Page 105 - Acts Student Textbook

seen Jesus alive from the dead (cf. 1:21; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:4-8). That he would testify to all men shows
that he would teach Gentiles, not just Jews. Note that Ananias was clearly inspired by God and did
miracles to confirm his inspiration. This constitutes his inspired testimony that the Lord had told him
that Saul had seen Jesus. Further Ananias testified that God had chosen Saul to be an eyewitness.
This was also necessary for one to be an apostle.

Does baptizm wash away sins? (22:16)

"be baptized and wash away your sins" Here Uttly notes that, “These are both aorist middle
imperatives. This is an OT allusion to the ceremonial ablutions (cf. Lev. 11:25,28,40; 13:6,34,56; 14:8-
9; 15:5-13,21-22,27; 16:26,28; 17:15-16; Num. 8:7,21; 19:19; Deut. 23:11). It is used here as a symbol
of our spiritual cleansing in Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5; Heb. 10:22). Baptism was the
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early Church's public profession of faith.”

Notice that the middle voice refers to both baptism (aorist middle imperative) and cleansing (aorist
middle imperative). Paul could not wash away his sins, but he could baptize himself (Jewish practice
for proselytes). Often it is said that immersion is the only NT pattern (cf. Romans 6 and Colossians 2),
but here baptism is linked to the metaphor of washing (cf. 2:38; 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5; Heb.
10:22). Theologically 1 Pet. 3:21 shows that it is a symbol, not just a sacrament (ordinance)!

Paul was instructed to be baptized "calling on His name"(22:16). The "name" is not a magical
formula, but a public acknowledgment of Jesus' ownership and the beginning of a personal
relationship with Him (aorist middle participle used as an imperative), which issues in a Christ-like
attitude and lifestyle. The early Church's baptismal formula as stated orally by the candidate was
"Jesus is Lord" (cf. Rom. 10:9-13; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Tim. 2:22). The exact words or formula is not the key
(sacramentalism), but the heart of the candidate (believe, receive).

Why was Paul’s ministry so much focused on Gentiles? (22:21)

Despite what Saul thought the people should do, Jesus affirmed that the people would not listen, so
Saul must leave and preach to the Gentiles. As we have studied Paul’s teaching, we have observed
this pattern in every city where he preached. He would first try to reach Jews, but when they
rejected the message he would go to Gentiles. His travels had sent him “far” from Jerusalem
throughout the Roman Empire. He became known, in a sense, as an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul’s
statement here explained to the Jews why he had been teaching Gentiles and associating with them.
It was not because he disrespected the temple or had turned his back on his people. Rather the Jews
had persecuted him, so he had taught the Gentiles as a matter of Divine revelation.

Though at the end they called for Paul’s death, what did Paul achieve in giving his defense? (22:22)

Paul had given the mob convincing evidence that Jesus was truly sent from God, and that Paul had
good reason to follow Jesus’ teaching and to teach Gentiles. The mob, however, became violently
angry. They were especially upset because he said he would go to the Gentiles. To a Jew, Gentiles
were not fit to associate with and surely could not be considered among God’s people. The initial
complaint against Paul had been that he had defiled the temple by taking in a Gentile (21:28, 29).
They viewed Paul as guilty of a capital crime and said he was no longer fit to live. Paul had not
convinced them, but he had at least given them the opportunity to hear the gospel. They could
blame no one but themselves that they had rejected it.

56 Uttly, (22:16).
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