Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Acts+022

Acts 22     English Standard Version (ESV)

¹ “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

² And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

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.

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.

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. 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.’

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.’”

REFLECTION:

• Paul’s faith began in an amazing way on the road to Damascus. He was bold to share his story and ultimately God’s story.  This chapter gives us a thorough yet succinct explanation of the person Paul was before he met Christ, how he met Christ, and the person he became after he met Christ.
• Reflect on your story – Who were you before meeting Christ? What was it like when you met Christ?  In what ways is your life different now as a result of meeting Him?  Are other people different today because of your interaction with Jesus?
• Think about how you might describe your life-altering encounter with the living God and your faith journey. Write your story of faith in just two or three paragraphs.  Make it a simple but interesting story of your faith journey.
• Pray for an opportunity to share your story with another person in the coming week.

PRAYER:

Lord, I see butterflies fluttering gracefully in front of my hall, how peaceful and elegant they are; I see birds chirping under my eaves, how serene and joyful they are! But in my heart, there is often sorrow, fear, and sadness. I reflect on how much dreaming and struggling butterflies have gone through to achieve their current beauty and serenity. How many storms and traps birds have endured to have their present strength and joy? I contemplate what my soul has experienced. Am I strong enough? Am I beautiful enough? Lord, let my heart and my soul immerse in our initial encounter. Let Your great light illuminate me, so that I can discern all things and see the glory of Your kingdom. Let Your cross guide me, so that I fear no suffering even if the road is rugged, for You will lead me to another blessed path that belongs to heaven. Behold! Butterflies have found their mates, birds have made nests, and fig trees have yielded fruit in the shade. May You also break my cocoon and make my dreams come true. May You give wings to my soul so that I can soar freely like a bird. Lord, mold my life and make my body and soul peaceful and strong. I am willing to walk lightly on the path You send me, eagerly meeting You along the way. Amen!

HYMN:

There Is One Gospel – youtu.be/NiFXrUacTHI