Steven Cole preached a sermon on our Bible reading passage for today, Acts 22. Here is an excerpt from “God’s Mighty Power to Save”
If I had just gotten beaten up by an angry mob that was trying to kill me, but I got rescued, I don’t think that the first thought on my mind would be to preach the gospel to them! I would have been thinking, “I’m safe! Get me out of here so I can recover from this traumatic experience!” But Paul had the presence of mind to ask permission from the Roman commander to address the mob that had just attacked him. Granted that permission, he addressed the crowd in their native Aramaic and identified himself with them as a Jew. His address falls into three parts:
- His life before his conversion(22:1-5);
- the experience of his conversion (22:6-14);
- and, his commission to preach the gospel to all men, including the Gentiles (22:15-21).
But when he uttered that despised word,“Gentiles,” the mob that had been listening went ballistic, calling for his death. He was not able to finish his message.
He further explained that Paul’s testimony teaches us five things.
- Paul’s testimony teaches us that being zealously religious does not reconcile us to God.
- Paul’s testimony teaches us that salvation is by God’s grace and power, not by our merit or will power.
- Paul’s testimony teaches us that God often must humble us before He extends His mercy toward us.
- Paul’s testimony teaches us that baptism is an important confession of our faith in Christ.
- Paul’s testimony teaches us that God saves us for His purpose, not for our agendas.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 