Acts 22:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Acts 22:1

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Brethren

My

Bible References

Brethren

Stephen replied: "Listen, brothers and fathers!

"My brothers, descendants of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the message of this salvation has been sent.

Paul looked straight at the Council and said, "Brothers, with a clear conscience I have done my duty before God up to this very day."

Three days later, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he told them, "Brothers, although I haven't done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

My

Some of the crowd concluded it was because of Alexander, since the Jews had pushed him to the front. So Alexander motioned for silence and tried to make a defense before the people.

When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied:

Paul said in his defense, "I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews, or of the Temple, or of the emperor."

Then Agrippa told Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.

When people bring you before synagogue leaders, rulers, or authorities, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,

So purpose in your hearts not to prepare your defense ahead of time,

They show that what the Law requires is written in their hearts, a fact to which their own consciences testify, and their thoughts will either accuse or excuse them

This is my defense to those who would examine me:

See what great earnestness godly sorrow has produced in you! How ready you are to clear yourselves, how indignant, how alarmed, how full of longing and enthusiasm, how eager to seek justice! In every way you have demonstrated that you are innocent in this matter.

Have you been thinking all along that we are trying to defend ourselves before you? We are speaking before God in the authority of the Messiah, and everything, dear friends, is meant to build you up.

For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because you're constantly on my mind. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in this privilege.

At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them!

Instead, exalt the Messiah" as Lord in your lives. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.