sign in sign up
<<
Home , Acts 22

Paul

The life of Paul is provided to us by his own testimony in Acts, and coupled with a few details from Galatians, we can piece together the life of Paul and come to an understanding of his origins, his personality, and apostleship. In Acts 22 Paul provides a major part of what we need to understand Paul.

Acts 22:1-3 – Paul was born in Tarsus. This is a well-known fact, but the significance is often overlooked. In Acts 22:25-28 Paul discloses that he was born a Roman citizen. How can this be? Are Jews typically Roman during this time? History reveals that conquered in 63 BC. Before that time many Jews lived in Rome. We know this because in 139 BC all Jews who were not Italian citizens were ordered out of Rome. Notice that there are only a few generations between that decree and Paul being born in Tarsus. Tarsus was a Roman Colony in (Map). In order to advance Rome, areas were not simply conquered by war but Roman cities were decreed in order to influence culture. A number of Roman citizens (@200) would populate a city to rule as magistrates and help change the culture. Persons who volunteered for this would be given rights, land, and money. In 67 BC Tarsus was made a Roman colony and a university was established (In 41 BC Mark Antony and Cleopatra met in Tarsus). We do not know when but it can be safely determined that Paul’s ancestral line was part of the early Roman colonization of Tarsus. Being that Paul was from one of these colonies and born a citizen, it was a claim to aristocracy and position.

Being that Paul was born a Roman citizen does not mean he had to give up his religious identity. Under Julius Caesar, Judaism was recognized as a legal religion and tolerated as long as it did not interfere with Roman culture. In Acts 22:3 Paul states that he was born in Tarsus but raised in Jerusalem under the tutelage of . Gamaliel was, for all intents and purposes, the Dean of Education for the Sanhedrin. Being that Paul was sent to Jerusalem and was educated under one of the most respected Jews in Judea, Paul was blessed with wealth and prestige. Paul was both a Roman aristocrat and a Jewish Pharisee.

The respect Paul had as a young Pharisee is understood in Acts 22:4-5. In verse 4 the role of persecutor of men and women who proclaimed the Way, one who dictated who received both imprisonment and death, was only given to the elders and only ones who were the most dedicated to the Sanhedrin. Then in verse 5, Paul was granted letters and approvals from the Chief Priests and the Council to go to . Why was Damascus a target (Map)? The problem with persecuting the Way in Jerusalem was Rome. If there were too much disturbance then the Roman leadership would determine the fate of the believers, not the Sanhedrin. Damascus had a high population of Jews and it was known that believers fled to Damascus after the stoning of Stephen. Damascus was outside the Roman Empire, loosely ruled by the King of Arabia. Therefore Paul had freedom to persecute and imprison without interference. The letters that he received would have given Paul authority to perform his task over the Jewish authorities in Damascus. God prevented this from occurring.

Acts 22:6-11, But… Paul then gives testimony of appearing to him and speaking to him. He was blinded until Ananias came healed him and told Paul his mission.

Acts 22:12-16 – Ananias told him to receive his sight. Referring to :17-19 gives some of the events. Paul received his sight and was to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 22:12-16 Paul gives a few more details. In the first place Ananias told him to receive his sight and instructed him to be baptized. As in previous sections, the word baptized is not translate—it is transliterated from “βαπτίζω baptizō” In Acts 9:18 it states he got up and was baptized. The point is that it does not say water baptism. Also in verse 17, Ananias states that God sent him to receive his sight and the Holy Spirit. This indicates baptism of the Holy Spirit (cf :1-7).

Between verses 16-17 there is a span of time. Back to 9:19-25, Paul enters into Damascus explaining that Jesus is the Christ. After the basket adventures, Acts indicates that he went to Jerusalem; but in Galatians 1:16-18, Paul explains that he went to Arabia (Map). While in Arabia, Paul received direct revelation from Jesus then returned back to Damascus then finally went to Jerusalem to meet up with the apostles.

Back to Acts 9:26-30; 22:17-21 – The apostles initially reject Paul, but supports him. There is still much opposition. It appears through the reading that the anger of the Sanhedrin turns from persecuting the apostles and focuses on Paul. After the account in Acts 22 and the threats to Paul’s life, the apostles send Paul to Tarsus, with the instruction of the Lord.

In :22-30 – After many believing Jews go outside of Judea to , Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Paul. The span of time between Paul leaving for Tarsus and Barnabas finding him is about 13 years (Galatians 2:1). Also according to Galatians 1:21-22, Paul was teaching on peace, not being recognized in his home region. After a prophecy was made, Paul, Barnabas, and were entrusted with funds for the believers in Judea due to a famine. Then Paul returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 12:25-13:3 – The Lord chooses here to have the apostles commission Paul to his missionary journeys. As we know there are three in total, four if you count the involuntary one to Rome (Maps).

Acts 13:9 – This is the first time that he is referred to as Paul; the difference is that Saul is a Hebrew name and Paul is his Roman name. Since Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, it’s more fitting to be called by his Roman name. There is no indication that God changed his name or that Paul refused to be called Saul based on his past actions.

Conclusion:

1. Paul was shaped and prepared having both Jewish and Gentile understanding (Gal 1:15) 2. Paul was chosen for service, not salvation 3. Paul was baptized in with the Holy Spirit 4. His past, his experience, his dedication, and his zeal all translate to the prime church age example