Parts of Identity (10/24/23)

Acts 22

10/25/2023

Life Lesson(s)…

Acts 22 focuses on the identity of Paul from when he begins his testimony to the mob of Jews attempting to kill him as the Roman cohort detained him. Paul's testimony relates where he is from originally, his Rabbinic studies with Gamiliel, his part in the stoning of Stephen, his Damascus road moment with Christ and his commission. He got no further as the Jewish mob demanded his life again. Basically, Paul reveals his "religious" identity - Pharisaic Jew to Christ follower.

In the next portion of Acts 22, Paul deals with the Roman cohort. The cohort, unclear about what the mob was accusing Paul, intended to "whip" the truth from Paul and prepared him for their punishment. Except Paul's revelation of his "political"/"societal" identity as a Roman citizen since birth leaves them concerned on how to proceed. The assumption of the tribune and cohort caused them to violate the rights of an uncondemned Roman citizen.

Paul's revelations in this chapter show that an individual's identity is made up of different facts and choices that such a person can make. Acts 22 also warns not to judge someone based on one aspect of identity solely for there may be undesirable ramifications.

Your Thoughts…

Study Acts 22, pray for revelation and clarity as well as journal the following:

  1. What are the parts of your identity? How have you chosen to perceive yourself? If you are a believer, how does/did giving your life to Christ change your identity? How are you a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)? What did it stem from? Do you believe it? If you don't believe yourself to be a "new creation," why? What hasn't changed?

  2. Do you believe other people see you the same way? Do they make assumptions based on rumors (such as the mob) or appearances (such as the tribune/Roman cohort)?

  3. How do you believe God Almighty sees you? How would you describe the Lord Almighty? Does your view mesh with what the Bible reveals about God? Do you believe God puts limits on you? Do you put limits on God?

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But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

ACTS 22:25-26 (ESV)

Read: Acts 22 (ESV)