Paul on Trial
Standing before a hostile crowd at the temple steps, Paul began his defense by respectfully addressing them: “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” the exact phrase Stephen once used in his sermon (Acts 7:2). Speaking in their native Aramaic quieted the crowd. Paul began to testify not only on his own behalf but also as a representative of the Way—a defender of the gospel and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Luke highlights this moment as pivotal by recording Paul’s conversion story three times (Acts 9, 22, 26). In fact, Luke devotes more verses in Acts to Paul’s defense speeches than to his missionary sermons. This emphasis aligns with Luke’s purpose in writing to Theophilus—to demonstrate that Christianity is not a radical new religion, but the true fulfillment of God’s plan.
Paul Shares His God Story
Paul, Before Jesus
Paul introduced himself by emphasizing his Jewish heritage and credentials. “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today” (Acts 22:3, NLT). He reminded them that he was not an outsider or a rebel against Judaism.
In fact, he had once persecuted Christians with fervor: “And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison” (v. 4). The high priest and council of elders could vouch for him. The Jewish leaders gave Paul the authority from them to go to Damascus and arrest believers there, bringing them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished (v. 5). The apostle used the term “the Way” to describe the early Christian movement, portraying it not as a break from Judaism but as its fulfillment.
Paul Meets Jesus
Paul then described his dramatic encounter with Jesus. “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me” (v. 6). That detail about the light appearing at noon—absent in Acts 9—underscores the overwhelming brilliance of what he saw. “I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’” (v. 7). He asked who was speaking and received the shocking answer: “I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting” (v. 8).
His traveling companions saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to him (v. 9). Paul responded with the question of a humbled man: “What should I do, Lord?” (v. 10). Jesus told him to go into Damascus, where he would be told what to do. Blinded by the intense light, Paul had to be led by the hand to Damascus (v. 11).
In Damascus, a devout Jewish believer named Ananias—well respected by all the Jews in the city—came to Paul. “He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!” (v. 13). Paul intentionally emphasized Ananias’s Jewish credentials to show the crowd that even his healing had come through a fellow Jew.
Ananias then delivered a message from God: “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard” (vv. 14–15). Ananias urged him, “What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord” (v. 16). Although baptism symbolized cleansing, Paul’s salvation had come through his faith in Jesus, not through the water itself.
Paul, After Jesus
Paul then shared something not previously mentioned in Acts: “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance” (v. 17). This took place about three years after his conversion. In the vision, Jesus warned him, “Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me” (v. 18).
Paul argued with the Lord, just as Moses and other prophets had done before him. “But Lord,” I argued, “they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you” (v. 19). He reminded the Lord of his involvement in Stephen’s death: “And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him” (v. 20). But the Lord gave Paul a surprising command: “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!” (v. 21). Paul must have thought that his actions against The Way would have earned him the ability to be heard by his countrymen in Jerusalem concerning his change of heart concerning Jesus; Christ knew better.
Paul, Wanted Dead or Alive
That one word—Gentiles—triggered the crowd’s fury. “The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, ‘Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!’” (v. 22). Once again, their deep prejudice erupted. They ripped off their cloaks and flung dust into the air in a chaotic display of rage (v. 23). The Roman commander, unsure of what caused the uproar, ordered Paul to be brought into the fortress and whipped until he confessed to whatever crime had enraged the people (v. 24). Roman flogging was brutal—much worse than Jewish beatings. But just before they began, Paul asked the officer, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” (v. 25).
Alarmed, the officer went to the commander and reported Paul’s question. The commander came and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” Paul replied, “Yes, I certainly am” (v. 27). The commander said, “I am, too—and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!” (v. 28). Instantly, those who were about to interrogate Paul withdrew. The commander himself was frightened because he had bound a Roman citizen without due process (v. 29). The next day, the commander ordered the Jewish high council to meet. He wanted to find out exactly why the Jews were so furious with Paul, so he released him and ordered the leading priests and the council to assemble. Paul was brought in to face them (v. 30).
Truths and Lessons for Today
1. Your Story Has Power—Use It Boldly
When Paul was under attack, he didn’t launch into a theological debate—he shared his personal story. Testimonies are powerful because they show how Jesus changes real lives.
🡲 Application: Don’t be afraid to share how Jesus met you. Your testimony may be the very thing God uses to soften someone’s heart.
📖 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. (Acts 22:1–2, NLT)
2. Salvation Is a Gift—Not Earned by Religion
Paul had all the correct credentials: Jewish heritage, education, zeal, and obedience to the law. But none of that could save him. Only Jesus could.
🡲 Application: Are you relying on your religious background, good works, or knowledge to make you right with God? Trade that in for trust in Christ alone.
📖 “I was trained in the way of our Jewish ancestors… and I became very zealous to honor God… But as I was on the road… a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.” (Acts 22:3, 6, NLT)
3. The Gospel Is for Everyone—Even the “Outsiders”
The crowd listened until Paul mentioned his call to the Gentiles—then they exploded in rage. Their reaction revealed their hearts: they couldn’t accept that God’s grace was for all.
🡲 Application: Ask God to show you where pride or prejudice might be keeping you from loving or reaching others with the gospel. God’s grace is global.
📖 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’ The crowd listened until Paul said that word…” (Acts 22:21-22, NLT)
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