Exposition of Acts: Facts of the Case
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. ALARM
A. ASSUMPTION
>>1. ABOUT REPORTS
Acts 21:27-28a When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, yelling, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. “ (also Acts 6:13)
>>2. ABOUT DEFILEMENT
Acts 21:28b-29 Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city and assumed Paul had brought him into the temple. (also Acts 20:3)
B. FACT
>>1. ABOUT THE MOB
Acts 21:30-31 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. And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. (also Acts 19)
>>2. ABOUT RESCUE
Acts 21:32 At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the officer and soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. (also Acts 14)
II. ARREST
A. ASSUMPTION
>>1. ABOUT CRIME
Acts 21:33-34 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. Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. As he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. (also Acts 21:11)
>>2. ABOUT VIOLENCE
Acts 21:35-36 When he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the frenzy of the crowd, for the mob of people followed, screaming, “Away with him!” (also Acts 7:54-8:1; Lk 23:18)
B. FACT
>>1. ABOUT IDENTITY
Acts 21:37-38 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? Aren’t you the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” (also Lk 6:15; Acts 1:13)
>>2. ABOUT TRUTH
Acts 21:39 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.”
III. APPEAL
A. ASSUMPTION
>>1. ABOUT DEFENSE
Acts 21:40-22:1 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 Aramaic (dialect of Hebrew), saying, “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” (also Rom 9:1-5; 8:29; Phil 3:10)
>>2. ABOUT HERITAGE
Acts 22:2-3 When they heard him addressing them in Aramaic, they became quieter. He continued, “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.
Acts 9 account is Luke’s story of Paul’s conversion
Acts 22 is Paul telling the story to persuade the Jews
Acts 26 is Paul telling the story to persuade Gentiles
Phil 3 is Paul telling the story for theological content
I Tim 1 is Paul telling the story to give encouragement
B. FACT
>>1. ABOUT ZEAL
Acts 22:4-5 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and Sanhedrin testify. 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.
>>2. ABOUT THE LIGHT
Acts 22:6-10 As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you are persecuting.’
Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. Then I asked, ‘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.’
IV. ACCOUNT
A. ASSUMPTION
>>1. ABOUT REPUTATION
Acts 22:11-13 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. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 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.
>>2. ABOUT IMPACT
Acts 22:14-16 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, for you will be a witness for Him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. Now, why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’
B. FACT
>>1. ABOUT TESTIMONY
Acts 22:17-20 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’
But I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. And when the blood of Stephen Your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving, even watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
>>2. ABOUT COMMISSION
Acts 22:21 And He said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”