In Search of Facts

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting March 28, when we will be covering Acts 22.  This chapter continues the events of Chapter 21, and again leaves us with a "cliff hanger".

Again, there are plenty of elements to this chapter, like 21, that are rather peculiar.  It would be helpful to go back and read Paul's conversion in chapter 9.  Some of the details Paul relates seem different, some way more than others.

Read the chapter through several times.  Look for things that spark questions or seem to require some further explanation.  Jot them down as you go through.  Some of these may be answered as you go through the chapter, some won't, and there will be some for which we won't be able to find answers (get used to it, if you aren't already).

After reading through a few times, read through again considering the questions below:

• Through verse 5, it all sounds familiar.  At what point do things begin to sound different from Chapter 9?
• How many points of difference between Paul's account here and chapter 9 can you find?  (I found at least 8 depending on how some are combined)
• At what point do the Jews stop listening?  What does that tell you about what they think this is about?  How accurate is their assumption?
• What does the commander order done to Paul?  Why?
• What does Paul bring up at this point?  Luke set us up for this in chapter 16, but it was brought up differently there, why would that be?
• The conversation between the centurion, the commander, and then Paul is short, but what do we learn about the commander?  What sort of situation is he in?  What's the problem he faces?
• What does he decide to do?  What does it tell you about the Romans in Jerusalem that he can do that?  What do you think the council will be thinking and feeling as they arrive?

We're left, again, without Paul's defense which will be where we begin next week.  Be sure to bring your questions and notes!