Acts 22
At the end of the previous chapter, the angry mob attempts to beat Paul to death. They falsely believed he had defiled the holy temple by sneaking in Gentiles. Gentiles were not allowed in the inner courts of the temple, and doing so was a crime punishable by death. Now in chapter 22 after convincing the commander of the soldiers that it was a case of mistaken identity, Paul is allowed to address the people and give his defense. He delivers his testimony in the “Hebrew dialect” causing the crowd to quiet down and listen. Speaking as a Jew to his fellow Jews, Paul tells of his life and actions before knowing Jesus as his Savior, the events surrounding his conversion, and how he was called into ministry. The Jews listened intently to all Paul had to say until he finished with this, “And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.“, (v. 21) Once again, the mob rioted. They cried out for Paul’s death, “…throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the wind.“, (v. 23). What was behind the Jews anger toward the Gentiles? Jealousy. …
Israel’s Jealousy – (Acts 22)Read More »
