Acts of the Apostles: Testimony

There are few things more powerful in the life of a Christian than a personal testimony—especially one that bears witness to the grace and power of God to transform a hardened heart. In Acts 22, the Apostle Paul shares his story before a hostile crowd in Jerusalem. It is a moment filled with tension and significance. This is not simply an autobiographical speech. It is a public declaration of the gospel through the lens of Paul’s redemption.
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Let’s reflect on Paul’s words. He does not boast in himself. Instead, he lays bare the truth of his past, recounts his transformative encounter with Christ, and proclaims his call to carry the gospel even to those whom his audience despises—the Gentiles. His words are bold, honest, and true. He speaks as one who has counted the cost of following Jesus and who is now consumed by the calling God placed on his life.

Setting the Stage (Acts 21:37–40)
To understand the weight of Paul’s testimony in chapter 22, we must consider the context in which it is given. The city of Jerusalem is in chaos. Paul has just been seized in the temple by a mob of Jews from Asia who falsely accuse him of teaching against the law and defiling the holy place. The uproar brings Roman soldiers rushing to the scene. As they drag Paul away to the barracks, he speaks to the Roman commander in fluent Greek, requesting permission to address the people.

This exchange surprises the commander, who had mistaken Paul for an Egyptian revolutionary. Paul clarifies that he is a Jew from Tarsus—a respected city—and a Roman citizen by birth. With permission granted, Paul turns to face the angry crowd. As he motions to the crowd to quiet them and begins to speak in Hebrew (or Aramaic), the people grow silent. This, too, is striking. His use of their sacred language disarms them for a moment. They are now willing to listen, at least for a little while.

Paul Begins His Testimony: Brothers and Fathers (Acts 22:1–2)
Paul opens his speech with the words “Brothers and esteemed fathers, listen to me as I offer my defense.” These are not empty greetings. They are deliberate and meaningful. By addressing the crowd in this familial way, Paul affirms his shared heritage with them. He reminds them that he has not forsaken his Jewish identity. On the contrary, his concern for them remains strong. He is not a traitor to Israel but one who has come to understand the fulfillment of God’s promises in the person of Jesus, the Messiah.

Paul is not merely retelling his story; he is giving a theological witness to the grace of God. He is presenting an orderly and reasoned account of how Christ has changed his life and called him into gospel ministry.

Paul’s Life Before Christ (Acts 22:3 - 5)
Paul begins by recounting his life before his conversion. He identifies himself as a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, and brought up in Jerusalem. He studied under Gamaliel, “(who) was a Pharisee, and regarded as one of the most distinguished doctors of the Law of his age. He was a member of the Sanhedrin during the years of our Lord’s ministry”[1]. Paul presents his credentials not to boast but to establish credibility with his listeners. He was not some outsider dabbling in Judaism—he was deeply immersed in it.

He describes himself as being “zealous for God,” just as his listeners are. He does not mock their passion or devotion. Instead, he aligns himself with them, acknowledging that he once felt the same zeal, so much so that he persecuted followers of Jesus. He pursued them to death, arresting both men and women, and bringing them in chains to Jerusalem. Paul’s former life was marked by strict adherence to the law and fierce opposition to the church.

This part of his testimony is essential. It shows that Paul did not come to faith lightly or from a place of ignorance. He was thoroughly educated, devout, and sincere in his beliefs. But sincerity without truth can be dangerous and destructive. Paul’s zeal, though genuine, led him to oppose the very Messiah he longed for. This is a reminder that religious fervor is not the same as genuine faith in God.

Paul’s Encounter with Christ (Acts 22:6–11)
Paul now recounts the dramatic moment that changed everything: his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. He describes the blinding light that flashed around him at noon, a time when the sun would have already been at its brightest. This supernatural light overpowered even the daylight.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice calling, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He responded, “Who are you, Lord?” And the answer came: “I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.”

This was a moment of both judgment and mercy. Jesus confronts Paul with the truth of his actions, but he does not destroy him. Instead, he claims him. Christ does not merely stop Paul in his tracks; He turns him around. Blind and trembling, Paul is led by the hand into Damascus, where he waits, unable to see or eat, until a man named Ananias comes to him.

This encounter with Christ was not just a vision—it was a calling. It was the moment when the scales of pride and religious arrogance began to fall from Paul’s eyes, both literally and spiritually.

Paul’s Call to Ministry (Acts 22:12–21)
Ananias enters the story as a devout man, respected by the Jewish community in Damascus. He lays hands on Paul and restores his sight. More importantly, he declares God’s purpose for Paul: “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.” This is not a generic call to faith; it is a divine commissioning. Paul is not merely forgiven—he is set apart. He is called to bear witness to what he has seen and heard, to become a voice for the gospel, and to suffer for the sake of Christ’s name.

Later, while praying in the temple in Jerusalem, Paul receives a vision from the Lord. Jesus warns him that the people of Jerusalem will not accept his testimony. He is to go far away—to the Gentiles. This command was both a turning point in Paul’s ministry and a scandal to his listeners.

The Crowd Reacts (Acts 22:22)
Paul’s audience listens attentively up until this point. But the moment he mentions his call to bring the message of salvation to the Gentiles, the mood shifts dramatically. The crowd erupts in rage. They cry out that he is not fit to live. The mere suggestion that God’s grace would extend beyond the boundaries of Israel is intolerable to them.

This was not a matter of casual disagreement. It was, for them, a blasphemous betrayal. The idea that Gentiles, uncircumcised outsiders, could be welcomed into God’s covenant without becoming Jews was unthinkable. Yet this was the very heart of Paul’s gospel: that in Christ, the dividing wall of hostility has been torn down.

Paul knew this would be the response. He could have softened his words, avoided the topic, or spoken in vague terms. But he did not. He spoke plainly, truthfully, and boldly. He chose to be faithful, not popular. He chose to honor Christ rather than appease his opposition.

The Power of a Testimony
Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 is an excellent example of the Christian witness. It is structured, theological, and personal, giving us a model for sharing our testimonies.

Every believer has a testimony. It most likely does not involve blinding lights or heavenly visions, but every story of salvation is a story and testimony of grace. Some testimonies are dramatic. Others are quiet and gradual. But all of them declare the faithfulness of God.

Many years ago, when I was a youth pastor, I encouraged my youth group to share their testimonies.  I remember one teenager coming up to me and saying, “I don’t have a testimony.  I was raised in a Christian home, and as far as I can remember, I have always been a Christian since I was a child.” My response to her was, “That is your testimony! You have a story that so many wish they could tell, but unfortunately, cannot. The fact that God has called and kept you in his grasp for all the years you have been alive is a beautiful testimony of God’s love and grace.”

Your faith story, whether dramatic or uneventful, is your testimony, and it is yours to tell, so tell it. The hard part is that many do not know HOW to craft and tell their story. So, when sharing your testimony, consider Paul’s example:
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1. Life Before Christ
   When Paul shared his story in Acts 22, he didn’t shy away from his past. He spoke plainly about his zealous persecution of Christians, not to glorify his past, but to show the depths from which God saved him. Likewise, when you share your story, be honest about who you were before Christ. Let people see that you, too, were once lost and in need of a Savior.
   
   However, remember that this is not the place to entertain or sensationalize. Your goal isn’t to make your past sound exciting, but to show how far God’s mercy and grace reaches. Your honesty builds a connection, reminding others that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Keep this section humble and brief, setting the stage for what Christ has done.
   
   
2. Your Encounter with Christ
   Your testimony hinges on the moment Jesus called you. For Paul, it was dramatic, a blinding light and the voice of Christ on the road to Damascus. For you, it may have been during a sermon, in a quiet moment at home, through a conversation, a crusade, or during a season of crisis.
   
   No matter how it happened, this is where the gospel becomes personal. This is where repentance and faith took root. Explain what led you to realize your need for Jesus. Share how the Holy Spirit opened your heart, how forgiveness became real, and what surrender looked like for you.
   
   The power of your story is not in how dramatic it sounds, but in the reality that the living Christ called you and made you new.
   
   
3. Your Changed Life
   Your story doesn’t stop at conversion. Like Paul, your changed life testifies to the ongoing work of Christ. Talk about how your values, priorities, and relationships have been transformed. How has following Christ shaped your choices? What habits have changed? What joy or peace have you found?
   
   This is not about being perfect; it’s about walking a new life. Share honestly about the progress and even the struggles, showing that salvation is both a moment and a lifelong journey
   
   Let your life speak. As Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others” (Matt. 5:16). Your life is now a living testimony of grace.

Following Paul’s example, your story becomes a witness. Whether told from a stage, across a coffee table, or through your actions, your testimony is a powerful tool God can use to draw others to Himself. Don’t underestimate the power of your story. If Christ has saved you, then you have something worth sharing.

Paul’s testimony reminds us that the gospel is not a theory; it is a story of resurrection, a new life, lived out in real people. Our stories are not about us; they are about the God who saves and redeems.

Conclusion
As we reflect on Paul’s testimony, let us be stirred to boldness in our witness. We may not stand before angry crowds, but we live in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christ and the truth. Like Paul, we are called to speak, not with arrogance, but with boldness and compassion.

May we not shrink back from the hard parts of our story, nor be afraid to speak the name of Jesus even when it offends. For it is through our witness, imperfect though it may be, that others may come to see the power of the gospel and the glory of Christ.

Let us be like Paul, willing to lose everything so that others might gain Christ.
 


[1] James Hastings et al., Dictionary of the Bible (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1909), 281.

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