Acts 22 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 22 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• The events recorded in Acts 22 occurred around 57 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul): An Apostle who travelled around the Mediterranean region planting churches.

• Mob of Angry Jews – Jews who tried to kill Paul in Acts 21.

• Roman Tribune – A Roman military officer who arrested Paul in Jerusalem.

• Ananias – A disciple who lived in Damascus who taught Paul what he needed to do to be saved.

WHERE:

• Everything we read about in Acts 22 happened in the city of Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• PAUL SPEAKS TO THE JEWISH MOB THAT TRIED TO KILL HIM (22:1-22):

  • The chapter opens with Paul standing on the steps of the Roman barracks in Jerusalem about to address the mob of Jews that tried to kill him in Acts 21.

  • *These events are originally recorded in Acts 9.

  • Paul spoke to them in Hebrew (their native language), which got their attention.

  • He told them his background, how he had been educated by Gamalial, one of their respected Pharisee teachers.

  • He told them how he used to persecute Christians, imprison them, and kill them.

  • He recounted his journey to Damascus and how Jesus appeared to him on the road.

  • How Ananias met him in the city and baptized him.

  • He told the Jews he received a vision in the Temple in Jerusalem.

  • God appeared to him and told him to leave Jerusalem because the people would not accept his message.

  • God told Paul He would be sent to preach to the Gentiles.

• PAUL ALMOST GETS FLOGGED BY THE ROMAN SOLDIERS (22:22-30):

  • When the Jews heard about Paul’s mission to the Gentiles, they got angry and started yelling for Paul to be taken away.

  • The tribune ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and interrogated by flogging.

  • When Paul had been bound and “stretched out for the whips” he revealed that he was a Roman citizen.

  • The soldiers and tribune were shocked and worried to learn this because it was against the law to flog a Roman citizen.

  • The tribune released Paul and organized a meeting with the Jewish council and chief priests for the next day to try to ascertain the reason they were so upset with Paul.

APPLICATION:

• Paul’s response to the mob trying to kill him was to teach them about Jesus.

• Paul told them his story in hopes they would also turn from their rebellion to God and put their faith in Jesus.

• This is a great example of practicing Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies.”

• God’s patience and grace towards us should cause us to extend patience and grace to others.

• No doubt Paul knew how much He owed Jesus for redirecting his life on the road to Damascus.

• An appreciation of Jesus’ goodness towards him must have been part of the reason Paul attempted to help the mob of Jews that tried to kill him.

• When we understand the grace we’ve received, our patience and love for others will grow.