Study Desk

They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod's country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod's personal assistant,

Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people's worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

"The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials.

He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.

Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!"

So the officer did, explaining, "Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you."

Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!'"

After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God's promise made to our ancestors.

We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship's officers about it.

The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.

I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come."

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.