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Acts 22

30 verses

TL;DR

Paul defends himself before the Jews, recounts his persecution of Christians, encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus, and then experiences a dramatic confrontation in Jerusalem that leads to his imprisonment.

Summary

In Acts 22, Paul (Saul) delivers a defense before the Jerusalem assembly, explaining his Jewish upbringing, zeal for the law, and persecution of the early church. He then recounts the divine revelation on the road to Damascus, where a blinding light and the voice of Jesus call him to become a witness to the Gentiles. Ananias restores his sight and urges baptism. After returning to Jerusalem, Paul experiences a vision instructing him to flee, yet he recounts his involvement in Stephen’s martyrdom. He is subsequently attacked by a hostile crowd, captured, and brought before Roman authorities, where he invokes his Roman citizenship to avoid scourging.

Outline
  1. Paul’s defense and background as persecutor
  2. The Damascus vision and Ananias’ restoration of sight
  3. Confrontation in Jerusalem, Roman citizenship, and imprisonment
Themes
Persecution leading to conversionDivine revelation and callingLegal status and citizenshipMission to the Gentiles
Keywords
SaulPaulTarsusDamascusJesus of NazarethAnaniasJerusalemRoman citizenshippersecutionconversionmission
People
Saul/PaulGamalielJesus of NazarethAnaniasHigh priestEldersChief captainCenturionChief priestsCrowd of Jews
Places
TarsusDamascusJerusalemTempleCastle
Things
blinding lightlettersAnanias’ touchRoman citizenshipscourging
Key Verses
  • Acts 22:6-7: The dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, pivotal for Paul’s conversion.
  • Acts 22:13-14: Ananias restores Paul’s sight, signifying divine endorsement of his mission.
  • Acts 22:25-27: Paul’s appeal of Roman citizenship highlights the tension between Jewish law and imperial authority.
Questions
  • How does Paul’s experience of persecution shape his subsequent missionary work?
  • What theological significance does Jesus identify as 'Jesus of Nazareth' to Saul?
  • In what ways does Roman citizenship protect Paul, and what does this reveal about early Christian encounters with Roman law?
  • How do Paul’s experiences illustrate the transition from persecutor to apostle?
  • What role does Ananias play in Paul's restoration, and what might this suggest about early Christian community dynamics?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both conflict and divine revelation, yielding a complex emotional tone.