Acts - Week 70

Week 70 Acts 21, 22 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 21:37-38 

37 As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?” 

As Paul was rescued from the mob he asked permission to speak. The Roman commander was surprised Paul knew the Greek language. He thought Paul was an Egyptian criminal for whom they had been searching. This is another evidence not to assume something about someone. Paul will further identify himself as the account continues. 

REFLECT 

Have you been caught assuming something to be true only to learn later it was not? This is especially bad when it has to do with people. 

RESPOND 

Discuss with your disciple the fact that Jesus, even when He was on earth, knew people’s thoughts. He did not have to assume something untrue. Read Luke 11:16-18 and Hebrews 4:12 that refer to thoughts.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 21:39-40 

39 “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk to these people.” 40 The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic. 

The Roman commander thought Paul was an Egyptian criminal. On learning he was not, the commander permitted Paul to address the crowd. In contrast to the uproar previously, now there was a “deep silence.” Paul addressed the crowd in Aramaic, closely related to the Hebrew language and spoken by many at that time.  

REFLECT 

Notice how quickly the mood of an audience can shift. Before they were yelling at and beating Paul. Now they were quiet. Often it only takes a few to get a crowd stirred up or quieted down. 

RESPOND 

Have you had the opportunity to see how a crowd can change its demeanor? Seek to be one who calms spirits rather than arousing them.  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 22:1-2 

“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. 

Without a break in the narrative chapter 22 continues with Paul addressing the crowd. He wanted the opportunity to defend himself. They were quiet now and no one stirred as they heard Paul speaking in their own language. Have you traveled in a country where you heard other languages and experienced the relief you felt when you heard someone speak your language? 

REFLECT 

It is encouraging to read the Bible and see how God worked to give the gospel a wider voice. He uses many spoken languages that are considered “heart languages” of people who have that as their first language or one that can be easily understood by them. 

RESPOND 

What language or languages do you and your disciple speak? Are you both using whatever language the Lord has enabled you to speak to share the gospel with others? Pray for those who are translating the Bible into the heart language of other people. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 22:3 

3 Then Paul said, “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. 

Paul gave his credentials to the crowd. Surely none in the crowd could meet the same qualifications. He was educated under Gamaliel, a highly respected Jewish teacher, and trained in all the Jewish laws and customs. No one in the crowd should doubt his zeal for Judaism. As such, Paul sought to honor God in everything. There should be no question about his zeal for Judaism. 

REFLECT 

Consider telling of your past only to build the case for the change the Lord has now made in your life after you trusted in Him as Savior. 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about delicately handling how you talk about your past. Never give the impression that you would have had a better life without believing in Jesus as your Savior. Use your past to contrast it with your present and the forgiveness of sin and eternal life you now have. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 22:4-5 

4 “And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished. 

Paul continued telling the crowd about his zeal for Judaism. He had even “hounded” some Christ-followers to their death. If the crowd had any doubts, they could ask the high priest and Sanhedrin about it. He reveals the religious authorities had given him permission to bring Christians bound in chains from Damascus to Jerusalem. 

REFLECT 

Have you met unbelievers who were sincere in their beliefs even though they were sincerely wrong? Has that given you a heart to pray even more for them? 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 10:1-4 to see what Paul said about his fellow Israelites who had zeal without knowledge. Treat people graciously if they have religious zeal, but don’t assume this means they know the truth about Jesus and the gospel.