Topical Bible: Vision of Paul in a Trance

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The Vision of Paul in a Trance is a significant event in the New Testament, highlighting the apostle's profound spiritual experiences and his unique role in the early Christian Church. This vision is primarily recounted in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 22:17-21, where Paul describes his encounter with the Lord while in a trance.

Biblical Account

In Acts 22, Paul recounts his vision to a Jewish audience in Jerusalem. He explains that after his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, he returned to Jerusalem. While praying in the temple, he fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to him. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows:

"When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 22:17-21)

Context and Significance

Paul's vision in a trance is a pivotal moment in his ministry, underscoring his divine commission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. This vision reaffirms the Lord's direct guidance and instruction to Paul, emphasizing the importance of his mission beyond the Jewish community. The vision also highlights the resistance Paul faced from his fellow Jews, who were unwilling to accept his testimony about Jesus Christ.

The trance experience is a form of divine revelation, where Paul receives clear and direct communication from the Lord. This mode of revelation is consistent with other biblical accounts where God communicates with His prophets and apostles through visions and dreams. The trance state indicates a heightened spiritual awareness, allowing Paul to receive and comprehend the divine message.

Theological Implications

The Vision of Paul in a Trance carries significant theological implications for the early Church and the spread of Christianity. It marks a turning point in the apostolic mission, as Paul is explicitly directed to focus on the Gentile world. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's salvation plan extending to all nations, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham that all peoples on earth would be blessed through his offspring (Genesis 12:3).

Paul's vision also serves as a testament to the transformative power of God's grace. Despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, Paul is chosen as a vessel to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. This underscores the theme of redemption and the boundless reach of God's mercy.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the first-century Jewish context, visions and trances were recognized as legitimate means of divine communication. The Jewish audience in Jerusalem would have understood the significance of Paul's trance experience, even if they rejected his message. The temple setting further emphasizes the sacred nature of the vision, as the temple was the center of Jewish worship and a place where God's presence was believed to dwell.

Paul's reference to his involvement in the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58) adds a layer of personal history and repentance to the narrative. It highlights the radical change in Paul's life and mission, from a zealous persecutor to a devoted apostle of Christ.

Conclusion

The Vision of Paul in a Trance is a profound event that encapsulates the essence of Paul's apostolic calling and the expansion of the early Church. It reflects the divine orchestration of Paul's ministry and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Through this vision, Paul is empowered to fulfill his role as the apostle to the Gentiles, carrying the message of salvation to all corners of the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 22:17-21
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Rome Protects Paul
... specifying it as the scene of the trance, and prayer ... mention of the Temple also invested
the vision with sanctity. ... words of our Lord, as given by Paul, did not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rome protects paul.htm

Paul and his Praying (Continued)
... And so we have in this reference Paul's prayerfulness intensified ... the absorbing ecstasy
of prayer, the vision came and ... prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xiv paul and his praying.htm

Sermon for Whit Sunday
... Augustine, it was given to Paul in his trance, and to Moses in Sinai, to behold
the Godhead without a veil. ... Paul afterwards received in his vision. ...
/.../xix sermon for whit sunday.htm

Dr. Philip Schaff on the Resurrection.
... examples of such apparent resurrections from a trance or asphyxy ... appeal first and
chiefly to the vision of St ... Paul on the way to Damascus, which occurred several ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/dr philip schaff on the.htm

Peter's Apologia
... I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain ... little
rift was destined to grow, and they became Paul's bitterest opponents ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters apologia.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... at last he started up from that three days' trance, and began ... The shepherd of our
souls rejoices in the vision of his ... Here was an argument for Paul's sincerity ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

Days of Preparation
... as he himself afterward testified, when he fell into a trance; whereupon a ... Upon learning
of this vision, the brethren hastened Paul's secret escape ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 13 days of preparation.htm

The Resurrection of Christ.
... examples of such apparent resurrections from a trance or asphyxy ... appeal first and
chiefly to the vision of St ... Paul on the way to Damascus, which occurred several ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 19 the resurrection of.htm

Acts XXII
... in the temple, that I was in a trance, (18) and ... the divine authority of Jesus, and
enabled Paul to assume ... But the Lord commanded me in a vision to leave the city ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxii.htm

The Book of Life
... vision and unfolded in obedience to the vision, "What wilt ... If Paul had ever heard
that much of his theology ... is so much reliance on this trance experience as ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter ii the book of.htm