Defense

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (Acts 22:1 KJV)

Pretty much the same witness he gives in Acts 9 and again in Acts 26, Paul defended himself against a number of charges from those leading a mob of Asian Jews against him:

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (Acts 21:28 KJV)

The scene deteriorates into Paul being beaten until soldiers arrive with the chief captain. Soldiers have to place their bodies between Paul and the mob to ensure his safety, even while he’s being bound with chains and carried into the castle.

Somehow, Paul’s able to gain the captain’s attention and convince the captain to allow him to speak to the people.  In Hebrew, he begins his defense.  Once he has their attention, he gives his background:

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. (Acts 22:3 KJV)

In Philippians 3:5-6, he goes a bit further, stating that under the Law, he was blameless, quite content to follow the letter of the law in punishing dissension:

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. (Acts 22:4-5 KJV)

He was not the only one, but he was not considered a candidate for sainthood by followers of Christ. Yet, God called him.

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. (Acts 22:10 KJV)

Are we willing to ask “What shall I do, Lord?” Are we willing to make a change in our lives as big as the one made by Paul?

I believe I’m more willing to state “Here’s what I have in mind, Lord. Would you please see that it’s done?” That’s not a bad prayer, as long as it includes, with complete sincerity, “Thy will be done.” He has things which are appointed for us to do, too.