Acts 22:17-21 – “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
“and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’ As Charles Swindoll wrote, Paul could have just stopped his testimony after V16 and that would have given them the message that it was in God’s authority that he now ministered in. However, Paul wanted to present to them truth that they did not know or had not accepted. So He continued on. In reality, with the Gospel burning within him and with his great love for his fellow Jews, Paul could not stop. As Christians, we too have not stopped from telling the Gospel to people because it is alive within us and because what it has done for us we know it can do for them, if only they would humble themselves before God and come to Jesus. We too love those we witness too and though we know that some may get angry with us for speaking the Truth, we will not, indeed we cannot, stop.
Starting in V17 Paul tells them that he had received divine warning to quickly leave Jerusalem. He was warning Paul that he was in danger. The Lord told him to get out quickly, to leave now! Though Paul would have risked “life and limb” for the opportunity to witness to his Jewish brethren, the Lord had much for him to do among the Gentiles. Paul likely could not truly believe that those whom he had broken bread with and shared a great love with could turn so much against him that they would kill him. God needed to push Paul along for his own sake and for the sake of the ministry that Paul was being called to. Sometimes the Lord does the same for all of us. Sometimes we are being blessed and it comes time for us to leave but we are obtuse against that thought. Though the Lord is blessing us where we are and the ministry is being blessed, still the Lord may call us to something else. Again this is a reminder that our first calling is not to the ministry in which we serve but to the Lord. Yes, we are to love the people and the ministry we are called to, but first and always, we are to love our God and love serving Him in whatever capacity or wherever He leads. Loving what God has us doing is wonderful. However, we need to remember that our first calling is to love God and that means obeying Him in all ways. If God says “go,” then we go, as hard as it may be. And we know, that God knows best. The Lord was protecting His beloved Paul and He was also protecting the servant He planned to use further. He has these same thoughts toward us. Be open to the leading of the Lord however it may come and wherever it may lead.
“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you.” Paul’s reply to the Lord was actually a reasoning with Him to consider that these people were his fellow Jews, his buddies, the people he loved. Really, haven’t we done the same thing? We too sometimes want to present our case as we quote to Him the facts as we see them. Now, honestly, isn’t that silly! God knows all the facts and what those facts really mean much better than we do! We are not able to “inform” Him of anything. Now, it’s good to talk about our lack of understanding with God. It is good to ask for understanding. It is silly to try to inform an omniscient God.
Paul was telling his audience that he once believed exactly as they still did. He did what they are even then doing to him. He is saying what I was is what you are. He was trying to build a commonality with them. If people have hard hearts, having a commonality will not change that heart. It is only God who can, if the soul is willing.
“And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” Paul is confessing a great sin to his audience. He is confessing that he was a willing accomplice in the murder of Stephen. It is important to remember that Paul had been talking to God and He called Stephen a martyr who belonged to God. Therefore the great sin that Paul was confessing to was being an accomplice to murder of one of God’s own children. Paul had sinned directly against God and if Paul had, then so did those who still believe the same. In fact, there was a good chance that some, if not all, who had participated in Stephen’s murder were in the audience before Paul, and wanting to kill Paul in the same way they had killed Stephen. So Paul was telling his audience that they were fighting against the God whom they claimed to serve. Their blood was then approaching the boiling point.
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” Then Paul told His audience that he was sent by the Lord to be a witness to the Gentiles. He was essentially telling them that the job that they formerly had, to be a witness to the Gentiles, was taken from them and given to the church, specifically, though not only, to Paul. So Paul was telling them that because of their hatred for Jesus and all those that follow Him, God would do through the Gentiles what their hard hearts would refuse to do. Of course, being in a prideful and hardened state, they became very indignant. Paul was telling them not only that God had then given him the responsibility that had belonged to the Jews, but that meant that when the Gentiles became believers they were also ordained to be the ministers of God to the world. Previously, God had ordained the Jews to share the knowledge of God to the world. They were the keepers of the Holy Scripture. But now, because of their unbelief in Jesus, they were no longer able to spread the Word because they did not believe in the incarnate Word who came to them first, but whom they rejected. Very sad.
The Jews were now in a rage. Yet, is this so unlikely to happen in the church today? Many churches now follow rules and policies that they themselves, and not God, have declared. If God were to bring forth someone to tell them the error of their ways, would they suddenly repent and weep, or would they instead turn upon and accuse the messenger of God. Sadly, too often, though certainly not always, the latter rather than the former would be true. Family, we all, including all church hierarchy, must remain humble. We, pastors, elders, deacons, commission leaders, and lay believers all should be open to receive admonishment from God even if it comes from what is regarded to be a less educated, or even a neophyte believer. As we know God can use anyone or anything for His purpose, ask Balaam. Let’s be humble. Israel became proud and suffered great loss because of it and Paul warns us to keep that fact in consideration lest we also become proud (Romans 11:17-21). Praise God who loves all, whether Jew or Gentile. Let us not become proud by looking at others, but rather stay humble as we consider and gaze upon the greatness of our God. Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Yes, amen and praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”