October 25
Bible Reading: Acts 22:22-30
Acts 22:22-23, “Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.’ And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air.”
“Up to this word they listened to him.” What word? “And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles’ (Acts 22:21).” They had listened up until the statement that God had sent him to minister to the Gentiles. They could not tolerate the suggestion that the Gentiles could be saved apart from first becoming Jewish proselytes through observance of the law.
So, they raised their voices and declared that Paul had no right to live. Then they threw a temper tantrum, by throwing off their cloaks and throwing dust into the air. But it was more sinister than that, even. Recall how they had laid their garments at the feet of Saul when Stephen was stoned. Whenever they stoned someone, it was easier to throw rocks without one’s outer garments. So threw off their cloaks and started flinging dust in the air. There were probably no rocks, so they grabbed whatever dirt they could get hold of.
Infuriated, they were throwing a hate-filled tantrum. Paul laid out a rational argument, filled with hope in his own miraculous salvation and transformation. Instead of accepting that message, they sought to kill the messenger. Having hearts filled with prejudice, they had no ears to hear. Paul was saved from the mob by the tribune, who ordered him to be brought back to the barracks (Acts 22:24). Paul yearned for the salvation of his brethren, but they had no hearts to hear (Romans 10:1).
“The spirit of enmity against the gospel of Christ commonly shows itself in silencing the ministers of Christ and His gospel”–Matthew Henry
AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follow’r of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
LookingtoJesus 