November 11, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Kings and Acts? Here’s today’s reading:
Acts 22 (NIV)
1“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”
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.……Continue Reading
Such purpose in God’s use of Paul, once Saul, to get a mesage to the Jews that ALL men shall be saved. He was originally one of their own and unnderwent such an amazing transformation and now preaching the gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike! So sad to see how closed the Jews were to allowing Gentiles to hear the gospel. They listened intently to Paul’s telling of his transformation story but the moment he started to speak of the need to save Gentiles as well, the crowd’s listening came to a grinding halt! This should remind us that EVERYONE needs to hear the good news of salvation and that our own feelings and opinions of people should never stop us from sharing. No one is too far gone, no one is unworthy…ALL shall hear because he loves ALL!
What an amazing testimony Paul had. To think that the greatest detractor of the Way became its greatest advocate. And it was all based in him saying he had seen the risen Christ. It is one of the things we can point people to as a reason we believe and why they should too. But many are set in their ways, like the Jews here and just don’t want to hear what doesn’t fit in their paradigm. But we need to share the truth regardless. And we should make note that this is an instance where Paul avoided a flogging when he could. And he as a Roman citizen creates an issue for them. So more information is needed.
Paul very plainly points everything out about who he was and then this great transformation that happened to him on the road to Damascus, but these stiff necked and stubborn people just won’t listen to reason all they can think of is to get rid of him so sad.
Acts 22
Testing
Acts 22
Paul, the man who once persecuted Jesus of Nazareth, is now the one who is being persecuted. His testimony is incredulous, he once had a mission to get rid of all believers, then Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus and his life is turned around 180 degrees. This type of conversion continues to this day. Let us not forget the story of Paul when we are discouraged by our unbelieving loved ones. Pray for them, for they too can be saved.
Paul shares his testimony with the crowd that attacked him. He is about to be scourged and mentions his Roman citizenship. Made me think of American citizenship and the benefits and responsibilities it entails. I believe we owe our unique rights and responsibilities to a biblical foundation at our founding. One founder said that our structure is only fitting for a righteous people. As we slip into and allow lawlessness, we are losing the security of these rights.