Chapter 22

Chapter 22 is good reading simply because it tells us Paul’s story from his own viewpoint, rather than in the viewpoint of an all-knowing narrator.

Vs 1-21 are basically Paul’s testimony. He starts off speaking in Hebrew. This gets peoples’ attention – presumably they’re more used to hearing Greek or Aramaic, and to speak in Hebrew immediately marks Paul out as a man of learning and intellect.

What we read here is a very nice textbook example of how to give your testimony.

Paul starts with his past in vs 1 – 3: his training, his mentor, his attitudes. In the process we learn about Paul studying under Gamaliel, which again gives him a lot of kudos to Jewish listeners.

Verses 4 – 13 tell us of Paul’s conversion. Since it was so dramatic, Paul was very right to spend some serious time discussing what happened. He goes through the events is very fine detail.

Then verses 14 – 21 show us how Paul’s life has changed since coming into contact with Christ – and in the process, how his mission has become little short of an obsession!

Now, the reaction to this is predictable – many of the hard-core Jews are demanding punishment. So the Roman centurion orders Paul scourged.

It’s my belief that despite the seriousness of the situation, Paul probably really enjoyed that moment of telling the Captain that he was in fact a Roman citizen, and by birth! Paul really gets a lot of mileage out of this (and fair enough too – Roman citizenship was a valuable coin in those days).

There are lots of things one could get out of this, but I want to simply zero in on one part – Paul’s testimony. I don’t know if you’d consider your testimony as exciting as Paul’s. I am going to tell you, though, it IS. The reason is that there are people like you. You are unique, but there are aspects of your situation that will appeal to certain people.

Let’s think of a few.

• You were born in a loving Christian family: That’s going to be really powerful to someone whose family was dysfunctional (i.e. a different situation) or someone who walked away from the Lord after being in a similar background.

• You have lived God’s way all your life: Someone who really wants God to give them some consistency will be encouraged by this.

• You walked away from God and then returned: You’ll never believe how much this will help someone who is currently in the Wilderness.

• You are confident in your faith: Many people are longing for this kind of confidence!

• You often doubt God: Do you realize how many people would be wondering if they’re the only one who feels this way? A lot, believe me!

Your story is different to that told by others – but some aspect is going to help someone somewhere in their Christian faith.

All you have to do is to learn to give your testimony effectively.