Study Desk

Paul said, "God will hit you, you white-washed wall! Do you sit there and say I am guilty by the Law when you break the Law by having me hit?"

Paul saw that part of the court was made up of the religious group who believe no one is raised from the dead. The other part were proud religious law-keepers. Then he cried out, "Brother Jews, I am a proud religious law-keeper and from a family of proud religious law-keepers. I have been brought in front of this court because of the hope of being raised from the dead."

Then Felix, the leader of the people, told Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know that you have been a leader of this nation for many years. I am happy to be able to speak for myself.

I trust God for the same things they are looking for. I am looking for the dead to rise, both those right with God and the sinful.

I always try to live so my own heart tells me I am not guilty before God or man.

Paul said, "I am standing in front of Caesar's court where I should be told I am right or wrong. I have done no wrong to the Jews. You know that.

If I have done wrong and should die, I am not trying to keep from dying. But if these things they say against me are not true, no one can give me over to them. I ask to be taken to Caesar."

"King Agrippa, the Jews have said many things against me. I am happy to be able to tell you my side of the story.

"And now I am on trial here because I trust the promise God made to our fathers.

I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?' And He said, ‘I am Jesus, the One you are working against.

I will keep you safe from the Jews and from the people who are not Jews. I am sending you to these people.

Paul said, "Most respected Festus, I am not crazy. I am speaking the truth!

The king knows about all this. I am free to speak to him in plain words. Nothing I have said is new to him. These things happened where everyone saw them.

Paul said, "My prayer to God is that you and all who hear me today would be a Christian as I am, only not have these chains!"

The reason I have asked you to come is to tell you this. It is because of the hope of the Jewish nation that I am tied in these chains."

This letter is from Paul. I am a servant owned by Jesus Christ and a missionary chosen by God to preach His Good News.

I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God. It is the way He saves men from the punishment of their sins if they put their trust in Him. It is for the Jew first and for all other people also.

If our sins show how right God is, what can we say? Is it wrong for God to punish us for it? (I am speaking as men do.)

If my lies honor God by showing how true He is, why am I still being judged as a sinner?

Christian brothers, I am sure you understand what I am going to say. You know all about the Law. The Law has power over a man as long as he lives.