Acts 22:1-16 – Paul’s narration of his conversion in defense

Paul began his defense by calling those who opposed him with endearing terms in Aramaic. It was amazing that he should address them as “Brethren and fathers.” He did so because he saw himself as a Jew, a kinsman. And when they heard him speak in Aramaic, they reluctantly accorded him the silence, when he motioned his hand to them, and became quieter still.

The apostle proceeded to testify about his conversion and former way of life. In the book of Acts, Paul’s conversion was described three times. This is the second account. Here he began by providing his personal resume and background of his heritage. Paul was a Jew from Tarsus of Cilicia. Here we learned that he was brought up in Jerusalem. Regarding his religious education, he was a trained orthodox Jew under the tutelage of the well-known Rabbi Gamaliel. Furthermore, like many of them then, he was very zealous for God. Paul went on to recount how ruthlessly he persecuted Christianity, known as “the Way” at that point. His goal was to terminate Christianity and to send believers whom he found to prison, both men and women. 

What Paul said, he asserted, was not just something plucked out of nothing to defend himself.  His facts could be collaborated by the high priest and all the elders in the Sanhedrin council.  He even had an authorization letter to round up those believers and bring them to Jerusalem to be imprisoned and punished. And he had set out to arrest those who had sought refuge in Damascus, the Syrian city.  

His plan, however, did not dovetail with God’s. Something happened while he was on the road to Damascus that caused him to change the course of his life. At midday, a blinding light flashed from heaven around him. As he fell to the ground, he was confronted by the voice of the Lord Jesus, who asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The answer Paul gave was astonishing. “Who are you, Lord?” Paul asked. More astonishing and swift was the reply from the Lord, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” Everyone with Paul stood amazed. They were momentary stunted. They knew that Paul was having a conversation but they could not see the One whom he was conversing with.

With the words, “I am Jesus of Nazareth,” Paul surrendered, asking, “What shall I do?” So the Lord told him to get up and go to Damascus and wait for further instructions from this Lord whom he had just acknowledged. Being blinded by that great heavenly light, he was thus led by hand to Damascus.    

While Paul was waiting for instruction, God came to a man named Ananias. He was considered a devout man, a law-abiding Jew and well respected by Jews in the city. The first thing Ananias did was to command him saying, “Saul, my brother, Look up.” This is a summary of what was described in Acts 9:17.  Thus Paul’s sight was restored when he looked up.

Verses 14-16 described how Ananias, using words with strong Jewish flavor, commissioned Paul. It was the God of our fathers that had chosen Paul to know His will and to see the Righteous One, a Jewish term for the Messiah, and to hear words spoken by this Lord. Hence, Paul received his commission. And now that he had seen the risen Christ, heard his voice, he was to be His witness to tell all people of all that he had seen and heard. This meant that he must boldly proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified by men, exalted by God, was Lord of all. However, Paul needed first to be baptized. This was an outward sign of an inward cleansing of his sin as he called on the Lord’s name.

From Paul’s narration of his conversion experience, we learn how to be an effective witness of God. He did not defend himself by long doctrinal arguments. He merely related vital experiences from his life concerning the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bear in mind that we may win an argument but lose a soul. After all Christianity is about life, not argument!