Thematic Bible: Persecuted


Thematic Bible



There he met a Jew of the name of Aquila, a native of Pontus, who, with his wife Priscilla, had lately come from Italy, in consequence of the order which had been issued by the Emperor Claudius for all Jews to leave Rome. Paul paid them a visit, Verse Conceptsevangelism, motivation forempiresCaesarCommands, in NTPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRefugeesGood Wives ExamplesAquilaRoman EmperorsGroups Sent Away






And took them before the Magistrates. "These men are causing a great disturbance in our town," they complained; Verse ConceptsFalse Accusations, Examples OfTroubling Groups Of Peoplerelentless



While Gallio was governor of Greece, the Jews made a combined attack on Paul, and brought him before the Governor's Bench, Charging him with persuading people to worship God in a way forbidden by the Law. Just as Paul was on the point of speaking, Gallio said to the Jews: "Jews, if this were a case of misdemeanor or some serious crime, there would be some reason for my listening patiently to you; read more.
But, since it is a dispute about words, and names, and your own Law, you must see to it yourselves. I do not choose to be a judge in such matters." Saying this, he drove them back from the Bench. Then they all set upon Sosthenes, the President of the Synagogue, and beat him in front of the Bench, but Gallio did not trouble himself about any of these things. Paul remained there some time after this, and then took leave of the Brethren, and sailed to Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, but not before his head had been shaved at Cenchreae, because he was under a vow.

When her masters saw that there was no hope of further profit from her, they seized Paul and Silas, dragged them into the public square to the authorities, And took them before the Magistrates. "These men are causing a great disturbance in our town," they complained; "They are Jews, and they are teaching customs which it is not right for us, as Romans, to sanction or adopt." read more.
On this the mob rose as one man against them, and the Magistrates stripped them of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After beating them severely, the Magistrates put them in prison, with orders to the Governor of the Jail to keep them in safe custody. On receiving so strict an order, the Governor put them into the inner cell, and secured their feet in the stocks. About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and while the prisoners were listening to them, Suddenly there was an earthquake of such violence that the Jail was shaken to its foundations; all the doors flew open, and all the prisoners' chains were loosened. Roused from his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, the Governor drew his sword intending to kill himself, in the belief that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called our loudly: "Do not harm yourself; we are all here." Calling for a light, the Governor rushed in, and flung himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. Then he led them out, and said: "What must I do to be saved?" "Believe in Jesus, our Lord," they replied, "and you shall be saved, you and your household too." Then they spoke to him of God's Message, and to all his household as well. And that very hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds, and he himself and every one belonging to him were baptized without delay. Afterwards he took them up to his house and set before them something to eat, rejoicing that he, with all his household, had come to believe in God.

The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish Synagogue, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed in Christ. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles, and poisoned their minds against the Brethren. Therefore Paul and Barnabas spent a long time there, and spoke out fearlessly, relying upon the Lord, who confirmed the Message of his Love by permitting signs and wonders to take place at their hands. read more.
But the townspeople were divided, some siding with the Jews, some with the Apostles; And, when there was an attempt on the part of both Gentiles and Jews, with their leading men, to resort to violence and to stone them, The Apostles heard of it, and took refuge in Lystra and Derbe, towns in Lycaonia, and in the district round,