Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Defense » Of paul
Paul looked straight at the Council and said: Fellow Israelites! My conscience is perfectly clear about the way in which I have lived before God to this very day. The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Paul said to him: God will strike you, white washed wall! Do you sit judging me according to the Law, and against law command me to be struck? read more.
Those who stood near him said, Do you revile the high priest of God? Then Paul said, I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest. It is written: You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people. When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.
Those who stood near him said, Do you revile the high priest of God? Then Paul said, I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest. It is written: You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people. When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.
The governor motioned for Paul to speak. He said, I know that you have been a judge for this nation for many years. For this reason I cheerfully make my defense. You can easily verify that it was no more than twelve days ago that I went to worship in Jerusalem. They did not find me in the Temple, in the synagogues nor in the city disputing with any man. Neither did I cause a riot with the people. read more.
Neither can they prove the things for which they now accuse me. This I confess to you that according to The Way, which they call a sect, I serve the God of our fathers. I believe all the things written in the law and the prophets. I have hope toward God, which they also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. I exercise myself always, to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring offerings and gifts of mercy to my nation. Some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple. There was neither crowd nor disturbance! They should have been here before you to testify against me. Or let the men here say what wrong they found in me while I stood before the Sanhedrin. Except for one utterance I cried out while standing among them. It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am called in question by you this day.
Neither can they prove the things for which they now accuse me. This I confess to you that according to The Way, which they call a sect, I serve the God of our fathers. I believe all the things written in the law and the prophets. I have hope toward God, which they also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. I exercise myself always, to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring offerings and gifts of mercy to my nation. Some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple. There was neither crowd nor disturbance! They should have been here before you to testify against me. Or let the men here say what wrong they found in me while I stood before the Sanhedrin. Except for one utterance I cried out while standing among them. It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am called in question by you this day.
Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched out his arm and began his defense, I would be happy, King Agrippa, to answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which the Jews accuse me. I know you are an expert in all customs and controversy among the Jews. Therefore I urge you to hear me patiently. read more.
All the Jews know the way I first lived as a youth among my own nation at Jerusalem. They knew me from the beginning. They could testify that I was from the strictest sect of our religion and I lived as a Pharisee. Now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. Our twelve tribes served God day and night with the promise and hope of what was to come. It is because of this hope that the Jews accuse me, King Agrippa. Why should it be an incredible thought to you that God should raise the dead? I was convinced that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death. I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities. I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and shinned all around me. It also shinned around those who journeyed with me. We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speaking to me. It said in the Hebrew tongue: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' (You only hurt yourself.) I said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he answered: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute. Stand up on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things that you have seen, and of those things I will show to you. I will rescue you from the people and the nations. I am sending you to them. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. They may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' You see, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. I preached first to Damascus, and to Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the people of the nations, that they should repent and turn to God, and prove their repentance by deeds. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having obtained help from God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those that the prophets and Moses said should come. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the nations.
All the Jews know the way I first lived as a youth among my own nation at Jerusalem. They knew me from the beginning. They could testify that I was from the strictest sect of our religion and I lived as a Pharisee. Now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. Our twelve tribes served God day and night with the promise and hope of what was to come. It is because of this hope that the Jews accuse me, King Agrippa. Why should it be an incredible thought to you that God should raise the dead? I was convinced that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death. I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities. I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and shinned all around me. It also shinned around those who journeyed with me. We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speaking to me. It said in the Hebrew tongue: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' (You only hurt yourself.) I said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he answered: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute. Stand up on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things that you have seen, and of those things I will show to you. I will rescue you from the people and the nations. I am sending you to them. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. They may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' You see, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. I preached first to Damascus, and to Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the people of the nations, that they should repent and turn to God, and prove their repentance by deeds. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having obtained help from God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those that the prophets and Moses said should come. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the nations.
Martyrdom » Exemplified
We should not be like Cain who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he murder him? It was because his works were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
When Jezebel massacred the prophets of Jehovah, Obadiah took a hundred of them, and hid them secretly in a hole in the rock, fifty at a time, and gave them bread and water.
Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest.
He said: I have been zealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. The children of Israel have not kept your agreement (covenant). They have destroyed your altars. They killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I, am the only one living. Now they seek to take my life too.
The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation.
I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison.
That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death.
Paul » His vision and conversion
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
And last of all I also saw him, as of one with an untimely birth.
I thank him that enabled me and counted me faithful, appointing me to his service, Christ Jesus our Lord. I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a violent aggressor. I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
You heard about the way I lived as a Jew. How I persecuted the congregation of God beyond measure. In fact I tried to destroy it!
As he journeyed to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shined around him. He fell to the earth and heard a voice saying: Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me? Who are you Lord? He asked. The Lord said: I am Jesus whom you persecute. read more.
Get up and go into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do. The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Saul got up from the ground. Even though he opened his eyes, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand into Damascus. He went for three days without sight. He did not eat or drink. The disciple Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision: Ananias. He replied: Yes, I am here, Lord. The Lord said to him, Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for he is praying. He has seen a man named Ananias in a vision. He came in and laid his hand on him that he might receive his sight. Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your holy ones at Jerusalem. He has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. The Lord said to him: Be on your way. This man is a chosen vessel to bear my name to the people of the nations, and kings and the children of Israel. I will show him plainly how many things he must suffer for my name. Ananias went his way. He entered the house and put his hands on him and said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you along the road sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he received sight. He got up and was baptized. He ate and was strengthened. Saul spent several days with the disciples at Damascus. He preached in the synagogues immediately. He preached Christ the Son of God. All who heard him were amazed. They asked: Is he the one who raised havoc with those who called on this name in Jerusalem? Did he come for that purpose to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Get up and go into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do. The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Saul got up from the ground. Even though he opened his eyes, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand into Damascus. He went for three days without sight. He did not eat or drink. The disciple Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision: Ananias. He replied: Yes, I am here, Lord. The Lord said to him, Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for he is praying. He has seen a man named Ananias in a vision. He came in and laid his hand on him that he might receive his sight. Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your holy ones at Jerusalem. He has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. The Lord said to him: Be on your way. This man is a chosen vessel to bear my name to the people of the nations, and kings and the children of Israel. I will show him plainly how many things he must suffer for my name. Ananias went his way. He entered the house and put his hands on him and said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you along the road sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he received sight. He got up and was baptized. He ate and was strengthened. Saul spent several days with the disciples at Damascus. He preached in the synagogues immediately. He preached Christ the Son of God. All who heard him were amazed. They asked: Is he the one who raised havoc with those who called on this name in Jerusalem? Did he come for that purpose to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison. The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished. While I was traveling I came near Damascus about midday. Suddenly a bright light from the sky flashed around me. read more.
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me: 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute, he said to me. Everyone with me saw the light. They did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. I asked: What shall I do, Lord? He said: 'Go to Damascus. There you will be told what God wants you to do.' I was blind because of the bright light. So my companions took me by the hand and led me to Damascus. A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. He came and stood by me, and said: 'Brother Saul, see again!' At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. He said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will. You are to see his righteous servant, and to hear him speak with his own voice. You will be a witness for him to tell everyone what you have seen and heard. Wait no longer! Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.' I went back to Jerusalem. Then I have a vision while I prayed in the temple. I saw the Lord. He said to me: 'Hurry and leave Jerusalem because the people here will not accept your witness about me.' I answered, 'Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you.
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me: 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute, he said to me. Everyone with me saw the light. They did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. I asked: What shall I do, Lord? He said: 'Go to Damascus. There you will be told what God wants you to do.' I was blind because of the bright light. So my companions took me by the hand and led me to Damascus. A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. He came and stood by me, and said: 'Brother Saul, see again!' At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. He said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will. You are to see his righteous servant, and to hear him speak with his own voice. You will be a witness for him to tell everyone what you have seen and heard. Wait no longer! Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.' I went back to Jerusalem. Then I have a vision while I prayed in the temple. I saw the Lord. He said to me: 'Hurry and leave Jerusalem because the people here will not accept your witness about me.' I answered, 'Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you.
I was convinced that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death. I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities. read more.
I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and shinned all around me. It also shinned around those who journeyed with me. We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speaking to me. It said in the Hebrew tongue: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' (You only hurt yourself.) I said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he answered: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute.
I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and shinned all around me. It also shinned around those who journeyed with me. We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speaking to me. It said in the Hebrew tongue: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' (You only hurt yourself.) I said: 'Who are you, Lord?' And he answered: 'I am Jesus whom you persecute.
Persecution » Originates in » Mistaken zeal
The Jews incited the devout and honorable women and the leading men of the city. They caused persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their coasts.
I was convinced that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death. I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities.