Paul's Defense

Paul begins his defense by identifying with the crowd, reflecting on his former life. He was born a Jew in Tarsus and had been brought up in Jerusalem. He sat at the feet of Gamaliel. He had been a strict Pharisee, indeed a Pharisee of Pharisees. His zeal was expressed in violent persecution of Christians, both men and women, whom he handed over to death. Paul wanted to destroy Christianity. The high priest and council of elders would confirm his story (22:5). They knew at one time Paul had even sought to travel all the way to Damascus to persecute followers of the Way. But then something happened: Paul met the living Christ, and that changed everything.