Acts 22:3-5
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.”
I always remember how Paul began this testimony of his conversion by going back in time to the city of his birth.
He shared upbringing and education, mentioning one of the most respected teachers of Jerusalem.
Paul told of his zeal for the Torah and for God.
He related to the crowd over his dislike of Christianity and how he was a top persecutor of that sect.
There is a lesson to learn from Paul – before you share the message of Christ you need to relate to your audience.
Paul did not start by saying, “All of you are wrong about the Messiah. The Law and Prophets state Who He is but you’re too blind to see it! Repent! Repent!”
Although his listeners will turn against him, they would have done it sooner if he started that way.
Don’t lose your audience before you get started. Relate and share Jesus.
If they reject your message, they actually reject Jesus!