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John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
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MacArthur adds - "Members of the crowd had listened to Paul up to his statement that God had sent him to minister to the Gentiles. But that was the end of their interest, since they could not tolerate the suggestion that Gentiles could be saved without first becoming Jewish proselytes. That would make them spiritually equal to the Jewish people before God—the most blatant heresy imaginable to the crowd." (Ibid)
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MacArthur adds "Christianity became known as the Way. You know why? They were accused of the same thing we’re accused of: being narrow-minded. There’s no more narrow-minded thing in the world than Christianity. We’re right, and everybody else is wrong. That’s right, it’s true." Jesus warned there were only two ways or roads on which every person born must travel, one broad, the other narrow, the former leading to eternal destruction and only the latter leading to eternal life... Enter (aorist imperative) through the narrow gate; (WHY?) for the gate is wide and THE WAY is broad that leads to destruction (apoleia - not annihilation but loss of everything that gives worth to existence as an individual!), and there are many (TRAGICALLY NOT FEW!) who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and THE WAY is narrow that leads to life (eternal life with God), and there are few who find it. (Mt 7:13-14+) Comment: Jesus' words are paralleled by the psalmist's description of the two ways in Psalm 1 - "For the LORD knows THE WAY of the righteous, But THE WAY of the wicked will perish." (Ps 1:6+) A T
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MacArthur comments on the added phrase Jesus the Nazarene and how that would have struck Saul - "Jesus of Nazareth was a charlatan. He was a fraud. He was a conman. He was a huckster. He was a phony Messiah. They executed him for blasphemy. What’s He doing talking out of heaven?”" (Sermon) Jesus the Nazarene - See notes on this designation of Jesus used a positive sense in - Acts 2:22+, Acts 3:6+, Acts 4:10+, Acts 10:38+. Acts 6:14+ (used derogatorily! - see note below) "for we have heard him (STEPHEN) say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” Acts 26:9+ (used derogatorily!) “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." In Acts 24:5+ (used derogatorily!) the reference is to Christians who are designated Nazarenes “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." Paul may well have been present when Stephen was accused in Acts 6... "They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law (DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR? READ ACCUSATIONS AGAINST PAUL IN Acts 21:28+) for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” (Acts 6:13-14+) Longenecker - Saul could not escape the fact that the Jesus whose followers he had been persecuting was alive, exalted, and in some manner to be associated with God the Father, whom Israel worshiped. He, therefore, had to revise his whole estimate of the life, teaching, and death of the Nazarene because God had beyond any question vindicated him. Thus he came to agree with the Christians that Jesus’ death on the cross, rather than discrediting him as an impostor, fulfilled prophecy and was really God’s provision for man’s sin and that Jesus’ resurrection confirmed him as being the nation’s Messiah and mankind’s Lord. (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Jesus (2424)(Iesous) is transliteration of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew Jehoshua (Yehoshua) or Jeshua (Yeshua) both of which mean Jehovah is help or Jehovah is salvation. Stated another way the Greek Iesous corresponds to the OT Jehoshua (Yehoshua) which is contracted as Jeshua (Yeshua). In the Gospels the single Name Jesus (Iesous) is used as His personal Name some 538 times. Imagine Saul's thoughts upon hearing those words "I am Jesus!" While we have no record that Saul ever saw or met Jesus during Jesus' earthly ministry, there is not doubt that he was well aware of the claim by His disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. Now the fact that He is speaking to Saul indicates that Jesus was indeed alive and by implication had risen from the dead. Saul's systematic theology was turned upside down in a moment! However, one aspect of his theology was affirmed and that was his belief (which all Pharisees held) that there would be a resurrection! Jesus was alive! Jesus had alluded to the oneness between Jesus and His followers in Luke declaring “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16+) Paul clearly understood this concept of oneness between Jesus and His followers as indicated by his numerous allusions to unity with Christ in his epistles. Read Ro. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-16; 5:23-30; Col. 1:18-24; 2:19). THOUGHT - You can mark it down that those who speak against Christians speak against Christ. Those who strike Christians strike Christ. Those who malign Christians malign Christ. Those who take advantage of Christians take advantage of Christ. This begs the question, even if you are a believer, have you ever done any of those things to another believer? Woe! Nazarene (3480)(Nazoraios from Nazara = Nazareth) describes an inhabitant of Nazareth and as in this passage is used to describe Jesus. In the plural nazoraios is used once to describe Christians (in a derogatory sense) (Acts 24:5+) This was in the inscription on the Cross (Jn 19:19). Persecuting (1377)(dioko) in the present tense describes Saul's continual ravaging of the disciples of Jesus and so continually persecuting Jesus! Dioko pictures the hounds used in an English "fox hunt" for when they are let loose they are off furiously barking as they chase the poor fox! Dioko in Acts - Acts 7:52; Acts 9:4; Acts 9:5; Acts 22:4; Acts 22:7; Acts 22:8; Acts 26:11; Acts 26:14; Acts 26:15 Paul later reiterated that before he was in Christ he was "the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted (dioko) the church of God." (1 Cor 15:9+) Comment: Watch Paul's "downward" progression = as Christ increases, he decreases (Jn 3:30+) - 1Co 15:9 [~55AD], Ep 3:8 [~61AD] and 1Ti 1:15 [~63-66AD]): What a supernatural transformation the Gospel and the Spirit wrought who would later write to the saints in Rome... "So then we pursue (dioko present tense) the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." (Ro 14:19+). About face! The very one who sought to tear down the Body of Christ, now sought to build up the Body of Christ! What an illustration of genuine repentance! This reminds me of the military command "About face!" Paul just heard his Commander's order "About face Paul!" The command "About Face" describes the act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation (see diagram above). Another English definition says "about face" is "a reversal of direction, of attitude, behavior, or point of view." This is a good picture of the repentance that Jesus commands. In the opening of the Gospel of Mark John calls for repentance in Mk 1:4+ and Jesus continues the call to repentance in Mark 1:15+. Repentance is to leave The sins we loved before, And show that we in earnest grieve, By doing so no more. Again Paul used dioko in this positive sense in his letter to the Philippians testifying Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on (dioko in present tense = his daily practice, enabled by the Spirit) so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus....14 I press on (dioko in present tense) toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.Paul's pursuit in Php 3:12, 14+)! The righteous God pursued the unrighteous pursuer and won him with the Gospel. O, thank God for the transforming power of the glorious Gospel! A T
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MacArthur explains what Paul is doing by giving the crowd these added details about those who were traveling with him to Damascus - Now, he says, “Look, if you don’t believe that this happened, you find those guys who went with me to capture those Christians, and they’ll tell you that it happened.” You see what he does? He draws in further testimony, further potential witnesses for the corroboration of his story. So you know what he’s done? He has really put the burden of proof on the people. All they’ve got to do is check out his motives with the high priest and the Sanhedrin, and they can check out the fact of his conversion and the dramatic events of God’s intervention in his life by simply asking anybody who was with him on the road to Damasc us. And he must have had a pretty healthy entourage if they were going to haul a bunch of Christians back as prisoners. (Sermon) But did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me - More literally this reads "did not hear the voice." Translating "did not hear" as "did not understand" implies they failed to appreciate what was heard. Paul's traveling companions were like the Jews in John 12:28-29 when Jesus declared "Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” They "heard" it but did not understand. Toussaint explains what some have described as a discrepancy between Acts 9:7 (hearing the voice = Greek phone) and Acts 22:9 (did not understand the voice = Greek phone) -- Literally, that clause in Acts 22:9 may be translated, “They did not hear the sound.” The NIV correctly translates the verse, because the verb “to hear” with the genitive case may mean “to hear a sound” and with the accusative case “to hear with understanding.” The genitive case is employed in Acts 9:7, and the accusative is used in Acts 22:9. So the travelers with Saul heard the sound (Acts 9:7) but did not understand what Christ said (Acts 22:9). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Matthew
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MacArthur comments that this section "teaches the sovereignty of God. If you ever have any doubt about who initiates salvation, just remember the conversion of Paul. God initiated this, and God never does things out of consistency with His nature. When the Bible says that "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." (Jn 6:44) then God will be consistent with that. I mean here is a guy who is going one way. God invades his life, and the guy hasn’t even enacted his will, except to say, “Who are You, and what do I do?” And God is already reversing his entire life. Salvation is an act of God, don’t ever forget it. You acknowledge it every time you pray for somebody’s conversion. You’re saying, “God changed him.” And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' - Notice that Paul did not "make" Jesus Lord, but immediately acknowledges Him as Lord, the One to Whom he previously was not subject, the One Who now possessed him. Paul would later write to the Corinthians " you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price." (1 Cor 6:19-20) Saul had been fighting all his life against Jesus as Lord but in a moment surrendered to His Lordship. Are you fighting against the Lordship of Christ? Warren
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MacArthur - God had chosen him. God had appointed his destiny. This is God’s plan. I’m telling you, one of the most exciting concepts in the Bible is to realize that I am a part of an eternal plan made by God. And there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' - In Acts 9:6+ it says "What you must do" where the verb must is dei (present tense) which speaks of an obligation or necessity. In this version of his testimony the verb appointed (see tasso below ) is translated by BDAG as "concerning everything that you have been ordered to do." The NET version has "everything that you have been designated to do," and adds the note that "designated" could be rendered "assigned." Tasso is in the perfect tense which pictures a past completed action with present ongoing effect or result. In other words, this tense depicts the appointment as Paul's standing order so to speak. It was given to him by Jesus and it remained in effect all of his life. And so in this passage we see that Jesus is alluding to His divine call and commission to Paul. The implication is that everything he is to do has been "pre-planned" by God. While believers do not have a divine commission exactly like Paul (an apostle), we do have a "pre-planned" appointment "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10). THOUGHT - This truth of God's previously prepared plan for every believer's life begs the question - Am I walking in His plan? Am I engaged in carrying out His "good works" or my "works" which are ultimately not good? Jesus gave us the pattern for "good works" in John 15:5 declaring "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do (ABSOLUTELY) nothing." (Read also 1 Cor 3:11-15)See related discussion of Good Works . Appointed (5021)(tasso) means to arrange, put in a particular order. Tassō was a military language for "designating" ("appointing, commissioning") with a specific status, i.e. arranging (placing) people or things in a deliberate, fixed order. Abbott-Scott adds that tasso as a military term meant 'to draw up in order, arrange in place, assign, appoint, order." As used in this passage, tássō conveys God sovereignly appointing all the physical circumstances of life (Acts 22:10). Gleason Archer spoke of the mysterious juxtaposition of sovereignty and free will writing that "God purposefully pre-sets all the physical 'scenes of life' – and keeps all of our choices free (undetermined), i.e. none are required by the Lord." THOUGHT - O how wonderful when we seek His will for our life and learn to walk by the Spirit in His will, for then as Jesus promised we will bear much fruit. We would be wise to imitate the apostle Paul (1 Cor 11:1) who continually sought God's will, not his own (Read Acts 18:21, Acts 21:14, Ro 1:10, Ro 15:32, 1 Cor 4:19). Brian Harbour said, “Paul discovered Christ not only wanted to save him from something, but He also wanted to save him for something... We need to realize that as a Christian there are gifts that God has given us, and He expects us to use those gifts in performing a ministry for Him.” Ray Stedman makes some important observations on what Jesus says to Saul - "Arise and enter the city, and there you will be told what to do." That indicates a tremendous reversal of this man's whole approach to life. He is now experiencing the lifestyle which belongs to a Christian. "You are not your own; you are bought with a price. You will be told what to do." That is what conversion is: It is a change from thinking that you can run your own life, to an acknowledgment that God holds the program in his hands, and he has the right to tell you what to do. This was the first thing Paul experienced when he became a Christian, this right of Jesus Christ to be Lord, and to tell him what he was to do. Conversion is a revolutionary change of government resulting in a radical change in behavior. That is what happened to Paul. He was put on a wholly different lifestyle. He was told to go into the city. Now he would no longer be giving the orders. He would no longer be directing men and sending them where he wanted them to go and doing what he wanted to do, but he would be told what he was to do." (Beloved Enemy) (Bold added) Do (4160)(poieo) in this context means to undertake to do something, to accomplish the task. Jesus will explain more fully to Ananias Saul's mission would be "to bear (Jesus') name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel." (Acts 9:15) In Luke's third version of the Saul's Damascus Road conversion Jesus adds some detail about what Saul/Paul must do... ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, (Acts 26:16-17+) D L Moody - A MAN at sea was once very seasick. If there is a time when a man feels that he cannot do any work it is then. But he heard that a man had fallen overboard. He couldn’t do much, but he laid hold of a light and held it up to the porthole. The light fell on the drowning man’s hand, and a man caught him, and pulled him into the lifeboat. It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light; yet it saved the man’s life. We can do as much as that. If we cannot do some great thing we can hold the light for some poor, perishing soul, who is out in the dark waters of sin. In his autobiographical work, Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis describes how the Lord persistently “closed in on” him. “You must picture me alone. . . night after night, feeling . . . the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me . . . I gave in and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed; perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” As influential as C. S. Lewis's conversion has been, John Stott rightly notes that “Saul's . . . is the most famous conversion in church history.” When Cambridge University student Thomas Bilney bought a Greek New Testament, his interest was purely academic. But when Bilney opened God’s Word, he encountered the gospel and was transformed. The Protestant Reformation was underway, so Bilney joined the Cambridge Protestants. He began preaching, but was arrested in 1527 and threatened into silence. But Bilney could not keep quiet. He was arrested, released, and in 1531 arrested one last time. Condemned as a heretic, Bilney died at the stake for the gospel of Christ. Like Bilney, Saul (later to be known as Paul) wasn’t interested in the truth of the gospel when he first encountered Christ. But even though Saul was a brilliant theologian and scholar, his interest wasn’t simply academic. He had murder in his heart toward the followers of Jesus. WHAT'S NEXT?" Having just received the Lord Jesus as his Savior from sin, an enthusiastic young boy blurted out, "Now what do I do? What's next?" He had the right idea! Although nothing further had to be done to receive salvation, there was much more to do to serve God. The Bible, in Ephesians 2:8-9, makes it crystal-clear that we are saved by grace through faith. We could never do anything to deserve salvation. The best we have to offer is not good enough to meet the Lord's holy standards. We experience forgiveness of sin, find peace with God, have the promise of heaven and become possessors of everlasting life by trusting the Lord Jesus and Him alone. It is impossible for anyone to earn these favors! Following conversion, however, we should respond as that young boy and the apostle Paul did, "Now what do I do? What's next?" Immediately after stating that we are not saved by works, Ephesians 2 tells us, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). Oh, what can I give to the Master, The One who from sin set me free? I'll give Him a lifetime of service To thank Him for dying for me.- K. De Haan We cannot work for salvation, but salvation is followed by works. Acts 22:11 "But 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. KJV Acts 22:11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light Acts 9:8,9 I was led by the hand by those who were with me Acts 13:11; Isa 42:16 See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry (Do not copy - copyrighted by Holman) Watch video of Paul's arrest and speech before the crowd Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BLINDED BY THE LIGHT OF JESUS Parallel Passage: Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. (Acts 9:8) But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light - The irony is inescapable. As a rabid persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, his eyes were wide open and able to see his innocent victims physically, at the same time being spiritually blinded to the truth that Jesus was their Messiah. Now at conversion the irony is that he cannot see with his physical eyes, but his spiritual eyes have now been opened wide! Note that it was not the dazzling effect of the supernatural light that had blinded him, because if that were the etiology, his traveling companions would also have been struck blind and clearly they were not as shown by the fact that they will lead him into Damascus. Matthew Henry suggests "it was a sight of Christ, Whom the rest saw not, that had this effect upon him. Thus a believing sight of the glory of God in the face of Christ dazzles the eyes to all things here below." As the hymn writer said "The things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!" Are you still finding temporal trinkets and babbles irresistable dear disciple of Jesus? If so, the antidote is a fresh encounter with the risen Christ, through His righteous Word, illuminated by His Holy Spirit! In a word, get into the Word daily (cf Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4+), so the Word gets in you and transformed by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18+) you begin have clearer and clearer Vertical Vision. Imagine what was likely Saul's last actual visual image before the scales fell over his eyes? The Risen Christ! O, to have such a vision in our morning times (cf Quiet Time), that He might be on our heart and mind the rest of our busy day! Amen. Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind, but now I see!” “ ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!” A T
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MacArthur writes that Paul "wants the people who are hearing him below him to know that this Christianity was not something concocted by a bunch of anti-Jewish people. He was pro-Jewish. It was Jesus of Nazareth, whom they knew to be Jewish, that spoke to him. It was Ananias who was a devout Jew, who was involved. So far, the whole thing is Jewish." (Sermon) Acts 22:13 came to me, and standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very time I looked up at him. KJV Acts 22:13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. NET Acts 22:13 came to me and stood beside me and said to me, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' And at that very moment I looked up and saw him. Brother Saul Acts 9:17; Philemon 1:16 See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry (Do not copy - copyright by Holman) Watch video of Paul's arrest and speech before the crowd Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL REGAINS HIS SIGHT Came to me, and standing near said to me 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' (aorist imperative) - Standing near is probably so that Ananias could lay his hands on Saul although Paul leaves out that detail. In Acts 9:17+ Luke says he laid his hands on Saul and explained to him "the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Receive your sight is the same verb anablepo translated "looked up." God bestowed on Ananias the power/authority to issue this command and God brought about the miracle - 20/20 vision, spiritual for sure. Brother (80)(adelphos from a = denotes unity + delphus = a womb) means literally from the same womb. Believers are all born from one Spirit and thus have a common "birth." Adelphós generally denotes a fellowship of life based on identity of origin. Adelphos in this context describes a spiritual brother, a fellow Christian, a fellow believer. And at that very time - Literally "the same hour" often speaks of an indefinite short period of time and comparison with Acts 9:18+ indicates that is the meaning in this passage, for in that passage Luke records several additional details not mentioned here in Acts 22... "And immediately (eutheos) there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized." I looked up at him - Looked up could be translated he "regained his sight" which is how anablepo is translated in Acts 9:12, 17,18+. Looked (308)(anablepo from ana = up, again + blepo = to look, to perceive and so discern) means to look up or direct one's vision upward but in this context means to regain one's sight (Mt 11:5; Mk 10:51) Acts 22:14 "And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. KJV Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. The God of our fathers Acts 3:13; 5:30; 13:17; 24:14; Ex 3:13-16; 15:2; 2 Ki 21:22; 1 Chr 12:17; 1 Chr 29:18; 2 Chr 28:25; 30:19; Ezra 7:27; Da 2:23 has appointed you to know His will Acts 9:15; Jer 1:5; Jn 15:16; Ro 1:1; Gal 1:15; 2 Ti 1:1; Titus 1:1 and to see Acts 22:18; 9:17; Acts 26:16; 1 Cor 9:1; 15:8 the Righteous One Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pe 2:22; 1 Jn 2:1 hear an utterance from His mouth 1 Cor 11:23; 15:3; Gal 1:12 See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry (Do not copy - copyright by Holman) Watch video of Paul's arrest and speech before the crowd ANANIAS DESCRIBES PAUL'S DIVINE APPOINTMENT The details Paul describes in this passage are not found in the Acts 9 account. And he said, 'The God of our fathers - Our JEWISH forefathers or ancestors. The God of Israel. Paul keeps emphasizing he is not Anti-Semitic! Luke uses this or a similar phrase four times (including the present passage) - Acts 3:13+ = "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers." Acts 5:30+ = "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus"; Acts 13:17+ = "The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great." John MacArthur comments on Paul's mention of the God of our fathers - Now do you see what he’s doing? He’s making the issue squarely where it has to be. If they deny what happened to Paul, they’re denying God. If they reject Paul, they reject God Himself. That’s the issue. Has appointed you to know His will - Ananias is saying that the God of their Jewish ancestors or forefathers had already chosen Paul to know His will and see His Son, once again emphasizing God's sovereignty over the plans of men. Remember that for Paul to receive the official designation as an apostle, he had to have personally seen the Lord Jesus Christ. Appointed (4400)(procheirizo from pro = before + cheir = hand) literally means to put in the hand, to take into one's hand, hence to handpick beforehand and tos to choose in advance, to ordain, to destine, to determine. Used 3x, all in Acts - Acts 3:20+ ("Jesus, the Christ appointed for you"), Acts 22:14, Acts 26:16+ ("for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness"). 3x in the Septuagint - Ex 4:13; Jos. 3:12; Da 3:22+. Gilbrant - In its earliest occurrences in classical Greek, procheirizomai meant to have something “ready, on hand, easily available for use.” It could also describe people who were ready for action, holding themselves in preparation for a task. It had a more common usage: “take into one’s hand, handle, prepare, equip.” A further meaning is “choose” or appoint a person, especially to a government position. Examples from the papyri often use procheirizomai to describe the choosing and recruiting of troops, or the appointment of people as tax collectors or other minor officials (Moulton-Milligan). The Septuagint uses procheirizomai commonly in the sense of electing or naming someone to a task (Ex 4:13; Joshua 3:12). It often refers to a military appointment. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) And to see the Righteous One - A reference to the Messiah and a name the Jews would have recognized from Jeremiah 23:5 where God had prophesied "I shall raise up for David a Righteous Branch." (cf "Branch" in Isa 4:2; 11:1; 53:2; Jer 33:15+; Zech 3:8; 6:12). The name Righteous One is used in Isaiah 53:11+ but they likely would not have accepted the "Suffering Servant" passage as a description of the Messiah. (cf Isa 24:16 = "Glory to the Righteous One.") Peter had used the name Righteous One to describe the Messiah in his dramatic Gospel message to the Jews declaring "you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you!" (Acts 3:14+). Stephen in addressing the Jews in Acts 7 used a similar accusation which got him stoned to death -- "Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become." (Acts 7:52+) And to hear an utterance from His mouth - Which Paul had already described in Acts 22:7-8, 10 (cf Acts 9:4-6). NET Note on an utterance - Or "a solemn declaration"; Grk "a voice." BDAG states, "that which the voice gives expression to: call, cry, outcry, loud or solemn declaration (= order, command)… Acts 22:15 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. KJV Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. you will be a witness Acts 1:8,22; 10:39-41; 23:11; 26:16-18; 27:24; Luke 24:47,48; John 15:27 of what you have seen and heard Acts 4:20; Acts 26:20 See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry (Do not copy - copyright by Holman) Watch video of Paul's arrest and speech before the crowd Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL TO TESTIFY ABOUT JESUS For (hoti) is a conjunction which can have a causal sense (because, for this reason) and that is the meaning in this context. Paul relates that Ananias gave this explanation for why the Righteous One had revealed Himself to Paul. You will be a witness for Him to all men - This reminds us of Jesus' charge in Acts 1:8+ "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses” basically to all men! (cf Acts 13:31+) Notice that Paul does not mention Gentiles until Acts 22:21. Had he done so, it is likely his defense in Acts 22:16-20 would never have been allowed by this anti-Gentile crowd! Witness (noun) (3144)(martus/martys) basically describes one who remembers something and testifies concerning what they remember. Notice that martus has a two fold meaning of (1) describing one who has seen and/or experienced something or someone (AS SAUL HAD SEEN THE RESURRECTED CHRIST) and (2) one who testifies to what he saw (WHICH IS WHAT HE WOULD DO ON HIS THREE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS AND THEN BEFORE KINGS.) A witness is one who furnishes evidence or proof, confirming the truth by verbal testimony. This is the same charge Jesus had given to His eleven disciples just before He ascended to the right hand of the Father But you will receive power (dunamis - supernatural enablement) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses (martus/martys) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8+ or here) Of what you have seen and heard - To what does this refer? It has to be Paul's Damascus Road experience and in fact this is the second of three testimonies of this experience. So in a sense, the very words Paul was speaking at that moment were partial fulfillment of the divine prophecy given to Ananias who gave it to Paul (Saul). Acts 22:16 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' KJV Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. why do you delay Ps 119:60; Jer 8:14 Get up and be baptized Acts 2:38; Ro 6:3,4; 1 Cor 6:11; 12:13; Gal 3:27; Titus 3:5; Heb 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21 calling on His name Acts 2:21; 9:14; Ro 10:12-14; 1 Cor 1:2 See Map of Events Associated with Saul's conversion and ministry (Do not copy - copyright by Holman) Watch video of Paul's arrest and speech before the crowd CALL ON THE NAME OF JESUS AND BE SAVED Now why do you delay? - Ananias challenges his new brother in Christ. Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins - Three separate statements and wash away your sins is not stated as being the result of be baptized which is what those who would like to teach so-called baptismal regeneration would like it to say. It simply does not say that! What Luke does is link the phrase "wash away your sins" with the phrase "calling on His Name." As discussed below "calling on His Name" in clearly a description of the experience of one who has been saved. Hampton Keathley observes that this sentence according to Greek grammar can "be divided into separate clauses with a semicolon placed after “be baptized.” “Arise, be baptized (clause one); and wash away your sins by calling on the Name of the Lord” (clause two). Baptism cannot wash away one’s sins. It is calling on the Lord, telling God you believe in His Son which is simply a way of expressing one’s faith in Christ." (ABCs for Christian Growth - Laying the Foundation) Calling on His name - This phrase in Acts is used to describe those who are saved. And so in Acts 2:21+ Peter declared "IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON (epikaleomai) THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ In Acts 9:14+ Luke describes believers as those "who call on Your name." And again in Acts 9:21+ "the believers were describes as "those who called on (epikaleomai) this Name (Acts 9:20 = "Jesus...Son of God")." In Romans 10 Paul uses call upon three times in the context of salvation writing "there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on (epikaleomai) Him." 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Ro 10:12-14) Calling upon (1941)(epikaleomai from epí = upon + kaléo = call) literally means to call upon and was often used in secular Greek to refer to calling upon deity for any purpose, especially for aid. It also means to invoke (to petition for help or support, make earnest request) a deity for something. This verb is used repeatedly to describe Paul appealing to Caesar (Acts 25:11; Acts 25:12; Acts 25:21; Acts 25:25; Acts 26:32; Acts 28:19). John MacArthur on baptism and salvation - Now the statement of verse 16 has been kind of the key verse to people who teach baptismal regeneration. They say, “Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,” and the idea that water can wash away sins. Now let me just speak a minute about this. Can water wash away sin? No. I’ll give you a good illustration of it. If water could wash away sin, everybody would be saved. Why? Everybody’s been in the water. You say, “No, only certain water.” What water? “Holy water.” No, no, where did you see that? “Only Jerusalem water.” That’d mean everybody in Jerusalem would be saved, who’s ever dunked in the Jordan. No. No, you say, “Well, that’s right, then. Water doesn’t wash away sin.” All right, if water doesn’t wash away sin, then it doesn’t wash away sin; any water doesn’t wash away sin. Either water does or water doesn’t; and since we know it does not, we can just stay with that. You say, “But what do you mean here then?” Well, let me take it a step further. If Ananias was saying, “Paul, be baptized, and wash away your sins,” that would be the first time Paul ever really clearly heard the standard of salvation, right? This would be God saying to him, “Here’s how to get saved: get baptized and wash away your sins.” Then if that was true, if that’s how Paul got saved, how do you think he’d tell others to get saved? Same way, wouldn’t he? If it was, “Get baptized and get saved,” that’s what Paul would preach. Let’s see what he preached. Romans 10. And it’s important to know what he preached, because whatever it was, he got it from the Lord. Romans 10:9, he tells us something interesting. He says, “This is the word of faith which we preach.” “What is it you preach, Paul? Remember what Ananias told you that first day, Paul, do you forget that.” “Here’s what I preach: that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Do you see any water there? See any baptism there? Obviously, Paul didn’t get that message from Ananias, did he? Hmm. Well, that’s interesting. In verse 10, “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” It’s simply a matter of believing and stating that belief. You say, “Well, if it doesn’t mean in verse 16, ‘Be baptized and wash away thy sins,’ what is it saying?” Watch, the break comes here: “Arise and be baptized.” Now watch this: “Wash away thy sins” – doing what? – “calling on the name of the Lord.” The thing that modifies “wash away thy sins” is the phrase “calling on the name of the Lord.” Do you know how to get saved? Get baptized? No, do what? Call on the name of the name of the Lord. That’s the message Paul got. Look at it, Romans 10:13. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be” – what? – “saved.” Now do you see what message Paul got that day? He got that message. He didn’t get the message, “Get baptized and get your sins washed away.” He got the message, “You’ll be saved when you call on the name of the Lord.” That’s the modifier. That’s the way to interpret the verse. The New Testament never teaches that a man can be saved by water, it teaches that a man is saved by grace through faith, that confessing Jesus Christ is Lord, believing in his heart means salvation. “Calling on the name of the Lord.” What does that mean? That means to ask God to be all that He is in your life: calling on His name, calling on His fullness, appropriating all that He is unto yourself. You say, “Well, what does the baptizing have to do with it?” That’s the public testimony. “Since your sins have been washed away by calling on the name of the Lord, arise and make it public.” Baptism was the symbol, the outward symbol of an inward reality. Paul didn’t make any big deal out of baptism. 1 Corinthians 1:13, very interesting. “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” And he’s showing that there’s no sense in having little factions of people in the church. 1 Cor 1:14, “I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius.” Now, if baptism equals salvation, that’s a very strange statement, isn’t it? “Boy, am I thankful I didn’t lead any of you to Christ except Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in my own name. Oh, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” – now watch this – “For Christ sent me not to baptize.” Yikes, not to baptize. “What’d He send you to do?” “To preach the gospel.” Did you know that baptizing and preaching the gospel are two different things? Therefore baptism isn’t part of the gospel. Salvation is apart from baptism. Baptism, folks, is an outward work, and you can’t be saved by works – right? – Ephesians 2:8-9. It’s only a visual testimony to an internal transformation, that’s all. Paul says, “I thank God I didn’t baptize any more of you. And Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” Two different things. Go back to Acts 21. Ananias says, “All right, Paul, do something about it,” and Paul does. Praise God, Paul did believe, he was baptized. You can check it out, Acts 9:17-18. Don’t look it up now, you can look it up on your own. But he was baptized, and gave his life to Christ. (Sermon) Gerald Cowen Wash Away Your Sins (Source: Salvation Word Studies - a wonderful little book! Best price) In the account of Paul's conversion that he himself gave before the Jewish people at the temple in Jerusalem, Luke recorded one statement that has resulted in much debate: "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). This statement has caused many to ask, is baptism the cause of our cleansing? Does baptism in any way effect our salvation? Many take a sacramental view of baptism and answer in the affirmative. For instance, J. R. Lumby in the Cambridge Bible comments, "Though the gift of the Spirit was announced, yet God directs that the means of grace, the sacrament of baptism, which the Apostle must offer to others, should also be received by himself." The well-known expositor R. C. H.
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MacArthur - Paul wrongly believed that seeing the radical transformation the Lord had wrought in his life would convince the unbelieving Jews of the truth of the gospel. The Lord knew better, however, and repeated His command for Paul to leave, saying to him, "Go! (see Acts 22:21). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) And I said, 'Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue (sunagoge) after another - Note that Paul would go to the synagogues because that is where the first Jewish believers would go. After he met Jesus he continued to go first to the synagogues, now not to persecute them but to proclaim Jesus to them in hope that they would become believers! Such is the transforming power of the Gospel of our salvation! Understand (1987)(epistamai from epi = upon + histemi = to stand) means to fix one's mind on, have intellectual apprehension, to understand - to possess information about, with the implication of an understanding of the significance of such information
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MacArthur has an interesting thought on what their angry actions represented - Some people would say, “Well, that was just fury, and they were throwing dirt and throwing – you know, like they were mad.” No, I don’t think so. I think they had a very specific purpose. You say, “What do you mean?” Well, you know, I was reading about casting off their clothes, and my mind went back to Acts 22:20, and it says that when Stephen was stoned, Paul was "watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him." You know, whenever they stoned somebody, apparently they took off their outer garment so they could really let the rocks fly. And I think what they were going to do was stone Paul; and since he was clear up at the top of the stairs, it was a long shot. And they started throwing off their outer garments, you see, but they threw dirt. You know why they threw dirt? There weren’t any rocks. They grabbed whatever there was: dirt clods instead of stones. I think they were going to stone him. They were so infuriated. They were in a frenzy, and they began to grab dirt and throw dirt, and threw their clothes off so they could throw it far enough to hit him. What a scene. Can you see how totally stupid and totally irrational they are? All of the logic of Paul’s presentation means nothing. All he does is mention the word “Gentiles” and they go nuts. That’s religious prejudice. Dust (2868)(koniortos from konía = dust + órnumi = to stir up, excite, raise) means fine particles of matter usually of the dirt of the earth. It was used most often in the NT in the phrase shake the dust off your feet (Mt 10:14; Lk. 9:5; Lk. 10:11; Acts 13:51) and then in this verse of dust in the air. Gilbrant - The word pictures raised dust or clouds of dust. Most of the occurrences in the Septuagint retain this image (Deut 28:24; Isaiah 5:24; Ezekiel 26:10; etc.), with three exceptions: (1) the golden calf was ground to dust/powder (Deut 9:21); (2) the perfumers had powders (Song 3:6); (3) cities will be made into dust (Isaiah 10:6). Koniortos in the NT - Matt. 10:14; Lk. 9:5; Lk. 10:11; Acts 13:51; Acts 22:23 Koniortos in the Septuagint - Ex 9:9; Dt. 9:21; Dt. 28:24 = “The LORD will make the rain of your land powder and dust"; 2 Ki. 9:17; Job 21:18; Song. 3:6; Isa. 3:24; Isa. 5:24; Isa. 10:6; Isa. 17:13; Isa. 29:5; Ezek. 26:10; Da 2:35 = "were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff"; Nah. 1:3 = "clouds are the dust beneath His feet. " Illustration on Paul's Rejection by the Jews - G. Campbell Morgan was one of 150 young men who sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888. He passed the doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon. In a big auditorium that could seat more than 1,000 people there sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When Morgan stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caught him and hindered him in his delivery. Two weeks later Morgan’s name appeared among the 105 rejected for the ministry that year. Jill Morgan, his daughter-in-law, wrote in her book, A Man of the Word: “He wired to his father the one word, ‘Rejected,’ and sat down to write in his diary: ‘Very dark everything seems. Still, He knoweth best.’ “Quickly came the reply: ‘Rejected on earth. Accepted in Heaven. Dad.” Rejection is rarely permanent, as Morgan went on to prove. Even in this life, circumstances change, and ultimately, there is no rejection of those who are accepted by Jesus Christ. (Jack Andrews) Acts 22:24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. KJV Acts 22:24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. the commander ordered him Acts 21:31,32; 23:10,27 he should be examined by scourging Acts 22:25-29; 16:22,23,37; John 19:1; Heb 11:35 Watch Video of Paul taken into barrack to be flogged Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Schematic of Roman Scourging - click to enlarge The commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks - He is determined to find out why all the fuss about Paul. Ordered (first word in sentence for emphasis) (2753) keleuo Commander (5506)(chiliarchos from chikioi = a thousand + archo = to rule) is transliterated as chiliarch, literally a commander of a thousand. is used to indicate the commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem (Acts 21:33+) Jack Andrews - The soldiers heard their commander and heeded their commander. They brought the prisoner Paul into the barracks. Roman soldiers obeyed orders—they understood the importance of following orders and they respected their officers and those in authority over them. The army of the Lord would do well to heed our Commander in Chief and do all He tells us to do! (Ibid) Barracks(2925a)(parembole from from para = from beside, by the side of + emballo = throw) means something thrown beside something else and as a military technical term expressing a method of drawing up the troops as in preparation for battle (Heb 11:34). It came to mean a military encampment and as a standing camp took on the idea of military quarters or barracks. The KJV translates it in the present passage as "castle" and in this context parembole referred to the Antonia Fortress next to the Temple (see picture). Parembole in NT - Acts 21:34; Acts 21:37; Acts 22:24; Acts 23:10; Acts 23:16; Acts 23:32; Heb. 11:34; Heb. 13:11; Heb. 13:13; Rev. 20:9 Stating that he should be examined by scourging - This was the Roman equivalent of our modern "water boarding" and was extremely painful even to the point of sometimes causing death. But in point of fact this ancient method of interrogation would be far worse than water boarding. See video of a Roman Scourging. And as if the repeated deeply cutting lashings did not inflict enough pain the Romans kept salt readily available to cast on the wounds. THOUGHT - Dear fellow believer in Christ, O how the vivid realization of this horrible torture technique should drive home to our heart the greatness of our Savior's love for us as we ponder the truth of Isaiah's words by "His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5+) And as you ponder the price Christ paid for our redemption listen to How Deep the Father's Love. O my, what a wonderful Savior is our Lord Jesus Christ. And if you are being tempted to sin even as you read this, may the thoughts of Christ's suffering in our place create in your heart an "affection" which expels those tempting thoughts to sin against Him! (see Expulsive Power of a New Affection) NET Note - Under the Roman legal system it was customary to use physical torture to extract confessions or other information from prisoners who were not Roman citizens and who were charged with various crimes, especially treason or sedition. The lashing would be done with a whip of leather thongs with pieces of metal or bone attached to the ends
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MacArthur - Scourging by the Roman flagellum (a wooden handle to which were attached leather thongs tipped with bits of metal and bone) was a fearful ordeal from which men frequently died (from loss of blood or infection). Jesus endured it before His crucifixion (John 19:1). Such a beating would have surpassed anything Paul had previously experienced. In preparation, the guards stretched him out with thongs to make his body taut and magnify the effects of the flagellation. (Ibid) Scourging (3148)(mastix) is a whip, a scourge (Acts 22:24; Heb. 11:36; Sept.: 1 Kgs. 12:11, 14; Prov. 26:3). Figuratively, a scourge from God meaning a disease, plague (Mark 3:10; 5:29, 34; Luke 7:21; Sept.: Ps. 32:10; 39:10; 89:32). So that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way - As the chief captain did not understand Hebrew, he was ignorant of the charge against Paul, and also of the defence which the apostle had made; but as he saw that they grew more and more outrageous, he supposed that Paul must have given them the highest provocation, and therefore, according to the barbarous and irrational practice which has existed in all countries, he determined to put him to the torture, in order to make him confess his crime. Find out (understand) (1921)(epiginosko from epí means upon intensifies the force of + ginosko = to know) means to know fully, to know with certainty, or to know thoroughly, exactly, fully, or completely.
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MacArthur - To subject a Roman citizen to the flagellum could have destroyed Lysias's military career or even cost him his life. (Ibid) Acts 22:27 The commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." KJV Acts 22:27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. Watch Video of Paul taken into barrack to be flogged Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries COMMANDER'S RESPONSE TO PAUL The commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" - At this point the commander is gravely concerned. And he said, "Yes." - Presumably the commander responded to this new information immediately. Applying this to believers, we have a heavenly citizenship purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Who redeemed us from slavery and sin... For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Php 3:20-21) Herschel Ford said “We are citizens of a greater kingdom—the kingdom of God. Our citizenship came to us at a great cost, also. We did not pay the price. Jesus paid it on Calvary. We should weep forever over our sins, we could spend all our time in the work of the flesh, we could give until it hurts, but we could never purchase one foot of ground in the kingdom. When we come unto Him, we find that He has paid the price for us. All that He has done is put to our account and all of heaven becomes ours.” (Simple sermons from the Book of Acts) Acts 22:28 The commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money." And Paul said, "But I was actually born a citizen." KJV Acts 22:28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. Watch Video of Paul taken into barrack to be flogged Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries COMMANDER'S RESPONSE TO PAUL'S CITIZENSHIP The commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money." - His point may have been that Roman citizenship can be bought if you have enough money. We learn in Acts 23:26 that the commander’s name was Claudius Lysias. He would have taken this name when he became an official citizen of Rome. The Emperor Claudius was probably ruling when this man obtained his citizenship—thus his choice of name. In any event he understood that Roman citizenship had its privileges. F F Bruce comments - “Something of this sort may have been in the tribune’s mind as he said, It cost me a very large sum of money to obtain Roman citizenship – the implication being that the privilege must have become cheap of late if such a sorry-looking figure as Paul could claim it.” Marshall adds that “The point was not that the tribune doubted Paul’s claim, but rather he was implying that anybody could become a citizen these days!” One might ask why did the commander accept Paul's declaration of citizenship based just on his word? The answer is that the penalty for makes a false declaration of citizenship was death. So clearly he did not think Paul was trying to deceive him. Longenecker - “The verbal claim to Roman citizenship was accepted at face value; penalties for falsifying documents and making false claims of citizenship were exceedingly stiff – Epictetus speaks of death for such acts.” And Paul said, "But I was actually born a citizen - This must have shocked the commander, for Paul did not purchase his citizenship but was born a citizen. F F Bruce - “How the citizenship was acquired by Paul’s father or grandfather we have no means of knowing, but analogy would suggest that it was for valuable services rendered to a Roman general or administrator in the southeastern area of Asia Minor.” John