Acts
Chapter 22.
Paul's speech on the stairs of the castle. 22:1-21.
Paul asserts his Roman citizenship, escapes examination by
flogging. 22:22-29.
In Paul's defense to the Jewish people, he defends:
* His relations to
Judaism. 22:1-5. This relationship was a honourable one.
* His faith in
Jesus Christ. 22:6-16. He testifies to
his conversion and commission to preach Christ.
* His missionary
work among the Gentiles. 22:17-21. The
universal character of his witness is underlined. 22:16,21.
The Jewish
reaction: It was hysterical
and fanatical.
Paul began his defense by assuring them of \ his strong
Jewish loyalties, but in the sequel is compelled to assert his rights as a
Roman citizen. He would emphasize his
relationship to his Jewish brethren. It
was their hatred that compelled him to appeal to his Roman citizenship. The fact of his Roman citizenship is now
being brought to the fore in the narrative of the book of Acts. It was Jewish violence that forced him to
assert his Roman rights.
Evangelism.
We note the
importance of baptism as an instrument of evangelism. 22:16.
* Its contemporary and correlative place in
conversion. 22:16. N.E.B. "At once."
* Its symbolic washing away of sins. 1.Pet.3:21,22.
* Its liturgy calling upon the Name of the
Lord. They were to become disciples,
confess their faith at, and in, baptism.
Homiletics.
Paul's
manner of addressing the Jews.
* He speaks as one of them.
* He avoids pushing to the fore, terms that
would annoy them, but did not
cover-up the vital issue.
* He gives a reasonable defense of his calling
to be a witness to the Gentiles.
References to B-D.
Tarsus. B-D. 1240. 22: 3.
Cilicia. B-D. 233.
Gamaliel. B-D.
451.
Damascus. B-D.
288. 22: 5
Ananias. B-D. 35. 22:11.
Scourging. B-D.
1150.
Sanhedrin. B-D.
1142.
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