Paul's Defense before Agrippa.

Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself: "I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that it is before you today that I am to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, particularly since you are well acquainted with all our Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I implore you to listen to me patiently.

       "The Jews all know my way of life from my youth, which I first lived among my own people and in Jerusalem. They have known about me from my youth, and they could testify, if they were willing, that I belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee. But now I am on trial because of my hope in the promise made by GOD to our ancestors.

       "Our twelve tribes worship night and day with intense devotion in the hope of seeing its fulfillment. It is because of this hope that I am accused by the Jews, O king. Why should it seem incredible to any of you that GOD raises the dead?

       "I myself once thought that I had to do everything possible against the name of JESUS OF NAZARETH. And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With the authorization of the chief priests, I not only sent many of the saints to prison, but when they were being condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. In all the synagogues, I tried by inflicting repeated punishments to force them to blaspheme, and I was so enraged with fury against them that I even pursued them to foreign cities.

       "On one such occasion, I was traveling to Damascus with the authorization and commission of the chief priests. At midday, as I was on my way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.'

       "I asked, 'Who are YOU, LORD?' THE LORD answered, 'I AM JESUS, whom you are persecuting. Get up now and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as MY servant and as a witness to what you have seen of ME and what you will yet see. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you. You are to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to GOD. Thus, they may obtain forgiveness of their sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecrated through faith in ME.'

       "And so, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven. Rather, I started to preach, first to the people in Damascus, and then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, calling on them to repent and turn to GOD and prove their repentance by their deeds. That is why the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

       "But I have had help from GOD to this very day, and I stand here and testify to both the lowly and the great. I assert nothing more than what the Prophets and Moses said would occur: that THE CHRIST must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to the people and to the Gentiles."

ACTS: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 1 - 23

Reactions to Paul's Speech.

       While Paul was still speaking in his own defense, Festus exclaimed, "You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane." But he replied, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. What I am asserting is true and reasonable. The king understands these matters, and to him I now speak freely. I am confident that none of this has escaped his notice, for all this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."

       Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a brief time you can persuade me to become a Christian?" Paul responded, "Whether in a short time or longer, I pray to GOD that not only you but also all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

       Then the king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those who had been seated with them. And as they were leaving, they said to one another, "This man is doing nothing that deserves death or imprisonment." And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

ACTS: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 24 - 32

Paul's Voyage toward Rome.

When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to Julius, a centurion of the Augustan cohort. We embarked on a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to ports in the province of Asia, and we put out to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.

       On the next day, we landed at Sidon, and Julius was considerate enough to allow Paul to visit his friends there and be cared for by them. From there, we put out to sea again and sailed around the sheltered side of Cyprus because of the headwinds. Then, crossing the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia.

ACTS: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 1 - 5

Storm and Shipwreck.

       There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship that was bound for Italy and put us on board. For a good many days, we made little headway, and we experienced difficulty in reaching Cnidus. Then, as the wind continued to pose difficulties, we sailed for the sheltered side of Crete off Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and reached a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

       Much time had already been lost, and sailing had now become hazardous, since the time of the Fast had already gone by. Therefore, Paul gave them this warning, "Men, I can see that this voyage will be fraught with danger and involve heavy losses, not only of the ship and the cargo but also of our lives."

       However, the centurion paid more attention to the advice of the captain and of the ship's owner than to what Paul said. Since the harbor was unsuitable for spending the winter, the majority were in favor of putting out to sea from there, in the hope that they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

       When a gentle southerly breeze began to blow, they thought that they would be able to achieve their objective. They weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, hugging the shore. But before long a violent wind, called a northeaster, swept down on them. Since the ship was caught up in it, we had to give way to the wind and let ourselves be driven along.

       As we passed along the sheltered side of a small island called Cauda, we managed with some difficulty to secure the ship's lifeboat. After hoisting it up, they used cables to undergird the ship. Then, afraid of running aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so let themselves drift.

       We were being pounded so violently by the storm that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. Then on the third day, they threw the ship's gear overboard with their own hands. For many days, neither the sun nor the stars could be seen, and the storm continued to rage until we finally abandoned all hope of being saved.

       When they all had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete. Then you would have avoided all this damage and loss. I urge you now to keep up your courage. There will be no loss of life among you. Only the ship will be lost.

       "Last night an angel of THE GOD TO WHOM I BELONG AND WHOM I SERVE appeared to me, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You shall appear before Cesar. Furthermore, for your sake GOD has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.' Therefore, men, keep up your courage. I have complete trust in GOD that what he told me will be fulfilled. But we will run aground on some island."

       On the fourteenth night, we were still drifting across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight, the sailors began to suspect that they were nearing land, so they took soundings and found that the water was twenty feet deep. A little farther on they again took soundings and found fifteen feet.

       Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come. The sailors then tried to abandon ship. They had already lowered the lifeboat into the sea, on the pretext that they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat and set it adrift.

       Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, "This is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense, going hungry and eating nothing. Therefore, I beg you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose even a hair of his head."

       After he had said this, he took bread, gave thanks to GOD in front of them all, broke it, and began to eat. Then they were all encouraged and began to eat. Altogether, there were two hundred and seventy-six persons on board. After they had eaten as mush as they wanted they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

       In the morning, they did not recognize the land, but they sighted a bay with a sandy beach, and they decided to run the ship aground on this if they could. And so they cut loose the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time, they loosened the ropes that held the rudders. Then, hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But they struck a reef, and the vessel ran aground. The bow became stuck and remained unmovable, while the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the waves.

       The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners lest any of them might swim away and escape. However, the centurion was determined to spare Paul's life, and he prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land, while the rest were to follow either on planks or on pieces of wreckage from the ship. In this way, all were brought safely to land.

ACTS: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 6 - 44

Paul at Malta.

Once we had made our way to safety, we learned that the island was called Malta. The natives treated us with unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they lit a bonfire and welcomed all of us around it.

       Paul had gathered an armful of sticks and put them on the fire when a viper, driven out by the heat, attached itself to his hand. On seeing the snake hanging from his hand, the natives said to one another, "This man must be a murderer. Although he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live."

       However, he shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after waiting for a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

       In the vicinity of that place there were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, whose name was Publius. He received us and gave us his hospitality for three days. It so happened that this man's father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and laying hands on him. After this happened, the rest of the sick people on the island also came and were cured. They honored us with many marks of respect, and when we were about to set sail, they put on board all the supplies we needed.

ACTS: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 1 - 10

From Malta to Rome.

       Three months later, we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island. The ship was from Alexandria, with the Dioscuri as its figurehead. We landed at Syracuse and spent three days there. Then we sailed along the coast and came to Rhegium. After one day there, a south wind came up, and we reached Puteoli in two days.

       In Puteoli, we found some brethren, and we were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. When the brethren there learned of our arrival, they came out to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. On seeing them, Paul gave thanks to GOD, and his courage was strengthened.

ACTS: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 11 - 15

Meetings with the Jewish Leaders.

       On his arrival in Rome, Paul was allowed to  live by himself, with a soldier guarding him. Three days later, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brethren, although I have done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. After they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me because they had found nothing against me that deserved the death penalty. But the Jews objected, and I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for it is because of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains."

       They replied, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brethren who arrived here reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think, for all we know about this sect is that it is denounced everywhere."

       And so they agreed on a day to meet with him, and they came to his lodgings in great numbers. From early morning until evening, he presented his case to them, testifying to the kingdom of GOD and attempting to convince them about JESUS as he argued from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded by what he had said, but others refused to believe.

       Having failed to reach an agreement among themselves, they began to leave. Then Paul made his final statement, "How right THE HOLY SPIRIT was when HE spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, saying,

       'Go to the people and say

       You will indeed listen but never understand,

          and you will indeed look but never perceive.

       For this people's heart has become dull,

          their ears have been stopped up,

          and they have shut their eyes,

       lest their eyes might see,

          their ears might hear,

          and their hearts might understand.

       Then they would be converted,

          and I would heal them.'

       "Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation offered by GOD has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen." [And when he had said this, the Jews departed, arguing vigorously among themselves.]

ACTS: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 16 - 29

Conclusion--But Not an End.

       Paul remained there in his lodgings for two full years at his own expense. He welcomed all who came to him, and without hindrance he boldly proclaimed the kingdom of GOD and taught about THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

ACTS: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 30 & 31

PROPHECIES IN THE DAYS OF JOSIAH

The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, a member of the priestly family in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. The word of THE LORD came to him during the thirteenth year of the reign of King Josiah, son of Amon, king of Judah. Then it continued through the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the eleventh year of Zedekiah, son of Josiah, king of Judah, when in the fifth month the inhabitants of Jerusalem were carried off into exile.

JEREMIAH: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 1 - 3

Jeremiah's Call from GOD.

       The word of THE LORD came to me, saying:

       Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

          and before you were born I consecrated

              you.

          I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

       Then I replied, "Ah, LORD GOD! YOU must be aware that I am not skilled in the art of speaking. I am only a young boy." But THE LORD said:

       Do not say, "I am only a young boy."

          You will go to whomever I send you,

          and you will speak whatever I commnad

              you.

       Do not be afraid of them,

          for I am with you to deliver you,

         says THE LORD.

       Then THE LORD stretched forth HIS hand and touched my mouth, and HE said to me:

       Behold, I have placed MY words into your mouth.

       This day I have established you

          over nations and kingdoms,

       to uproot and to pull down,

          to destroy and to demolish,

          to build and to plant.

       The word of THE LORD came to me, inquiring, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I replied, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then THE LORD said to me, "You have answered well, for I am watching to ensure that MY word is fulfilled."

       The word of THE LORD came to me a second time, asking, "What do you see?" I replied, "I see a boiling cauldron that is tilting away from the north." Then THE LORD said:

       From the north disaster will boil over

          upon all the inhabitants of the land.

       For now I am summoning all the tribes

          of the kingdoms of the north, says THE

              LORD.

       Their kings will advance,

          and each will establish his throne

          in front of the gates of Jerusalem,

       against all its surrounding walls

          and against all the cities of Judah.

       I will issue MY judgments against them

          for all their wickedness in abandoning ME,

       in offering sacrifices to other gods

          and worshiping what their hands have

              fashioned.

       As for you, be prepared for action;

          stand up and tell them

          everything that I command you.

       Do not have any fear of them

          or I will make you cringe in terror before

              them.

       For this very day

          I have made you into a fortified city,

       a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze,

          to overcome the entire country--

       the kings and the princes of Judah,

          its priests and its people.

       They will fight against you

          but they will not be victorious,

       for I will be at your side to deliver you,

          says THE LORD.

JEREMIAH: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 4 - 19