The Way
The Story Told from the Stairs
The Damascus story told again from the steps
Story
As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” The commander was surprised and asked, “Do you speak Greek? Aren't you that Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago?” Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia. Please let me speak to the people.” The commander gave him permission.
Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand, and the crowd grew quiet. Speaking in Hebrew, Paul told them how he had studied under Gamaliel, the famous teacher of the law, how he had persecuted the Way of Jesus, and how he had heard the voice of Jesus of Nazareth on the road to Damascus. Paul said, “Later, when I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, the Lord said to me, ‘Go. I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
The crowd shouted, “Rid the earth of him!” The commander ordered Paul to be questioned under the whip. As the soldiers tied him up, Paul asked the centurion, “Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman citizen who has not even had a trial?” The commander came and asked, “Are you a Roman citizen?” Paul answered, “Yes, I am.” The commander said, “I paid a great deal of money for my citizenship.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
I am a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia and brought up in this city, and I was trained strictly in the law of our ancestors under Gamaliel.
I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.
Go. I will send you far away to the Gentiles.
Is it right for you to whip a Roman citizen, and without even a trial?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 21:37–22:29
Background
The Antonia Fortress was built by Herod at the northwest corner of the temple. Roman troops were stationed there, looking down on the temple courts. A flight of steps led up from the temple courts to the fortress.
Pause and Reflect
Whom could I tell the story of how I came to believe in Jesus?