Personal Relationship

Is your faith more about following rules, or knowing Jesus personally? Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 points to a living relationship, not a static religion.

“I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ … ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles’” (Acts 22:17–21).

Rumors had spread. Many Jews heard that Paul was teaching a false religion. As a result, he faced angry crowds in Jerusalem. Hoping he’d prove his faithfulness, brothers urged him to go to the temple to purify himself. But some reached the wrong conclusion about his actions, and a riot ensued. After Roman soldiers restored order, Paul was given permission to speak to the crowd.

He tried to convince them he was still loyal to the faith of their forefathers, but that his life was changed on his way to Damascus. He’d heard a voice and asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus of Nazareth” (v. 8). Sometime later, he’d returned to Jerusalem, where he “fell into a trance.” Once again, he had a personal encounter with Jesus, who told him that He would send him “far away to the Gentiles.” At the mention of Gentiles, the crowd erupted again, and Paul could say no more.

Paul was dealing with people whose ideas were forged in Israel’s past. Their focus was on preserving a static religion, while Paul wanted them to realize they could have a personal relationship with Jesus and a dynamic, living faith.

Many people are content with a religion of rules and forms, history and traditions. Seek to develop and deepen your personal relationship with Jesus. Be aware of His presence. Talk with Him. Listen to His voice. Follow Him.

Reflection Question: Are you devoted to growing in your personal relationship with Jesus?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Jerusalem crowd react so violently to the mention of “Gentiles”?

Paul’s commission to reach Gentiles challenged deeply held assumptions about Israel’s unique covenant status, which many in the crowd weren’t ready to have questioned.

What’s the difference between religious tradition and a personal relationship with Jesus, as this devotional describes it?

Tradition can preserve forms and rules without ongoing encounter; a personal relationship involves active listening, conversation, and following—the dynamic connection Paul describes experiencing directly with Christ.

How can I grow a more personal relationship with Jesus rather than just following religious routine?

Start treating prayer as genuine conversation rather than a checklist, and ask God to help you notice His presence throughout an ordinary day, not just during set devotional time.