Romans, but they also protect him, as we will see in the remaining chapters.
The next day the commander orders the chief priests and Council to assemble and he brings Paul to them to find out why they are so intent on his punishment and death. My next devotional examines Acts 23:1-11, Paul before the Council.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Please help me to develop an effective apology strategy for reaching nonbelievers, based on love, optimism and gratitude (and patience!). Please help me to avoid both rage and indifference and to share blessings. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Gotquestions.org was accessed on 1/12/2024 to answer the question, What is Christian Apologetics?
Commentary in Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Precept Austin was accessed on 1/12/2024 to review commentary for Acts 22.