Were you ever in such serious trouble that even your friends didn't seem to want to know you? Paul was, and what made it worse for him was that he certainly did not deserve what was happening!
A riot was spreading through the whole city of Jerusalem, because of this Christian preacher, Paul. He had been seized by some Jews while attending a ceremony in the Jewish Temple. Once they had him outside, “the gates were closed.” (verse 30.) Certainly, those in the Temple were not wanting to protect him! But neither was there any sign of the thousands of fellow-believers in Jerusalem! (Acts 21:20.)
Paul was taking a horrible beating from the mob. Quickly the Roman commander arrived, with his officers and troops to investigate the riot. (verses 31-32.) Paul was immediately arrested and chained; but there was so much confusion that nobody could tell the commander what Paul had done wrong! The soldiers had to carry him away to protect him from the blood¬thirsty mob! (verses 33-36.)
The commander soon discovered that he had made the mistake of thinking Paul was the Egyptian rebel, who had recently started a revolution. (verses 37-38.) Paul then asked for permission to speak to the crowd, and he was given the opportunity. He spoke from the safety of the steps leading to the fort. (verse 40.)
Eventually the crowd settled to listen to what he had to say. “They became very quiet” when they realised he was speaking in their Hebrew language. They were about to hear a rebel's confession!
“I am a Jew...brought up in this city. I was … just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death …” (verses 1-4.) The name "Way" was a nick-name used at that time to describe the Christian faith. Likely this was because their message insisted that JESUS was the only WAY to God. (John 14:6.)
That explains why this religious crowd, and why religious Paul when he was younger, rebelled so strongly against the “Way”. The Christian’s message was that neither priests, nor sacraments, nor religion, nor good-works, could bring people to have peace with God. (Acts 4:12. 1stTimothy 2:3-7.)
I wonder do you resent this true message about Jesus? I hope you will believe that ONLY JESUS qualifies to “bring us to God”. (1st Peter 3:18.)
Because Paul had been such a rebel against this Way, he could show patience and concern for this angry mob - he had once behaved like that himself! But something had happened to completely change this religious rebel. He no longer behaved like this mob. His hatred, violence, intolerance, and unbelief of the true message of Jesus Christ were all gone!
What made this wonderful change in Paul’s life? and what will the crowd think of the explanation he will give?
The same God who completely changed Paul’s life, can change you, if you want to truly follow Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. (2ndCorinthians 5:17.)
Read Acts chapter 21:30 - 22:5.
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