Defending the Faith
Defending the Faith
Acts 21:27-22:29
The Apostle Paul had a reputation when he walked into Jerusalem. Some of the Jews were spreading rumors about him, Acts 21:20b-22a,
You, see brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. What then is to be done?” They will certainly hear that you have come.
Paul walked into Jerusalem with a reputation and it was not a good one. Paul was one of the key leaders of the Christian faith so Paul’s reputation had become the reputation of Christians. And Paul knew it. As a leader, Paul knew how he handled this particular situation would reflect upon all Christians.
The main concern for Paul was not how he was going to be received but how his message would be received and how the message of other Christians would be received. James and the elders told Paul to show he has not abandoned his Jewish practices in keeping the law. Acts 21:23–24,
[23] Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; [24] take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
Hear that last line again, “Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.” I believe those three words, “all will know,” are crucial to understand Luke’s aim for this section of Acts. The reputation of Paul’s ministry is at stake among the Jews and also the reputation and acceptance of Jewish believers is at stake among the Jews. If Paul represents Christianity poorly, he will bring reproach and difficulty upon the thousands of Jews who have believed, as James references. And finally, Paul’s reputation, and by extension the reputation of all Christianity, is at stake among the Romans.
This sermon will be slightly different as we will walk through this text without a clear outline and I will give pastoral applications in my conclusion.
We first begin where we left off last week when Paul heeded the advice of James and the elders of the church at Jerusalem, Acts 21:26,
[26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. (ESV)
Paul is observing the law and showing himself as a Jew who is following Moses by purifying himself before he comes into the temple. Acts 21:27,
[27a] When the seven days were almost completed,
Meaning while he was in the middle of his purification ritual in observance of the law,
[27b] the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
Paul is seen by a group of Jews from Asia. We do not know who these specific Jews are but we know throughout Paul’s ministry Jews have been jealous of Paul and aggressive in their persecution of him. Paul would often leave a city because of persecution from the Jews and then those Jews would follow him and stir up a riot against him.
Keep in mind Luke is intentional in what stories he is sharing about Paul’s ministry and what he is not. Remember how Luke begins his gospel, Luke 1:1–4,
[1] Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Key phrase, “to write an orderly account for you…that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Luke was not only concerned to teach proper doctrine but to give an accurate history of the life and ministry of Jesus and the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. We have already seen in his text how the Jews believed certain false things about Paul. They created their own narrative about Paul stirring up conflict among the Jews by telling them not to follow Moses. There is also a narrative among the Romans created by the Jews that Christians are the ones who are stirring up conflict and causing unrest throughout the Roman Empire.
Back to Acts 21:27, “the Jews from Asia…stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands upon him.” The aggressors in Acts are not Christians but the Jews. Acts 21:28
[28] crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
This is the man! Fingers are being pointed, screaming and shouting is happening, and wee bit of teenage hyperbole, “who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place.” That would have been bad enough but they add this last statement, “Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” The charge is not merely one of words. They are charging Paul for defiling the temple by bringing impure and defiled Gentiles into the inner court. There were four and half foot tall stone markers which read, “No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the temple and enclosure. Anyone who is caught trespassing will bear personal responsibility for his ensuing death.”
It was a serious charge for a Gentile to enter the inner courts, but it was a mistaken charge. Acts 21:29,
[29] For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
They had seen Paul with a Gentile in the city and they “supposed” or assumed he had brought him into the temple. They were interpreting what they saw with the narrative they had already believed. Acts 21:30,
[30] Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
Notice how Luke draws attention to the size of the uproar, “all the city was stirred up.” And who was at fault, “They seized Paul.” Remember Paul was in the middle of his purification so that no one could even hint that he was not following the law. And he was not doing it alone but with four others who could testify about him and let’s not forget he paid their expenses so they could be purified.
Regardless, the whole city was thrown into an uproar so the government officials quickly heard about it. Acts 21:31–32,
[31] And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. [32] He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
The Roman tribune took soldiers and centurions to figure out what was happening. When they arrived, the Jews were beating Paul in hopes to kill him. When the Jews saw the Roman soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Acts 21:33–34,
[33] Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. [34] Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
The assumption by the Romans was that it was Paul who was at fault for why would be beaten if he did nothing wrong. He was trying to figure out what had happened but the crowd was shouting and the chaos was so great he could not learn the facts. Acts 21:35–36,
[35] And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, [36] for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
The Roman soldiers rescued Paul, they “actually carried” him to safety because of the violence of the crowds. Take note, Theophilus, it was the mob of the people who caused the scene and it was the Romans who came to help the Christians.
Beloved, a mere twenty-seven years earlier, there was another faithful Jew who was in the same spot who heard the violence of that crowd yell, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Jesus said, John 15:18–20a,
[18] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
Paul experienced the great privilege to be identified with his master, Jesus Christ.
The Jews assumed Paul had defiled the Temple, but the Romans also had their own assumption on who Paul was, Acts 21:37–38,
[37] As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? [38] Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”
About three years earlier, an Egyptian rebel led a revolt against Rome saying that he was going to bring down the walls of Jerusalem like the walls of Jericho. When the Romans attacked, he escaped with his life while many of his men died. The Roman assumed he was this insurrectionist. Acts 21:39–22:1
[39] Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” [40] And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: [1] “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
Paul was almost beaten to death and yet, he still speaks to the crowd with respect, “Brothers and fathers.” Acts 22:2,
[2] And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet.
Paul’s ability to speak Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic were all essential to his ministry. Paul begins his defense,Acts 22:3–5,
[3] “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. [4] I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, [5] as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
He was born in Tarsus but brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel. Gamaliel was known for his brilliance and knowledge of the law, but also his gentle, kind and tolerant spirit. Paul did not have the same gentle spirit as he was zealous in persecuting Christians to death and putting them in prison, both men and women. And he adds how the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify to his zeal.
Paul was almost beaten and yet able to speak with respect and kindness to his adversaries because he knew that he used to be where they were. Paul’s ability to be patient with his persecutors was directly linked with his ability to remember God’s kindness to him and his hope his life would be used to bring people to God. He writes in 1 Timothy 1:12–17,
[12] I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, [13] though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, [14] and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. [16] But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. [17] To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul did not hate his opponents but wanted them to experience the perfect patience of God so they too could experience eternal life. Friend, maybe you are here visiting, and have hurt other people in extreme ways and think you are beyond salvation. I pray you will see the transformation in Paul’s life that there is hope for you yet. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Jesus saved sinners by dying in their place and being raised from the dead. If you want to learn more about how your sins, even your great sins, can be forgiven, I or one of our elders would love to talk with you after the service.
Paul was a persecutor, but he received mercy. He continues in Acts 22:6–11,
[6] “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. [7] And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ [8] And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ [9] Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. [10] And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ [11] And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
The same account is in Acts 9 from a third person perspective, but here it is Paul’s own words. Acts 22:12–16,
[12] “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, [13] came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.
Paul adds the detail about Ananias being a “devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,” in the hopes that some of them would be like him. Remember Paul was in the situation because people who were devout according to the law believed that Paul was not for the law and the tradition of Moses. And Ananias told Paul,
[14] And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; [15] for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. [16] And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
The title “Righteous One” would have been important. The previous reference to the Lord could have been understood merely as a term of respect, but here using the term, “Righteous One,” shows that Jesus of Nazareth is the long awaited Messiah and the Savior of the World. Paul also again identifies himself with his hearers, “The God of our fathers.” They are against Paul, but Paul is trying to show that he was exactly where they were until God opened his eyes.
Paul is then given a commission, “you will be a witness for him (the Righteous One) to everyone of what you have seen and heard.” Paul is asked then to respond to Jesus Christ by being baptized as a symbol to wash away his sins as he called upon Christ. Friend, forgiveness is offered in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9–13,
[9] because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [11] For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you call upon the name of the Lord and believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved and forgiven of your sins. There is no distinction between any of us. We are all sinners and our only hope for salvation is to call upon Christ to save us.
And that really was the big issue with the Jews. The Jews believed salvation came through obeying the law, but now, salvation is through following Jesus Christ. And as soon as the Jews hear that salvation is also for the Gentiles, they lose their minds. Acts 22:17–22,
[17] “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance [18] and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ [19] And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. [20] And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ [21] And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”[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.”
They no longer wanted to hear what Paul had to say. As soon as the Gentiles were mentioned they wanted Paul’s head. The Roman official was there listening. We do not know if he fully understood as he probably spoke Greek and possibly not Hebrew. Either way, he saved Paul again from the uproar. Acts 22:23–29,
[23] And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, [24] the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. [25] But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” [26] When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” [27] So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” [28] The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” [29] So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Paul appealed to his Roman citizenship and to the laws of Rome saying, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” The Christians were not the ones who were challenging Roman law but it was the Jews and, in this case, the Romans themselves. This is why the tribune was afraid because he had him bound without cause which would have been against Roman law.
Applications
Let me offer several brief applications for us.
Governments have nothing to fear from Christianity if it desires to do good and seek justice
Christians desire to live a peaceful and quiet life so they can share about the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ and his message of salvation in the gospel. Rome did not have to worry about Christianity. They were not the ones causing trouble and stirring up the people. Luke spends two chapters unpacking Paul’s defense covering 12 days while the following two chapters cover 2 years. Luke wants Theophilus and by extension, Rome, to have certainty about the things they were taught regarding Christianity and their relationship to the government. Christians aim is not to overthrow the government but to live as citizens of heaven in the midst of a crooked and depraved world.
Christians will be attacked by those who are against Word
Beloved, there is nothing new under the sun. Christians were blamed for the uproars in Rome and now Christians are blamed for the uproar and hatred in America. The narrative in America is that Christians are hateful, bigoted, and against allowing people to live their own lives. Christians are against individual self-expression and want to attack people’s individual rights. Why is that becoming the narrative? Because Christians believe abortion is horrific and the killing of children in womb is a terrible and reprehensible evil. Christians believe biology in marriage and gender. Christians believe in God’s ordering of the home and church as revealed in the Bible. And because Christian beliefs are contrary to the sinful desires of a subset of Americans, Christians are characterized as evil.
Christians want to love their neighbor. We believe biblical marriage, a biblical understanding of gender and sexuality, and a biblical view of life from the womb to the tomb is how best to love your neighbor. A society that is under shaped by and under the Word of God will serve for maximum human flourishing.
Share what God has done in your life
Paul’s life was wrapped up in what God did for him. He was a wicked, self-righteous, arrogant sinner who sought to destroy Christianity. And God showed him mercy. Beloved, you were once unrighteous, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. You may not think you have a dramatic testimony, but all of us fundamentally have the same testimony. I was lost but now I am found. I was blind, but now I see. I am a sinner saved by grace. Share the gospel. Share doctrine. But also share your life. Testify what God has done in your life.
The lives we live reflect Chrsitianity to the world
Paul knew his life represented Christians. He needed to live in such a way because he knew how he lived would have affected the Jews who believed in Jerusalem and how Christians were going to be viewed by Roman officials and by the society at large. Christianity is not primarily but our own individual salvation. Christianity is about God calling a people to himself who will be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Your lives Monday through Saturday reflect upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They reflect upon the reputation of Park Baptist Church. If you come across as arrogant and judgmental, what will people think of our church? Those people are arrogant and judgmental. If you are kind and humble, what will people think of our church? Those people are kind and humble. Beloved, we don’t want people only to think well of us but to think well of Christ.
This past week, someone mischaracterized me and how I am pastoring our church. I could get angry and try to self-justify myself or I can show humility and that we really do care for one another. We do not do it perfectly, but we are trying to do it better. I want them to think well of Jesus Christ. I want them to be saved. I want them to know the delight and gift it is to follow after God.
Our lives individually and our lives corporately speak about Christ, and the church. So live in such a way to adorn the gospel of God to the watching world.
Trust God when you suffer
All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer. I was talking to a Russian pastor this week regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia. The recent policy change from the Russian government has opened up every male to the draft. In the last two weeks over 700,000 men have left Russia leaving many women and children alone. My pastor friend pleaded with his fellow elders that we must stay and care for our people, but he said if we stay, we will suffer. They are experiencing real and tangible suffering every day, but they are striving to trust God in the midst of it. And even tonight as we gather to learn about India, we can’t record it because if they are discovered to be speaking negatively about the government, they will suffer.
Beloved, as our nation continues to drift from God’s Word, we will suffer more and more. And when we do, 1 Peter 4:19
[19] Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Representing Christ well is more important than our freedom and our comforts.
Never forget God’s Mercy
We are sinners, but God has shown us mercy in Christ. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy. God did not give us what we do deserve, death, punishment and eternal hell, but did give us what we do not deserve, life, joy, peace and eternal life in his presence forever more. Never forget you are a sinner deserving of eternal wrath, but you have received mercy.
What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise God for mercy found in Jesus Christ our Lord.
I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory in suffering and success, in peace and pain, may his mercy reign forever and ever. Amen.