Testimonium | Witness

‘Hurry and go out quickly from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your witness about Me.’ – Acts 22:18

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The setting of Acts 22 is in the city of Jerusalem. This chapter starts with the Apostle Paul standing on the steps of the Roman barracks in Jerusalem about to address the mob of Jews that tried to kill him (from Acts 21). Paul had their attention because he spoke to them in their native language. Paul shared his testimony: his life and background before conversion; his conversion; and his life afterwards.

In this chapter of Acts 22 there is an important lesson we can learn from Paul. It is to bring the message about our Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what the circumstances. In this chapter, Paul is talking to a mob of Jews that wants to kill him. We might think: why even talk to them, or bring them a message? They don’t deserve a message. But Paul thinks differently. He brings the message no matter what the circumstances. He uses every opportunity to speak out and to be a witness for Jesus Christ and witness how the Lord has changed his life.

Another lesson we can learn from the Apostle Paul, is to trust in the Lord's plan. When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his three years in Arabia, he was in the temple praying. Maybe Paul was planning to stay there and do missionary work among the Jews in Jerusalem. But God had other plans for Paul. God wanted Paul to leave Jerusalem immediately because the Jews would not accept his testimony about Christ (Acts 22: 18). At first, Paul was not ready for this, he might even protested. He talked to God and said that the Jews knew about him and what he did. Maybe he thought the Jews will listen to him and that his ministry will be among the Jews. But God instructed him to leave and go far away to be a witness to the Gentiles (Acts 22: 21). Here we see that God’s will for us is not always what we plan for our lives. Paul’s life and ministry after his conversion was probably very different from what he planned.  As we read in Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand".

Even if we don’t have such a dramatic story like Paul, we should use every opportunity to tell other people what God has done for us and be a witness. If you trust in Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you should be His witness.

Reflection on Acts 22:17-30 by Hanne

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