Study Desk

“Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and went into Damascus.

and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’

“He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’

When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!”

Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.”

So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”

Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than forty of them lying in ambush—men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”

When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.

When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight.

When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.

After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors,

the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.

When we had put out to sea from there, we sailed along the northern coast of Cyprus because the winds were against us.

Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day.

Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship.

So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.

But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, and so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people.