Slices
Prepare
J John asks: ‘Would there be enough evidence to convict us if we were tried for our faith?’ Do our private, in-person and online identities all point towards the Living God?
Bible passage
Paul speaks to the crowd
37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, ‘May I say something to you?’
‘Do you speak Greek?’ he replied. 38 ‘Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?’
39 Paul answered, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.’
40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:
22 1 ‘Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defence.’
2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.
Then Paul said: 3 ‘I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 ‘About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?”
8 ‘“Who are you, Lord?” I asked.
‘“I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
10 ‘“What shall I do, Lord?” I asked.
‘“Get up,” the Lord said, “and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.” 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
Explore
Paul is certain in his identity – a Jew, but also a Roman citizen born in Tarsus (v 39). He is a scholar of both secular and religious law, which he now exploits to bring about a peaceful resolution. Romans have a right to reply, and Paul is keen to invoke just that.
Paul begins his testimony, emphasising his historic links with the city (22:3) and his esteemed tutor, Gamaliel (Acts 5:34). Aligning himself with the first century’s most renowned Jewish teacher has to carry weight, right?
He recounts his Damascene experience (Acts 9:1–9), this time incorporating additional details. First, that it was ‘about noon’ (22:6), but also that the Lord introduced himself as ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ (22:8). Why does Paul include extra snippets for this unruly audience? Could it be the need to keep the rabble enthralled with juicy titbits for marketplace chatter? The strategy initially seems to work (22:2).
We may never be called to give our testimony to a baying crowd while in chains. But are we prepared to share with diverse audiences our identity as a Jesus-follower in a winsome manner?
Respond
Today is International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Let our words be like ‘honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones’ (Proverbs 16:24).
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 1,2; Galatians 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Marketing Officer Eric De Souza, asking God to give him creativity, clarity and wise strategies as he communicates SU’s mission and promotes resources for ministry. Pray that his work will foster genuine engagement, open hearts and build lasting connections.
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