PAUL’S TRIALS
The elders, including James, were glad to see Paul, but, because of the Jews, they were concerned for his safety. They suggested to Paul that those Jewish scalawags might be calmed if he were to take a vow. Paul was no stranger to taking a vow, so he did not object. But, before there was time enough to complete the purification ceremony, the Jews incited the people. They said that Paul was teaching against the Law and that he had brought Greeks into the temple.
The trouble makers seized Paul and dragged him out of the Temple, intending to kill him, but the commander of the Garrison (Military Base) rescued him and gave him permission to speak. Paul spoke in the Hebrew language, telling them who he was and described his conversion. He mentioned that Ananias told him that God had chosen him to know His will, and to see Him and hear His voice. This disturbed the Jews, but when Paul told them that the Lord had sent him unto the Gentiles, war broke out.
Most Bible scholars believe that the fulfillment of Acts 22:14 occurred during the time Paul spent in Arabia. Since Paul said he was not “one whit” behind the other apostles, it is not difficult to believe that …show more content…
(Acts 12:1) Emperor Claudius had made him king over all the land east and north of Lake Galilee. And, he was the Herod who said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28) Although Agrippa’s heart was pricked and he was almost persuaded to become a Christian, it is not a matter of record that he ever acted upon his faith. Faith without works is worthless. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:14, 17) Faith only does not save. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James