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As a former follower of Judaism, Paul was in a unique position to explain to the crowd how Jesus had changed him. Christ uses our experiences to serve our gospel preaching too.

BibleGateway: Acts 21:37-22:16

ESV Text: Acts 21:37-22:16


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 5:8 and ends at about 5:54

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37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. 40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,(KJV)


The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:25

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     1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. 2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

     3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 507 :
Spread, Oh, Spread, Thou Mighty Word

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. Spread, oh, spread, thou mighty Word, 
Spread the kingdom of the Lord, 
Wheresoe’er His breath has giv’n 
Life to beings meant for heav’n. 

2. Tell them how the Father’s will 
Made the world and keeps it still, 
How His only Son He gave 
Man from sin and death to save. 

3. Tell of our Redeemer’s love, 
Who forever doth remove 
By His holy sacrifice 
All the guilt that on us lies. 

4. Tell them of the Spirit giv’n 
Now to guide us up to heav’n, 
Strong and holy, just and true, 
Working both to will and do. 

5. Up! The ripening fields ye see. 
Mighty shall the harvest be; 
But the reapers still are few, 
Great the work they have to do. 

6. Lord of Harvest, let there be 
Joy and strength to work for Thee 
Till the nations far and near 
See Thy light and learn Thy fear. 


Hymn: LSB 838 The Saints in Christ Are One in Every Place
Hymnary.org