Paul’s Defense In Aramaic Very Jewish

Jewish Elements Brothers and fathers (1) I am a Jew (3) Brought up in this city (3) Gamaliel (3) – Most famous Rabbi in 1 st Century

Jewish Elements Just as zealous (3) Persecuted the Way (4) Jesus of Nazareth (8) Ananias – A devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews (12)

Jewish Elements …was praying in the Temple…. (17) – a worshipper, not a desecrator

Paul’s Baptism Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. (22:16)

Paul’s Baptism Connection between baptism & forgiveness of sins

Paul’s Baptism God gives all to faith. He gives all in baptism.

Paul’s Baptism Faith is the how of salvation. Baptism is the where and when of salvation.

End of Defense Your martyr Stephen (20) Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles (21)

The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. (22:22)

The Great Commission The Great Commission Go and make disciples of all nations (Gentiles – ethnē) (Matthew 28:19)

The Response Rid the earth of him! (22) Threw off their cloaks (23) Flinging dust in the air (23)

The Commander Directed that Paul be flogged. (24) The same beating Jesus received – a form of torture & interrogation

To the Jews – In Aramaic he said, “I am a Jew!” To the Romans – In Greek he said, “Roman Citizen!”

Roman Citizen Born a citizen (Acts 22:28) Mentioned by Luke – never by Paul in his letters

Roman Citizen Only 5 million of 50 million inhabitants of the empire were citizens (10%)

The Commander Houston, we have a problem! Roman Citizens could not be flogged until after conviction

The Commander Commander released Paul and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin