New Testament: Acts 22.19–21

To read the Bible in a year, read Acts 22 on July 21, In the year of our Lord Christ 2022

By Don Ruhl 

Paul spoke to Jews in Jerusalem who had been beating him. Nevertheless, he still wanted to talk to them, because he had been like them. Yet, Paul told these Jews that the Lord Jesus Christ told him to leave Jerusalem. Paul also told the Jews that he reasoned with the Lord that they knew how he had been, and he wanted to explain to them why he had changed: 

“So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”

– Acts 22.19–21 

You can see how Paul thought. If he could just stay and continue to speak, perhaps some of them would accept what he had to say. However, he found quickly that they were dead set against him, for they had closed their minds. 

Questions: 

• Have you thought as Paul? 
• Are you open to what people have to say, even if it is contrary to what you believe? 

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