Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Then when the proconsul saw what was done, he believed, being struck with the doctrine of the Lord.

who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; he inviting to his house Barnabas and Saul, desired earnestly to hear the word of God.

In which pursuits, even as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the road a light from heaven, beyond the splendour of the sun, shining around myself and those who were travelling with me. And as we were all fallen prostrate on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saving in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is difficult for thee to kick against the goads. read more.
Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting. Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee; delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, to convert them from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance with those who are sanctified by faith which is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but preached first to those at Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing works worthy of repentance. Because of these things, the Jews seizing me in the temple, attempted to kill me on the spot. Having however obtained help from God, unto this day, I stand witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses said should come to pass: that the Messiah should suffer, [and] that he being the first who should rise from the dead, should display light to the people, and to the Gentiles.


nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, intending to seize me;

As also the high-priest will bear me witness, and all the body of elders: from whom also having received letters unto the brethren, I went unto Damascus, to bring those who were there in chains unto Jerusalem, that they might be punished. But as I went and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great light from heaven around me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? read more.
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarean, whom thou persecutest. Now they who were with me saw the light indeed, and were terrified; but the voice of him that spake to me heard they not. Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, go into Damascus; and there information shall be given thee of all things which are ordained for thee to do. Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a religious man according to the law, and in high repute with all the Jews dwelling there, came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, recover sight. And the same hour I looked up at him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath predestinated thee to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a witness for him to all men, of the things which thou hast seen and heard. And now why delay? arise, to be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.

In which pursuits, even as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the road a light from heaven, beyond the splendour of the sun, shining around myself and those who were travelling with me. And as we were all fallen prostrate on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saving in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is difficult for thee to kick against the goads. read more.
Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting. Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee; delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, to convert them from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance with those who are sanctified by faith which is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but preached first to those at Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing works worthy of repentance.


THEN Paul, looking earnestly at the sanhedrim, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience unto God even to this day. Then the high-priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God is ready to smite thee, thou whited wall: for art thou sitting to judge me according to the law, and violating that law, commandest me to be smitten? read more.
Then they who stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high-priest? And Paul said, I had not observed, brethren, that he was high-priest: for it is written, "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." Now when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried in the sanhedrim, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I brought to this bar.

But Paul (the governor having made him a sign to speak) replied, Knowing that for so many years thou hast been the judge of this nation, I with the more confidence offer my defence respecting the matters which concern me: as thou mayest be ascertained, that it is not more than twelve days ago since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. And neither in the temple found they me disputing with any man, nor raising any sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: read more.
neither can they produce any proof of the facts of which they accuse me. But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call a sect, so worship I the God of our ancestors, believing all things that are written in the law, and in the prophets: and having hope in God, the same which they also profess to look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust. For this cause indeed I exert my utmost care to keep my conscience ever unoffending towards God and towards man. Now after many years absence I was returned bringing alms to my countrymen, and oblations [to the temple]. In the discharge of which offices certain Jews of Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a multitude, nor with any tumult. Who ought to have appeared before thee, and prefer their accusation, if they had any thing against me. Or let the persons themselves here present say, if they found any thing criminal in me, when I stood before the sanhedrim, except for this one sentence, which I uttered aloud when I was standing among them, For the resurrection of the dead am I this day judged by you.

THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching out his hand, began his defence: I count myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am about to address my defence to thee this day concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews: especially as thou art skilled both in all the customs, and questions which respect the Jews: wherefore I beg the favour of thee to hear me patiently. read more.
The manner of my life even from my youth, which from its beginning was spent amidst my own nation at Jerusalem, know indeed all the Jews; who previously knew me a long while ago, (if they chose to bear testimony,) that according to the most precise sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And this moment for the hope of the promise made of God to our fathers am I standing here to be judged: which promise our twelve tribes, with fervour night and day worshipping God, hope to attain. For which hope, king Agrippa, I am criminated by the Jews. What! is it judged a thing incredible by you, that God should raise the dead? I indeed then thought in myself, that I ought to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarean. Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were killed, I gave my vote against them. And in every synagogue oftentimes punishing them, I compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly maddened with rage against them, I persecuted them even to the cities that are without. In which pursuits, even as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the road a light from heaven, beyond the splendour of the sun, shining around myself and those who were travelling with me. And as we were all fallen prostrate on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saving in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is difficult for thee to kick against the goads. Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting. Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee; delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, to convert them from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance with those who are sanctified by faith which is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but preached first to those at Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing works worthy of repentance. Because of these things, the Jews seizing me in the temple, attempted to kill me on the spot. Having however obtained help from God, unto this day, I stand witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses said should come to pass: that the Messiah should suffer, [and] that he being the first who should rise from the dead, should display light to the people, and to the Gentiles.


For your obedience is gone forth in report to all men. I rejoice therefore on your account: but I wish you to be wise indeed unto good, but harmless respecting evil.

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:


Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:


Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: