Acts - Week 72

Week 72 Acts 22, 23 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 22:24-25 

24 The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. 25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” 

Up until now Paul had not revealed to the military officers that he was a Roman citizen. Now as they tied him down to lash him, Paul let his citizenship be known. It was not legal to whip a Roman citizen. He did not use his Roman citizenship often, but this was a crucial time to let it be known. Just as it had done in Acts 16 with the Philippian jailer, this would significantly change what the officials were trying to do. 

REFLECT 

Are you proud of your citizenship? Have you ever had to use it as protection as Paul did? 

RESPOND 

Paul claimed his citizenship in Philippi when he was persecuted. Read Philippians 3:20-21 to see what he later wrote to the believers in Philippi.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 22:26-28 

26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!” 27 So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. 28 “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth! 

Now the officer was concerned when he learned Paul was a Roman citizen. He told the commander who became involved and wanted to know more. Apparently the commander had paid a considerable amount to become a Roman citizen. Paul was born of parents who were citizens so it cost him nothing. God would use Paul’s Roman citizenship to open doors for the gospel. 

REFLECT 

Think about things often taken for granted that God can use in enabling you to have a significant contact and witness with others.  

RESPOND 

In seeking to establish a friendship, perhaps it’s asking about family, occupation and interests. You may have some common interests that will be appreciated by the person to whom you are talking. Questions about these may give you an open door to talk about Jesus.  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 22:29-30 

29 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped. 30 The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them. 

According to Roman law, a person was presumed innocent until proven guilty by a trial. The commander was concerned now that he might be in trouble for giving the order to have Paul bound and whipped. Realizing it might be a religious problem, the commander turned Paul over to the Jewish Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish Supreme Court. 

REFLECT 

Think about Paul standing before the top religious leaders of the day. They were more concerned about religion than a relationship with the Messiah. What would Paul say? 

RESPOND 

The question is sometimes asked, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Talk to your disciple about this. It’s more than just being nice; it’s letting people know you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and living like it. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 23:1-3 

1 Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!” 2 Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 3 But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?” 

The judge before whom Paul stood had a hot temper and was infuriated that Paul claimed to have a clear conscience before God. For some reason, Paul was uncertain about identity of the high priest. Paul accused him of being a hypocrite and breaking the law himself by ordering him to be struck. Paul was not timid about speaking out to the religionists when the occasion called for it. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever been confronted by some religionist who gave no indication of a relationship with Jesus? What did you do in that situation? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about what to do and say if confronted by some unbelieving religious leader. Thinking about it ahead of time will help you to know what to say then. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 23:4-5 

4 Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”  

5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’” 

On realizing the person who ordered him to be struck was the high priest, Paul apologized. Although perhaps not respecting the person, Paul respected the authority before him. Paul may have referred to Exodus 22:28 that says, “You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.” Paul was well-versed in the Old Testament Scriptures and sought to obey them. 

REFLECT 

Even if you have difficulty with someone’s personality, do you respect the individual’s age or office? 

RESPOND 

Paul talked about not speaking evil of one’s rulers. Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4 where he wrote about praying for them. Have your disciple list the reasons a believer is to do this.