The Acts of the Apostles Acts 22 – Paul’s First Defense in Jerusalem (Conclusion of Third Journey) Sunday– April 21, 2019

Paul’s Defense Acts 22:16, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.” Paul’s baptism was a “washing” (22:16; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 3:21). apoloúsœ, to wash oneself clean from, to be freed from sin. In Acts 22:16 it gives prominence to the cleansing from sin connected with salvation. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary)

Paul’s Defense It involves obedience. See Acts 2:21 Ananias expresses urgency, “Why tarriest thou?” To “call upon the name” of the Lord is more than a verbal calling. Matthew 7:21; 6:46 It involves obedience. See Acts 2:21 NOW! Note Examples of Conversion.

Examples of Conversion Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-47 Preaching Believed Repented Confessed Baptized Saved Pentecost Acts 2:14-41 Repented 37-38 Baptized 38-41 Remission of sins 38-47 Samaria Acts 8:5-13 Believed 12 12-13 Eunuch Acts 8:35-39 36-37 Confessed 37 38 Rejoiced 39 Saul Acts 9:1-17; 22; 26 Acts 22:16; 9:18 Washed sins away Acts 22:16 Cornelius Acts 10:34-46; 11:14; 15:7 10:43; 15:7 10:48 Remission of sins 10:43 Lydia Acts 16:13 Attended 14 15 Jailor Acts 16:32 31 33 Preaching Faith Repentance Confession Baptism Salvation Romans 10:4 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Romans 10:10 Galatians 3:16-27 2 Timothy 2:10 Hebrews 5:8-9

Paul’s Defense Paul proceeds to tell the mob how he came back to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple (22:17). We know that Paul first preached in Damascus and in Arabia before coming to Jerusalem three years later. (cf. Acts 9:19ff; Galatians 1:18) While praying in the temple, the Lord told Paul to leave Jerusalem because no man will receive his testimony of Jesus. Paul tells Jesus that no one will believe him when he speaks because of his former conduct to those who embraced Christianity (22:20).

Paul’s Defense Note: Stephen “thy witness.” martus or martur “martyr,” one who bears “witness” by his death) denotes “one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows” (W.E. Vine) “The word primarily denoted a witness. However, it began to be used specifically of those who bore witness even to the point of suffering death for their testimony; hence, it developed the meaning of ‘martyr.’ Paul’s use of the term here seems to indicate the beginning of that development of meaning” (Bruce, Book of Acts, page 419).

Paul’s Defense Jesus replies to Paul saying, “Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles” (22:21). It was ever the design of God’s scheme of redemption to include the Gentiles (cf. Genesis 12:1-4; Galatians 3:27-28). Paul now loses his audience (22:22). The Jews cry, “away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live” (22:22b). NOTE WHY! cf. Ephesians 3:8-9