We Have a Story to Share

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 21:37-22:29

 

Acts 22:22

Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

(ESV)

 

Stories are powerful things, and something used by Jesus as he taught using parables.  This is good news for most of us for lets us know that it does not take a degree in theology to share Christ but only a story of our conversion.  This is especially true when our story relates to someone’s life situation.  Therefore, the only thing stopping us from sharing Christ with others is our willingness to boldly share our story, not fearing rejection or persecution. 

 

After going to the barracks for his safety, Paul asks for permission to speak to the people who were trying to kill him (Acts 21:37-39).  In light of the commotion that had previously occurred (Acts 21:27-36), this would not have been an easy decision for the crowd was seeking to kill Paul.  However, the tribune is also curious about why the crowd is angry with Paul, mistaking him for an Egyptian that recently stirred up a revolt (Acts 21:38), and grants permission for Paul to speak (Acts 21:40).  The tribune and his men are not far away and swiftly spring into action once the crowd is stirred again (Acts 22:23-24). 

 

Instead of doing what was customary, debating with fellow Jews when entering a city (Acts 17:2-3), Paul chooses to share the story of his conversion.  Some possible reasons for this change in tactic may be,

 

1)      The Audience – These Jews may be from the group of zealous Jewish believers James warned Paul about when Paul first entered Jerusalem (Acts 21:20-21).  Since these Jews were already believers, there was no need to debate whether Jesus was the Messiah but instead a need for Paul to share how he was once a Jew zealous for the Law who has now experienced God’s grace and forgiveness.  These zealous Jewish believers falsely believe Paul teaches Gentiles to forsake the law when the truth is Paul teaches that the law is our schoolmaster, pointing out our sin with God’s grace providing salvation (Galatians 2:8; Romans 5:13).  Paul might be hopeful that sharing his story will clear up the false report that Paul tells Gentiles to forsake the law for which he was once zealous. 

2)      Location:  Paul is not in a synagogue – While Paul is engaging with a group of Jewish believers, he is not in the safety of a synagogue and is trying to quiet an angry mob.  However, any hope sharing his story would quiet the angry mob is dashed as the crowd is stirred up again after hearing the Lord has called Paul to share Christ with the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). 

3)      To point out the real reason for the anger of the crowd – The stirring up of the crowd after Paul mentions his calling to share Christ with the Gentiles indicates the real reason for the crowd's anger is not Paul’s story but his belief he has a calling to share Christ with the Gentiles (Acts 22:22)  This provides an answer for the tribune who takes Paul back into the barracks for protection.  However, the tribune is still not completely satisfied and determines to flog Paul to find answers, only having to stop once he discovers Paul is a Roman citizen (Acts 22:23-29). 

 

Paul’s normal practice when entering a city was to go into the synagogue and debate with the Jews about Jesus (Acts 17:1-3).  However, with this group of Jewish believers zealous for the Law (Acts 21:20-21), Paul chooses to share the story of His conversion.  One possible reason for this change in tactic could be that these men were already believers who had fallen for a false report that Paul had abandoned Jewish customs and the law, and taught the Gentiles to do the same (Acts 21:20-21).  In sharing his story, Paul illustrates that he too was zealous for the law but after his conversion had a calling from God to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21).  However, even the mention of a calling to minister to the Gentiles angers the mob with the Tribune intervening to save Paul’s life (Acts 22:22-29). 

 

We all have a story of conversion to share that the dark and sinful world needs to hear.  For some, this story may seem boring from living in a Christian home knowing about Jesus and having a moment in our lives where we realized we must do more than know about Jesus and accept Him as our savior.  For others, it may be one raised in a Christian home who wandered away from God and later returned after the issues of life brought them back.  For others it may be never hearing about Jesus as a child and living a life of sin, only to have God send someone our way to share Christ.  No matter what the story is, it is a story someone needs to hear and why we must be bold in sharing our story with others, especially in the chaos of the world today.  May God bless and challenge everyone reading this post.