Thematic Bible: Paul


Thematic Bible



After boarding a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to the ports on the coast of Asia, we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us. Verse ConceptsShipsThe NavySea Travel

The city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed into the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's fellow travelers from Macedonia. Verse ConceptsConfusion, Nature OfTumultDisorder Among People

He was accompanied by Sopater (the son of Pyrrhus) from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. Verse ConceptsCousinsHospitality, A Duty Of God's PeoplePrisonersCompanionshipWelcoming Believers

24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. Verse ConceptsFellow Workers

As soon as I send Artemas to you, or perhaps Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Verse ConceptsMissionaries, Support ForPaul, Life OfWinterVisiting


At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! Verse ConceptsFriendlessnessBeing ForsakenDesertionLonelinessForsaking All OthersSelf DefenceReckoningPeople Abandoning PeopleMan DefendingSupport

Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee. Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalDay 8ScholarsLess Than A Year OldTaking The Law To HeartJewszealots

From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To: God's church in Corinth, and to all the holy people throughout Achaia. Verse ConceptsChristiansApostles, DescriptionApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersAll Believers Are SaintsLetters To Local ChurchesWhat God's Will IsChurch Of God


From: Paul an apostle not sent from men or by a man, but by Jesus the Messiah, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead Verse ConceptsApostles, Basis Of AuthorityPaul As An ApostleGod, Unity OfGod Raising ChristThe FatherMan's Relation To GodLeadership Qualitiesmanhoodvocation

He dropped to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice said, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up, go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

But the Lord told him, "Go, because he's my chosen instrument to carry my name to unbelievers, to their kings, and to the descendants of Israel. since I'm going to show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me to do the work for which I called them." Then they fasted and prayed, laid their hands on them, and let them go.


From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will. To: His holy and faithful people in Ephesus who are in union with the Messiah Jesus. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, To GodApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersSaintsUnion With Christ, Significance OfAll Believers Are SaintsWhat God's Will IsPrivileges of saintsGod's Will

From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. Verse ConceptsApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersWhat God's Will Is


Show 1 more verse
From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will in keeping with the promise of life that is in the Messiah Jesus. Verse Conceptseternal life, gift ofApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersSonsLife Is In ChristWhat God's Will IsLife Purpose

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit assures me that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me. But I don't place any value on my life, if only I can finish my race and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

At this Paul replied, "What do you mean by crying and breaking my heart? I'm ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!" When he could not be persuaded otherwise, we remained silent except to say, "May the Lord's will be done."





Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said: "Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen! The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made them a great people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with a public display of power he led them out of there. After he had put up with them for 40 years in the wilderness, read more.
he destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan. Then God gave their land to the Israelis as an inheritance for about 450 years. "After that, he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. When they demanded a king, God gave them Kish's son Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years. Then God removed Saul and made David their king, about whom he testified, "I have found that David, the son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' It was from this man's descendants that God, as he promised, brought to Israel a Savior, who is Jesus. Before Jesus' appearance, John had already preached a baptism of repentance to all the people in Israel. When John was finishing his work, he said, "Who do you think I am? I'm not the Messiah. No, but he is coming after me, and I'm not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.' "My brothers, descendants of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the message of this salvation has been sent. For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders, not knowing who Jesus was, condemned him and so fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Although they found no reason to sentence him to death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had finished doing everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come with him to Jerusalem from Galilee. These are now his witnesses to the people. We're telling you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.' God raised him from the dead, never to experience decay, as he said, "I'll give you the holy promises made to David.' In another Psalm he says, "You will not let your Holy One experience decay.' Now David, after he had served God's purpose in his own generation, died and was buried with his ancestors, and so he experienced decay. However, the man whom God raised did not experience decay. "Therefore, brothers, you must understand that through him the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and that everyone who believes in him is justified and freed from everything that kept you from being justified by the Law of Moses. So be careful that what the prophets said doesn't happen to you: "Look, you mockers! Be amazed and die! Since I am performing an action in your days, one that you would not believe even if someone told you!'" As Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people kept urging them to tell them the same things the next Sabbath. When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who kept talking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.

You may have 10,000 mentors who work for the Messiah, but not many fathers. For in the Messiah Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Verse ConceptsGuardsPaul, Apostle To GentilesNew Birth, The Means OfSpiritual FathersFathers BirthdayparentingDadsSchoolParenting Responsibilities

If I am not an apostle to other people, surely I am one to you, for you are the evidence of my apostolic authority from the Lord. Verse ConceptsApostles, IdentficationSeals

So, whether it was I or the others, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. Verse Conceptsevangelists, ministry ofMissionary WorkThe Gospel PreachedActing For Oneselfevangelizing

You are our letter, written in our hearts and known and read by everyone. You are demonstrating that you are the Messiah's letter, produced by our service, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.


I therefore declare to you today that I'm not responsible for the blood of any of you, because I never shrank from telling you the whole plan of God.

You learned about this gospel from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of the Messiah on your behalf. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, Examples OfLoyaltyMinistry, Qualifications ForSlaves Of God

Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee. Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalDay 8ScholarsLess Than A Year OldTaking The Law To HeartJewszealots

When Paul had said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. All of them cried and cried as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him affectionately. They were especially sorrowful because of what he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they took him to the ship.

To the weak I became weak in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some of them. Verse ConceptsWeakness, SpiritualWeakness, PhysicalSoul WinnersSaving PeopleCircumstancesThings Like PeopleWinningWeaknessorderflexibility


Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you, so you will mature in the faith and know joy in it. Verse ConceptsFaith, As A Body Of BeliefsExamples Of ConfidenceAbsenceRejoicingGrowth In GraceThe FaithYou Will Rejoice In Salvationpatientsjoyful

Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things are going to turn out for me. Indeed, I am confident in the Lord that I will come to visit you soon.

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jewish leaders gathered together, attacked Paul, and brought him before the judge's seat. Verse ConceptsProconsulDerisionProvincesPersecution Of The Apostle Paul

In the morning, the Jewish leaders formed a conspiracy and took an oath not to eat or drink anything before they had killed Paul. More than 40 men formed this conspiracy. They went to the high priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to taste any food before we have killed Paul. read more.
Now then, you and the Council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you on the pretext that you want to look into his case more carefully, but before he arrives we'll be ready to kill him."

I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in. I know how to be humble, and I know how to prosper. In each and every situation I have learned the secret of being full and of going hungry, of having too much and of having too little.


For in this one we sigh, since we long to put on our heavenly dwelling. Verse ConceptsThirstWearinessClothed With Good ThingsChanging DirectionRight DesiresTaken To Heaven


I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die. For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain. Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer. read more.
Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah, for that is far better.


24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. Verse ConceptsFellow Workers

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Verse ConceptsGood FriendsdoctorsHealingPhysician

But Saul grew more and more persuasive, and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Messiah. Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of Christevangelism, nature ofGrowthPower, God's SavingChrist, Names ForSpiritual GrowthPreaching ChristProofsSaid To Be The ChristStrong Individualsdamascusempowerment




You learned about this gospel from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of the Messiah on your behalf. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, Examples OfLoyaltyMinistry, Qualifications ForSlaves Of God


23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in the Messiah Jesus, sends you greetings, Verse ConceptsChristians Are Called Prisoners Of Christ

Greet also the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first convert to the Messiah in Asia. Verse ConceptsChristiansChurchHousesProperty, HousesChurch, Description OfConverts To ChristianityPeople ConvertedFirst Among The GentilesGoing To Church

Then he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed in Asia a while longer. Verse ConceptsStaying PutServing PeoplePeople Sending People

Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick. Verse ConceptsdiseasesHealingSuffering, Causes OfSuffering, Nature OfSick Individuals

Do your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. Verse ConceptsWinterBrotherhoodeffort

After he said this, he took some bread, thanked God in front of everyone, broke it, and began to eat. Everyone was encouraged and had something to eat.

So take courage, men, because I trust God that it will turn out just as he told me. Verse ConceptsCheerfulnessTake Courage!MissionariesCourageEverything Happening For A Reason




I never shrank from telling you anything that would help you nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house. Verse ConceptsHesitationPreaching, Content OfProperty, HousesTeachersMinisters, Way They Should TeachTeaching In The ChurchUseful ThingsPeople Willing

For three days he couldn't see, and he didn't eat or drink anything. Verse ConceptsAbstinence as a disciplineFasting, Nature OfBlindnesspoopdamascus

Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this very hour, three o'clock in the afternoon, I was praying in my home. All at once a man in radiant clothes stood in front of me Verse ConceptsFasting, Examples OfHourSecret Prayer3 PmFour Or Five DaysWhite And Bright ClothesSparklingWhen To PrayFastingFasting And Prayer


At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! Verse ConceptsFriendlessnessBeing ForsakenDesertionLonelinessForsaking All OthersSelf DefenceReckoningPeople Abandoning PeopleMan DefendingSupport


"The Lord answered, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, because I've appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be my servant and witness of what you've seen and of what I'll show you. Verse ConceptsDivine PurposesWitnesses, To Jesus ChristChrist AppearingWitness To The GospelGet Up!Why It HappenedPurposeRisingMinistry

But Saul grew more and more persuasive, and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Messiah. Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of Christevangelism, nature ofGrowthPower, God's SavingChrist, Names ForSpiritual GrowthPreaching ChristProofsSaid To Be The ChristStrong Individualsdamascusempowerment


You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe. Verse ConceptsConsciences, Before OthersBlamelessness, Church MinistersThe Witness Of GodPlea Of InnocenceClear Consciences



Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who are in prison with me and are prominent among the apostles. They belonged to the Messiah before I did. Verse ConceptsApostles, DescriptionWomenBeforeRelativesChristians Are Called Prisoners Of Christ




and Jason has welcomed them as his guests. All of them oppose the emperor's decrees by saying that there is another king Jesus!" Verse ConceptsdefianceKingship, DivineTreasonFalse Accusations, Examples OfWelcoming BelieversDifferent Personacting

For we have found this man a perfect pest and an agitator among all Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader in the sect of the Nazarenes Verse ConceptsHeresiesPersecution, Forms OfSectsFalse Accusations, Examples OfDissension

They said, "This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the Law." Verse ConceptsIntoleranceInciting To EvilHow Not To WorshipBreaking God's Law

When his accusers stood up, they didn't accuse him of any of the crimes I was expecting. Instead, they had several arguments with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but Paul kept asserting he was alive.

I have nothing reliable to write our Sovereign about him, so I have brought him to all of you, and especially to you, King Agrippa, so that I will have something to write after he is cross-examined. For it seems to me absurd to send a prisoner without specifying the charges against him."

and because they had the same trade he stayed with them. They worked together because they were tentmakers by trade. Verse ConceptsArts And Crafts, Types ofTentsIndustry, Examples OfTentmakingLike Good PeopleStaying Temporarilypartnershipvocation

I never desired anyone's silver, gold, or clothes. You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who were with me.

We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. Verse ConceptsdiligenceNightPoverty, Remedies ForLabour Day And NightThose Who ToiledHardship

After he said this, he took some bread, thanked God in front of everyone, broke it, and began to eat. Everyone was encouraged and had something to eat.

Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. They wrote this letter for them to deliver: "From: The apostles and the elders, your brothers To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings. We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you. read more.
So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements: to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will do well. Goodbye." So the men were sent on their way and arrived in Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were pleased with how the letter encouraged them. Then Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of the Messiah, the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith.

You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who were with me. Verse ConceptsPoverty, Remedies ForIndustryActing For Oneselfprovidingministering




We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open. We have not cut you off, but you have cut off your own feelings toward us.

At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! Verse ConceptsFriendlessnessBeing ForsakenDesertionLonelinessForsaking All OthersSelf DefenceReckoningPeople Abandoning PeopleMan DefendingSupport


When they heard about it, they praised God and told him, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are zealous for the Law. But they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake the Law of Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. What is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. read more.
So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. Take these men, go through the purification ceremony with them, and pay their expenses to shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you are carefully observing and keeping the Law. As for the gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our decision that they should keep away from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality." Then Paul took those men and the next day purified himself with them. Then he went into the Temple to announce the time when their days of purification would end and when the sacrifice would be offered for each of them.

At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! Verse ConceptsFriendlessnessBeing ForsakenDesertionLonelinessForsaking All OthersSelf DefenceReckoningPeople Abandoning PeopleMan DefendingSupport



She kept doing this for many days until Paul became annoyed, turned to her and told the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus the Messiah to come out of her!" And it came out that very moment. Verse ConceptsExorcismsCommands, in NTDemons, Christ's AuthoritySpiritual DiscernmentMiracles, Nature OfSatan, Resistance ToMiracles Of PaulPeople Casting Out DemonsIn The Name Of ChristNamed People Angry With OthersnaggingDemonic Influence

God continued to do extraordinary miracles through Paul. When handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were taken to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them.

The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him. After that had happened, the rest of the sick people on the island went to him and were healed.

A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in a window, began to sink off into a deep sleep as Paul kept speaking longer and longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, bent over him, took him into his arms, and said, "Stop being alarmed, because he's still alive." Then he went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. He talked with them for a long time, until dawn, and then left. read more.
They took the young man away alive and were greatly relieved.

The Lord is against you now, and you'll be blind and unable to see the sun for a while!" At that moment a dark mist came over him, and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. Verse ConceptsdisabilitiesHand Of GodMiracles, Nature OfMistPainMiracles Of PaulMiracles Bringing God's JudgmentBarriersGod's HandOvertaken By DarknessGod BlindingGod's Hands In Oppositionfitness

he said in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" Then the man jumped up and began to walk. Verse ConceptsWalkingMiracles Of PaulThe Healed WalkingIndividuals ShoutingGet Up!jumping

But he shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed. Verse ConceptsFireMiracles Of PaulPeople Shaking

God continued to do extraordinary miracles through Paul. When handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were taken to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them.

But Paul went down, bent over him, took him into his arms, and said, "Stop being alarmed, because he's still alive." Then he went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. He talked with them for a long time, until dawn, and then left. They took the young man away alive and were greatly relieved.

The Lord is against you now, and you'll be blind and unable to see the sun for a while!" At that moment a dark mist came over him, and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. Verse ConceptsdisabilitiesHand Of GodMiracles, Nature OfMistPainMiracles Of PaulMiracles Bringing God's JudgmentBarriersGod's HandOvertaken By DarknessGod BlindingGod's Hands In Oppositionfitness

She kept doing this for many days until Paul became annoyed, turned to her and told the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus the Messiah to come out of her!" And it came out that very moment. Verse ConceptsExorcismsCommands, in NTDemons, Christ's AuthoritySpiritual DiscernmentMiracles, Nature OfSatan, Resistance ToMiracles Of PaulPeople Casting Out DemonsIn The Name Of ChristNamed People Angry With OthersnaggingDemonic Influence

he said in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" Then the man jumped up and began to walk. Verse ConceptsWalkingMiracles Of PaulThe Healed WalkingIndividuals ShoutingGet Up!jumping

But he shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed. Verse ConceptsFireMiracles Of PaulPeople Shaking

The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him. Verse ConceptsdiseasesDiseases, Kinds OfSuffering, Causes OfSuffering, Nature OfMiracles Of PaulLaying On Of HandsFeverLaying On Hands To HealHealing Sickness


Paul looked straight at the Council and said, "Brothers, with a clear conscience I have done my duty before God up to this very day." Verse ConceptsClear ConsciencesConsciences, Description OfMan's Conduct Towards GodLooking Intently At PeopleconscienceClear Conscience Before God


All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem. They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the standards of our strictest religious party.

For your obedience has become known to everyone, and I am full of joy for you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Verse ConceptsGenuinenessInnocence, Teaching OnJoy, Of The ChurchWisdom, Human ImportanceCharacter Of SaintsHarmlessnessGuileBe Wise!Obeying The GospelYou Will Rejoice In Salvation

"And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfVisions From GodWe ObeyHeavenly Visiondisobedience

"And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfVisions From GodWe ObeyHeavenly Visiondisobedience

He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, Examples OfLoyaltyOptimismTelling Of People's Situations

appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Verse ConceptsChildren In The FaithUseful People




From: Paul an apostle not sent from men or by a man, but by Jesus the Messiah, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead Verse ConceptsApostles, Basis Of AuthorityPaul As An ApostleGod, Unity OfGod Raising ChristThe FatherMan's Relation To GodLeadership Qualitiesmanhoodvocation

But when God, who set me apart before I was born and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with another human being at any time,


From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will. To: His holy and faithful people in Ephesus who are in union with the Messiah Jesus. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, To GodApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersSaintsUnion With Christ, Significance OfAll Believers Are SaintsWhat God's Will IsPrivileges of saintsGod's Will

From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. Verse ConceptsApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersWhat God's Will Is


From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will in keeping with the promise of life that is in the Messiah Jesus. Verse Conceptseternal life, gift ofApostles, Basis Of AuthorityLettersSonsLife Is In ChristWhat God's Will IsLife Purpose


From: Paul, a servant of God, and also an apostle of Jesus the Messiah, to bring the faith to those chosen by God, along with full knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, Verse ConceptsApostles, Function In Early ChurchFaith, Nature OfChristiansLettersPaul, Apostle To GentilesNames And Titles For The ChristianMaintaining FaithKnowing God's TruthThe Truth Of The Gospel

Show 6 more verses
For I am the least of the apostles and not even fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted God's church. Verse ConceptsGuilt, Human Aspects OfPainful MemoriesSelf AbasementUnworthinessInferiorityThe Church UniversalChurch Of GodPersecutionGoing To Churchimportance

At the right time he revealed his message through the proclamation that was entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. Verse ConceptsCommands, in NTPreaching, Importance OfStewardshipA Time Of SalvationEntrustingGod's Things RevealedGod's OrdersTrinityWork EthicSeasons Changingspringtime


"Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear his own voice, because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.' read more.
"Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, "Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.' "I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you. Even when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there, approving it and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.' "Then he told me, "Go, because I'll send you far away to the gentiles.'"

"The Lord answered, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, because I've appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be my servant and witness of what you've seen and of what I'll show you. I'll continue to rescue you from your people and from the gentiles to whom I'm sending you. You will help them understand and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God, so that their sins will be forgiven and they will receive a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven't I? You are the result of my work in the Lord, aren't you? If I am not an apostle to other people, surely I am one to you, for you are the evidence of my apostolic authority from the Lord.





I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven't I? You are the result of my work in the Lord, aren't you? Verse ConceptsPaul, Apostle To GentilesOne's DeedsWorking For The Lord

and finally he was seen by me, as though I were born abnormally late. Verse ConceptsResurrection Of Christ, AppearancesUntimelinessChrist AppearingEnd Of ActionsAbortion

I thank the Messiah Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, that he has considered me faithful and has appointed me to his service. In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief,

For you have heard about my earlier life in Judaism how I kept violently persecuting God's church and was trying to destroy it. Verse ConceptsPaul, Life OfZeal, Without KnowledgeDestruction Of The ChurchThe Church UniversalChurch Of GodPersecutionchristianitypasttrying

As Saul traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He dropped to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" read more.
The voice said, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up, go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Meanwhile, the men who were traveling with Saul were standing speechless, for they heard the voice but didn't see anyone. When Saul got up off the ground, he couldn't see anything, even though his eyes were open. So his companions took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. For three days he couldn't see, and he didn't eat or drink anything. Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called out to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord told him, "Get up, go to the street called Straight, and in the home of Judas look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. At this very moment he's praying. He has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so he would see again." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard many people tell how much evil this man has done to your saints in Jerusalem. He is here with authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on your name." But the Lord told him, "Go, because he's my chosen instrument to carry my name to unbelievers, to their kings, and to the descendants of Israel. since I'm going to show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake." So Ananias left and went to that house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were traveling, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." All at once something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after eating some food, he felt strong again. For several days he stayed with the disciples in Damascus. He immediately started to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This is the Son of God." Everyone who heard him was astonished and said, "This is the man who harassed those who were calling on Jesus' name in Jerusalem, isn't it? Didn't he come here to bring them in chains to the high priests?" But Saul grew more and more persuasive, and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Messiah.

I persecuted this Way, even executing people, and kept tying up both men and women and putting them in prison, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. I also received letters from them to the brothers in Damascus, and I was going there to tie up those who were there and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished. "But while I was on my way and approaching Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. read more.
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?' "I answered, "Who are you, Lord?' "He told me, "I'm Jesus from Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' The men who were with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. "Then I asked, "What am I to do, Lord?' "The Lord told me, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are destined to do.' Since I could not see because of the brightness of the light, the men who were with me took me by the hand and led me into Damascus. "A certain Ananias, who was a devout man with respect to the Law and who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there, came to me. He stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight!' At that moment I could see him. "Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear his own voice, because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.' "Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, "Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.' "I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you.

Indeed, I myself thought it my duty to take extreme measures against the name of Jesus from Nazareth. That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the high priests and locked many of the saints in prison. And when I cast my vote against them, they were put to death. I would even punish them frequently in every synagogue and try to make them blaspheme. Raging furiously against them, I would hunt them down even in distant cities. read more.
"That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests. On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me. "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.' "I asked, "Who are you, Lord?'

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me to do the work for which I called them." Then they fasted and prayed, laid their hands on them, and let them go.


But when God, who set me apart before I was born and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with another human being at any time, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus. read more.
Then three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. But I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord's brother. (Before God, what I'm writing to you is the truth.) Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. But the churches of the Messiah that are in Judea did not yet know me personally. The only thing they kept hearing was this: "The man who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy!" So they kept glorifying God for what had happened to me.

I am speaking to you gentiles. Because I am an apostle to the gentiles, I magnify my ministry Verse ConceptsGentiles, In NtMission, Of The ChurchPreaching Gospel To ForeignersGentilesMinistry

For that is what the Lord ordered us to do: "I have made you a light to the gentiles to be the means of salvation to the very ends of the earth.'" When the gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord. Meanwhile, all who had been destined to eternal life believed,

"Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, "Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.' "I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you. read more.
Even when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there, approving it and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.' "Then he told me, "Go, because I'll send you far away to the gentiles.'"

Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee. Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalDay 8ScholarsLess Than A Year OldTaking The Law To HeartJewszealots

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today. Verse ConceptsEducation, Examples OfPaul, Life OfSelf ConfidenceLegalismSitting At The FeetSchoolsTaking The Law To HeartEducationSchoolzealots

When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected." Verse ConceptsHope Object OfHope, As ConfidenceResurrection, Of BelieversSanhedrinStandingJewish SectsThe Dead Are Raisedgroupszealotspharisees

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelis? So am I. Are they among Abraham's descendants? So am I. Verse ConceptsChildren Of Abrahamcats

They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the standards of our strictest religious party. Verse ConceptsKnowing PeopleHeresiesJudaismSectsStrictness

I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries, because I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. Verse ConceptsLegalismPharisees, Beliefs OfNew Age BeliefsResolving Conflictzealotscredibility




May my love remain with all of you in union with the Messiah Jesus. Verse ConceptsAmenLove, Nature OfLove Exists Between PeopleLoving Everyone



But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?" Verse ConceptsempiresRevenge, And RetaliationRoman CitizensScourgingBreaking Man's LawNo CondemnationTying UpCitizens

The jailer reported these words to Paul, and added, "The magistrates have sent word to release you. So come out now and go in peace." But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out."


As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. Verse Conceptsevangelists, ministry ofInjuryInsultsMissionaries, Support ForSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfSuffering, Of BelieversPeople OpposedBeing StrongPeople Actually Doing EvilConflictBoldness

When day came, the magistrates sent guards, who commanded, "Release those men." The jailer reported these words to Paul, and added, "The magistrates have sent word to release you. So come out now and go in peace." But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out." read more.
The guards reported these words to the magistrates, and they became afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So the magistrates came, apologized to them, and escorted them out. Then they asked them to leave the city.

Three times I was beaten with a stick, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a day and a night. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Forms OfSeafaringStoningShipwrecksOne DayBeating BelieversActing Three TimesIn The Heart Of The Sea


You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who were with me. Verse ConceptsPoverty, Remedies ForIndustryActing For Oneselfprovidingministering


Now about that time a great commotion broke out concerning the Way. By making silver shrines of Artemis, a silversmith named Demetrius provided a large income for skilled workers. He called a meeting of these men and others who were engaged in similar trades and said, "Men, you well know that we get a good income from this business. read more.
You also see and hear that, not only in Ephesus, but almost all over Asia, this man Paul has won over and taken away a large crowd by telling them that gods made by human hands are not gods at all. There is a danger not only that our business will lose its reputation but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be brought into disrepute and that she will be robbed of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her." When they heard this, they became furious and began to shout, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" The city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed into the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's fellow travelers from Macedonia. Paul wanted to go into the crowd, but the disciples wouldn't let him. Even some officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message urging him not to risk his life in the theater. Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing and some another, since the crowd was confused, and most of them didn't know why they were meeting. Some of the crowd concluded it was because of Alexander, since the Jews had pushed him to the front. So Alexander motioned for silence and tried to make a defense before the people. But when they found out that he was a Jew, they all started to shout in unison for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" When the city recorder had quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, who in the world doesn't know that this city of Ephesus is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell down from heaven? Since these things cannot be denied, you must be quiet and not do anything reckless. For you have brought these men here, although they neither rob temples nor blaspheme our goddess. So if Demetrius and his workers have a charge against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They should accuse one another there. But if you want anything else, it must be settled in the regular assembly, because we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, and there is no good reason we can give to justify this commotion." After saying this, he dismissed the assembly.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about the suffering we experienced in Asia. We were so crushed beyond our ability to endure that we even despaired of living. Verse ConceptsAgony, DescriptionEnjoyment, Lack OfHope, Results Of Its AbsenceDepression, CausesProvincesHeavy BurdensLife DespisedAfflictionsAnxiety And StressDespairHardshipBeing Overwhelmedignoranceexperiencepressureoverwhelmed


But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah. What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of the Messiah, the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith. read more.
I want to know the Messiah what his resurrection power is like and what it means to share in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, though I hope to experience the resurrection from the dead. It's not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it, hoping somehow to embrace it just as I have been embraced by the Messiah Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have embraced it yet. But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus.

and how I was persecuted and suffered in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Verse ConceptsFreedom, Through Jesus ChristAfflictions, In Christian LivingDeliverance, Types OfRescuePersecution Of The Apostle PaulPersecution

But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds by persuasion. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking he was dead. Verse ConceptsAbandonmentevangelists, ministry ofPersuasionInciting To EvilStoningPersecution Of The Apostle PaulPulling PeopleAttempting To Kill Specific People

Three times I was beaten with a stick, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a day and a night. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Forms OfSeafaringStoningShipwrecksOne DayBeating BelieversActing Three TimesIn The Heart Of The Sea

As Saul traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He dropped to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" read more.
The voice said, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up, go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me. "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.' "I asked, "Who are you, Lord?'

But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison. Verse ConceptsArrestingIntimidationenemies, of believersChurchPrisonersPulling PeopleDestruction Of The ChurchThe Church UniversalPersecutionjail

Meanwhile, still spewing death threats against the Lord's disciples, Saul went to the high priest. Verse ConceptsThreatsThreateningsJudged As Murderersdamascusmotheringbreath

Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except for the apostles was scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Verse ConceptsFugitivesChristiansdispersion, theJerusalem, Significance OfSamaritansChurch, Description OfChurch, Examples OfThe Church ScatteredAssentingApproval To KillThe Apostles In Action

ran him outside of the city, and began to stone him to death. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Verse ConceptsCrimesevangelists, ministry ofMartyrdom, Examples OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsMartyrdom, Methods OfOutside The City

I persecuted this Way, even executing people, and kept tying up both men and women and putting them in prison, Verse ConceptsFollowing Jesus ChristPersecution, Nature OfBindingPrisonersWay, TheKilling DisciplesPersecutionChristians Are Called Followers Of The Way

So we located some disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem, Verse ConceptsWeeksSeven DaysWarning IndividualsSpeaking By The Spirit

After we had been there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. He came to us, took Paul's belt, and tied his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit says, "This is how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. Then they will hand him over to the gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people who lived there begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. read more.
At this Paul replied, "What do you mean by crying and breaking my heart? I'm ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!" When he could not be persuaded otherwise, we remained silent except to say, "May the Lord's will be done."

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit assures me that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me.

Then some Jews who went around trying to drive out demons attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus on those who had evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches!" Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit told them, "Jesus I know, and I am getting acquainted with Paul, but who are you?" read more.
Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them, got the better of them, and so violently overpowered all of them that they fled out of the house naked and bruised. When this became known to everyone living in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks alike, they all became terrified, and the name of the Lord Jesus began to be held in high honor. Many who became believers kept coming to confess and talk about what they had been doing. Moreover, many people who had practiced occult arts gathered their books and burned them in front of everybody. They estimated their value and found them to have been worth 50,000 silver coins. In that way the word of the Lord kept spreading and triumphing.

However, I'll stay on in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a door has opened wide for me to do effective work, although many people are opposing me.

She kept doing this for many days until Paul became annoyed, turned to her and told the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus the Messiah to come out of her!" And it came out that very moment. Verse ConceptsExorcismsCommands, in NTDemons, Christ's AuthoritySpiritual DiscernmentMiracles, Nature OfSatan, Resistance ToMiracles Of PaulPeople Casting Out DemonsIn The Name Of ChristNamed People Angry With OthersnaggingDemonic Influence

God continued to do extraordinary miracles through Paul. Verse ConceptsOther MiraclesMiracles

Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with a stick, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a day and a night. I have traveled extensively and have been endangered from rivers, robbers, my own people, and gentiles. I've also been in danger in the city, in the open country, at sea, from false brothers, read more.
in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, through hunger, thirst, many periods of fasting, coldness, and nakedness. Besides everything else, I have a daily burden because of my anxiety about all the churches. Who is weak without me being weak, too? Who is caused to stumble without me becoming indignant? If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show how weak I am. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me, but I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.

but his disciples took him one night and let him down through the city wall by lowering him in a basket. When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they all were afraid of him because they wouldn't believe he was a disciple.

Then three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. But I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord's brother.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thorn was given to me and placed in my body. It was Satan's messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited. I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me, but he has told me, "My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah's power may rest on me.

You know that it was because I was ill that I brought you the gospel the first time. Even though my condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. On the contrary, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or as if I were the Messiah Jesus.

They stayed there a considerable time and continued to speak boldly for the Lord, who kept affirming his word of grace and granting signs and wonders to be done by them. Verse ConceptsBoldness, Proclaiming GospelImportunity, Towards PeopleMiracles, Nature OfBoldness Examples OfThe Witness Of GodBeing StrongOther MiraclesSigns And Wonders Of The GospelStaying A Long Timeholy Boldness

God continued to do extraordinary miracles through Paul. Verse ConceptsOther MiraclesMiracles

Although I am free from everyone's expectations, I have made myself a servant to all of them to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew in order to win Jews. To those under the Law I became like a man under the Law, in order to win those under the Law (although I myself am not under the Law). To those who do not have the Law, I became like a man who does not have the Law in order to win those who do not have the Law. However, I am not free from God's Law, but I'm subject to the Messiah's law. read more.
To the weak I became weak in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some of them.

I must boast, although it does not do any good. Let's talk about visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man who belongs to the Messiah. Fourteen years ago whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows that man was snatched away to the third heaven. I know that this man whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows read more.
was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today. Verse ConceptsEducation, Examples OfPaul, Life OfSelf ConfidenceLegalismSitting At The FeetSchoolsTaking The Law To HeartEducationSchoolzealots

Paul replied, "I'm a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people." Verse ConceptsPaul, Life OfRoman CitizensAddressing SomeoneCitizens

The Lord told him, "Get up, go to the street called Straight, and in the home of Judas look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. At this very moment he's praying. Verse ConceptsRoadsStreetsStraight Paths

But the Jewish leaders became jealous, and they took some contemptible characters who used to hang out in the public square, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. They attacked Jason's home and searched it for Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the people. When they didn't find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials and shouted, "These fellows who have turned the world upside down have come here, too, and Jason has welcomed them as his guests. All of them oppose the emperor's decrees by saying that there is another king Jesus!" read more.
The crowd and the city officials were upset when they heard this, but after they had gotten a bond from Jason and the others, they let them go.

From: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. To: The church of the Thessalonians in union with God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be yours! Brothers, at all times we are obligated to thank God for you. It is right to do this because your faith is growing all the time and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. read more.
As a result, we rejoice about you among God's churches about your endurance and faith through all the persecutions and afflictions you are experiencing.

Then the tribune came up, grabbed Paul, and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. He then asked who Paul was and what he had done. Some of the crowd shouted this and some that. Since the tribune couldn't learn the facts due to the confusion, he ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because the mob had become so violent. read more.
The crowd of people kept following him and shouting, "Kill him!" Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the tribune, "May I say something to you?" The tribune asked, "Oh, do you speak Greek? You're not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led 4,000 assassins into the desert, are you?" Paul replied, "I'm a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people." The tribune gave him permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, motioned for the people to be silent. When everyone had quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language:

"Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense that I am now making before you." When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet, and he continued: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today. read more.
I persecuted this Way, even executing people, and kept tying up both men and women and putting them in prison, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. I also received letters from them to the brothers in Damascus, and I was going there to tie up those who were there and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished. "But while I was on my way and approaching Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?' "I answered, "Who are you, Lord?' "He told me, "I'm Jesus from Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' The men who were with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. "Then I asked, "What am I to do, Lord?' "The Lord told me, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are destined to do.' Since I could not see because of the brightness of the light, the men who were with me took me by the hand and led me into Damascus. "A certain Ananias, who was a devout man with respect to the Law and who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there, came to me. He stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight!' At that moment I could see him. "Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear his own voice, because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.' "Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, "Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.' "I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you. Even when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there, approving it and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.' "Then he told me, "Go, because I'll send you far away to the gentiles.'"


But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out." Verse ConceptsApologizingempiresPersecution, Forms OfPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRoman CitizensBeating BelieversSpreading StoriesAvoiding SecrecyBringing People Out Of Other PlacesNo JusticeCitizenstrailsjail

But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?" When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and told him, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!" So the tribune went and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. read more.
Then the tribune replied, "I paid a lot of money for this citizenship of mine."


As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. Verse Conceptsevangelists, ministry ofInjuryInsultsMissionaries, Support ForSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfSuffering, Of BelieversPeople OpposedBeing StrongPeople Actually Doing EvilConflictBoldness


Meanwhile, still spewing death threats against the Lord's disciples, Saul went to the high priest. Verse ConceptsThreatsThreateningsJudged As Murderersdamascusmotheringbreath

Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except for the apostles was scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Verse ConceptsFugitivesChristiansdispersion, theJerusalem, Significance OfSamaritansChurch, Description OfChurch, Examples OfThe Church ScatteredAssentingApproval To KillThe Apostles In Action

and because they had the same trade he stayed with them. They worked together because they were tentmakers by trade. Verse ConceptsArts And Crafts, Types ofTentsIndustry, Examples OfTentmakingLike Good PeopleStaying Temporarilypartnershipvocation

I never desired anyone's silver, gold, or clothes. You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who were with me. In every way I showed you that by working hard like this we should help the weak and remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Now I myself, Paul, plead with you with the gentleness and kindness of the Messiah I who am humble when I am face to face with you but forceful toward you when I am away! Verse ConceptsGentlenessFaultsTimidityJesus Christ, Meekness OfMeekness, Examples OfChrist's GentlenessA Bold FrontContact With PeopleGone AwayHumble PeopleIn Men's PresenceAbsenceGentleness As A Fruit Of The Spirithumbleserenitygraciousness

For someone is saying, "His letters are impressive and forceful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible." Verse ConceptsCriticism, against believersContempt, Examples OfEloquenceIn Men's PresenceWeaknessSpeech

Even though I may be untrained as an orator, I am not so in the field of knowledge. We have made this clear to all of you in every possible way. Verse ConceptsEloquenceAmateursPeople With KnowledgeSpeech

The next day, since the tribune wanted to find out exactly what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, he released him and ordered the high priests and the entire Council to meet. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them. Verse ConceptsChief priestsAccusations, Against Early Christians

Paul looked straight at the Council and said, "Brothers, with a clear conscience I have done my duty before God up to this very day." Then the high priest Ananias ordered the men standing near him to strike him on the mouth. At this Paul told him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! How can you sit there and judge me according to the Law, and yet in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" read more.
The men standing near him asked, "Do you mean to insult God's high priest?" Paul answered, "I didn't realize, brothers, that he is the high priest. After all, it is written, "You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.'"


We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. Verse ConceptsdiligenceNightPoverty, Remedies ForLabour Day And NightThose Who ToiledHardship

So I ask, "God has not rejected his people, has he?" Of course not! I am an Israeli myself, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin. Verse ConceptsAcceptance, From GodAcceptance, divineAbraham, Family And DescendantsGod Not ForsakingFar Be It!Prayer For Jerusalemisrael

Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee. Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalDay 8ScholarsLess Than A Year OldTaking The Law To HeartJewszealots

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The victor's crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes, and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing.

After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to welcome Festus. Since they were staying there for several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. He said, "There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix. When I went to Jerusalem, the high priests and the Jewish elders informed me about him and asked me to condemn him. read more.
I answered them that it was not the Roman custom to sentence a man to be punished until the accused met his accusers face to face and had an opportunity to defend himself against the charge. So they came here with me, and the next day without any delay I sat down in the judge's seat and ordered the man to be brought in. When his accusers stood up, they didn't accuse him of any of the crimes I was expecting. Instead, they had several arguments with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but Paul kept asserting he was alive. I was puzzled how I should investigate such matters, so I asked if he would like to go to Jerusalem and be tried there for these things. But Paul appealed his case and asked to be held in prison until the decision of his Majesty. So I ordered him to be held in custody until I could send him to the emperor." Agrippa told Festus, "I would like to hear the man." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will hear him." The next day, Agrippa and Bernice arrived with much fanfare and went into the auditorium along with the tribunes and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all you men who are present with us! You see this man about whom the whole Jewish nation petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I find that he has not done anything deserving of death. But since he has appealed to his Majesty, I have decided to send him. I have nothing reliable to write our Sovereign about him, so I have brought him to all of you, and especially to you, King Agrippa, so that I will have something to write after he is cross-examined. For it seems to me absurd to send a prisoner without specifying the charges against him."

For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive the salvation that is in the Messiah Jesus, along with eternal glory. Verse Conceptseternal life, nature ofEndurance, Results Ofelection, to salvationChristiansGlorySalvation, Described AsEternal BlessingEnduringThe Gospel Of SalvationTemporary Affliction Of SaintsSelflessness

When he arrived in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, greeted the church there, and then returned to Antioch. Verse ConceptsGreetingsMissionary WorkChurch, Examples Of

When the brothers found out about the plot, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.


All at once something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. Verse ConceptsEyes Cared ForChristian BaptismScaleshumordamascus

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today. Verse ConceptsEducation, Examples OfPaul, Life OfSelf ConfidenceLegalismSitting At The FeetSchoolsTaking The Law To HeartEducationSchoolzealots

All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsExemplifiedBeginningBeing Devoted From YouthPeople With General Knowledge

But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds by persuasion. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking he was dead. But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back to town. The next day, he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. As they were proclaiming the good news in that city, they discipled a large number of people. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, read more.
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships," they said, "to get into the kingdom of God." Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds by persuasion. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking he was dead. But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back to town. The next day, he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. As they were proclaiming the good news in that city, they discipled a large number of people. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, read more.
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships," they said, "to get into the kingdom of God." Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit assures me that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me. But I don't place any value on my life, if only I can finish my race and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. read more.
"Now I know that none of you among whom I traveled preaching about the kingdom will ever see my face again. I therefore declare to you today that I'm not responsible for the blood of any of you, because I never shrank from telling you the whole plan of God. Pay attention to yourselves and to the entire flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to be shepherds of God's church, which he acquired with his own blood. I know that when I'm gone, savage wolves will come among you and not spare the flock. Indeed, some of your own men will arise and distort the truth in order to lure the disciples into following them. So be alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, I never stopped tearfully warning each of you. "I'm now entrusting you to God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and secure for you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I never desired anyone's silver, gold, or clothes. You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who were with me. In every way I showed you that by working hard like this we should help the weak and remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" When Paul had said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. All of them cried and cried as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him affectionately. They were especially sorrowful because of what he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they took him to the ship.

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jewish leaders gathered together, attacked Paul, and brought him before the judge's seat. They said, "This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the Law." Paul was about to speak when Gallio admonished the Jewish leaders, "If there were some misdemeanor or crime involved, it would be reasonable to put up with you Jews. read more.
But since it is a question about words, names, and your own Law, you will have to take care of that yourselves. I refuse to be a judge in these matters." So he drove them away from the judge's seat. Then all of them took Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and began beating him in front of the judge's seat. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. After staying there for quite a while longer, Paul said goodbye to the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He had his hair cut in Cenchrea, since he was under a vow.

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jewish leaders gathered together, attacked Paul, and brought him before the judge's seat. They said, "This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the Law." Paul was about to speak when Gallio admonished the Jewish leaders, "If there were some misdemeanor or crime involved, it would be reasonable to put up with you Jews. read more.
But since it is a question about words, names, and your own Law, you will have to take care of that yourselves. I refuse to be a judge in these matters." So he drove them away from the judge's seat. Then all of them took Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and began beating him in front of the judge's seat. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. After staying there for quite a while longer, Paul said goodbye to the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He had his hair cut in Cenchrea, since he was under a vow.

There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. After this, we arrived in Rome. The brothers there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged. When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

From Miletus he sent messengers to Ephesus to ask the elders of the church to meet with him. When they came to him, he told them, "You know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day I set foot in Asia. I served the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. read more.
I never shrank from telling you anything that would help you nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus.

Three days later, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he told them, "Brothers, although I haven't done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to let me go because there was no reason for me to receive the death penalty in my case. But the Jews objected and forced me to appeal to the emperor, even though I have no countercharge to bring against my own people. read more.
That's why I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain." The Jewish leaders told him, "We haven't received any letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or mentioned anything bad about you. However, we'd like to hear from you what you believe, because people are talking against this sect everywhere." So they set a day to meet with Paul and came out in large numbers to see him where he was staying. From morning until evening, he continued to explain the kingdom of God to them, trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others wouldn't believe. They disagreed with one another as they were leaving, so Paul added this statement: "The Holy Spirit was so right when he spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah! He said, "Go to this people and say, "You will listen and listen but never understand, and you will look and look but never see! For this people's minds have become stupid, and their ears can barely hear, and they have shut their eyes so that they may never see with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn and let me heal them."' You must understand that this message about God's salvation has been sent to the gentiles, and they will listen."

Three months later, we continued our sailing onboard an Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter at the island. It had the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We stopped at Syracuse and stayed there for three days. Then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. A day later, a south wind began to blow, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers there welcomed us warmly. The next day, Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, Paul related one by one the things that God had done among the gentiles through his ministry. read more.
When they heard about it, they praised God and told him, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are zealous for the Law. But they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake the Law of Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. What is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. Take these men, go through the purification ceremony with them, and pay their expenses to shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you are carefully observing and keeping the Law. As for the gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our decision that they should keep away from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality."

We proceeded to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we intended to pick up Paul. He had arranged it this way, since he had planned to travel there on foot. When he met us in Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. We sailed from there and on the following day arrived off Chios. The next day, we crossed over to Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The day after that, we came to Miletus. read more.
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in Asia, as he was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if that was possible.

A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they're doing." Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work. read more.
The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.

That night the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so. Many of them believed, including a large number of prominent Greek women and men.

Once, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of fortune-telling and who had brought her owners a great deal of money by predicting the future. She would follow Paul and us and shout, "These men are servants of the Most High God and are proclaiming to you a way of salvation!" She kept doing this for many days until Paul became annoyed, turned to her and told the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus the Messiah to come out of her!" And it came out that very moment.

Then Paul took those men and the next day purified himself with them. Then he went into the Temple to announce the time when their days of purification would end and when the sacrifice would be offered for each of them. When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the Temple, stirred up a large crowd. They grabbed Paul, yelling, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere to turn against our people, the Law, and this place. More than that, he has even brought Greeks into the Temple and desecrated this Holy Place." read more.
For they had earlier seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and assumed that Paul had taken him into the Temple. The whole city was in chaos. The people rushed together, grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the Temple, and at once the doors were sealed shut. The crowd was trying to kill Paul when a report reached the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Immediately the tribune took some soldiers and officers and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up, grabbed Paul, and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. He then asked who Paul was and what he had done.

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities who met together in the public square. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are Jews and are advocating customs that we're not allowed to accept or practice as Romans." read more.
The crowd joined in the attack against them. Then the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods. After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security. Having received these orders, he put them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in leg irons. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken. All the doors immediately flew open, and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Don't hurt yourself, because we are all here!" The jailer asked for torches and rushed inside. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas, he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and everyone in his home. At that hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Then he and his entire family were baptized immediately. He brought Paul and Silas upstairs into his house and set food before them. He was thrilled, as was his household, to believe in God.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was deeply disturbed to see the city full of idols. So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and other worshipers, as well as every day in the public square with anyone who happened to be there. Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some asked, "What is this blabbermouth trying to say?" while others said, "He seems to be preaching about foreign gods." This was because Paul was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. read more.
Then they took him, brought him before the Areopagus, and asked, "May we know what this new teaching of yours is? It sounds rather strange to our ears, and we would like to know what it means." Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there used to spend their time doing nothing else other than listening to the latest ideas or repeating them. So Paul stood up in front of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. For as I was walking around and looking closely at the objects you worship, I even found an altar with this written on it: "To an unknown god.' So I am telling you about the unknown object you worship. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn't live in shrines made by human hands, and he isn't served by people as if he needed anything. He himself gives everyone life, breath, and everything else. From one man he made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth, fixing the seasons of the year and the national boundaries within which they live, so that they might look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. Of course, he is never far from any one of us. For we live, move, and exist because of him, as some of your own poets have said: ""Since we are his children, too.' So if we are God's children, we shouldn't think that the divine being is like gold, silver, or stone, or is an image carved by humans using their own imagination and skill. Though God has overlooked those times of ignorance, he now commands everyone everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world with justice through a man whom he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." When they heard about a resurrection of the dead, some began joking about it, while others said, "We will hear you again about this." And so Paul left the meeting. Some men joined him and became believers. With them were Dionysius, who was a member of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris, and some others along with them.

Sailing from Troas, we went straight to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, an important city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We were in this city for several days. On the Sabbath day, we went out the city gate and walked along the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and began talking to the women who had gathered there. read more.
A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple goods, was listening to us. She was a worshiper of God, and the Lord opened her heart to listen carefully to what was being said by Paul. When she and her family were baptized, she urged us, "If you are convinced that I am a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she continued to insist that we do so.

But it was not long before a violent wind (called a northeaster) swept down from the island. The ship was caught so that it couldn't face the wind, and we gave up and were swept along. As we drifted to the sheltered side of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the ship's lifeboat. read more.
The ship's crew pulled it up on deck and used ropes to brace the ship. Fearing that they would hit the large sandbank near Libya, they lowered the sail and drifted along. The next day, because we were being tossed so violently by the storm, they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day they threw the ship's equipment overboard with their own hands. For a number of days neither the sun nor the stars were to be seen, and the storm continued to rage until at last all hope of our being saved vanished. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among his shipmates and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would have avoided this hardship and damage. But now I urge you to have courage, because there will be no loss of life among you, but only loss of the ship. For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me and said, "Stop being afraid, Paul! You must stand before the emperor. Indeed, God has given to you the lives of everyone who is sailing with you.' So take courage, men, because I trust God that it will turn out just as he told me. However, we will have to run aground on some island." It was the fourteenth night, and we were drifting through the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors suspected that land was near. After taking soundings, they found the depth to be twenty fathoms. A little later, they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms. Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and began praying for daylight to come. Meanwhile, the sailors had begun trying to escape from the ship. They lowered the lifeboat into the sea and pretended that they were going to lay out the anchors from the bow. Paul told the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men remain onboard, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and set it adrift. Right up to daybreak Paul kept urging all of them to eat something. He said, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, not eating anything. So I urge you to eat something, for it will help you survive, since none of you will lose so much as a hair from his head." After he said this, he took some bread, thanked God in front of everyone, broke it, and began to eat. Everyone was encouraged and had something to eat. There were 276 of us on the ship. After they had eaten all they wanted, they began to lighten the ship by dumping its cargo of wheat into the sea. When day came, they didn't recognize the land, but they could see a bay with a beach on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if possible. So they cut the anchors free and left them in the sea. At the same time they untied the ropes that held the steering oars, raised the foresail to the wind, and headed for the beach. But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow stuck and couldn't be moved, while the stern was broken to pieces by the force of the waves. The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming ashore and escaping, but the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to follow, some on planks and others on various pieces of the ship. In this way everyone got to shore safely.

After staying there for quite a while longer, Paul said goodbye to the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He had his hair cut in Cenchrea, since he was under a vow. When they arrived in Ephesus, he left Priscilla and Aquila there. Then he went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. They asked him to stay longer, but he refused. read more.
As he told them goodbye, he said, "I will come back to you again if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he arrived in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, greeted the church there, and then returned to Antioch. After spending some time there, he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Three months later, we continued our sailing onboard an Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter at the island. It had the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We stopped at Syracuse and stayed there for three days. Then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. A day later, a south wind began to blow, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

But when the Jewish leaders in Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul also in Berea, they went there to upset and incite the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. The men who escorted Paul took him all the way to Athens and, after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left.

After these things had happened, Paul decided to go through Macedonia and Achaia and then to go on to Jerusalem. "After I have gone there," he told them, "I must also see Rome." Then he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed in Asia a while longer.

Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. Verse ConceptsVisitingChoosing PeoplePeople Sending PeopleThe Apostles In Action

So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul, Verse ConceptsChoosing PeoplePeople Sending People

At that time some prophets from Jerusalem came down to Antioch. One of them named Agabus got up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine all over the world. This happened during the reign of Claudius. So all of the disciples decided they would send a contribution to the brothers living in Judea, as they were able, read more.
by sending it through Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. They spoke the word in Perga and went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work they had completed. read more.
When they arrived, they called the church together and told them everything that God had done with them and how he had opened a door so that gentiles would believe. Then they spent a long time with the disciples.

But it was not long before a violent wind (called a northeaster) swept down from the island. The ship was caught so that it couldn't face the wind, and we gave up and were swept along. As we drifted to the sheltered side of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the ship's lifeboat. read more.
The ship's crew pulled it up on deck and used ropes to brace the ship. Fearing that they would hit the large sandbank near Libya, they lowered the sail and drifted along. The next day, because we were being tossed so violently by the storm, they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day they threw the ship's equipment overboard with their own hands. For a number of days neither the sun nor the stars were to be seen, and the storm continued to rage until at last all hope of our being saved vanished. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among his shipmates and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would have avoided this hardship and damage. But now I urge you to have courage, because there will be no loss of life among you, but only loss of the ship. For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me and said, "Stop being afraid, Paul! You must stand before the emperor. Indeed, God has given to you the lives of everyone who is sailing with you.' So take courage, men, because I trust God that it will turn out just as he told me. However, we will have to run aground on some island." It was the fourteenth night, and we were drifting through the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors suspected that land was near. After taking soundings, they found the depth to be twenty fathoms. A little later, they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms. Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and began praying for daylight to come. Meanwhile, the sailors had begun trying to escape from the ship. They lowered the lifeboat into the sea and pretended that they were going to lay out the anchors from the bow. Paul told the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men remain onboard, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and set it adrift. Right up to daybreak Paul kept urging all of them to eat something. He said, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, not eating anything. So I urge you to eat something, for it will help you survive, since none of you will lose so much as a hair from his head." After he said this, he took some bread, thanked God in front of everyone, broke it, and began to eat. Everyone was encouraged and had something to eat. There were 276 of us on the ship. After they had eaten all they wanted, they began to lighten the ship by dumping its cargo of wheat into the sea. When day came, they didn't recognize the land, but they could see a bay with a beach on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if possible. So they cut the anchors free and left them in the sea. At the same time they untied the ropes that held the steering oars, raised the foresail to the wind, and headed for the beach. But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow stuck and couldn't be moved, while the stern was broken to pieces by the force of the waves. The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming ashore and escaping, but the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to follow, some on planks and others on various pieces of the ship. In this way everyone got to shore safely.

For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented place and welcomed everyone who came to him. He continued to preach about the kingdom of God and to teach boldly and freely about the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

They left Perga and arrived in Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders asked them, "Brothers, if you have any message of encouragement for the people, you may speak." Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said: read more.
"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen! The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made them a great people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with a public display of power he led them out of there. After he had put up with them for 40 years in the wilderness, he destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan. Then God gave their land to the Israelis as an inheritance for about 450 years. "After that, he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. When they demanded a king, God gave them Kish's son Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years. Then God removed Saul and made David their king, about whom he testified, "I have found that David, the son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' It was from this man's descendants that God, as he promised, brought to Israel a Savior, who is Jesus. Before Jesus' appearance, John had already preached a baptism of repentance to all the people in Israel. When John was finishing his work, he said, "Who do you think I am? I'm not the Messiah. No, but he is coming after me, and I'm not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.' "My brothers, descendants of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the message of this salvation has been sent. For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders, not knowing who Jesus was, condemned him and so fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Although they found no reason to sentence him to death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had finished doing everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come with him to Jerusalem from Galilee. These are now his witnesses to the people. We're telling you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.' God raised him from the dead, never to experience decay, as he said, "I'll give you the holy promises made to David.' In another Psalm he says, "You will not let your Holy One experience decay.' Now David, after he had served God's purpose in his own generation, died and was buried with his ancestors, and so he experienced decay. However, the man whom God raised did not experience decay. "Therefore, brothers, you must understand that through him the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and that everyone who believes in him is justified and freed from everything that kept you from being justified by the Law of Moses. So be careful that what the prophets said doesn't happen to you: "Look, you mockers! Be amazed and die! Since I am performing an action in your days, one that you would not believe even if someone told you!'"

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people kept urging them to tell them the same things the next Sabbath. Verse ConceptseagernessOn The Sabbath

and the word of the Lord began to spread throughout the whole region. Verse ConceptsLordship, Human And DivineSpreadingSpreading The Gospel

Then he summoned two centurions and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight, along with 70 mounted soldiers and 200 soldiers with spears. Provide a mount for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Governor Felix." He wrote a letter with this message: read more.
"From: Claudius Lysias To: Governor Felix Greetings, Your Excellency: This man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I went with the guard and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. I wanted to know the exact charge they were making against him, so I had him brought before their Council. I found that, although he was charged with questions about their Law, there was no charge against him deserving death or imprisonment. Since a plot against the man has been reported to me, I'm sending him to you at once, and I've also ordered his accusers to present their charges against him before you." So the soldiers, in keeping with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. The next day, they let the horsemen ride with Paul while they returned to their barracks. When these men came to Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.

In the morning, the Jewish leaders formed a conspiracy and took an oath not to eat or drink anything before they had killed Paul. More than 40 men formed this conspiracy. They went to the high priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to taste any food before we have killed Paul. read more.
Now then, you and the Council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you on the pretext that you want to look into his case more carefully, but before he arrives we'll be ready to kill him."

But the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, so he came and got into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, because he has something to tell him." So the centurion took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, "The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you." read more.
The tribune took him by the hand, stepped aside to be alone with him, and asked, "What have you got to tell me?" He answered, "The Jewish leaders have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Council tomorrow as though they were going to examine his case more carefully. Don't believe them, because more than 40 of them are planning to ambush him. They've taken an oath not to eat or drink before they've killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent." The tribune dismissed the young man and ordered him not to tell anyone that he had notified him.

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us!" They began to call Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he was the main speaker. The priest of the temple of Zeus, which was just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates. He and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices. read more.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, "Men, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings with natures like yours. We are telling you the good news so you'll turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways, yet he has not abandoned his witness: he continues to do good, to give you rain from heaven, to give you fruitful seasons, and to fill you with food and your hearts with joy." Even by saying this, it was all Paul and Barnabas could do to keep the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.

But Paul said, "I am standing before the emperor's judgment seat where I ought to be tried. I haven't done anything wrong to the Jewish leaders, as you know very well. If I'm guilty and have done something that deserves death, I'm willing to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to the emperor!" Festus talked it over with the council and then answered, "To the emperor you have appealed; to the emperor you will go!"

Then Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

the tribune ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and told the soldiers to beat and question him in order to find out why the people were yelling at him like this. But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?" When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and told him, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!" read more.
So the tribune went and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. Then the tribune replied, "I paid a lot of money for this citizenship of mine." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Immediately those who were about to examine him stepped back, and the tribune was afraid when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had tied him up. The next day, since the tribune wanted to find out exactly what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, he released him and ordered the high priests and the entire Council to meet. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

But the Jewish leaders stirred up devout women of high social standing and the officials in the city, started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their territory. So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

Every Sabbath, he would speak in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. But when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself entirely to the word as he emphatically assured the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. But when they began to oppose him and insult him, he shook out his clothes in protest and told them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles." read more.
Then he left that place and went to the home of a man named Titius Justus, who worshipped God and whose house was next door to the synagogue. Now Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole family. Many Corinthians who heard Paul also believed and were baptized. One night, the Lord told Paul in a vision, "Stop being afraid to speak out! Don't remain silent! For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you or harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul lived there for a year and a half and continued to teach the word of God among the people there.

Every Sabbath, he would speak in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. But when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself entirely to the word as he emphatically assured the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. But when they began to oppose him and insult him, he shook out his clothes in protest and told them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles." read more.
Then he left that place and went to the home of a man named Titius Justus, who worshipped God and whose house was next door to the synagogue. Now Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole family. Many Corinthians who heard Paul also believed and were baptized. One night, the Lord told Paul in a vision, "Stop being afraid to speak out! Don't remain silent! For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you or harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul lived there for a year and a half and continued to teach the word of God among the people there.

The next day, we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who could prophesy. After we had been there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. read more.
He came to us, took Paul's belt, and tied his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit says, "This is how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. Then they will hand him over to the gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people who lived there begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. At this Paul replied, "What do you mean by crying and breaking my heart? I'm ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!" When he could not be persuaded otherwise, we remained silent except to say, "May the Lord's will be done." When our time there ended, we got ready to go up to Jerusalem.

so they bypassed Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision. A man from Macedonia was standing there and pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" As soon as he had seen the vision, we immediately looked for a way to go to Macedonia, because we were convinced that God had called us to tell the people there the good news.

But Paul went down, bent over him, took him into his arms, and said, "Stop being alarmed, because he's still alive." Verse ConceptsEmbracingDo Not Be AnxiousLiving OnOvercoming Hard Times

he said in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" Then the man jumped up and began to walk. Verse ConceptsWalkingMiracles Of PaulThe Healed WalkingIndividuals ShoutingGet Up!jumping

The Lord is against you now, and you'll be blind and unable to see the sun for a while!" At that moment a dark mist came over him, and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. Verse ConceptsdisabilitiesHand Of GodMiracles, Nature OfMistPainMiracles Of PaulMiracles Bringing God's JudgmentBarriersGod's HandOvertaken By DarknessGod BlindingGod's Hands In Oppositionfitness


"And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfVisions From GodWe ObeyHeavenly Visiondisobedience

That night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Have courage! For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, you must testify in Rome, too." Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofempiresGuidance, Results OfMissionaries, Task OfNecessityNightRomeWitnesses, To Jesus ChristVisions At NightWitness To The GospelWitnessingtestimonyfollowing


and saw the Lord saying to me, "Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.' Verse ConceptsAcceptance, Of The GospelVisions And Dreams In ScriptureNot Believing PeopleHurrying Others OnSubsequent Witness To Christheartbeat

Much time had been lost, and because navigation had become dangerous and the day of fasting had already past, Paul began to warn those on the ship, "Men, I see that during this voyage there will be hardship and a heavy loss not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives." But the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and the owner of the ship and not by what Paul said. read more.
Since the harbor was not a good place to spend the winter, most of the men favored putting out to sea from there on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix and spend the winter there. It is a Cretian harbor that faces southwest and northwest. When a gentle breeze began to blow from the south, they thought they could make it to Phoenix, so they hoisted anchor and began sailing along the shore of Crete.

He was associated with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. He sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the occult practitioner (that is the meaning of his name) continued to oppose them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked him straight in the eye read more.
and said, "You're full of every form of deception and trickery, you son of the Devil, you enemy of all that is right! You'll never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord, will you? The Lord is against you now, and you'll be blind and unable to see the sun for a while!" At that moment a dark mist came over him, and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astonished at the Lord's teaching.

They went through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish occult practitioner and false prophet named Bar-jesus. He was associated with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. He sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the occult practitioner (that is the meaning of his name) continued to oppose them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. read more.
But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked him straight in the eye and said, "You're full of every form of deception and trickery, you son of the Devil, you enemy of all that is right! You'll never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord, will you? The Lord is against you now, and you'll be blind and unable to see the sun for a while!" At that moment a dark mist came over him, and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astonished at the Lord's teaching.

He immediately started to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This is the Son of God." Verse ConceptsHeraldSonsSaid To Be The Christempowerment

But Saul grew more and more persuasive, and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Messiah. Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of Christevangelism, nature ofGrowthPower, God's SavingChrist, Names ForSpiritual GrowthPreaching ChristProofsSaid To Be The ChristStrong Individualsdamascusempowerment

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they all were afraid of him because they wouldn't believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, introduced Saul to the apostles, telling them how on the road Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how courageously he had spoken in the name of Jesus in Damascus. So he freely circulated among them in Jerusalem, speaking courageously in the name of the Lord. read more.
He kept talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews, but they were bent on murdering him.

The governor of the island, whose name was Publius, owned estates in that part of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us with great hospitality for three days. The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him. After that had happened, the rest of the sick people on the island went to him and were healed. read more.
The islanders honored us in many ways, and when we were about to sail again, they supplied us with everything we needed.

Three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. The high priests and Jewish leaders informed him of their charges against Paul, urging and asking Festus to have Paul brought to Jerusalem as a favor. They were laying an ambush to kill him on the road. read more.
Festus replied that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself would be going there soon. "Therefore," he said, "have your authorities come down with me and present their charges against him there, if there is anything wrong with the man." Festus stayed with them no more than eight or ten days and then went down to Caesarea. The next day, he sat on the judge's seat and ordered Paul brought in. When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders who had come down from Jerusalem surrounded him and began bringing a number of serious charges against him that they couldn't prove. Paul said in his defense, "I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews, or of the Temple, or of the emperor." Then Festus, wanting to do the Jewish leaders a favor, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried there before me on these charges?" But Paul said, "I am standing before the emperor's judgment seat where I ought to be tried. I haven't done anything wrong to the Jewish leaders, as you know very well. If I'm guilty and have done something that deserves death, I'm willing to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to the emperor!" Festus talked it over with the council and then answered, "To the emperor you have appealed; to the emperor you will go!"

I must boast, although it does not do any good. Let's talk about visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man who belongs to the Messiah. Fourteen years ago whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows that man was snatched away to the third heaven. I know that this man whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows read more.
was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.

After several days had gone by, the Jewish leaders plotted to murder Saul, but their plot became known to him. They were even watching the gates day and night to murder him,

Now in Lystra there was a man sitting down who couldn't use his feet. He had been crippled from birth and had never walked. He was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul watched him closely, and when he saw that he had faith to be healed, he said in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" Then the man jumped up and began to walk.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about the suffering we experienced in Asia. We were so crushed beyond our ability to endure that we even despaired of living. In fact, we felt that we had received a death sentence so we would not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has rescued us from a terrible death, and he will continue to rescue us. Yes, he is the one on whom we have set our hope, and he will rescue us again, read more.
as you also help us by your prayers for us. Then many people will thank God on our behalf because of the favor shown us through the prayers of many.

So we located some disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but when our time there came to an end, we left and proceeded on our journey. All of them accompanied us with their wives and children out of the city. We knelt on the beach, prayed, and said goodbye to each other. Then we reboarded the ship, and they went back home. read more.
When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, greeted the brothers there, and stayed with them for one day.

When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were transferred to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the emperor's division. After boarding a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to the ports on the coast of Asia, we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us. The next day, we arrived at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly allowing him to visit his friends there and to receive any care he needed. read more.
After putting out from there, we sailed on the sheltered side of Cyprus because the winds were against us. We sailed along the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia and reached Myra in Lycia.

Because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia, Paul and Timothy went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. They went as far as Mysia and tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them,

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, and because they had the same trade he stayed with them. They worked together because they were tentmakers by trade.

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. They stayed there a considerable time and continued to speak boldly for the Lord, who kept affirming his word of grace and granting signs and wonders to be done by them. read more.
But the people of the city were divided. Some were with the Jews, while others were with the apostles. Now when an attempt was made by both gentiles and Jews, along with their authorities, to mistreat and stone them, Paul and Barnabas found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding territory.

There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put us on it. We sailed slowly for a number of days and with difficulty arrived off Cnidus. Then, because the wind was against us, we sailed on the sheltered side of Crete off Cape Salome. Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them. Then he said goodbye to them and left to go to Macedonia. He went through those regions and encouraged the people with everything he had to say. Then he went to Greece and stayed there for three months. When he was about to sail for Syria, a plot was initiated against him by the Jews, so he decided to go back through Macedonia. read more.
He was accompanied by Sopater (the son of Pyrrhus) from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. These men went on ahead and were waiting for us in Troas. After the Festival of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days.

Because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia, Paul and Timothy went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. They went as far as Mysia and tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them,

The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him. Verse ConceptsdiseasesDiseases, Kinds OfSuffering, Causes OfSuffering, Nature OfMiracles Of PaulLaying On Of HandsFeverLaying On Hands To HealHealing Sickness

But he shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed. Verse ConceptsFireMiracles Of PaulPeople Shaking


During the night Paul had a vision. A man from Macedonia was standing there and pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" Verse ConceptsGod, Revelation OfInvitationsSleep, PhysicalStandingVisions And Dreams In ScriptureVisions At NightThose Who Saw VisionsPeople Helping

So we located some disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but when our time there came to an end, we left and proceeded on our journey. All of them accompanied us with their wives and children out of the city. We knelt on the beach, prayed, and said goodbye to each other. Then we reboarded the ship, and they went back home. read more.
When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, greeted the brothers there, and stayed with them for one day.

Paul and Barnabas had quite a dispute and argument with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders about this question. Verse Conceptselders, in the churchBelieversVisitingDissensionDisputesMan AppointingThe Apostles In ActionResolving Conflict

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done through them. Verse Conceptselders, in the churchWelcoming BelieversTelling Of GodThe Apostles In Action

Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As usual, Paul entered there and on three Sabbaths discussed the Scriptures with them. He explained and showed them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: "This very Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Messiah." read more.
Some of them were persuaded and began to be associated with Paul and Silas, especially a large crowd of devout Greeks and the wives of many prominent men.

Then some men came down from Judea and started to teach the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Law of Moses, you can't be saved." Paul and Barnabas had quite a dispute and argument with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders about this question.

When we had torn ourselves away from those brothers, we sailed straight to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. There we found a ship going across to Phoenicia, so we went aboard and sailed on. We came in sight of Cyprus, and leaving it on our left, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre because the ship was to unload its cargo there.

When we were safely on shore, we learned that the island was called Malta. The people who lived there were unusually kind to us. It had started to rain and was cold, so they started a bonfire and invited us to join them around it.

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and put it on the fire. A poisonous snake was forced out by the heat and attached itself to Paul's hand. When the people who lived there saw the snake hanging from his hand, they told one another, "This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but Justice won't let him live." But he shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed. read more.
They were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Paul also went to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish wife whose husband was a Greek. Timothy was highly regarded by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him, so he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who lived in that region, since everyone knew that Timothy's father was a Greek. read more.
As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for them to obey. So the churches continued to be strengthened in the faith and to increase in numbers every day.

The whole crowd was silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles. Verse ConceptsGentiles, In NtSilenceIndividuals Being SilentOther MiraclesSigns And Wonders Of The Gospel

When handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were taken to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them. Verse ConceptsExorcismsPeople Casting Out DemonsMeans Of PurifyingHow Healing CameMan's Authority Over The DevilIllness

That night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Have courage! For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, you must testify in Rome, too." Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofempiresGuidance, Results OfMissionaries, Task OfNecessityNightRomeWitnesses, To Jesus ChristVisions At NightWitness To The GospelWitnessingtestimonyfollowing

Meanwhile, still spewing death threats against the Lord's disciples, Saul went to the high priest. He asked him for letters to take with him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem.

When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John who was also called Mark. Verse ConceptsMissionaries, Task OfMissionaries

Then Paul and his men set sail from Paphos and arrived in Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and went back to Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsSeafaringProvincesInstabilityPeople Abandoning PeopleMissionaries

he said, "I will hear your case when your accusers arrive." Then he ordered Paul to be kept in custody in Herod's palace. Verse ConceptsGuardsPalacesPunishment, Legal Aspects Of

A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they're doing." Verse ConceptsLordship, Human And DivineConverts To ChristianityMissionariesChristians Being Called Brothers


Leaving the jail, Paul and Silas went to Lydia's house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left. Verse Conceptsencouragement, examples ofevangelising

After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison. Verse ConceptsMen PleasersBad Decision Making ExamplesPopularityPleasing MenPopularity Sought

The quarrel was becoming violent, and the tribune was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So he ordered the soldiers to go down, take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. Verse ConceptsCommanderCommands, in NTCastlesSecurityFear, Of DeathPersecution Of The Apostle PaulPeople Torn To PiecesChiliarchs

Then Paul and his men set sail from Paphos and arrived in Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and went back to Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsSeafaringProvincesInstabilityPeople Abandoning PeopleMissionaries

The next day, we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. Verse Conceptsevangelists, identity ofGuestsHospitality, Examples OfProphetessHospitalityTravellersSeven PeopleThe Next DayEvangelism

Arriving in Salamis, they began to preach God's word in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John to help them. Verse ConceptsCongregation

They went through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish occult practitioner and false prophet named Bar-jesus. Verse ConceptsExamples Of FaithDivination, Practiced ByTravelFalse Teachers, Examples OfFalse Apostles, Prophets And TeachersSorcery

After they had been sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. Verse ConceptsSeafaringProvincesGod Sending ProphetsLed By The Spirit

After they had been sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. Verse ConceptsSeafaringProvincesGod Sending ProphetsLed By The Spirit

Right now, however, I'm going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, Verse ConceptsApostles, Function In Early ChurchServing Groupsjerusalemministering

Right now, however, I'm going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, Verse ConceptsApostles, Function In Early ChurchServing Groupsjerusalemministering



The Lord told him, "Get up, go to the street called Straight, and in the home of Judas look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. At this very moment he's praying. Verse ConceptsRoadsStreetsStraight Paths

The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him. Verse ConceptsdiseasesDiseases, Kinds OfSuffering, Causes OfSuffering, Nature OfMiracles Of PaulLaying On Of HandsFeverLaying On Hands To HealHealing Sickness

The Lord told him, "Get up, go to the street called Straight, and in the home of Judas look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. At this very moment he's praying. Verse ConceptsRoadsStreetsStraight Paths


When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities who met together in the public square. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are Jews and are advocating customs that we're not allowed to accept or practice as Romans." read more.
The crowd joined in the attack against them. Then the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods. After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security. Having received these orders, he put them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in leg irons. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken. All the doors immediately flew open, and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Don't hurt yourself, because we are all here!" The jailer asked for torches and rushed inside. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas, he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and everyone in his home. At that hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Then he and his entire family were baptized immediately. He brought Paul and Silas upstairs into his house and set food before them. He was thrilled, as was his household, to believe in God. When day came, the magistrates sent guards, who commanded, "Release those men." The jailer reported these words to Paul, and added, "The magistrates have sent word to release you. So come out now and go in peace." But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out." The guards reported these words to the magistrates, and they became afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So the magistrates came, apologized to them, and escorted them out. Then they asked them to leave the city. Leaving the jail, Paul and Silas went to Lydia's house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left.

When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the Temple, stirred up a large crowd. They grabbed Paul, yelling, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere to turn against our people, the Law, and this place. More than that, he has even brought Greeks into the Temple and desecrated this Holy Place." For they had earlier seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and assumed that Paul had taken him into the Temple. read more.
The whole city was in chaos. The people rushed together, grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the Temple, and at once the doors were sealed shut. The crowd was trying to kill Paul when a report reached the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Immediately the tribune took some soldiers and officers and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up, grabbed Paul, and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. He then asked who Paul was and what he had done. Some of the crowd shouted this and some that. Since the tribune couldn't learn the facts due to the confusion, he ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because the mob had become so violent. The crowd of people kept following him and shouting, "Kill him!" Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the tribune, "May I say something to you?" The tribune asked, "Oh, do you speak Greek? You're not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led 4,000 assassins into the desert, are you?" Paul replied, "I'm a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people." The tribune gave him permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, motioned for the people to be silent. When everyone had quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language:


All of them cried and cried as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him affectionately. They were especially sorrowful because of what he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they took him to the ship.

After we had been there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. He came to us, took Paul's belt, and tied his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit says, "This is how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. Then they will hand him over to the gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people who lived there begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. read more.
At this Paul replied, "What do you mean by crying and breaking my heart? I'm ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!" When he could not be persuaded otherwise, we remained silent except to say, "May the Lord's will be done."

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit assures me that imprisonment and suffering are waiting for me. But I don't place any value on my life, if only I can finish my race and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. read more.
"Now I know that none of you among whom I traveled preaching about the kingdom will ever see my face again.

That night the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so. Many of them believed, including a large number of prominent Greek women and men. read more.
But when the Jewish leaders in Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul also in Berea, they went there to upset and incite the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. The men who escorted Paul took him all the way to Athens and, after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left.

When they heard about it, they praised God and told him, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are zealous for the Law. But they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake the Law of Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. What is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. read more.
So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. Take these men, go through the purification ceremony with them, and pay their expenses to shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you are carefully observing and keeping the Law. As for the gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our decision that they should keep away from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality." Then Paul took those men and the next day purified himself with them. Then he went into the Temple to announce the time when their days of purification would end and when the sacrifice would be offered for each of them.

When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected." Verse ConceptsHope Object OfHope, As ConfidenceResurrection, Of BelieversSanhedrinStandingJewish SectsThe Dead Are Raisedgroupszealotspharisees

We are trying to avoid any criticism of the way we are administering this great undertaking. Verse ConceptsMoney Managementcriticismaccounting

Paul and Barnabas found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding territory.

Paul wanted this man to go with him, so he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who lived in that region, since everyone knew that Timothy's father was a Greek. Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalMissionary Work, Examples OfGoing TogetherIsrael HardenedJews

When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected." Verse ConceptsHope Object OfHope, As ConfidenceResurrection, Of BelieversSanhedrinStandingJewish SectsThe Dead Are Raisedgroupszealotspharisees

The only thing they kept hearing was this: "The man who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy!" Verse ConceptsFaith, As A Body Of Beliefsenemies, of Jesus ChristGospel, Transmission OfPersecution, Forms Of


and finally he was seen by me, as though I were born abnormally late. Verse ConceptsResurrection Of Christ, AppearancesUntimelinessChrist AppearingEnd Of ActionsAbortion

But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah. What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of the Messiah, the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith.


The voice said, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up, go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Verse ConceptsNecessityTeachablenessUnquestioning ServiceEntering CitiesGiving InformationGet Up!



Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. Verse ConceptsFellowship, In Christian ServiceFellow WorkersRelativesWorkers


But Saul grew more and more persuasive, and continued to confound the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this man was the Messiah. Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of Christevangelism, nature ofGrowthPower, God's SavingChrist, Names ForSpiritual GrowthPreaching ChristProofsSaid To Be The ChristStrong Individualsdamascusempowerment

But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds by persuasion. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking he was dead. Verse ConceptsAbandonmentevangelists, ministry ofPersuasionInciting To EvilStoningPersecution Of The Apostle PaulPulling PeopleAttempting To Kill Specific People

Three times I was beaten with a stick, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a day and a night. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Forms OfSeafaringStoningShipwrecksOne DayBeating BelieversActing Three TimesIn The Heart Of The Sea

We want you to know, brothers, about God's grace that was given to the churches of Macedonia. In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty have led them to be abundantly generous. I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability. read more.
They begged us earnestly for the privilege of participating in this ministry to the saints. We did not expect that! They gave themselves to the Lord first and then to us, since this was God's will. So we urged Titus to finish this work of kindness among you in the same way that he had started it. Indeed, the more your faith, speech, knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for us increase, the more we want you to be rich in this work of kindness. I am not commanding you but testing the genuineness of your love by the enthusiasm of others.

I do not need to write to you any further about the ministry to the saints. For I know how willing you are, and I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated most of them. Now I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be an idle boast, and so that you may stand ready, just as I said. read more.
Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find out that you are not ready, we would be humiliated to say nothing of you in this undertaking. Therefore, I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me, to make arrangements in advance for this gift you promised, and to have it ready as something given generously and not forced.

so that you may be able to choose what is best and be pure and blameless until the day when the Messiah returns, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah so that God will be glorified and praised. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. read more.
As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah. Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before. Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will. The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment. But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah. I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die. For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain. Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer.

When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected." After he said that, an angry quarrel broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided, because the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection and that there is no such thing as an angel or spirit, but the Pharisees believe in all those things. read more.
There was a great deal of shouting until some of the scribes who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and argued forcefully, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The quarrel was becoming violent, and the tribune was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So he ordered the soldiers to go down, take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Paul wanted this man to go with him, so he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who lived in that region, since everyone knew that Timothy's father was a Greek. Verse ConceptsCircumcision, physicalMissionary Work, Examples OfGoing TogetherIsrael HardenedJews

May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often took care of me and was not ashamed that I was a prisoner. Instead, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me and found me. May the Lord grant that he finds mercy on the day he comes again. You know very well how much he assisted me in Ephesus.

Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as is appropriate for saints, and provide her with anything she may need from you, for she has assisted many people, including me. Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me for the Messiah Jesus, read more.
and who risked their necks for my life. I am thankful to them, and so are all the churches among the gentiles.

After he said this, he took some bread, thanked God in front of everyone, broke it, and began to eat. Verse ConceptsBreaking Of BreadThankfulnessThanksgiving, OfferedThanking God For Food

After he said this, he took some bread, thanked God in front of everyone, broke it, and began to eat. Verse ConceptsBreaking Of BreadThankfulnessThanksgiving, OfferedThanking God For Food

The brothers there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged. Verse ConceptsMissionaries, Support ForRomeSuffering, Encouragements InThanksgivingVisitingBraveryMeeting PeopleThree Other ThingsThanking God For PeoplePeople Encouraging Others

The brothers there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged. Verse ConceptsMissionaries, Support ForRomeSuffering, Encouragements InThanksgivingVisitingBraveryMeeting PeopleThree Other ThingsThanking God For PeoplePeople Encouraging Others

The voice said, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up, go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Verse ConceptsNecessityTeachablenessUnquestioning ServiceEntering CitiesGiving InformationGet Up!


just as I myself try to please everybody in every way. I don't look out for my own benefit, but rather for the benefit of many people, so that they might be saved. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of OneselfSelfishness, Shown InPleasing MenAdaptability

It is not that I am looking for a gift. No, I want to see that you receive the fruit that increases to your benefit. Verse ConceptsCreditAbounding, Good ThingsFruitful LabourBeing ContentGifts And Talentsaccounting

We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. Verse ConceptsdiligenceNightPoverty, Remedies ForLabour Day And NightThose Who ToiledHardship

But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. Verse ConceptsEnthusiasmPreaching ChristRejoicing In God's WordSpreading The GospelMotivationFake Friendspreachingweathermotivesimportance

just as I myself try to please everybody in every way. I don't look out for my own benefit, but rather for the benefit of many people, so that they might be saved. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of OneselfSelfishness, Shown InPleasing MenAdaptability


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