Study Desk

Then, calling for lights, he sprang in and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas;

and bringing the Apostles up into his house, he spread a meal for them, and was filled with gladness, with his whole household, his faith resting on God.

So the jailer brought Paul word, saying, "The praetors have sent orders for you to be released. Now therefore you can go, and proceed on your way in peace."

Paul--following his usual custom--betook himself to it, and for three successive Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

which he clearly explained, pointing out that it had been necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise again from the dead, and insisting, "The Jesus whom I am announcing to you is the Christ."

But the jealousy of the Jews was aroused, and, calling to their aid some ill-conditioned and idle fellows, they got together a riotous mob and filled the city with uproar. They then attacked the house of Jason and searched for Paul and Silas, to bring them out before the assembly of people.

The Jews at Beroea were of a nobler disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they very readily received the Message, and day after day searched the Scriptures to see whether it was as Paul stated.

Those who were caring for Paul's safety went with him as far as Athens, and then left him, taking a message from him to Silas and Timothy, asking them to join him as speedily as possible.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred within him when he noticed that the city was full of idols.

For the things you are saying sound strange to us. We should therefore like to be told exactly what they mean."

(For all the Athenians and their foreign visitors used to devote their whole leisure to telling or hearing about something new.)

For as I passed along and observed the things you worship, I found also an altar bearing the inscription, `TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' "The Being, therefore, whom you, without knowing Him, revere, Him I now proclaim to you.

He caused to spring from one forefather people of every race, for them to live on the whole surface of the earth, and marked out for them an appointed span of life and the boundaries of their homes;

that they might seek God, if perhaps they could grope for Him and find Him. Yes, though He is not far from any one of us.

For it is in closest union with Him that we live and move and have our being; as in fact some of the poets in repute among yourselves have said, `For we are also His offspring.'

I am with you, and no one shall attack you to injure you; for I have very many people in this city."

So Paul remained in Corinth for a year and six months, teaching among them the Message of God.

After remaining a considerable time longer in Corinth, Paul took leave of the brethren and set sail for Syria; and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had shaved his head at Cenchreae, because he was bound by a vow.

They put in at Ephesus, and there Paul left his companions behind. As for himself, he went to the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews.

for he powerfully and in public overcame the Jews in argument, proving to them from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.