Beating

8-2-2014         Acts 22:17-24

S.       17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

O.      Paul begins to explain his fear in coming to Jerusalem and his former standing as one that persecuted the church. The crowd erupts and Paul is taken into the castle to be beaten.

A.      Following God can bring us into some dangerous places. We must be courageous and keep on spreading the good news.

P.       Father; help me to keep my eyes on you instead of the circumstances around me, double my courage and my resolve. Amen.