Leaving is for a New Mission (Acts 22:17-21)

Scripture: Acts 22:17-21

Today’s Word

17 “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”

(NIV)

Background

Key Terms Made Simple

• Trance: A special spiritual experience where God shows someone something beyond normal perception. Similar to a dream but experienced while awake
• Testimony: Telling others about what you have personally seen and experienced. Like what a witness does in court
• Gentiles: All non-Jewish people. At that time, most Jews did not consider Gentiles as candidates for salvation
• Stephen: The first martyr of the early church. Paul had approved of his death before believing in Jesus

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “Leave Jerusalem immediately”
2. “The people here will not accept your testimony about me”
3. “I stood there giving my approval”
4. “I will send you far away to the Gentiles”

Main Points of the Text

1. Vision received at the temple: After meeting Jesus in Damascus, Paul returned to Jerusalem and heard Jesus’ voice again while praying at the temple. At that time, Jesus commanded him to leave Jerusalem.
2. Paul’s logic vs. Jesus’ plan: Paul thought that the people of Jerusalem, who knew of his dramatic transformation, would accept the gospel. But Jesus knew they wouldn’t accept it and planned to send Paul elsewhere.
3. The call to Gentile mission: Jesus said He would send Paul “far away to the Gentiles.” This became Paul’s lifelong mission and is the reason we can hear the gospel today.

Applying to My Life

1. Leaving is obedience, not escape: When you need to leave a place, it should not be failure or running away. God would rather be moving you to another place for a new mission. If your mission in your current place is coming to an end, it may be a signal to prepare for the next stage.
2. God’s plan is greater than my thoughts: Paul thought he could effectively testify in Jerusalem, but God was seeing a bigger picture. When our plans are blocked, it may be God guiding us to a better path.
3. The past is material for testimony: Paul didn’t hide his shameful past but used it as a tool to testify of God’s grace. Our failures and sins can also become stories of transformation through God’s grace.

Think About It

1. Think specifically about what you need to do in your current position. Are those tasks coming to completion, or are they still in progress?
2. When your plans differ from God’s plans, how do you respond? Are you ready to trust and obey God’s guidance?
3. Is there any part of your past that has been transformed by God’s grace? Can you share that with others?