07/23/2013 Paul’s Conduct Before His Conversion Acts 21:40, 22:1-5 Acts 21:40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: ESV Acts 22:1-5 "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. ESV Comments / Questions: - Gamaliel, Paul’s teacher was the most-revered rabbi of the time and one of the greatest in history. - Paul honored the people who tried to kill him, by acknowledging that they were zealous for God (v.3) - Paul’s conduct and attitude before his conversion showed these Jews they had judged him wrongly -- that he was like one of them. - Paul refers to his persecution of ‘the Way’. This was an early title of the church of YaHWShUA, considered by some to be a sect of Judaism. The name is probably based on John 14:6 (see below). - Why is zeal for God not enough? - Who do you think God is causing you to cross paths with, where there is common ground from which you may share the good news of YaHWShUA? Gamaliel Acts 5:34-35 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. ESV Paul’s credentials and conduct before his conversion Philippians 3:4-6 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. ESV Romans 10:2 I bear them [the unbelieving Jews] witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ESV Acts 9:1-2 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ESV Galatians 1:13-14 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ESV Romans 7:12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. ESV The ‘sect’ called The Way John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ESV Acts 19:9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. ESV Acts 19:23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. ESV Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, ESV Acts 24:22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case." ESV 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. ESV Fort Antonia Temple Mount What got to my heart? Prayer, Action, Thoughts.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:06:31 +0000
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