July 20 / Acts 22:22-30

Acts 22:22-30

So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. (v. 29) There is so much in Paul’s background that made him such an excellent missionary. In addition to his meeting Jesus personally, he was well schooled in Jewish law and traditions; he was conversant in a number of languages; and he was a Roman citizen. This third item has bearing today, as it did back in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas had been jailed in Philippi. Carol and I have felt similar protections as U.S. citizens when traveling abroad. We move around confidently, knowing that we have the U.S. government behind us. Our blue passports are “gold”. Without providing all the details, there was an occasion early in our first year in Slovakia (2004-2005) when someone reported to us that a high official had said, “Give these people what they want; the Embassy is involved.” Such was the power of the U.S. presence in Slovakia – and elsewhere around the world. Paul had that same coverage from Rome and it served him well on a number of occasions – including some reading in the next few chapters.

Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air… (vv. 22b-23a) I suggested yesterday that these verses suggest that a charge of blasphemy was being put forth by the Jewish leaders, but I hadn’t even looked forward to verse 23. In addition to the leaders wanting him dead (John 10:30-33), they threw off their cloaks (Acts 7:58) and they threw dust into the air (Genesis 18:27, Job 2:12, 34:14). Clearly these Jewish leaders were upset; it was only Rome’s intervention that saved Paul.

Slava Bohu!