It's not an easy task to understand or teach this passage because Paul's actions are simply reported here. Luke offers no commentary on them. What I can say for certain is that Paul is clearly intelligent, savvy, bold, and passionate in front of the commander and the religious council. I see Romans 8:28 being played out in the ending chapters of Acts: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”