It is a question that often comes to mind. It can be a question asked in regret or, at times, with gratitude. What if? What if things had gone differently? What if we hadn’t met? What if this hadn’t happened? What if this opportunity hadn’t come our way? As unbelievers think about spiritual things, the question may be asked, “What if God is real?” And that’s the scenario in Acts 22-23. The Apostle has been arrested and is in the midst of making his defence. The Jews are intent on eliminating Paul and his influence. In the midst of the troubles, one leader stood up to ask, in essence, what if he’s right? What if he’s heard from God? What if we’ve got it wrong? It is an important question that everyone must ask themselves. No one should risk their eternity on the rightness of their own knowledge of God. It is the gospel alone that informs who God is, where humanity finds itself, and how each person can take advantage of the one and only solution. Everyone should be asking, “What if God is who he says he is?" That’s what we’ll see in Acts 22:22-23:11.

Series: The Book of Acts

Message: 62 – What if

Text: Acts 22:22-23:11

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

November 23, 2025

What if the gospel is right?

If it is, it alters my perspective on life here. (22:22-29)

Timeline of Paul’s Ministry:

4 BC - Birth of Jesus;

AD 30 - Crucifixion;

AD 33 - Stephen martyred;

AD 34 - Paul converted;

AD 47-49 – 1st missionary journey;

AD 49-52 – 2nd missionary journey;

AD 53-57 – 3rd missionary journey;

AD 57 - Paul's arrest in Jerusalem

Philippians 3:7-9a

The flagellum or scourge is a leather whip with multiple rope ends that had bone, twigs, or metal hooks knotted in so that when it made contact, it shredded the flesh often down to the bone.

The martyrs were bound, imprisoned, scourged, racked, burnt, rent, butchered. And they multiplied.

- Augustine

If it is, it compels me to live for Christ. (22:30-23:5)

Matthew 23:27-28

Matthew 5:11-12

Matthew 5:44

If it is, it encourages me in the midst of hardship (23:6-11)

John 11:25-26

John 11:27

Philippians 3:10-11

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.

- C. S. Lewis, God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics