Thematic Bible: Self-defense
Thematic Bible
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in
"Our law does not condemn a man before it hears what he has to say and finds out what he is doing, does it?"
At the governor's signal to Paul, he answered: "Since I know that you for many years have acted as judge for this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, for you can verify the fact that not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship, and they have never found me debating with anybody in the temple nor making a disturbance in the synagogues or about the city, read more.
and they cannot prove the charges they have just made against me. But I certainly admit this as a fact that in accordance with The Way -- that they call heresy -- I continue to worship the God of my forefathers, and I still believe in everything taught in the law and written in the prophets, and I have the same hope in God that they cherish for themselves, that there is to be a resurrection of the upright and the wicked. So I am always striving to have a conscience that is clear before God and men. After several years' absence I came to bring contributions of charity for my nation, and to offer sacrifices. While I was performing these duties they found me just as I had completed the rites of my purification in the temple; however, there was no crowd with me and no disturbance at all. But there were some Jews from Asia who ought to be here before you and to present their charges, if they have any, against me. Or let these men themselves tell what wrong they found in me when I appeared before the council -- unless it is for one thing that I shouted out as I stood among them, 'It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am here on trial before you today.'"
and they cannot prove the charges they have just made against me. But I certainly admit this as a fact that in accordance with The Way -- that they call heresy -- I continue to worship the God of my forefathers, and I still believe in everything taught in the law and written in the prophets, and I have the same hope in God that they cherish for themselves, that there is to be a resurrection of the upright and the wicked. So I am always striving to have a conscience that is clear before God and men. After several years' absence I came to bring contributions of charity for my nation, and to offer sacrifices. While I was performing these duties they found me just as I had completed the rites of my purification in the temple; however, there was no crowd with me and no disturbance at all. But there were some Jews from Asia who ought to be here before you and to present their charges, if they have any, against me. Or let these men themselves tell what wrong they found in me when I appeared before the council -- unless it is for one thing that I shouted out as I stood among them, 'It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am here on trial before you today.'"
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Yes." And while the charges were being made against Him by the high priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do you not hear how strong is the evidence they are bringing against you?" read more.
But He did not answer him a single word, so that the governor was dumbfounded beyond expression.
But He did not answer him a single word, so that the governor was dumbfounded beyond expression.
Then Pilate asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" And He answered him, "Yes, I am."
Then Pilate asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "Yes." And the high priests kept piling up accusations against Him. Then again Pilate asked Him, "Have you no answer to make? Just see how many charges they are making against you!" read more.
But Jesus made no further answer at all, so that Pilate was astonished.
But Jesus made no further answer at all, so that Pilate was astonished.
When they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "You must repent -- and, as an expression of it, let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ -- that you may have your sins forgiven; and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the promise belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those who are far away whom the Lord our God may call to Him." read more.
With many more words he continued to testify and to plead with them to save themselves from that crooked age.
With many more words he continued to testify and to plead with them to save themselves from that crooked age.