WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.860 Henry: Welcome to immerse, the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.798 Day 17. 00:00:04.248 --> 00:00:08.208 Afterward, Paul felt compelled by the spirit to go over to Macedonia 00:00:08.208 --> 00:00:10.398 and Aya before going to Jerusalem. 00:00:11.118 --> 00:00:14.508 And after that he said, I must go on to Rome. 00:00:15.168 --> 00:00:21.228 He sent his two assistance, Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia while he stayed 00:00:21.228 --> 00:00:23.448 a while longer in the province of Asia. 00:00:24.888 --> 00:00:30.288 About that time serious Trouble developed an Ephesus concerning the way it began 00:00:30.288 --> 00:00:34.848 with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver 00:00:34.853 --> 00:00:36.888 shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. 00:00:37.398 --> 00:00:39.228 He kept many craftsmen busy. 00:00:39.828 --> 00:00:43.188 He called them together, along with others employed in similar 00:00:43.188 --> 00:00:45.408 trades and address them as follows. 00:00:46.248 --> 00:00:49.698 Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. 00:00:50.268 --> 00:00:54.768 But as you have seen and heard this man, Paul has persuaded many people that 00:00:54.768 --> 00:00:57.288 handmade gods aren't really Gods at all. 00:00:57.798 --> 00:01:00.498 And he's done this not only here in Ephesus, but 00:01:00.503 --> 00:01:02.268 throughout the entire province. 00:01:02.898 --> 00:01:06.978 Of course, I'm not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. 00:01:07.488 --> 00:01:10.188 I'm also concerned that the temple of the great goddess, 00:01:10.188 --> 00:01:11.898 Artemis, will lose its influence. 00:01:12.333 --> 00:01:16.683 And that Artemis, this magnificent goddess, worshiped throughout the province 00:01:16.683 --> 00:01:22.383 of Asia and all around the world will be robbed of her great prestige at this. 00:01:22.383 --> 00:01:25.203 Their anger boiled and they began shouting. 00:01:25.383 --> 00:01:27.783 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:01:28.353 --> 00:01:30.753 Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. 00:01:31.383 --> 00:01:35.493 Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aris 00:01:35.493 --> 00:01:38.913 Starke, who were Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. 00:01:39.663 --> 00:01:42.873 Paul wanted to go in too, but the believers wouldn't let him. 00:01:43.473 --> 00:01:48.063 Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message 00:01:48.063 --> 00:01:54.303 to him begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater inside. 00:01:54.423 --> 00:01:57.663 The people were all shouting some one thing and some another. 00:01:58.203 --> 00:01:59.673 Everything was in confusion. 00:02:00.303 --> 00:02:03.333 In fact, most of them didn't even know why they were there. 00:02:04.038 --> 00:02:07.608 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told 00:02:07.608 --> 00:02:09.318 him to explain the situation. 00:02:09.858 --> 00:02:14.448 He motioned for silence and tried to speak, but when the crowd realized he 00:02:14.448 --> 00:02:18.528 was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for about two hours. 00:02:18.918 --> 00:02:21.228 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:02:21.558 --> 00:02:24.018 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:02:24.978 --> 00:02:28.248 At last, the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak 00:02:28.818 --> 00:02:31.128 citizens of Ephesus, he said. 00:02:31.788 --> 00:02:35.478 Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple 00:02:35.478 --> 00:02:39.078 of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven. 00:02:39.768 --> 00:02:45.228 Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash. 00:02:45.828 --> 00:02:49.608 You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple 00:02:49.608 --> 00:02:51.888 and have not spoken against our goddess. 00:02:52.548 --> 00:02:55.998 If Demetrius and the craftsman have a case against them, the 00:02:55.998 --> 00:02:59.358 courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. 00:02:59.733 --> 00:03:04.413 Let them make formal charges, and if there are complaints about other matters, 00:03:04.593 --> 00:03:06.873 they can be settled in a legal assembly. 00:03:07.533 --> 00:03:11.103 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman 00:03:11.103 --> 00:03:15.783 government since there is no cause for all this commotion, and if Rome demands 00:03:15.783 --> 00:03:17.953 an explanation, we won't know what to say. 00:03:18.873 --> 00:03:21.633 Then he dismissed them and they dispersed. 00:03:22.953 --> 00:03:26.973 When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. 00:03:27.543 --> 00:03:30.123 Then he said goodbye and left for Macedonia. 00:03:30.843 --> 00:03:35.073 While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. 00:03:35.763 --> 00:03:39.213 Then he traveled down to Greece where he stayed for three months. 00:03:39.753 --> 00:03:43.713 He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot 00:03:43.713 --> 00:03:45.513 by some Jews against his life. 00:03:45.963 --> 00:03:48.393 So he decided to return through Macedonia. 00:03:49.398 --> 00:03:51.288 Several men were traveling with him. 00:03:51.858 --> 00:03:58.068 They were Soter, son of PIIs from Berea, Arista, and Saks from Thessalonica, 00:03:58.698 --> 00:04:04.878 Gaius from Derby, Timothy, and Antiochus and Hammus from the province of Asia. 00:04:05.808 --> 00:04:08.508 They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 00:04:09.258 --> 00:04:13.608 After the Passover ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia, 00:04:13.938 --> 00:04:17.988 and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week. 00:04:19.593 --> 00:04:22.863 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers 00:04:22.863 --> 00:04:24.243 to share in the Lord's Supper. 00:04:24.813 --> 00:04:28.323 Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, 00:04:28.533 --> 00:04:30.273 he kept talking until midnight. 00:04:30.933 --> 00:04:34.773 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 00:04:35.553 --> 00:04:40.143 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Utica sitting on the 00:04:40.143 --> 00:04:42.213 window sill became very drowsy. 00:04:43.158 --> 00:04:48.168 Finally, he fell, sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 00:04:48.978 --> 00:04:52.518 Paul went down, bent over him and took him into his arms. 00:04:52.938 --> 00:04:55.608 Don't worry, he said he's alive. 00:04:56.418 --> 00:05:00.888 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord's supper and ate together. 00:05:01.758 --> 00:05:05.388 Paul continued talking to them until Dawn, and then he left. 00:05:06.243 --> 00:05:10.443 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and 00:05:10.443 --> 00:05:12.483 everyone was greatly relieved. 00:05:14.193 --> 00:05:17.883 Paul went by land to AZA where he had arranged for us to join 00:05:17.883 --> 00:05:19.713 him while we traveled by ship. 00:05:20.313 --> 00:05:22.953 He joined us there and we sailed together to midi. 00:05:24.063 --> 00:05:26.913 The next day, we sailed past the island of Kios. 00:05:27.543 --> 00:05:30.993 The following day, we crossed to the island of Semos, and a 00:05:30.993 --> 00:05:33.363 day later we arrived at Myletis. 00:05:34.158 --> 00:05:37.968 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus for, he didn't want to spend 00:05:37.968 --> 00:05:39.828 any more time in the province of Asia. 00:05:40.308 --> 00:05:43.818 He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time 00:05:43.818 --> 00:05:45.288 for the Festival of Pentecost. 00:05:45.858 --> 00:05:49.998 But when we landed at Mauss, he sent a message to the elders of the church at 00:05:49.998 --> 00:05:52.608 Ephesus asking them to come and meet him. 00:05:53.508 --> 00:05:57.948 When they arrived, he declared, you know that from the day I set foot in 00:05:57.948 --> 00:06:02.538 the province of Asia, until now, I have done the Lord's work humbly, and 00:06:02.538 --> 00:06:06.918 with many tears, I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots 00:06:06.923 --> 00:06:11.358 of the Jews, I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear 00:06:11.658 --> 00:06:13.728 either publicly or in your homes. 00:06:14.568 --> 00:06:18.768 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike, the necessity of 00:06:18.768 --> 00:06:23.688 repenting from sin and turning to God and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. 00:06:24.408 --> 00:06:27.708 And now I am bound by the spirit to go to Jerusalem. 00:06:28.248 --> 00:06:31.488 I don't know what awaits me except that the Holy, holy Spirit 00:06:31.493 --> 00:06:35.958 tells me in city after city, that jail and suffering lie ahead. 00:06:36.588 --> 00:06:40.998 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the 00:06:40.998 --> 00:06:43.008 work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. 00:06:43.548 --> 00:06:47.388 The work of telling others the good news about the wonderful grace of God. 00:06:48.648 --> 00:06:52.158 And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the 00:06:52.158 --> 00:06:54.078 kingdom will ever see me again. 00:06:54.798 --> 00:06:57.198 I declare today that I have been faithful. 00:06:57.738 --> 00:07:03.168 If anyone suffers, if eternal death, it's not my fault for I didn't shrink from 00:07:03.168 --> 00:07:05.448 declaring all that God wants you to know. 00:07:06.378 --> 00:07:09.018 So guard yourselves and God's people. 00:07:09.588 --> 00:07:10.698 Feed and shepherd. 00:07:10.698 --> 00:07:15.348 God's flock, his church purchased with his own blood over which the 00:07:15.353 --> 00:07:16.938 Holy Spirit has appointed you. 00:07:16.938 --> 00:07:22.428 As leaders, I know that false teachers like vicious wolves will come in among 00:07:22.428 --> 00:07:24.978 you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 00:07:25.818 --> 00:07:30.108 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth 00:07:30.318 --> 00:07:32.088 in order to draw a following. 00:07:32.568 --> 00:07:33.378 Watch out. 00:07:33.918 --> 00:07:38.388 Remember the three years I was with you, my constant watch and care over 00:07:38.388 --> 00:07:44.988 you night and day, and my many tears for you, and now I entrust you to God and 00:07:44.988 --> 00:07:49.638 the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance. 00:07:49.638 --> 00:07:54.798 With all those he has set apart for himself, I have never coveted anyone's 00:07:54.798 --> 00:07:56.748 silver or gold or fine clothes. 00:07:57.633 --> 00:08:01.863 You know that these hands of mind have worked to supply my own needs and even 00:08:01.863 --> 00:08:07.083 the needs of those who were with me, and I have been a constant example of how you 00:08:07.088 --> 00:08:09.363 can help those in need by working hard. 00:08:10.083 --> 00:08:12.333 You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus. 00:08:12.423 --> 00:08:15.483 It is more blessed to give than to receive. 00:08:16.503 --> 00:08:19.683 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. 00:08:20.313 --> 00:08:22.773 They all cried as they embraced and kissed him. 00:08:22.773 --> 00:08:23.043 Goodbye. 00:08:24.018 --> 00:08:27.888 They were sad, most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. 00:08:28.878 --> 00:08:30.708 Then they escorted him down to the ship. 00:08:32.238 --> 00:08:35.538 After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, we sailed 00:08:35.538 --> 00:08:37.218 straight to the island of cos. 00:08:37.878 --> 00:08:41.088 The next day we reached roads and then went to Patra. 00:08:42.033 --> 00:08:42.303 There. 00:08:42.303 --> 00:08:44.673 We boarded a ship sailing for Fania. 00:08:45.453 --> 00:08:49.713 We cited the island of Cyprus, passed it on our left, and landed 00:08:49.713 --> 00:08:54.063 at the harbor of tire in Syria where the ship was to unload its cargo. 00:08:54.993 --> 00:08:59.193 We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. 00:08:59.763 --> 00:09:03.243 These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul 00:09:03.243 --> 00:09:04.983 should not go on to Jerusalem. 00:09:05.763 --> 00:09:09.753 When we returned to the ship at the end of the week, the entire congregation, 00:09:09.783 --> 00:09:14.043 including women and children, left the city and came down to the shore with us. 00:09:14.643 --> 00:09:19.263 There we knelt, prayed, and set our farewells, then we went 00:09:19.263 --> 00:09:21.363 aboard and they returned home. 00:09:22.623 --> 00:09:27.123 The next stop after leaving Tire was Timaeus, where we greeted the brothers 00:09:27.123 --> 00:09:28.833 and sisters and stayed for one day. 00:09:29.898 --> 00:09:33.828 The next day, we went on to Cesarea and stayed in the home of Philip, the 00:09:33.828 --> 00:09:37.908 evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. 00:09:38.568 --> 00:09:42.018 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. 00:09:43.338 --> 00:09:47.088 Several days later, a man named Agabus, who also had the gift 00:09:47.088 --> 00:09:49.458 of prophecy arrived from Judea. 00:09:50.238 --> 00:09:55.068 He came over, took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands with it. 00:09:55.668 --> 00:10:00.858 Then he said, the Holy Spirit declares so shall the owner of this belt be 00:10:00.858 --> 00:10:05.418 bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles. 00:10:06.078 --> 00:10:10.458 When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go 00:10:10.458 --> 00:10:16.248 on to Jerusalem, but he said, why all this weeping you are breaking my heart. 00:10:16.818 --> 00:10:20.958 I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem, but even to die 00:10:20.958 --> 00:10:22.388 for the sake of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:23.538 --> 00:10:26.988 When it was clear that we couldn't persuade him, we gave up and 00:10:26.988 --> 00:10:29.208 said, the Lord's will be done. 00:10:30.738 --> 00:10:33.798 After this, we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. 00:10:34.368 --> 00:10:38.508 Some believers from Cesarea accompanied us and they took us to the home of 00:10:38.508 --> 00:10:42.678 nascent, a man originally from SE Cyprus and one of the early believers. 00:10:43.308 --> 00:10:47.688 When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly. 00:10:48.558 --> 00:10:52.878 The next day, Paul went with us to meet with James and all the elders 00:10:52.878 --> 00:10:54.738 of the Jerusalem church were present. 00:10:55.428 --> 00:11:00.108 After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished 00:11:00.108 --> 00:11:02.148 among the Gentiles through his ministry. 00:11:02.958 --> 00:11:07.908 After hearing this, they praised God and then they said, you know, dear 00:11:07.908 --> 00:11:12.318 brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all 00:11:12.318 --> 00:11:14.748 follow the law of Moses very seriously. 00:11:15.678 --> 00:11:19.398 But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all 00:11:19.398 --> 00:11:23.808 the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. 00:11:24.288 --> 00:11:27.738 They've heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children 00:11:27.918 --> 00:11:29.868 or follow other Jewish customs. 00:11:30.468 --> 00:11:31.548 What should we do? 00:11:31.938 --> 00:11:33.708 They will certainly hear that you have come. 00:11:34.618 --> 00:11:36.038 Here's what we want you to do. 00:11:36.723 --> 00:11:39.513 We have four men here who have completed their vow. 00:11:40.083 --> 00:11:45.093 Go with them to the temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for 00:11:45.093 --> 00:11:47.223 them to have their heads ritually shaved. 00:11:47.943 --> 00:11:51.363 Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you 00:11:51.363 --> 00:11:53.583 yourself observe the Jewish laws. 00:11:54.273 --> 00:11:58.623 As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter. 00:11:59.043 --> 00:12:03.123 They should abstain from eating food offered to idols from consuming 00:12:03.123 --> 00:12:07.323 blood or the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. 00:12:08.733 --> 00:12:11.463 So Paul went to the temple the next day with the other men. 00:12:11.943 --> 00:12:16.533 They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date 00:12:16.533 --> 00:12:20.493 when their vows would end, and sacrifices would be offered for each of them. 00:12:21.513 --> 00:12:26.613 The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in 00:12:26.613 --> 00:12:28.713 the temple and roused a mob against him. 00:12:29.193 --> 00:12:30.513 They grabbed him yelling. 00:12:30.783 --> 00:12:32.643 Men of Israel help us. 00:12:32.763 --> 00:12:36.573 This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells 00:12:36.573 --> 00:12:38.793 everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. 00:12:39.213 --> 00:12:43.113 He speaks against the temple and even defiles this holy 00:12:43.113 --> 00:12:45.003 place by bringing in Gentiles. 00:12:45.903 --> 00:12:49.563 For earlier that day, they had seen him in the city with Trophe, MOUs, a 00:12:49.563 --> 00:12:53.943 Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the temple. 00:12:55.173 --> 00:12:59.853 The whole city was rocked by these accusations, and a great riot followed. 00:13:00.423 --> 00:13:03.843 Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the temple, and immediately 00:13:03.848 --> 00:13:07.923 the gates were closed behind him as they were trying to kill him. 00:13:08.223 --> 00:13:11.163 Word reached the commander of the Roman regiment that all 00:13:11.168 --> 00:13:12.633 Jerusalem was in an uproar. 00:13:13.083 --> 00:13:17.583 He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran down among the crowd. 00:13:18.363 --> 00:13:22.683 When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul. 00:13:23.433 --> 00:13:27.213 Then the commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains. 00:13:27.783 --> 00:13:30.453 He asked the crowd who he was and what he had done. 00:13:31.023 --> 00:13:33.183 Some shouted one thing and some another. 00:13:33.843 --> 00:13:38.073 Since he couldn't find out the truth in all the uproar and confusion, he ordered 00:13:38.073 --> 00:13:39.963 that Paul be taken to the fortress. 00:13:40.563 --> 00:13:43.863 As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent. 00:13:43.893 --> 00:13:47.583 The soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him, and 00:13:47.583 --> 00:13:49.503 the crowd followed behind shouting. 00:13:49.503 --> 00:13:50.223 Kill him. 00:13:50.493 --> 00:13:51.183 Kill him. 00:13:52.323 --> 00:13:55.863 As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, 00:13:56.403 --> 00:13:57.633 may I have a word with you? 00:13:58.503 --> 00:13:59.493 Do you know Greek? 00:13:59.823 --> 00:14:04.353 The commander asked, surprised, aren't you the Egyptian, who led a rebellion 00:14:04.353 --> 00:14:08.943 some time ago and took 4,000 members of the assassins out into the desert? 00:14:09.888 --> 00:14:15.678 No, Paul replied, I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Saia, 00:14:16.008 --> 00:14:17.418 which is an important city. 00:14:17.928 --> 00:14:19.848 Please let me talk to these people. 00:14:20.628 --> 00:14:21.738 The commander agreed. 00:14:21.918 --> 00:14:25.278 So Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. 00:14:26.028 --> 00:14:29.328 Soon, a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed 00:14:29.328 --> 00:14:30.618 them in their own language. 00:14:30.828 --> 00:14:34.248 Aramaic brothers and esteemed fathers. 00:14:34.578 --> 00:14:38.088 Paul said, listen to me as I offer my defense. 00:14:38.868 --> 00:14:43.098 When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. 00:14:43.878 --> 00:14:50.748 Then Paul said, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Sia, and I was brought 00:14:50.748 --> 00:14:57.018 up and educated here in Jerusalem under Emelio as his student, I was carefully 00:14:57.018 --> 00:14:59.238 trained in our Jewish laws and customs. 00:14:59.958 --> 00:15:03.078 I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did. 00:15:03.288 --> 00:15:04.968 Just like all of you today. 00:15:05.688 --> 00:15:10.878 And I persecuted the followers of the way, hounding some to death, arresting both 00:15:10.878 --> 00:15:13.188 men and women and throwing them in prison. 00:15:13.938 --> 00:15:19.008 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so for, I 00:15:19.013 --> 00:15:23.688 received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to 00:15:23.688 --> 00:15:29.328 bring the followers of the way from there to Jerusalem in chains to be punished. 00:15:30.603 --> 00:15:35.733 As I was on the road approaching Damascus, about noon, a very bright light from 00:15:35.733 --> 00:15:38.073 heaven suddenly shone down around me. 00:15:38.763 --> 00:15:44.013 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, 00:15:44.433 --> 00:15:46.053 why are you persecuting me? 00:15:47.073 --> 00:15:48.183 Who are you Lord? 00:15:48.573 --> 00:15:55.353 I asked, and the voice replied, I am Jesus The Nazarene, the one you are persecuting. 00:15:56.163 --> 00:15:59.463 The people with me saw the light but didn't understand 00:15:59.463 --> 00:16:00.813 the voice speaking to me. 00:16:01.683 --> 00:16:03.993 I asked, what should I do, Lord? 00:16:04.953 --> 00:16:09.693 And the Lord told me, get up and go into Damascus, and there you will 00:16:09.693 --> 00:16:11.703 be told everything you are to do. 00:16:12.663 --> 00:16:16.413 I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand 00:16:16.413 --> 00:16:18.243 to Damascus by my companions. 00:16:19.023 --> 00:16:20.823 A man named Ananias lived there. 00:16:21.513 --> 00:16:26.013 He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law and well regarded 00:16:26.013 --> 00:16:27.813 by all the Jews of Damascus. 00:16:28.533 --> 00:16:33.003 He came and stood beside me and said, brother Saul, regain your sight. 00:16:33.633 --> 00:16:39.723 And that very moment I could see him then he told me, the God of our ancestors 00:16:39.723 --> 00:16:44.703 has chosen you to know his will and to see the righteous one and hear him speak 00:16:45.333 --> 00:16:49.803 for you are to be his witness telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 00:16:50.403 --> 00:16:51.693 What are you waiting for? 00:16:51.993 --> 00:16:53.673 Get up and be baptized. 00:16:53.973 --> 00:16:57.393 Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord. 00:16:58.713 --> 00:17:02.043 After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the temple 00:17:02.043 --> 00:17:03.423 and fell into a trance. 00:17:04.023 --> 00:17:09.063 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, hurry, leave Jerusalem for the people 00:17:09.063 --> 00:17:11.373 here won't accept your testimony about me. 00:17:12.243 --> 00:17:17.913 But Lord, I argued, they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned 00:17:17.913 --> 00:17:19.713 and beat those who believed in you. 00:17:20.253 --> 00:17:23.643 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Steven was killed. 00:17:24.213 --> 00:17:27.603 I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him. 00:17:28.413 --> 00:17:33.753 But the Lord said to me, go for, I will send you far away to the Gentiles. 00:17:34.863 --> 00:17:38.103 The crowd listened until Paul said that word. 00:17:38.643 --> 00:17:43.923 Then they all began to shout away, was such a fellow he isn't fit to live. 00:17:44.463 --> 00:17:49.533 They yelled, threw off their coats and tossed handfuls of dust into the air. 00:17:50.853 --> 00:17:54.663 The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips 00:17:54.663 --> 00:17:56.343 to make him confess his crime. 00:17:56.943 --> 00:18:00.123 He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. 00:18:00.768 --> 00:18:04.968 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, 00:18:05.478 --> 00:18:09.678 is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't even been tried? 00:18:10.548 --> 00:18:13.338 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and 00:18:13.343 --> 00:18:14.988 asked, what are you doing? 00:18:15.168 --> 00:18:16.758 This man is a Roman citizen. 00:18:17.598 --> 00:18:22.188 So the commander went over and asked Paul, tell me, are you a Roman citizen? 00:18:22.908 --> 00:18:24.318 Yes, I certainly am. 00:18:24.558 --> 00:18:26.898 Paul replied, I am too. 00:18:27.108 --> 00:18:29.658 The commander muttered and it cost me plenty. 00:18:29.658 --> 00:18:29.718 I. 00:18:30.423 --> 00:18:34.083 Paul answered, but I am a citizen by birth. 00:18:35.313 --> 00:18:39.123 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when 00:18:39.128 --> 00:18:43.083 they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because 00:18:43.088 --> 00:18:45.213 he had ordered him bound and whipped. 00:18:45.443 --> 00:18:49.833 The next day, the commander ordered the leading priests into session 00:18:49.833 --> 00:18:51.243 with the Jewish High Council. 00:18:51.873 --> 00:18:54.153 He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about. 00:18:54.573 --> 00:18:57.453 So he released Paul to have him stand before them. 00:18:58.893 --> 00:19:01.833 Gazing intently at the high council Paul began. 00:19:02.253 --> 00:19:06.573 Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience. 00:19:07.473 --> 00:19:08.133 Instantly. 00:19:08.433 --> 00:19:12.693 Ananias the high priest, commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 00:19:13.233 --> 00:19:16.353 But Paul said to him, God will slap you. 00:19:16.353 --> 00:19:17.643 You corrupt hypocrite. 00:19:18.153 --> 00:19:21.513 What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me? 00:19:21.513 --> 00:19:22.383 Struck like that. 00:19:23.508 --> 00:19:28.698 Those standing near, Paul said to him, do you dare to insult God's high priest? 00:19:29.628 --> 00:19:33.228 I'm sorry, brothers, I didn't realize he was the high priest. 00:19:33.558 --> 00:19:39.168 Paul replied for the scripture, say, you must not speak evil of any of your rulers. 00:19:40.518 --> 00:19:43.308 Paul realized that some members of the high council were 00:19:43.308 --> 00:19:45.618 Sadducees and some were Pharisees. 00:19:45.948 --> 00:19:46.728 So he shouted. 00:19:47.178 --> 00:19:53.028 Brothers, I am a Pharisee as were my ancestors, and I am on trial because my 00:19:53.033 --> 00:19:55.038 hope is in the resurrection of the dead. 00:19:55.308 --> 00:20:00.318 The this divided the council, the Pharisees against the Sadducees. 00:20:00.768 --> 00:20:05.988 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but 00:20:05.993 --> 00:20:07.998 the Pharisees believe in all of these. 00:20:08.583 --> 00:20:10.203 So there was a great uproar. 00:20:10.773 --> 00:20:14.073 Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up 00:20:14.073 --> 00:20:15.783 and began to argue forcefully. 00:20:16.323 --> 00:20:17.883 We see nothing wrong with him. 00:20:18.243 --> 00:20:22.053 They shouted, perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him. 00:20:23.043 --> 00:20:27.093 As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would 00:20:27.093 --> 00:20:32.193 tear Paul apart, so he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force 00:20:32.283 --> 00:20:33.993 and take him back to the fortress. 00:20:34.758 --> 00:20:38.898 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, be encouraged, 00:20:38.898 --> 00:20:42.528 Paul, just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem. 00:20:42.828 --> 00:20:45.888 You must preach the good news in Rome as well. 00:20:47.418 --> 00:20:51.018 The next morning, a group of Jews got together and bound themselves 00:20:51.018 --> 00:20:54.948 with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 00:20:55.488 --> 00:20:57.888 There were more than 40 of them in the conspiracy. 00:20:58.578 --> 00:21:02.058 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, we have 00:21:02.058 --> 00:21:06.558 bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 00:21:07.098 --> 00:21:10.128 So you and the high counsel should ask the commander to bring 00:21:10.128 --> 00:21:11.838 Paul back to the counsel again. 00:21:12.378 --> 00:21:15.168 Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. 00:21:15.648 --> 00:21:17.058 We will kill him on the way. 00:21:17.988 --> 00:21:22.578 But Paul's nephew, his sister's son, heard of their plan and went to the 00:21:22.578 --> 00:21:27.633 fortress and told Paul, Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, 00:21:28.023 --> 00:21:29.853 take this young man to the commander. 00:21:30.063 --> 00:21:31.923 He has something important to tell him. 00:21:32.823 --> 00:21:37.683 So the officer did explaining Paul, the prisoner called me over and asked 00:21:37.683 --> 00:21:40.863 me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you. 00:21:42.063 --> 00:21:46.893 The commander took his hand, let him aside and asked, what is it you want to tell me? 00:21:47.703 --> 00:21:51.903 Paul's nephew told him Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul 00:21:51.903 --> 00:21:55.323 before the high counsel tomorrow pretending they want to get some 00:21:55.323 --> 00:21:57.543 more information, but don't do it. 00:21:58.053 --> 00:22:01.803 There are more than 40 men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. 00:22:02.403 --> 00:22:05.793 They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. 00:22:06.243 --> 00:22:07.203 They are ready now. 00:22:07.203 --> 00:22:08.703 Just waiting for your consent. 00:22:09.933 --> 00:22:11.973 Don't let anyone know you told me this. 00:22:12.183 --> 00:22:13.803 The commander warned the young man. 00:22:15.123 --> 00:22:18.423 Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, get 00:22:18.428 --> 00:22:22.443 200 soldiers ready to leave for Cesarea at nine o'clock tonight. 00:22:23.133 --> 00:22:29.193 Also, take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops, provide horses for Paul to ride 00:22:29.313 --> 00:22:31.533 and get him safely to Governor Felix. 00:22:32.403 --> 00:22:36.903 Then he wrote this letter to the governor from Claudia SIUs to 00:22:36.903 --> 00:22:39.003 his Excellency Governor Felix. 00:22:39.393 --> 00:22:39.963 Greetings. 00:22:41.028 --> 00:22:44.718 This man was seized by some Jews and they were about to kill him. 00:22:44.718 --> 00:22:48.378 When I arrived with the troops, when I learned that he was a Roman 00:22:48.378 --> 00:22:50.598 citizen, I removed him to safety. 00:22:51.078 --> 00:22:54.528 Then I took him to their high counsel to try to learn the basis 00:22:54.528 --> 00:22:56.088 of the accusations against him. 00:22:56.958 --> 00:23:00.648 I soon discovered that the charge was something regarding their religious law. 00:23:00.978 --> 00:23:03.528 Certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 00:23:04.218 --> 00:23:08.748 But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him onto you. 00:23:09.333 --> 00:23:12.723 I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you. 00:23:14.043 --> 00:23:18.663 So that night as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as antitrust. 00:23:19.323 --> 00:23:22.323 They returned to the fortress the next morning while the mounted 00:23:22.323 --> 00:23:24.033 troops took him onto Cesarea. 00:23:24.753 --> 00:23:28.083 When they arrived in Cesarea, they presented Paul and the 00:23:28.083 --> 00:23:29.643 letter to Governor Felix. 00:23:30.093 --> 00:23:33.243 He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. 00:23:33.753 --> 00:23:35.583 Cia Paul answered. 00:23:36.423 --> 00:23:38.283 I will hear your case myself. 00:23:38.283 --> 00:23:39.753 When your accusers arrive. 00:23:40.083 --> 00:23:43.413 The governor told him, then the governor ordered him, kept in the 00:23:43.413 --> 00:23:45.363 prison at Herod's headquarters. 00:23:47.013 --> 00:23:49.863 This concludes today's Immer reading experience. 00:23:50.013 --> 00:23:51.243 Thank you for joining us.