“and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ Acts 22:18

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A literal rendering would be, “and saw Him saying to me, ‘Hasten, and in speed depart from Jerusalem: because they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’”

Paul just noted that after his conversion, when he had returned to Jerusalem, he was praying in the temple and a trance came upon him. That continues now, saying, “and saw Him saying to me.”

Without going any further, who “Him” is can be discerned by referring to the nearest antecedent. In verse 16, it said, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Thus, Paul is referring to the Lord. He is continuing his thoughts about his relationship with the Lord as His chosen instrument. Next, he details what the Lord said with the words, “Hasten, and in speed depart from Jerusalem.”

At various times in Scripture, the Lord either directly or indirectly tells people to move from one place to another. For example, after serving Laban for many years, the Lord directed the steps of Jacob –

“Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.’” Genesis 31:3

The Lord also directed the steps of His prophets from time to time, and that continued with His apostles during the establishment of the church –

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:2, 3

In this case, it is early in Paul’s ministry, he has been selected as the apostle who would most thoroughly explain salvation by grace through faith apart from deeds of the law, and he was in the location from which the law issued forth. His message would not be well received at this time by any Jew, but especially not in Jerusalem. Hence, the Lord continues, saying, “because they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.”

Paul was direct in his approach, he did not hold back what he had learned, and he meticulously detailed what it meant to enter into the New Covenant by faith in Christ. This is clearly laid out in Romans where he, time and again, addresses matters directed at particular categories of people.

When addressing an issue concerning Jews, he explicitly uses them as his example, such as, “Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God…” (Romans 2:17). From there, Paul explains the problems with resting on the law as one’s boast. This type of abrupt and direct discourse concerning Jesus and the effects of His work would not be well-received by the Jews. Indeed, two thousand years later, it still is not.

As for Paul’s words in this verse, the account in Acts 9 doesn’t mention any of this. However, it does mention his disputing with the Hellenists. It may be that at this time, the warning in the trance came. He may have thought to stay and debate with these people, hoping to convert them, but if he had, they would have sought to kill him. Instead, and because of the vision, he took the direction to depart as he was instructed.

Life application: When speaking to others about spiritual matters, a lot of enmity can arise. People are often sensitive about even discussing matters of salvation, condemnation, etc. Therefore, tact in one’s approach is necessary.

And yet, being tactful should not include waffling on proper doctrine. For example, the Bible teaches that all people are born in sin and are at enmity with God. This is something that we cannot avoid sharing when asked. However, how we present this truth can make a great difference in the anticipated response.

If a person stands on a street corner and yells at everyone who passes him, “You are a sinner. You are going to hell!” He probably won’t make any converts. Someone might give him a good pounding, though.

On the other hand, if the same person quietly approaches someone and says, “May I share the good news of what Jesus did with you?” He might get a favorable response. From there, he might say, “Because of the sin in our lives, God cannot accept us, but He loves us enough to have sent Jesus to restore us to Himself.”

Such an approach conveys the same truth as the first approach, but it does it in a spirit of caring, not high-handed superiority. Paul’s approach was always direct but not necessarily confrontational. However, when dealing with matters of the law, even something nonconfrontational can still be very upsetting to those whose boast is in the law.

Therefore, he had been directed by the Lord to depart from Jerusalem. His message needed ears that would be receptive to it at the right time. That time is yet ahead for this troubled city, but it will come someday. Until then, Jerusalem continues as a city without a proper relationship with the Lord. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem by praying for its collective heart to be turned to Jesus.

Glorious Lord God, today we lift up Your wayward nation, the people of Israel. We also pray for Your holy city, Jerusalem. There is not yet peace in the people’s hearts, nor is there peace in the city. But we pray for hearts to be changed before the days of tribulation come upon them. May the word about Jesus continue to expand and convert hearts and minds before that time comes. Amen.