Acts 22:1-5

Paul's First Defense

Since his audience was primarily Jewish, Paul addressed them as "Brethren and fathers" (Acts 2:29; Acts 7:2; Acts 13:26). The defense he wants them to hear is much like verbal arguments one might make in his own behalf in a court of law. Remember, Paul's accusers had said he taught against the Jews, the law of Moses, the temple and brought Greeks into the temple, thereby defiling the holy place (Acts 21:28). In response to their first accusation, the apostle noted he was a Jew. He was born in Tarsus, but he was reared in the city of Jerusalem as a pupil of the highly respected Jewish teacher, Gamaliel. He had been taught the law, which was handed down from the Jewish fathers, in a most precise way. In fact, he had become a zealot for God, just as had his accusers. His zeal had reached the point where he persecuted those following Christ's way by binding, imprisoning and ultimately assisting in their deaths. As witnesses to his zeal, Paul cited the high priest and council of the elders. The apostle had received letters from them to give him authority to go to Damascus to bring Christians from that city in chains to Jerusalem to be punished (Acts 22:1-5).