Question 1

What is Paul doing in this passage when he speaks to the crowd?

Accepted Answer

Paul is giving a defence of himself and his message to an angry Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. He reminds them that he is a Jew like they are, trained under a respected teacher and once very zealous for the law. Then he explains how he used to persecute followers of Jesus, even to death, until the risen Jesus met him near Damascus. By telling his own story, Paul is trying to show that his change of belief did not come from carelessness or hate for Israel, but from God’s clear work in his life.

Question 2

Why does Paul stress that he is a Jew taught at the feet of Gamaliel?

Accepted Answer

Paul wants the crowd to see that he has not turned his back on his people or their Scriptures. By saying he is a Jew from Tarsus, brought up in Jerusalem, and taught by Gamaliel, he shows that he knows their law and traditions well. He even says he was once as zealous for God as they are now. This makes it clear that he did not follow Jesus out of ignorance of the law, but after knowing it deeply. His testimony is meant to carry weight with those who share his background.

Question 3

What happened to Paul on the road to Damascus in this passage?

Accepted Answer

As Paul travelled to Damascus to arrest followers of “the Way,” a bright light from heaven shone around him at about noon. He fell to the ground and heard a voice calling, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” When he asked who was speaking, the answer came, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.” Blinded by the glory of the light, he had to be led by the hand into Damascus. There he waited for further instructions about what God had appointed him to do.

Question 4

Who is Ananias and what does he say to Paul?

Accepted Answer

Ananias is described as a devout man according to the law, respected by all the Jews living in Damascus. He comes to the blind Paul, calls him “Brother Saul,” and restores his sight. Then he explains that the God of their fathers has chosen Paul to know his will, see the Righteous One, and hear his voice. Ananias tells Paul that he will be a witness to all people about what he has seen and heard, and urges him to be baptized and wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Question 5

What does “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” mean here?

Accepted Answer

Ananias tells Paul to rise, be baptized, and wash away his sins by calling on the Lord’s name. Baptism is the outward act God has given to mark turning to Christ, and calling on the Lord shows trust in Jesus. The words picture sins being washed away, not by the water itself, but by God’s grace received through faith. For Paul, this command meant he should not delay in openly turning from his old life of persecuting believers and publicly confessing Jesus as Lord.

Question 6

Why did the crowd explode in anger when Paul mentioned the Gentiles?

Accepted Answer

The crowd listened quietly while Paul spoke about his Jewish roots, his zeal, and even his meeting with Jesus. But when he said that the Lord had told him, “I will send you far away to the Gentiles,” they shouted for his death. Many of them could not accept that God would send one of their own to offer the message about the Messiah to non-Jews. Their anger shows how deeply some of them rejected the idea of Gentiles sharing fully in God’s blessings through the same Savior.

Question 7

Why does Paul ask, “Is it lawful to scourge a man that is a Roman”?

Accepted Answer

When the Roman commander orders Paul to be examined by whipping, Paul quietly asks the centurion whether it is lawful to scourge a Roman citizen who has not been condemned. Under Roman law, citizens had certain protections. Beating a citizen without a trial could bring trouble on the officers. Paul does not refuse suffering for Christ, but he does use the rights God has given him to restrain needless cruelty. His question leads the commander to stop the planned scourging at once.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s grace and human zeal?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s story shows that a person can be very zealous for God and still be very wrong, as he was when he hunted Christians. Yet God did not cast him off. Instead, Jesus met him, stopped him, and gave him new sight and a new mission. Misplaced zeal is corrected by God’s clear revelation in Jesus. The passage shows that no past is too dark for God to use. God can take even a former persecutor and make him a bold witness to the same faith he once tried to destroy.

Question 9

How can Paul’s defence help believers today when they face hostility?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s example shows several helpful patterns. He speaks calmly and respectfully, even to people who want him dead. He uses language and background that his hearers understand. He tells his own story of sin, mercy, and calling instead of only arguing. He also trusts God’s plan, whether the crowd listens or not, and wisely uses lawful means, like his citizenship, to avoid needless harm. Believers today can learn to answer gently, share their testimony clearly, and rest in God’s hand when they are misunderstood or opposed.

Question 10

What does this passage show about God’s plan for Jews and Gentiles?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, God speaks to Paul in the temple and tells him to leave Jerusalem because many there will not receive his witness about Jesus. Then God says he will send Paul far away to the Gentiles. This shows that the good news about Jesus is not only for Israel but also for other nations. At the same time, Paul never stops seeing himself as a Jew and speaks of “the God of our fathers.” God’s plan brings both Jews and Gentiles to the same Lord through the same message.

Acts 22:1

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Paul’s Defense to the Crowd

Paul the Roman Citizen

Paul’s Defense to the Crowd

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Acts 22:1

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

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Paul’s Defense to the Crowd

Paul the Roman Citizen

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