Sermon Tone Analysis

Paul Speaks to the People

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?”

And he said, “Do you know Greek?

38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city.

I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”

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:

22 “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.

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’

And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’

And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.

14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

16 And now why do you wait?

Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.

20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’

”

Paul and the Roman Tribune

22 Up to this word they listened to him.

Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth!

For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do?

For this man is a Roman citizen.”

27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

And he said, “Yes.”

28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.”

Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”

29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Introduction

My name is Joel Fair

Disciple of Jesus Christ - Passionate about Jesus and his church

Elder at CrossPointe Coast in Viera FL

Future church planter in Cape Canaveral

Wintnesses -

​But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This morning as we continue our sermon series titled Witnesses going through the book of Acts we come to a passage where Paul is imprisoned in Jerusalem and we read once again his proclamation of the gospel.

We will be in

As we look at passage together we hear Paul recount his conversion on the road to Damascus in verses 6-21

You may be thinking, “we've already heard this” and it's true.

It is almost an exact replica of the account given in Acts chapter 9 that Brian preached about in the Fall.

So the question becomes why would Luke, being led by the Holy Spirit, duplicate this passage?

What is so important?

PRAY

Lets look together at the passage so please follow along in your bible

Paul uses his identity as a Jew to create an avenue to proclaim his identity as a Witness

His claim of being a Jew allows him to speak to the people - 21:39&40

His use of the Hebrew language gets the attention and ear of the crowd - 21:40 & 22:2

Holy Spirit has a role also - 21:40

The hush

Paul’s Identity as a Educated Jew and Keeper of the Law

Brothers & Fathers - 22:1

Says he is Jew from Tarsus - 22:3

Identity as civilized since he grew up in the city - 22:3

Educated at the feet of Gamaliel - 22:3

Adhered to the Law

Zealous in His Righteous Persecution of the Way - 22:4&5

Paul Confirms his Identity as a Witness of Jesus

Paul Gives His Eyewitness Account of Jesus - 22:6-11

Struck by Blindness

Heard the Voice of the Lord

Declared to be on the Wrong Side

22:7 - “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

22:8 “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.”

Paul Experiences Grace That Puts Him on the Right Side

Like many other cases in the Gospels and Acts the healing from the blindness was the proof of the spiritual healing

- Jesus heals the Paralytic

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

7 And he rose and went home.

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

7 And he rose and went home.

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men

Paul is Given the Will, Voice and A Sight of the Righteous One

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

7 And he rose and went home.

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

22:14

Pauls Sins are Washed Away by Repentance in the Name of Jesus - 22:16

Rise and be baptized

Repent of the way you persecuted me

Die to the old self and rise a new

Call on Jesus

The only one with the authority to forgive sin

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul’s understanding of the Gospel

Paul understood the depth of sin because Jesus himself confronted him with it

He also understood that while salvation was for his good and he benefited from it, the main goal in the unfolding plan of God is His Glory

2-17

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.