Paul was witnessing/preaching/testifying to the Jewish people, who had already sought to kill him earlier that very day! He virtually reviews his life as a Christian … then began to relate how God called him to preach to the Gentiles!

Paul’s words as given us by Luke … “And he (the Lord) said unto me (Paul), Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the GENTILES. And they gave him audience unto THIS WORD, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth (kill him): for it is not fit that he should live. And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air.” Another riot, another unruly Jewish throng, quoiting verses 21-23 of Acts chapter 22.

They listened to Paul’s past life as a Jew … but when he showed favor to the GENTILES … that was all they could take! (That’s the one word that triggered another potential riot!)

They were about to stone him again!

What animosity!

Or was it pride, one group feeling that much “better” than another? That much superior?

(Paul would have been much safer had he stayed among the Gentiles to whom God had called and sent him! Surprisingly he was more loved there!)

But in the next verse or two … look who rescued Paul!

“The chief captain (a Roman, a Gentile, a stark heathen) commanded him to be brought into the castle.” Acts 22:24, into a guarded military facility!

(The Jews trying to kill Paul … the Gentiles here saving and protecting him! Indeed God’s Ways are NOT our ways!)

This deliverance of Paul from sure death … eventually led to Paul’s being able to testify before the whole Sanhedrin! Their “Supreme Court!” Seventy men who critically needed to hear about Jesus, from a believer!

“The chief captain loosed him (Paul) from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council (the Sanhedrin) to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.” Acts 22:30

Wow!

Paul is being tumbled about like a piece of clothing in the dryer, like a ship in a stormy sea … but at every opportunity he preaches the Word of God! He exalts our Saviour!

So should we!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Tomorrow morning, the Lord willing, Acts 23. Something about Paul and the Jewish Council, the “Sanhedrin.”

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