Study Desk

said he, in taking his leave, I must necessarily keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem: after which I will return to you if God permit.

the miracles which God wrought by the ministry of Paul being of such an extraordinary nature, that by applying the handkerchiefs,

for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve.

be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.

after having saluted them, he gave a particular account of what God had wrought by his ministry among the Gentiles.

upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law.

then he said, the God of our fathers has singled you out to be acquainted with his will, to see the just one, and to hear the words of his mouth:

Then Paul directing himself to the council, thus said, "hitherto I have liv'd strictly conscientious, as God knows."

which made Paul say, "may God strike thee, thou plaister'd wall: you sit to judge me according to law, and in defiance of the law you order me to be struck!"

what, said the standers-by, do you revile the high priest of God?

I do indeed own, that I serve the God of our nation according to the discipline they call sect: and believe whatever is written in the law and in the prophets.

and 'tis my endeavour to preserve a conscience free from reproach both with respect to God, and with respect to men.

you may think it something incredible that God should raise the dead:

and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."

first I warn'd the people of Damascus, of Jerusalem, of all Judea, and then the Gentiles, to repent, and turn to God, by acting suitably to their repentance.

I pray God, said Paul, that not only you, but all that now hear me, were both almost and altogether such as I am, the circumstance of my bonds excepted.

for an angel of that God , whose minister I am, and whom I serve, this night appear'd to me, and said, Paul, be not afraid:

you must be brought before Cesar: and upon your account, the whole company now with you, will God preserve.

take courage then, my friends, for I have this confidence in God, that what has been told me, shall be effected,