Lesson 28:Paul Arrested and Then Preached to the Mob in Jerusalem (21:18-22:29)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. In Jerusalem, Paul reported all that the Lord had done among the Gentiles (21:18-26).1. Paul met with James & the Jerusalem elders to detail

work among the Gentiles (18-19).2. They kept on glorifying the Lord but told Paul of concern

among the Jews (21:20-21).3. James & the elders advised a solution to allay confusion

& avoid troubles (21:22-26).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. Paul was falsely accused, arrested and beaten in Jerusalem (21:27-36).1. Antagonistic Jews from Asia (maybe Ephesus) kept

instigating a riot (21:27-36).2. In a violent upheaval, Paul was seized, dragged from the

city & brutally beaten (30).3. The “commander of the garrison” was Claudius Lysias

(23:26), captain of 1,000 men.4. Perhaps God’s providence was at work: Paul’s preaching in

the rest of the book of Acts (to audiences unreachable by the average man) commenced with these events.

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Paul preached to the riotous crowd in Jerusalem after being arrested (21:37-22:21).1. Paul had been severely mistreated and a frenzied mob wanted

him dead.2. Paul was able to speak Koine (or “common”) Greek and Hebrew

(21:37, 40; 22:2).3. Paul had been carried up the stairs to the barracks to be

scourged (21:35-40; 22:24).4. Paul defended his preaching by emphasizing his strong Jewish

background (22:3-5).5. Paul defended his preaching by emphasizing his conversion

process (22:6-16).6. Paul defended his preaching by emphasizing the Lord’s direct

instructions (22:17-21).

I.

A. The conversion of Saul is one of the greatest evidences of the resurrection of Christ!1. Saul/Paul went from the worst persecutor to the most

influential promoter of Christ!2. What caused this change? Why did he willingly go from

persecutor to persecuted?a) Paul firmly believed that he had experienced an encounter with the

risen Lord!b) At the time he claimed to have seen the risen Jesus, he was an

enemy of Christ.

3. His belief that he had seen the risen Christ was so strong that he was willing to suffer continuously for the sake of the gospel, even to the point of martyrdom.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

B. There are numerous significant truths learned about baptism from Acts 22:16!1. The need to be baptized is urgent (why waiting?), requiring

immediate response (9:18).2. “Be baptized” and “wash away your sins” are inseparably

tied together by God!a) Both verbs are aorist middle imperatives.b) The coordinating conjunction “and” joins two equals syntactically

(inseparable).c) Saul still had his sins, for he was told to “get your sins washed

away!”

3. “Calling on the name of the Lord” takes place when one is baptized!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Paul preached to the riotous crowd in Jerusalem after being arrested (21:37-22:21).1. Paul had been severely mistreated and a frenzied mob wanted

him dead.2. Paul was able to speak Koine (or “common”) Greek and Hebrew

(21:37, 40; 22:2).3. Paul had been carried up the stairs to the barracks to be

scourged (21:35-40; 22:24).4. Paul defended his preaching by emphasizing his strong Jewish

background (22:3-5).5. Paul defended his preaching by emphasizing his conversion

process (22:6-16).6. Paul defended his preaching by emphasizing the Lord’s direct

instructions (22:17-21).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen to prevent further scourging (22:22-29).1. The Jews listened intently to Paul’s message until he said,

“Gentiles” (22:21-22).2. Paul was taken into the Roman barracks to be “examined

under scourging” (22:24).3. Paul disclosed he was a Roman citizen, which afforded him

certain rights (22:25-29).

I.

A. When we hear of good works being done by and for God, let us glorify the Lord fervently!

B. Regardless of the circumstances around us, let us seek souls and opportunities to teach!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives