GRACELAND UNIVERSAL MINISTRIES

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO ACTS 22:5

1. Why does Paul mention the high priest and the Sanhedrin?

   • To confirm that his past actions were not a secret—they were officially approved by the Jewish religious leaders.

2. What does Paul gain by referencing the Jewish leaders as witnesses to his past actions?

   • It provides credibility to his testimony, showing that even respected Jewish authorities could verify his former zeal.

3. Why is it significant that Paul's persecution of Christians was officially sanctioned?

   • It highlights that his opposition to Christianity was not just personal but supported by the highest Jewish authorities.

4. What were the letters from the high priest for?

   • They authorized Paul to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.

5. What authority did these letters give Paul?

   • They made him an official agent of the Jewish council, giving him legal backing to persecute believers.

6. Why did Paul seek permission to arrest Christians in Damascus instead of focusing only on Jerusalem?

   • Christianity was spreading beyond Jerusalem, and Paul wanted to stop its growth even in distant cities.

7. Why was Paul willing to travel such a long distance to arrest Christians?

   • He was extremely zealous in his mission, believing he was doing God's work by eliminating the followers of Jesus.

8. What does this verse reveal about Paul’s level of commitment before his conversion?

   • He was not a passive opponent but an active hunter of Christians, willing to travel far to stop them.

9. How does this verse reinforce the idea of Paul’s radical transformation?

   • The man who once traveled to destroy Christians now travels to spread the Gospel.

10. How does Paul’s journey to Damascus contrast with his later missionary journeys?

• • Initially, he traveled to persecute Christians; later, he traveled to plant churches and encourage believers.

11. What does this verse teach us about misguided religious zeal?

• • Zeal without knowledge can lead to harming others rather than serving God.

12. How does Paul’s story illustrate that sincerity does not always equal truth?

• • Paul was sincere in persecuting Christians, but he was sincerely wrong—only after encountering Christ did he see the truth.

13. What can we learn about the dangers of religious zeal without truth?

• • Passion must be guided by the truth of God's word; otherwise, it can lead to harmful actions.
  • Cross-reference: Romans 10:2 – “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.”

14. How does Romans 10:2 relate to Paul’s pre-conversion zeal?

• • It shows that zeal alone is not enough—without true knowledge of Christ, religious passion can be destructive.

15. What does this verse tell us about the extent of Paul’s former opposition to Christianity?

• • He was willing to go to great lengths, even outside Jerusalem, to stop the spread of the Gospel.

16. How does Paul’s testimony highlight the power of God's grace?

• • If God could transform someone as radical as Paul, He can transform anyone.

17. What does Paul's transformation teach us about God's ability to redirect a person’s passion for His purposes?

• • God does not necessarily remove a person’s passion but redirects it for His glory—Paul remained zealous but now for Christ.

18. How does this verse help us understand why many early Christians may have feared Paul even after his conversion?

• • His reputation as a relentless persecutor made it hard for believers to trust that his change was genuine.