Setting

The Jews from Asia stirred up the crowd to lay hands on Paul. The crowd seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and even tried to kill him. The commander, not knowing what had caused the commotion, came and took Paul from the crowd for questioning. While he was being led away, Paul asked to speak to the people. Then, before the Jewish mob, Paul seized this opportunity to testify his conversion and to defend his ministry.

Key Verse

(22:15)

Did You Know...?

1. Tarsus of Cilicia (22:3): Cilicia was a Roman province in modern-day Turkey. Jewish settlers who moved there were granted Roman citizenship, while allowed to retain their culture. Tarsus was a prominent city in Cilicia that became famous for its love of higher learning. [ref]
2. Gamaliel (22:3): A respected Pharisee and scribe (cf. 5:34).
3. Ananias (22:12): A Christian in Damascus. The Lord had appeared to him in a vision to go to Paul (cf. 9:10-17).

Outline

  • Paul before his conversion
    (22:1-5)
  • Paul confronted by Jesus
    (22:6-10)
  • Paul after his conversion
    (22:11-21)

General Analysis

Show All Answers Hide All Answers
  • 1a.

    List the passages in the Bible that recount Paul’s conversion. Compare the details in the descriptions.

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Acts 9:1-30, 22:1-21, 26:2-23; Gal 1:13-24 Except for the Acts 9:1-13 (which was probably transcribed from Paul’s testimony), all of these passages are Paul’s first-person perspective of his conversion.

    Hide Answer

  • 1b.

    Why is Paul’s conversion recorded so many times in the Bible? (Think in terms of what it meant to Paul).

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Paul was converted directly by the voice of God. He was a living testimony of the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. One can imagine that every time Paul spoke to a new crowd, he was compelled to testify his conversion. For the rest of his life, he did not forget how Jesus Christ had saved him. (cf. 1Cor 15:9-10; 1Tim 1:13-16).

    Hide Answer

  • 1c.

    Think back to the times when you shared the gospel with someone. What are the testimonies and/or biblical teachings that you repeat every time? How do your favorite messages help you preach the gospel?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 2.

    Compare and contrast Paul’s beliefs and outlook on life before and after his conversion experience.

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Paul had been zealous for the law. He believed that he was acting on God’s behalf when he persecuted the Christians (cf. 22:3-4). After he was converted, he applied the same zeal to preach Jesus Christ (cf. 2Cor 11:2), so much so that people thought him mad (cf. Acts 26:24; 1Cor 4:10).

    Hide Answer

  • 3a.

    What were you like before you believed in Jesus Christ?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 3b.

    What was your “great light from heaven” (22:6)? How did you meet Jesus Christ?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 3c.

    How is your life as a Christian different from your life before?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 4a.

    On Chart B, list the commands given to Paul by the Lord Jesus and by Ananias, and the reasons that were given for these commands.

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Command: “Arise and go into Damascus” (22:10).
    Reason: “There you will be told things which are appointed for you to do” (22:10).

    Command: “Receive your sight” (22:13).
    Reason: “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know his will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of his mouth. For you will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (22:14-15).

    Hide Answer

  • 4b.

    What do Jesus’ commands and reasons in Chart B teach you about your Christian duties?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Only Jesus knows our future and the people we will meet. From the beginning of Paul’s conversion, Jesus had laid out a “road map” for him: to preach to the Gentiles. Sometimes God sends us where we long to go (like Paul going to Rome [cf. Acts 23:11; Rom 1:11-13]). Sometimes He sends us somewhere we have not planned to go (cf. Acts 8:29, 16:6-8; 2Cor 1:15-16, 23). Our duty is to obey the Holy Spirit, trusting that He will send us to where we are needed the most.

    Hide Answer

Segment Analysis

Show All Answers Hide All Answers

  • 22:1-5

    1.

    Paul made a point to mention his esteemed background (3). In what ways can you sometimes use your “pedigree” to persuade a non-believer to believe in Jesus Christ?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Paul knew his audience, and knew the best way to make them listen. Our background might help us establish a common ground with the person we are talking to. We can gradually lead the conversation to Jesus Christ and His true gospel, as Paul did.

    Hide Answer

  • 2a.

    When Paul was still persecuting the Christians, he was in effect disregarding his own teacher Gamaliel’s advice for moderation in opposing the gospel of Jesus (cf. 5:35-40; 22:4). What does this tell you about Paul’s character?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Paul was zealous in doing what he believed was right. He thought he was acting on God’s behalf, having received authority from the high priest (cf. 22:5). He was so determined that no one could slow him down or change his mind. No one, that is, except God.

    Hide Answer

  • 2b.

    How might your passion for something cause you to ignore good advice and do the wrong thing?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 22:6-10

    3a.

    What two questions did Paul ask Jesus Christ?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    “Who are you, Lord?” (22:8); “What shall I do, Lord?” (22:10)

    Hide Answer

  • 3b.

    What is Jesus’ response when you ask Him, “Who are you, Lord?” and “What shall I do, Lord?”

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 4a.

    On Chart C, list examples of biblical characters who responded positively to God’s calling, how God first called them, how they responded, and what God promised them (cf. Gen 12:1-7; 1 Sam 3:3-11; Isa 6:8-13; Mk 1:17-18).

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    The One Called: Abraham
    The Calling: “Get out of your country … to a land that I will show you” (Gen 12:1).
    The Response: “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him” (Gen 12:4).
    The Promise: “To your descendants I will give this land” (Gen 12:7).

    The One Called: Samuel
    The Calling: “Samuel!” (1 Sam 3:4, 6, 8, 10)
    The Response: “Here I am” (1 Sam 3:4); “Speak, for your servant hears” (1 Sam 3:10)
    The Promise: “I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle” (1Sam 3:11).

    The One Called: Isaiah
    The Calling: “Whom shall I send?” (Isa 6:8)
    The Response: “Here am I. Send me” (Isa 6:8).
    The Promise: “So the holy seed shall be its stump” (Isa 6:13).

    The One Called: Peter and Andrew
    The Calling: “Follow me” (Mk 1:17).
    The Response: “They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Mk 1:18)
    The Promise: “I will make you become fishers of men” (Mk 1:17).

    Hide Answer

  • 4b.

    Share a testimony of how you did not hesitate to work for God. What did He command you to do? What did He promise you? How has He rewarded you?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 22:11-21

    5.

    Who is like Ananias to you? In other words, through whom has God spoken His will to you?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer
    (The answer is empty)
    Hide Answer

  • 6.

    What can we learn from verse 16 about the purpose and effect of baptism?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Through baptism, we call on the name of the Lord, and our sins are washed away (see also Acts 2:38).

    Hide Answer

  • 7.

    What was the point of Paul’s response to the Lord in verses 19 and 20?

    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Show Answer

    Paul thought that his conversion from a former persecutor to a preacher of Jesus Christ was such a strong testimony that it would convince the Jews to believe in the Lord. But just as the Lord had predicted, the Jews in Jerusalem refused to accept his testimony.

    Hide Answer