ACTS 22 1-21

          WeekLy BooK oF Acts 

(Paul addresses the crowd, which had been triggered by synagogue leaders visiting from Asia and had become a mob.. “And 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 am 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 following 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 concerning me. 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 are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but didn’t hear clearly the  voice of the one speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And he said, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, for it is there that you will be told all that is 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 came 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. (The sWord/Truth.) 15 For you will be a witness for him to all of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling upon 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. Jesus being the Son, only straight out from God one.)

     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 will not 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/nations.’” [Gentiles - ethnos - race, nation, the nations as distinct from Israel.]

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, facts, cross references, etc.

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By Necessity Paraphrased

Weekly ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study