Luke wrote “of the things fulfilled among us” paraphrased [ ] ref { } thots
For a summary of Paul’s travels thus far, scroll down.
Book of the Acts of the First Believers
22:1-21 — Paul addresses the crowd, which had been triggered by synagogue leaders visiting from Asia who had agitated them into a mob in the temple complex.. “And immediately the temple doors were shut.”) — 1 - “Brothers and fathers” {God prophesied to Eve the stronger would rule/bound to, in this imperfection/dog eat dog, so yes women were second class} “hear this defense I now make before you.” 2 And when they heard him addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became quiet.
And he said, 3 “I’m a Hebrew (slang and “byword” Jew), born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city (Jerusalem). I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the” {society preserving} “law of our fathers”. {Which law alone doesn’t work over all the world, as even one nation couldn’t remain faithful to it.} “And I too am zealous for God as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted this Way” (of believing in Messiah Jesus) “to very death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear witness to. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those of the Way in Damascus, and bring them in chains to Jerusalem.
6 But as I was on my way and was approaching Damascus, it was about noon, a great light from heaven suddenly shone round about 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, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you’re persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but didn’t hear clearly the voice of the one speaking. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And he said, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, for it’s there that you’ll be told all that’s appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I couldn’t see due to the brightness of the light, I was led by those who were with me, and we went into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law - well spoken of by all the Jews/Hebrews/Judeans who live there, 13 came to me, and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight.
14 And he told me, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will - to see the righteous one, and to hear his voice. {Literal aNd, per the usual, the metaphor/spiritual meaning, Truth.} 15 You will be a witness for him to all of what you have seen and heard {see and hear?} 16 And now why do you wait? Rise up and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” {A devout follower of “the law”.. had to wash away his sin/hamartia-missing the mark. “There’s none righteous, no not one” of the mass of humanity. Only Jesus, the Son, only straight out from God one, called “first/proto”. Father and Son being so close both administer God’s Spirit/Presence, same as will saturate and “seal” all creation and humanity.}
17 “When I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the temple, and fell into a trance. 18 And I saw him saying to me, ‘Hurry and leave Jerusalem quickly, because they won’t accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said to him, ‘Lord, they all know that in synagogue after synagogue, I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being spilled, I myself was standing by, 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 (the rest of the nations.’” [Gen-tiles - ethnos - race, nation, the nations as distinct from Israel.]
Next - 22:22 –> ? The next two weekly studies will be a summary of the rest of Acts. And the following week will be starting over at Acts 1.
• Paul’s travels thus far:
On the way to Damascus to arrest Christians he’s blinded by the radiance of Jesus.. He therefor converts, and after a while starts preaching Jesus’ message, and about his death and resurrection, mostly in synagogues. He and Barnabas are sent on a - spread the Good News journey - from Antioch, north of Jerusalem. (At Antioch is where the believers were first called Christians).
They went up around the Mediterranean spending time in some towns north of it. Then after returning through each town the way they had come, they sailed back to Antioch, first “missionary journey” finished.
Soon they went down to Jerusalem to counsel about non Hebrew believers, should they follow Torah/Old Testament Way as if Judean/Israeli? Jesus summed up the ten commandments as Love God. Love fellow person. And that pretty much became the agreed upon answer {imo} diet and days were not required. {Keeping the Sabbath and, or the original holy days of God, as in the Scripture can be a wonderful thing. They’re an outline, for one thing. But Romans 14:5 says - “Let each be persuaded in their own mind”. And to not throw stumblingblocks in front of each other (vs.13). All are saved by grace alone when God gives the faith, “each in their own order” 1Cor.15:22-28 w/ Mt.13:33, key word 3; three harvests, barley, wheat aNd grape.}
Paul goes on a second journey, this time with Silas.. they go up around the Mediterranean and through the regions north of it, but going further this time, passing through Asia and then over water to Macedonia, north of Greece. Through those regions they are pursued and harassed, beaten/flogged and thrown in jail but while singing the chains break and doors opened.. resulting in believers.. They’re followed and persecuted as they go along, so Paul goes as far as Athens and teaches in Corinth for a year and a half.
After returning to Caesaria (second “missionary journey” completed) and then Jerusalem, he again, in a third journey, rounded north of the Mediterranean, through Asia to Ephesus, teaching for two years at the Hall of Tyrannus.. A two hour riot was inspired by the guild of Artemis idol makers, with many not knowing why, but yelling one thing and others another..
Traveling on, wanting to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost. As they sailed past Ephesus, they stopped and met the Ephesian believers on shore.. There were prayers and tears, they were not going to see each other again. Paul had been there for three years.
On to Jerusalem.. And trying to answer accusations against him that he was teaching kinsmen/Hebrews to disregard the {societal preservative} “Laws of Moses”. But a mob is incited, beats Paul and he’s arrested, but he is about to speak to the crowd, the Roman officer in charge having agreed.
