Acts 21:37-40 NKJV

[37] Then, as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek? [38] Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?” [39] But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.” [40] So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, (Acts 22:1)

[1] “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” [2] And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: [3] “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. [4] I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, [5] 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. [6] “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. [7] And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ [8] So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ [9] “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. [10] So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ [11] And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. [12] “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, [13] came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour, I looked up at him. [14] Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. [15] For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. [16] And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

I seldom feel the need to give anyone an explanation for what I believe. It is my story. It is my testimony. It is my faith. I choose Jesus because He first chose me. I don't need to defend it. End of story.

Paul made a lot of questionable decisions from the common sense perspective. He should have known better than to go where he went. He didn't have to say what he said. He could have avoided certain confrontations. He would have saved himself a lot of hassle.

This window of scripture gives us a glimpse of Paul's small defense. To the religious Jews, he was a blasphemer. To the outsiders, he was a troublemaker. To those who knew him, he was making reckless decisions. He knew what awaited him, so he chose to take the time to give those who were listening his list of "whys."

When people make assumptions and accusations, it is typically from a place of misunderstanding or a lack of evidence. I don't necessarily owe anyone an explanation for my faith, but my backstory makes a big difference as to what I do and why I do it. That is the reason I use every available opportunity to tell people about my past. You never know when your story is going to resonate with someone. Every broken road can lead to Jesus.