2 Bible Verses about Defense

And Paul, looking intently on the Sanhedrin, said, "Brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." And the high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by, to smite him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God is about to smite you??ou whited wall! And do you sit judging me according to the law, and, in violation of law, command me to be smitten?" read more.
And those standing by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest; for it has been written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" And Paul, perceiving that the one part was of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, was crying out in the Sanhedrin, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; concerning the hope and resurrection from the dead, I am being judged."

And Paul answered, the governor having beckoned to him to speak: "Knowing that you, for many years, have been a judge to this nation, cheerfully do I make defense as to the things concerning myself; since you are able clearly to know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship; and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any one, or causing a stirring up of a multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; read more.
nor are they able to prove to you the things of which they are now accusing me. But I confess this to you, that, according to the Way which they call 'heresy,' so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all those things, which are according to the law, and which have been written in the prophets; having hope toward God??hich these themselves also are looking for??hat there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and unrighteous. In this I myself also am striving always to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men. Now, after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings; amidst which they found me purified in the temple, neither with a multitude, nor with a tumult; but there were certain Jews from Asia, who ought to be present before you and accuse me, if they have anything against me. Or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when standing before the Sanhedrin, except concerning this one voice with which I cried aloud, standing among them, 'Concerning a resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you this day.'

And Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak in your own behalf." Then Paul, stretching forth his hand, was making his defense: "I deem myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am about this day to make my defense before you, concerning all things of which I am being accused by Jews; especially since you are an expert in all matters relating to Jews, both in customs and questions. Wherefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently. read more.
My manner of life, therefore, from my youth, which from the first was among my own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; having known me from the beginning, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now, for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, I have taken my stand to be judged; unto which promise our twelve-tribed nation, earnestly serving day and night, is hoping to attain; concerning which hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead? I, verily, therefore, imagined to myself that it was proper that I should do many things contrary to the name of Jesus, the Nazarene; which also I did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints also did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the high priests; and, when they were being put to death, I have given a vote against them; and, punishing them often throughout all the synagogues, I was compelling them to blaspheme; and, being exceedingly enraged against them, I was persecuting them even unto foreign cities. Meanwhile as I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and a commission from the high priests, at midday, O King, I saw, in the way, a light from Heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and those journeying with me. And, we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But arise, and stand upon your feet; for I appeared to you for this end, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things in which you saw Me, and of the things in which I will appear to you; delivering you from the people and the gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; but I declared both to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and through all the region of Judea, and to the gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. On account of these things, Jews, seizing me in the temple, were attempting to kill me. Having, therefore, obtained help from God, I have stood to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing, except those things which both the prophets and Moses said would come to pass; that the Christ was destined to suffer; that He, first out of a resurrection of the dead, is destined to declare light both to the people and to the gentiles."

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are this day examined in regard to a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this person has been made whole; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, in Him does this man stand here before you well! read more.
This is the Stone That was set at naught by you, the builders, Which was made into a head of a corner. And in no one else is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that has been given among men, in Which we must be saved." Now, beholding the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered and ignorant men, they were wondering; they also were recognizing them, that they had been with Jesus;

saying, "The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the prison-keepers standing at the doors; but, having opened, we found no one within." Now, when both the captain of the temple and the high priests heard these words, they were thoroughly perplexed concerning them, what this might become. But a certain one, coming near, told them, "Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people!" read more.
Then the captain, having gone away with the officers, brought them, not with violence, for they were fearing the people, lest they should be stoned; and, having brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in This Name; and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! and intend to bring upon us the blood of This Man!" But Peter and the apostles, answering, said, "It is proper to obey God rather than men.