Acts 21-22 Paul Arrested

Even though Paul demonstrated his obedience to Jewish laws and customs by following the suggestion from James and the Jerusalem Church elders; when the time of purification was nearly over, Jews, likely from Ephesus, still continued to falsely accuse him.  They even incited the crowd to start beating and trying to kill Paul, until a Roman commander and soldiers arrested and bound (as prophesied) him, and brought him to the barracks.

Despite being falsely accused, beaten, nearly killed, arrested, and bound; Paul's heart of compassion is demonstrated in his desire to still speak to the crowd.  In showing that he was polite, educated, and not the criminal rebel he was mistaken for, Paul was granted permission to give his message.

The elements of the defense of his faith (apologetics), which we can also use as examples, were:

• Identifying with the audience 
• Finding common ground
• Establishing credibility
• Giving evidence to counteract the false charges
• Giving his personal testimony of his conversion and encounter with Christ

The example elements of personal testimony shared were:

• God's Work
• Encounter with Christ
• New Life and Purpose
• Conversion and Salvation

 As Paul had often wrote about, here he demonstrated that he was willing to suffer for Christ and to share in his affliction.  Much of the persecution he faced was similar to what Christ had faced.  And, no matter the circumstance, he continued to be committed to his calling to share the gospel message.  He was able to turn this terrible situation into an opportunity to testify to his faith.

However, as soon as he mentioned that God had sent him to the Gentiles, the crowd once again wanted to kill him.    And, Paul was only able to avoid flogging by revealing his Roman citizenship.

Chp 22 was the first defense of six that Paul was to give from now to the end of the Book of Acts.  Verse 30 sets up the second, which will be to the Sanhedrin.