Life Before Jesus Series

LIFE BEFORE JESUS

Text: Acts 21:37-22:5

Introduction

1. Illustration: A young man in his 20s came to faith in Christ after many years of bad choices and consequences and of breaking the hearts of his mother and others around him. The reality of his genuine conversion was proven over the dramatic change that continued throughout his life. In the midst of his greatest times of rebellion before coming to Christ, his godly mother would often tell him, "God is building a testimony in your life." She constantly prayed and waited for God to work His miracle.

2. We all have a story, and we need to tell that story every time the Holy Spirit opens up the door.

3. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to tell it. Today we are going to focus on the right way to tell our story.

4. Read Acts 21:37-22:5

Transition: The first thing we need to keep in mind is…

I. Speak in Their Language (37-22:2).

A. In Their Own Language

1. In the previous section, Paul had been attacked by some Jews from Asia. They dragged him from the Temple and tried to kill him, but the Roman commander and his soldiers saved his life and took him to the fortress.

2. Now Paul makes a request to the commander. In v. 37 we read, “As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised.”

a. Paul asks to speak to the commander, and he does so in Greek.

b. This showed the commander that he was educated and cultured and not a common street thug that looked to create chaos in the streets.

c. This surprised the commander who asked Paul, “Do you speak Greek?” But it was more like, “Do you speak Greek!”

d. By speaking his language, Paul had made a connection with the commander.

e. This teaches us that we should try to speak the same language as those we are trying to witness to.

f. We shouldn’t talk down to them but should speak to them in a way they will understand.

g. We should try and speak in a way they can relate to.

3. In the next verse, we see why this was so important. In v. 38 the commander asks Paul, “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?”

a. Apparently, there was an Egyptian who had led a revolt of a thousand Jews in Jerusalem about three years before this occurrence with Paul.

b. The commander was confusing this Egyptian man with Paul and assumed that he was going to cause more trouble.

4. Then in v. 39 Paul says, “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk to these people.”

a. Paul reassures the commander that he is not a rebel.

b. On the contrary, Paul tells him “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city.”

c. Now keep in mind that Paul was already talking to the commander in his own language, but by telling him he was from Cilicia, he was telling him he was a Roman citizen.

d. Paul was using not only his language as a connection but using the fact that he too was Roman as a connection.

e. He was building a relationship with the commander.

f. After doing this he asks the commander to let him talk to the crowd.

g. The best way to witness to people is by building a relationship with them. We call this “friendship evangelism.”

5. Then in v. 40 we read, “The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic.”

a. Having built a connection with the commander, the commander grants Paul’s requests and lets him speak to the crowd.

b. Now look at what Paul does, he makes a connection with crowd, by speaking to them in their language of Aramaic.

c. We might think that these people spoke Hebrew, but at this time most Palestinian Jews spoke Aramaic.

d. Once again Paul speaks to these people in a language they understand.

e. He not only speaks to them in a way they understand but also shows himself as a devout Jew who had respect for their beliefs and customs.

6. Paul now takes it a step further. In vv. 1-2 it says, “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.”