KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING

• Gentiles: Remember that the Jews hated Paul because he was preaching salvation for Gentiles through Jesus Christ without demanding that they become Jews by circumcision.  This explains their reaction when Paul said that the Lord sent him to the Gentiles.
  
• Roman Citizenship: Roman citizens had rights not granted to conquered people.  They were considered innocent until proved guilty and were not be punished without a trial.   Paul was both a Jew and a Roman. 
  

CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTER
Paul was permitted to speak to the Jews because the commander (captain) hoped to learn from his speech who he was and why the Jews were trying to kill him. Paul told the story of his conversion: how he had been a persecutor, how he had seen the Lord on the road to Damascus, how the Lord sent a messenger to tell him how to be saved, how he returned to Jerusalem to preach but was directed by the Lord to go to the Gentiles. The people listened attentively until he spoke of being sent to Gentiles; at this they went wild, shouting for his death.
The commander learned nothing from this, so he decided to scourge (flog) Paul with whips to get a confession from him. This was abruptly suspended, however, when Paul revealed that he was a Roman citizen. The commander's next move was to arrange to have him brought before the Jewish council (Sanhedrin), hoping once more to learn the nature of their grievances against him.

NOW READ ACTS CHAPTER 22 CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.