1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and as they bound him with thongs, 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:08,960 Speaker 1: Paul said, under the centurion that stood by, is it 3 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,640 Speaker 1: lawful for you to scourge a man that is a 4 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: Roman and uncondemned acts? Twenty two twenty five. Dear Jesus, 5 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: because you have called me to be an effective leader, 6 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,760 Speaker 1: teach me through your Holy Spirit, not only what to say, 7 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: but how to say it in order to most powerfully 8 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:36,199 Speaker 1: impact my listeners when I speak. Help me to take 9 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: into account impact and not image. Help me to evaluate 10 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: my audience and communicate in a way that best connects 11 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: to my listeners. As I do so, help me give 12 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: them practical applications to the message they are receiving from me, 13 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: and how to execute your words of truth and impact 14 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:05,639 Speaker 1: in their lives. By your grace, Jesus and through your power, 15 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: I declare that I am a master communicator and that 16 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: I am equipped to deliver with impact and empathy the 17 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:23,760 Speaker 1: message placed in my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank 18 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: you for praying with us today. Continue your time with 19 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: God by listening to today's Bible story, brought to you 20 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: by Bible in a year dot Com. 21 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 2: Paul beaten in Jerusalem in our last story Paul said 22 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 2: goodbye to the Ephesian Church. He knew that danger awaited 23 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 2: him in Jerusalem. The threat of danger and death was present, 24 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 2: but Paul was determined to preach the gospel to his king. 25 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 2: With great tears, Paul left to Fisis to Jerusalem. Now 26 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 2: we see Paul taken up by an angry mob of Jews. 27 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 2: He is beaten and nearly killed, but saved ultimately by 28 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 2: his Roman citizenship inspired by the Book of Acts. 29 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 3: I'm so glad you've joined us on the Bible in 30 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 3: a Year podcast today. But before we get to today's episode, 31 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 3: I want you to know that I would absolutely love 32 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 3: to send you my daily devotional that will give you 33 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 3: fresh encouragement every single morning and day from the moment 34 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 3: we wake up to the moment our head finally hits 35 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 3: the pillow. There are thousands of things demanding our attention, 36 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:45,799 Speaker 3: but it's in the midst of all this crush and 37 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 3: hustle and bustle that you and I need peace and 38 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,679 Speaker 3: truth in God's Word. That's why I want to help 39 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 3: you spend time each day growing in God's life giving, 40 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 3: life changing Word by sending you my free daily email 41 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:05,240 Speaker 3: devotional PowerPoint Today. So visit Jagraham dot org to sign 42 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 3: up for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's Jagraham dot org 43 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 3: Jack Graham dot Org. In our last episode, we heard 44 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,519 Speaker 3: how Paul brought a young man back to life after 45 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:22,119 Speaker 3: the youth fell from a third story window. God continued 46 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 3: to work through this great man in both his words 47 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 3: and the signs he performed in the power of the 48 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit. We also heard Paul's farewell to the church 49 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 3: at Ephesus, which he dearly loved. Today we'll find Paul 50 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 3: in Jerusalem together with the church there, led by Jesus's 51 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 3: own brother James, who gives wise counsel to Paul. Despite 52 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 3: his best efforts to make peace, the Jewish religious establishment 53 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 3: in Asia will stir up hatred towards this godly man, 54 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 3: nearly killing the Apostle Paul. So let's listen now to 55 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 3: this reading from the Book of Acts. 56 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 2: Paul went into Jerusalem under the night. He and Luke 57 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 2: wandered in through the city, gates, hoods over their faces, 58 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 2: and torches snuffed. It was passover and the city was 59 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: still filled with activity. Paul and Luke weaved through groups 60 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 2: of people, avoiding fires and torches. Paul looked around the city. 61 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 2: It had been a very long time since he had 62 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: been in Jerusalem. The sweet spring air blew through the city, 63 00:04:23,279 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 2: and Paul caught a glimpse of the large temple looming 64 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 2: in the distance. The temple God's holy dwelling. Paul smiled. 65 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,719 Speaker 2: He was thankful that now, thanks to Jesus, God dwelled 66 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 2: in the hearts of men and women who believed. Luke 67 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,479 Speaker 2: and Paul made their way to the home of James, 68 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: Jesus's brother. He greeted them warmly, and the three of 69 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 2: them shared a meal with the elders. The church in 70 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 2: Jerusalem was thriving under the leadership of James. However, the 71 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 2: Jews were becoming increasingly more angry by the day. They 72 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 2: are all zealous for the law, James said, and they 73 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 2: speak about you quite often, Paul. Even I have heard 74 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 2: stories from them. They say you tell them not to 75 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 2: circumcise their children and to forsake Moses. James took a 76 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 2: sip from his cup. There was clear concern on his 77 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 2: face for keeping Paul safe. To the Jews. Paul was 78 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 2: more than a threat. He was the best among them, 79 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 2: and he turned to Jesus. If Paul a Pharisee of 80 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 2: Pharisees could convert, then anyone could. So Paul represented vulnerability. 81 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 2: They will hear that you have come, James said. You 82 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: must do as I say. If you want to stay alive, 83 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 2: you will go to the temple and cleanse yourself. You 84 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 2: will take part in the ceremonies so that they can 85 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 2: clearly see you are not a menace to them. It 86 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: was the best plan they had. If Paul remained hidden 87 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 2: in the city for too long, it would only make 88 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 2: him seem more guilty. So the next day Paul went 89 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:57,239 Speaker 2: into the temple for the ceremony of purification. For seven days, 90 00:05:57,279 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 2: he went through the old Jewish customs and attended the 91 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 2: teach of the synagogues. To Paul, it was a refreshing 92 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 2: reminder of how much Jesus had done for him. Every 93 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,719 Speaker 2: ceremonial law written in the Law of Moses pointed towards 94 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 2: the greater cleansing of Christ. So Paul went through the 95 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 2: ceremonies joyfully, for they pointed towards a greater truth. Seven 96 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 2: days passed and Paul was nearly completed paying homage to 97 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:26,839 Speaker 2: the Jewish traditions. That was until the Jews from Asia 98 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 2: came to Jerusalem. The group of Asian Jews had come 99 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:34,239 Speaker 2: to Jerusalem for the Passover. However, when they saw Paul, 100 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 2: all they could think about was murder. Paul silently sat 101 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 2: in the courtyard, watching the birds glide over the temple. 102 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 2: All was peaceful until Paul received a swift blow to 103 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 2: the back of his head. Paul fell forward into a fountain. 104 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 2: Before he could get up, a strong hand held the 105 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,599 Speaker 2: back of his head down into the water. Paul flailed 106 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 2: his arms trying to break free. The men threw him 107 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 2: out of the water and grabbed him by the hair. 108 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 2: They dragged him into the middle of the courtyard. At 109 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 2: this point, many people stopped to watch what was happening. 110 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 2: Men of Israel. The men said, this is the man 111 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 2: who has been teaching people to abandon our law in 112 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 2: this temple. Gasps and chuckles filled the air. The Jews 113 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 2: from Asia stirred up the crowd and formed a mob 114 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 2: that stormed out of the temple, with Paul being drugged 115 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 2: by his hair. Once the gates closed behind them, they 116 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 2: kicked him into a wall. Paul was surrounded. His back 117 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 2: was against the wall and a sea of angry glares 118 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 2: were before him. They looked at Paul like hungry wolves, 119 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 2: ready to grab the throat. Paul knew that death was 120 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 2: a possibility coming to Jerusalem, so he breathed deeply and 121 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: chose to accept whatever the Lord had for him. The 122 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 2: chief Judge of Jerusalem got word that there was an 123 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 2: angry mob forming outside the temple. He wasted no time 124 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 2: and had centurions sent down at once. The soldiers ran 125 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 2: down to where Paul was backed into a corner being 126 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 2: beaten to death. The mob was shouting out accusations towards Paul, 127 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 2: so no centurion could get a good idea of what 128 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 2: he was in trouble for. They acted quickly, for Paul 129 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 2: was receiving the fury of over one hundred men. The 130 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 2: soldiers broke up the angry mob and dispersed them. Then 131 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 2: they bound Paul and took him to the judge. The 132 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 2: crowd followed, shouting lies and spinning deceit. The courtroom doors 133 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 2: swung open, and the judge was surprised by a half 134 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 2: dead man in chains, followed by a hundred angry Jews. 135 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 2: They all shouted and spat in Paul's direction. However, Paul 136 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 2: kept his head down. What has this man done? The 137 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 2: judge asked. However, he could not get a good answer, 138 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 2: for all of them were speaking at once. Some said 139 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 2: he was a sorcerer. Others said he corrupted their children. 140 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 2: Others said he had violated the law of God and 141 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 2: the law of the land. None of these were true, 142 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 2: but the judge had no way of knowing. The soldiers 143 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 2: were guarding Paul to make sure he was not killed 144 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: by the mob behind them. The judge was growing flustered 145 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 2: and ordered for Paul to be taken to the barracks. 146 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 2: As Paul was being taken away, he whispered calmly to 147 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 2: the judge, may I say something to you. The judge 148 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,199 Speaker 2: was perplexed. You can speak Greek. I thought you were 149 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 2: the Egyptian assassin everyone has been talking about. Who are you? 150 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 2: I am a Jew from Tarsus, Paul replied, I beg 151 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 2: you please permit me to speak with the people. The 152 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 2: judge nodded and motioned him forward to the podium. Paul 153 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: leaned against the large piece of wood. Someone had shattered 154 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 2: his right knee. He was in excruciating pain, but he 155 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 2: must speak. There was a great hush among the crowd, 156 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 2: and Paul began to speak in the Hebrew language to 157 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 2: his brothers and sisters. He told them about his upbringing 158 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 2: and time as a pharisee. He told them about his 159 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 2: zeal for persecuting the church. He even told them about 160 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 2: the Lord meeting him on the road to Damascus. Paul 161 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 2: gave a heartfelt plea to the people before him, a 162 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 2: plea to understand the love God has for them, a 163 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 2: plea to consider the sacrifice of Jesus. I held the 164 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 2: robes while people stoned Stephen. Paul said, I know the 165 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:17,200 Speaker 2: zeal you hold. It is why I left Jerusalem. Before 166 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 2: Paul could speak again, they raised their voices and called 167 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 2: for his death. They shouted and threw off their cloaks 168 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 2: to attack him. They flung rocks and dust in the air. 169 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 2: The judge did not understand Hebrew. Therefore he did not 170 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 2: understand what Paul was speaking about. So the judge assumed 171 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 2: Paul must be guilty to rile up a crowd to 172 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:40,200 Speaker 2: such rage. He ordered for Paul to be flogged. So 173 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 2: Paul was strict naked and tied to a post. Paul 174 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 2: could hear the whips being tested behind him. He tensed 175 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 2: his whole body and prepared himself for what was about 176 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 2: to take place. Then Paul remembered something. Paul was born 177 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 2: in Tarsus. He was a Roman citizen by birth. Paul 178 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 2: turned his head to the centurion and asked, is it 179 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 2: lawful to flog a Roman citizen without a hearing? The 180 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 2: soldier stopped in his tracks and Paul was immediately released 181 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 2: from his chains. Yet the trial was not over. Paul 182 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: would have to sit before a Roman court. Paul would 183 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 2: with the Pharisees. If that didn't go well, he may 184 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 2: even have to be before Caesar himself. 185 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 3: As we hear God's word today we find Paul and 186 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 3: Luke back in Jerusalem. This place had been Paul's home 187 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 3: for years, and now, after a long journey, he was home. 188 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 3: But things were different. Now he was no longer a 189 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 3: part of the religious elite. He was a man changed 190 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 3: by Christ by the power of the Gospel working in 191 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 3: his life. Paul was welcomed into the home of James, Jesus' 192 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 3: own brother, He too liked. Paul had once rejected Jesus, 193 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 3: but now because of the resurrection, jesus brother, his half brother, 194 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 3: actually is leader of the church in Jerusalem. He told 195 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 3: Paul of the many Jews who had come to faith 196 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 3: in Christ. These Jewish Christians were certainly grateful to have 197 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 3: Paul with them, not least of all because he brought 198 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 3: with him an offering for the church in Jerusalem that 199 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 3: he had gathered from Gentile churches. At the same time, 200 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 3: these Jewish Christians were a bit suspicious of Paul. They 201 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 3: still observed all the Jewish laws, but word had come 202 00:12:24,240 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 3: to them that Paul was telling Gentiles, non Jews and 203 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:33,440 Speaker 3: Jews alike to abandon Jewish traditions, including circumcision. This was 204 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 3: only a half truth. Paul did not call Gentiles to 205 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 3: adhere to Jewish customs because they had a new identity 206 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:45,319 Speaker 3: in Christ. They are now a part of God's eternal family. 207 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:49,239 Speaker 3: But he certainly wasn't calling on Jewish believers to abandon 208 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 3: their Jewish customs. This was surely a tactic of the 209 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 3: enemy to sow division and disunity in the Church, and 210 00:12:56,559 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 3: now Paul had an opportunity to eliminate these rumors show 211 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:05,320 Speaker 3: his unity with Jewish believers. With this in mind, James 212 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 3: wisely counseled Paul to join four Jewish men who were 213 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 3: going to fulfill a vow in a ceremony of purification 214 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 3: Paul would not only take part in the ceremony, but 215 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 3: he would help cover their expenses for the process. Paul 216 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 3: did just exactly as James advised and participated in the 217 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 3: rights of Jewish purification. The ceremony actually pointed people to 218 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 3: Christ and what Christ had already accomplished. Religious rites and 219 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 3: traditions do not cleanse from sin. Only Christ can do that, 220 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 3: and Paul knew this. Paul understood that there was nothing 221 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 3: inherently wrong with the customs, but they certainly did not 222 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 3: save or even helped to save. Paul then joins with 223 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 3: these Jewish believers as an alignment of their faith and 224 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 3: Christian fellowship. He was practicing what he had always preached 225 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 3: words he wrote to the believers in Rome, reminding them 226 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 3: not to be a stumbling block to other believers, but 227 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 3: to do what leads to peace and mutual edification that 228 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 3: is building up. Paul's biggest problem was not with Jewish Christians, 229 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 3: but with unbelievers, both Jews and Gentiles, but in particular 230 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 3: unbelieving Jews who came from Asia and seeing Paul in 231 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 3: the temple begin to shout accusations at him and stir 232 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 3: up the crowds against him. We're told that the whole 233 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 3: city turned against Paul, and he was dragged out of 234 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 3: the temple into the streets, where the mob began to 235 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 3: beat him. Paul certainly must have thought this was the 236 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 3: end of his life, but the chief judge in Jerusalem 237 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:44,200 Speaker 3: sent soldiers and centurions to break up the fight. To 238 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 3: break up the mob, Paul was rescued just in time. 239 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 3: I imagine he had never been so glad to have been arrested. 240 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 3: At least now he would be in safe hands for 241 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 3: a while and he would get his day in court. 242 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 3: Before he could be taken away to a celt Paul 243 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 3: managed to speak to the judge, who was surprised that 244 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 3: Paul spoke Greek. He asked for permission to speak to 245 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 3: the crowd, and the judge allowed it. Then, in the 246 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 3: Hebrew language, Paul began to give his own testimony to 247 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 3: the Jews. He told them of how he once persecuted 248 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 3: the followers of Jesus, but how the Lord had appeared 249 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 3: to him on the road to Damascus and saved him. 250 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 3: He knew how zealous that these people were, and he 251 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 3: knew that his witness could lead to his own death, 252 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 3: but that did not stop the apostle Paul. Because of Christ, 253 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 3: he was unstoppable. He continued to bear witness to what 254 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 3: God had done in his life and how he called 255 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 3: him to lead Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles, to 256 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 3: go to the nations, to share the good news. What 257 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 3: is remarkable about this is that Paul had been rescued 258 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 3: from danger, but for the sake of the Gospel, he 259 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 3: stepped right back into the fight, telling his story of 260 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 3: salvation in Christ. Some might call him a freak or 261 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 3: a fool, but he was a fool for Christ's sake. 262 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 3: He would never stop telling the wonderful things that Christ 263 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 3: had done in his life. The crowd grew angry once 264 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 3: again upon hearing his words, and we read in Acts 265 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 3: twenty two twenty two these words. Then they raised their 266 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 3: voices and said, away with such a fellow from the earth, 267 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 3: for he should not be allowed to live. Their shouts 268 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 3: are reminiscent of what the crowd said at the trial 269 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 3: of Jesus when they said, crucify him, crucify him. Paul 270 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 3: was certainly identified with Christ, not only in life, but 271 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 3: in suffering and rejection by his own people. The judge, 272 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 3: who could not understand Paul's words and saw the crowd's reaction, 273 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 3: ordered that he'd be flogged. But Paul, knowing his rights 274 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 3: as a citizen of Rome since he was born in Tarsus, 275 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 3: appealed on the basis of his Roman citizenship for a 276 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 3: just fair hearing. This wise action by Paul meant that 277 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 3: he would stand before a court, and we'll hear about 278 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 3: his trial before the Council of Jewish Leaders the next 279 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:05,959 Speaker 3: time hear. God, we thank you for the example of 280 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 3: Paul's courage and faithfulness. May we also be courageous, bold 281 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 3: and brave as we share our faith. May we never 282 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:18,359 Speaker 3: allow the circumstances or consequences of our actions for Christ 283 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 3: to stop us from being bold witnesses for Him. God, 284 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 3: fill us with your spirit that we may speak of 285 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 3: your love and your grace in our lives and never 286 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 3: stop until you come for us in Jesus' name. Amen, 287 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 288 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:40,240 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas, and before we go, 289 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 3: I want you to know that I would love to 290 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 3: send you my daily devotional to give you fresh encouragement 291 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:50,439 Speaker 3: every single day. So visit Jackgraham dot org to sign up. 292 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:55,120 Speaker 3: For your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's Jack Graham dot org.