Chapter One

Incarcerated

Writing has never been difficult. There are letters to churches, cities, and
individuals published in my name. According to Peter, these writings are
considered to be Scripture.1 It’s not the ability to write that gives me concern. It is
my current circumstance. You see, I am incarcerated in what the Romans refer to
as Carcere Mamertino, Mamertine Prison.
Being in jail is not new to me. The first time was in Philippi more than eighteen
years ago.2 The first Roman incarceration was as house arrest eight years ago.3
This is different. The Mamertine Prison is a maximum-security facility. Everyone
here is under a death watch, including me. Any moment a Roman soldier can take
me from this dungeon of death to my execution. As a Roman citizen the choice of
execution is for me to decide. The choices are crucifixion or beheading. My choice
has already been communicated to the warden.
Peter was incarcerated here about three years ago. He too was under a death watch.
The Romans forced him to watch the crucifixion of his wife before carrying out his
death sentence. When it came time for his execution, he requested the Romans
crucify him upside down because in his words he was not worthy to be crucified in
the same manner as his Lord. The Romans accommodated his request.
The prison is dark and dank. There is one circular opening of sufficient size to
lower a man to the floor of the cavern some twelve feet below the surface of the
street. The prison was originally hewn out as a cistern. Iron rings are attached to
the walls to secure the prisoners. The chambers are escape proof.
At mealtime the food is dropped from the opening to a trough on the floor. It’s
every man for himself. The place is not sanitary. Rotting morsels of food attract
rats and the sewage gives off a very unpleasant odor. Some prisoners have been
known to die of starvation and disease before they can be executed.
People come and visit. Of course, they have to shout down from the circular
opening to be heard among the grumbling and moaning of the prison population.
1
2 Peter 3:15-16.
2
Acts 16:23.
3
Acts 28:17-31.

1
At first there were visitors, but Luke is the only one who has remained. Demas is
in Thessalonica, Crescens is in Galatia, Titus is in Dalmatia and Tychicus is in
Ephesus.4 There is no one else. I’ve sent word to Timothy to find Mark and bring
him to me. I’ve asked him to bring me the cloak I left in Troas. It is very cold in
this place. Also, I requested he bring some books especially the parchments.5 There
isn’t much light here but maybe I will be able to read. I warned him beware of
those that can cause great harm, especially Alexander the coppersmith. He has
caused me a lot of trouble.6
Even though there are other prisoners here, it is pretty lonely. When I first went
before my prosecutors, I had supporters around me. But now there is no one.
Thankfully, the Lord has not forsaken me. He has been with me from the start and
I am confident He will remain with me. He still has work for me to do; like writing
this to you.
Whereas my future here in prison is bleak, I have reviewed my life and discovered
just how fortunate I have been. Let me take some time to share with you the highs
and lows of the sixty plus years of my life.

4
2 Timothy 4:9-12
5
2 Timothy 4:11-13
6
2 Timothy 4:14

2
 Chapter Two
The Transformation

I was born in Tarsus in Asia Minor in 2 BC. My father is a Pharisee and a Roman
citizen. Like all boys born Roman I have two names. My parents registered my
Roman birth name Paulus at the tabularium publicum (official records office). My
family is of the tribe of Benjamin and gave me the Jewish name Saul. Around the
house I am called Saul by my sister and Uncle Saul by my nephew.
Tarsus is a university town and a center of philosophy. The town boasts of a well-
educated citizenry. The stoics and the epicureans would often be heard debating
their points of view. The epicureans favoring the pursuit of pleasure and the stoics
claiming what they considered the high road, pursuit of values. Situated on a major
trade route the city is 12 miles from the Mediterranean Sea and 356 miles from
Jerusalem. My teen years (AD 11-16) were spent in Jerusalem being educated in
the school of Gamaliel.7 I am zealous and work hard to preserve the faith delivered
by the fathers.
Beginning in AD 26 an itinerant preacher initiated a ministry in Jerusalem that
caught on with quite a few Jews. He claimed to be the Messiah (at least that is
what his followers believed). Admittedly, He performed a number of amazing
feats, but in my view, He was not the Messiah. He lived in Nazareth of all places
and came to Jerusalem for the required feasts. That is where I heard about Him.
Even though both of us were in Jerusalem at the same time, our paths did not cross.
The population of Jerusalem is not that large, except when the feasts occur. Then,
the population of the city swells to more than five times the number of people
roaming the streets. Every Jewish male is expected to come to Jerusalem for the
three feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Booths.
It was during Passover of AD 30 that the one they call Jesus caused such a tumult
that he was arrested, scourged, and crucified. The Sanhedrin voted to press charges
against him and sent him to the Roman prefect Pontius Pilatus (Pilate for short) for
sentencing. Pilate didn’t want to be involved in a seemingly religious squabble. His

7
Acts 22:3.

3
role was not to judge religion but to maintain the secular laws of the Roman
Empire.
The Jewish leadership insisted that Pilate take a stand. They coerced him into
rendering a guilty verdict by suggesting that Jesus had committed crimes against
the state and Pilate refused to take action. They threatened to make Pilate complicit
in Jesus’ alleged seditious activities. Finally, Pilate gave up and pronounced the
guilty verdict and issued the order to crucify the man.8
Crucifixion was Rome’s way of discouraging people to break the law. They made
quite a production of the practice. Before any sentence was carried out, the
lawbreaker would be scourged. The licter would apply thirty-nine stripes across the
back and shoulders of the condemned with a cat-o-nine tails. The barbaric practice
would tear the back and shoulder muscles. Then, the condemned would be paraded
through the streets of the city, arriving at a prominent location where the convicted
miscreant would be hoisted upon a wooden cross secured by nails driven into the
wood through the persons hands and feet. There they would be exhibited for all to
see.
Hanging on a cross severely restricts the breathing process. Generally, a crucified
individual, dies from asphyxiation. As the breathing becomes more difficult, the
body reacts by using the feet to push against the vertical crossbeam to lift the body
so that breathing can take place. But the back muscles are already damaged from
the scourging. Using them to help lift the body is extremely painful. If the
convicted person is not dead in a reasonable amount of time, a soldier uses a mallet
to break the legs of the one crucified, making it impossible to lift the body. Death
comes quickly at that point.
This man called Jesus was crucified and buried.9 There was a story going around
that he had risen from the grave.10 This rumor emboldened his followers to insist
that he was the Messiah and they preached in his name in their own homes11, the
synagogue12, and Solomon’s portico13. The leaders of our people were confused as
to what action to take. They originally had those who spoke out arrested14. And
were going to take much sterner measures when my teacher, Gamaliel spoke up.
8
Luke 23:1-25.
9
Matthew 27:35.
10
Mark 16:1-8.
11
Acts 8:3.
12
Acts 26:11.
13
Acts 3:11-26.
14
Acts 4:3-4.

4
He said, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For
before these days Theudus rose up claiming to be somebody, and a number of men,
about four hundred, joined him. He was killed and all who followed him were
dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of
the census and drew some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who
followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from
these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will
fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be
found opposing God.”15
The leadership found this to be good advice and did what Gamaliel suggested. On
the other hand, my zealousness would not allow me to do nothing. Instead I began
rounding up these zealots and taking them to the Sanhedrin for judgment. The
turning point for me was when one of their number, the Hellenist Stephen, publicly
chastised our people, calling us uncircumcised of heart, accused us of resisting the
Holy Spirit, and being stiff-necked.16 I could remain passive no longer.
The crowd seized Stephen, dragging him to a place where they began casting
stones at him; small ones at first. As the crowd grew angrier, they searched for
larger stones. He cried out as the large stones struck him, “Behold, I see the
heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit and do not hold this sin against them.” This was blasphemy. The
crowd would listen no longer. They covered their ears and hurled the stones with
even more vigor. Stephen fell to the ground blood flowing profusely from his head.
and died. I did my part. In order to cast the large stones unhindered, the men took
off their outer garment allowing them more flexibility to cast the stones with added
velocity. I voluntarily guarded those garments for them thereby approving of their
action.17
At this point I became the protector of Judaism and the persecutor of this new
sect.18 It wasn’t enough for me to limit my search to Judea. I added Samaria to the
ever-expanding areas where I could purge rebels from hindering the spread of
Judaism. At first my journeys were local, but they soon would take on international

15
Acts 5:35-39.
16
Acts 7:51.
17
Acts 7:54-60.
18
Acts 8:3.

5
dimensions.19 Barely thirty years old, my efforts pushed me to the forefront of my
peers.20
As the area of my scope of work expanded, the high priest issued letters of
authority for me to go to Damascus in Syria to rid the synagogue of those called
the Way. This was a rebellous sect of Judaism named after their leader, Jesus,
who claimed he was the “Way”. There were men travelling with me to help bring
these rebels back to Jerusalem. Little did I know how the events of that trip would
dramatically alter the rest of my life.
Damascus is 136 miles from Jerusalem. It took us seven days to arrive at the
outskirts of the city. Suddenly, as we approached the walls of the city, a bright
light flashed before us. It was like lightning except much brighter. We all fell to the
ground.21 A voice called out in Hebrew, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
Me?” I replied, “Who are you, Lord?” He said, “I am Jesus whom you are
persecuting. It is hard for you to keep resisting Me.” I responded, “What shall I do,
Lord?”
The men travelling with me were stunned. They saw the light and heard a voice but
saw no one and could not understand what they heard. I understood the
instructions. Jesus said to me, “Get up from the ground and go into the city. There
you will be told what to do.”22 Blinded by the light, those travelling with me took
me by the hand and led me to Straight Street.
In the meantime, the Lord also spoke to Ananias, a devoted disciple and a leader of
the Way. He told him to “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Look for
Saul of Tarsus. He will be praying, and, in a vision, he has seen you. Lay hands on
him so that he might regain his sight.”23
Ananias was hesitant. He answered the Lord, “I have heard a great deal about this
man. He has done much harm to the saints in Jerusalem and has been given
authority to arrest believers here.”
But the Lord said to him, “Do as I tell you for, I have chosen him to witness for Me
to the Gentiles and kings and to the children of Israel. I will show him how much
he will suffer for the sake of My name.”24
19
Acts 26:11.
20
Galatians 1:14.
21
Acts 26:14.
22
Acts 9:6.
23
Acts 9:10-12.
24
Acts 9:15-16.

6
I was blind so those travelling with me took me by the hand and led me to Ananias.
Ananias said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.”25 Instantly my sight was restored.
It was as if scales fell from my eyes. I was baptized and was given something to
eat.26
Ananias passed on these words from the Lord. “The God of our fathers appointed
you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One. You will be a servant and
witness to the things which you have seen and those which you have not yet seen.
You are being sent to open the eyes of both Jew and Gentile so that they may turn
from the darkness in which they dwell to the light. From the power of Satan to the
love of God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who
are sanctified by faith in Me.”27
The Lord blinded me on the road to Damascus to show me that I had been blind to
the path He had been showing me all along. The path was there. I just couldn’t see
it. The longer I held tight my man-made beliefs, the harder it would be for me to
rid myself of the shackles that were holding me back from an intimate relationship
with God. Everywhere I had gone to persecute the Way, I heard the people tell me
about their relationship with Jesus. As I went from door to door attempting to make
the saints blaspheme, I heard about Jesus. It wasn’t as though I had never heard
about Him, I did. I just did not understand until Jesus made Himself so abundantly
clear. As I waited for Ananias to restore my sight, I thought about Isaiah 53 and
other passages in the Scriptures that spoke about the Messiah. Three days of
solitude, meditating day and night on the law of the Lord as Psalm 1 directs
demonstrated to me that God wanted to use me, but I needed a crash course in
spiritual insight to be ready to be used. The knowledge I gained over the first thirty
years of my life was instrumental in showing me the difference between the
gathering of information (knowledge) and the appropriate use of that information
(wisdom).
I was excited about my new relationship with the Lord. My time at Damascus was
to be short lived. But it was filled with opportunities to speak about Jesus being the
Son of God.28 All who heard me were amazed, but all did not believe the
transformation that had occurred. Some thought it was a trick. Based on my
background, I can see how they arrived at that conclusion. But to those Jews who

25
Acts 22:13.
26
Acts 9:18-19.
27
Acts 26:16-18.
28
Acts 9:20.

7
had not yet believed in Jesus, I debated and confounded them by showing from the
Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.29
At the time I could not see all the things the Lord put in place for the work He
would give me. Good thing I was born a Roman citizen, else I would not have the
Roman name Paulus. It is just such detail that we so often miss that God does not
overlook. What’s in a name you say? The Jews were already persecuted enough. A
Roman name would not seem as offensive to a Gentile, giving me one less
roadblock in the ministry

Chapter Three
Seeking to Serve
There has been some confusion about the chronology of my spiritual development.
There are those who say that I was in the Arabian dessert for three years being
personally taught by the Lord. Let me set the record straight. The Lord called me
by grace and set me apart for service before I was born.30 But as you can see from
my life that I was blind to that call for over thirty years. I was operating on a call of
my own, doing what I thought was right. The Lord didn’t force me to choose to
serve Him, He simply allowed me to be confronted with who I am and what life
holds for me. When He said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” I answered,
“Who are you Lord?” He said, “I am Jesus of Nazareth.” When I responded, “What
shall I do Lord?” I voluntarily placed myself under His authority to go where He
wanted me to go and do what He wanted me to do. Yes, I was terrified at
experiencing His appearance to me on the road to Damascus. But that fear melted
into peace when I realized the splendor of his love. It may have taken three days
for me to come to that reality but come to it I did.
29
Acts 9:19-22.
30
Galatians 1:15.

8
Once I regained my composure from that life changing moment, I began preaching
Jesus is the Son of God using Scriptural texts to solidify my conclusions. I did not
consult any man, nor seek the opinion of the apostles. The revelation was given to
me by Jesus Himself.31 I did go into Arabia and returned to Damascus. Then after
three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter (AD 35).
During the three years in Damascus the Jews plotted to kill me. When we
discovered their plot, we knew it was time to leave. Damascus is a walled city and
the Jews were watching the gates for my departure. In order to avoid being
detected leaving the city, those who had become my disciples over the past three
years lowered me down the wall in a basket. Once beyond the walls of the city, I
charted my course for Jerusalem.
The disciples in Jerusalem were naturally skeptical of my transformation. Who
could blame them? After all I was responsible for some deaths and imprisonments
of innocent people. Fortunately, Barnabas befriended me and vouched for the
change which had taken over my life. He told them about the Damascus Road
experience and how I had been boldly preaching the Gospel message. He was able
to convince all except the Hellenists who were conspiring to kill me.32 The
Hellenists were Greek speaking Jews who had returned to live in Jerusalem from
countries from which they had been scattered. They are distinguished from Jews
who spoke Hebrew and Aramaic. There was an underlying resentment on both
parties. The Hellenists thought the Hebrew speaking Jews felt superior to them and
the Hebrew speaking Jews questioned the authenticity of the Hellenists.
Peter and I met for fifteen days. Then, the Lord’s brother, James and I met briefly.
But none of the other apostles met with me. I had been there only a short time
when the Lord appeared to me. It was in the temple where I had been praying. In a
trance like state the Lord said to me, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly
because they will not accept your testimony about Me. I will send you far away to
the Gentiles.”33 Since the Hellenists were up to no good, the apostles accompanied
me to Caesarea and saw me safely off to Syria and Cilicia where I stayed for seven

31
Galatians 1:11-17.
32
Acts 9:29.
33
Acts 22:17-21.

9
years.34 As far as the churches in Judea, I was an unknown quantity. The apostles
told them of my transformation, and they gave glory to God for His grace.35
The time I spent in Cilicia, especially my hometown of Tarsus, was a time of
reflection. I really wanted to know what the Lord wanted to accomplish by using
me. I sought His will for my life, but there did not seem to be an answer. All I
could do was wait. When I had been in Cilicia seven years, the Lord gave me a
vision. I don’t know if it was a dream. I don’t know if I was in the body or out of
the body. All I know is that I was caught up to the third heaven and heard things
that cannot be told, which man may not utter. Because of the revelations given to
me, to keep me from thinking more of myself than I should, the Lord gave me a
thorn in the flesh as a reminder of who I really am. I prayed three times pleading
for Him to remove this messenger of Satan from me, but He simply responded,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”36
Shortly after the vision, AD 42, Barnabas came to Cilicia asking if I would come to
Antioch to help him teach the believers there. It seems as though the Church at
Jerusalem had scattered since the stoning of Stephen and was regathering in
Antioch. I was delighted to be asked and even more excited to be ministering
again. For the next year Barnabas and I taught with many people coming to the
Lord. It was at Antioch where believers were first called Christian.37
Prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch during the reign of the Roman emperor
Claudius.38 One of them, Agabus, foretold of a world-wide famine. The believers at
Antioch decided to take up a donation for the saints living in Jerusalem to help
them during the coming catastrophe. They chose Barnabas and me to administer
the money and deliver it to Jerusalem.39 In AD 43, Barnabas and I made the 300-
mile journey to Jerusalem to deliver the money to the saints living there.40
In order to help you better understand the chronology, I will tell you some other
facts as we know them. In AD 44 Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great,
was king over Judea. In order to flex his muscles, he had the apostle James

34
Paul’s Damascus Road experience occurred in AD 31-32. He spent three years in Damascus (AD 35), then went to
Jerusalem. He was there for at least 15 days and left Jerusalem for Cilicia. He was in Cilicia until Barnabas came for
him in AD 42.
35
Galatians1:22-24.
36
2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
37
Acts 11:19-26.
38
AAD 41-54.
39
Acts 11:23-30.
40
Acts 11:30.

10
beheaded. This pleased the Jewish establishment. When Herod realized this, he had
Peter arrested and planned on executing him as well. He gave the command that
four squads of soldiers’ guard him so there would be no chance of his escape. It
was Passover. Herod wanted him executed early in the morning. That night Peter
was sleeping between two soldiers shackled to them. Two other soldiers were
guarding the door to the prison. Out of nowhere a bright light shone and an angel
appeared, woke Peter, and said, “Quickly, get dressed, put on your shoes, wrap
your cloak around you, and follow me.” The shackles that held him to the soldiers
fell off his wrist. He had no idea what was happening. Was he awake? Was it a
vision? He did what the angel told him. They passed two sets of guards before
arriving at the iron gate leading from the prison to the city. As they approached the
gate there was no one there to open it. It opened by itself. Peter was outside the
prison and the angel disappeared as fast as he had appeared. Shortly thereafter,
Herod died suddenly. He was eaten by worms.41
Barnabas and I were back in Antioch. There were many leaders of the church there
who were anxious to discern the will of God and what their role in the process
would be. During the worship time, the Holy Spirit spoke in an audible voice
instructing the elders to set Barnabas and Me apart for the work of the ministry to
which we were called. How do you know it was the Holy Spirit speaking you
might ask? The answer is we tested the Spirit. We had already been fasting and
praying for the Lord to reveal to us what He wanted us to do. We were prepared to
follow wherever He would lead us. When the Lord appeared to me in Damascus,
He asked why I was persecuting Him. I didn’t know I was persecuting Him. He
informed me that if I persecuted His Church, I was persecuting Him. I asked Him
“What shall I do?”42 I was giving my assent to go where He wanted me to go and
do what He wanted me to do. It was as Daniel wrote, “my time to shine as the
stars.”43

41
Acts 12:6-23.
42
Acts 22:10.
43
Daniel 12

11
 Chapter Four
On Being a Missionary Before I was a Missionary
The definition of a missionary is “one sent.” I was sent to Damascus by my own
hand and with the authority of the High Priest. I thought it my duty to protect
Judaism from those who would do her harm. I was a missionary. Now I am being
sent to minister to people not by my own hand but by the decree of the Holy Spirit.
He has chosen me to carry-out a specific duty. I am to carry the Word to all to
whom He will send me.
The island of Cypress is approximately 100 miles from the port city Seleucia in
Syria. We left Antioch and travelled the 15 miles to Seleucia in order to board the
sailing vessel to Cyprus. Like any other port of entry, Seleucia was exposed to
hardened mariners.
Our ministry was to spread the Gospel message. When He called us out for
ministry, the Holy Spirit did not specify the area we were to include in our
assignment. But since Barnabas was a former landowner and resident of Cyprus,44
we thought it good to make that island our first port of call. Barnabas was of the
Jewish tribe of Levi45 and quite familiar with the law. Travelling with us is
Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark.46 He is a young man and will be helpful in
transporting our belongings.
We arrived at the port city of Salamis47 and wasted no time. There was much to do
and little time in which to do it. Someone gave us directions to the nearest
synagogue where we proclaimed the Word of God to the Jews.48 I realize that my
calling is to the Gentiles but the Lord Himself said that He was “sent to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel,”49 and “salvation was of the Jews.”50
Salamis is on the eastern shore of Cyprus. From there we made our way through
the interior of the island to Paphos,51 on the western shore, a distance of
44
Acts 4:36.
45
Acts 4:36.
46
Acts 13:5.
47
Acts 13:5.
48
Acts 13:5.
49
Matthew 15:22.
50
John 4:22.
51
Acts 13:6.

12
approximately 100 miles. Here we encountered a Jewish magician named Bar
Jesus who was a false prophet.52 He was in the company of the proconsul, Sergio
Paulus. The proconsul was an intelligent man who desired to hear what Barnabas
and I had to say. But the magician also known as Elymas tried to prevent us from
speaking. In the power of the Holy Spirit I said to him, “You son of the devil, you
enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop at
making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is upon
you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.”53 As soon as I
finished speaking those words, darkness fell upon him and he tried to find someone
to lead him by the hand. The pro consul was so in awe of what took place that he
submitted himself to the Lord.54
Up until now I have been addressed by my Jewish name, Saul. But now my Roman
name, Paul, was being used to identify me. It makes sense that as long as my
ministry was to the Jews that my Jewish name be used. But now with Sergio
Paulus being the first Gentile convert of the ministry, it is appropriate that I be
identified using my Roman name.55
Having completed our work in Cyprus, we prepared for the 152 nautical mile trip
to the city of Perga in Asia Minor. This was an important city located in the region
of Pamphylia. There is a temple to Artemis in the city. We are expected to arrive in
Perga in approximately two days.
Upon arrival in Perga Mark gave me disappointing news. He was going back to
Jerusalem.56 To say that I was angry would be an understatement. I was seething.
Mark was to help carry the trunks and provisions needed to make this trip a
success. How can he abandon us now? What is he thinking?
We didn’t spend much time in Perga. It was time to get back on the road. We
travelled to Pisidian Antioch. This city is to be distinguished from Antioch on the
Orontes. That is the city from which we departed. This was another city named
after Antiochus the Great, longtime ruler of the Seleucid Empire. It was on a major
trade route called Via Sebaste. The population of Antioch is approximately 50,000.
The city is nearly 2000 feet above sea level.

52
Acts 13:6.
53
Acts 13:10-11.
54
Acts 13:12.
55
Acts 13:9.
56
Acts 13:13.

13
On the first sabbath we located the synagogue. Sitting quietly, listening to the
readings, we had no intention of speaking. But the leadership of the synagogue
recognized us as being strangers and called for us to give a word of
encouragement. I opened my mouth and the Holy Spirit opened my heart. I said,
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose
our fathers and made the people great during their stay in Egypt, and with uplifted
arm He led them out of it. And for about forty years He put up with them in the
wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them
their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave
them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave
them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And
when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he
testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart,
who will do all my will.’ Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a
Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism
of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he
said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is
coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ “Brothers, sons of the
family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the
message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because
they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are
read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in
him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when
they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree
and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he
appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are
now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God
promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as
also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you.’

And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to
corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

14
Therefore, he says also in another psalm,
“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell
asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised
up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through
this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who
believes is freed[c] from everything from which you could not be freed by the law
of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
 “‘Look, you scoffers,
    be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
    a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

The message was to be heard by all the Jews in the synagogue at that time and
those referred to as “those who fear God.” These were Gentiles who were in the
process of becoming Jews. The only thing that would keep them from being Jews
would be circumcision.
Our words were met with acceptance by some of the Jews, but the Gentiles
responded more favorably. They clamored for more and expressed the desire to
hear more thoughts like these to be shared next Sabbath.
We were astounded the next Sabbath when a large number of, almost all the
townspeople, gathered to hear the Word of the Lord. It didn’t take long for
resentment to fester. The establishment Jews began complaining. They weren’t the
least bit interested in hearing what was being spoken. Rather, they contradicted my
words and denigrated me. The revulsion gave me more impetus to keep on
speaking. Both Barnabas and I boldly informed them that, “The Word of God was
not something to trifle with. It should be handled with the utmost respect and
honor. That it had been established by the Lord Himself, and by necessity
delivered first to them and then to the Gentiles. After all, it was the Jews who were
chosen to be a light to the Gentiles. I reminded them about Isaiah 49:6 where the
prophet is quoted as saying, “I will make you a light to the nations, that My
salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

15
When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and glorify God. The result
was the Word of God was shared freely. The Gentiles rejoiced again as the Word
of the Lord was repeated throughout the entire region. But the Jews just like their
Old Testament counterparts thought the only use for a Gentile was to stoke the
fires of hell. They incited better known women and the male leadership of the area
to persecute those believers so much so that they drove them out of the area.

As for Barnabas and myself, we were given strict warnings not to come back to the
city. I shook the dust from my feet just as Jesus instructed the apostles to do when
He sent them out two by two57 and pressed on to Iconium, a journey of about six
days.

The terrain is hilly. From Perga we climbed approximately 2000 feet. We weren’t
quite finished. The elevation on the Via Sebaste will almost double by the time we
arrive in Iconium.

The city is part of the Lycaonia district. The area is a fertile farming area with both
adequate rain and sunshine. It boasts of having the largest plains of any district in
Asia Minor.

Th residents of Iconium heard about our little mission’s group and attended
synagogue the following Sabbath. Barnabas and I were quite impressed and
delighted to be a part of such a worthy undertaking. However, the Jewish
establishment were also aware of our being in town and opposed us just as
vigorous as the Jewish leadership in Antioch. Although many believed, there were
some who not only disbelieved but vocally opposed Barnabas and me. Their
rantings effected the Gentiles and turned some of them away. Despite the
miraculous signs the Lord allowed us to perform, the influence of the Jewish
establishment prevailed. The city was divided. I can’t prove this, but I believe there
were more who believed than those that disbelieved but those who wanted us gone
were louder than the others.

57
Matthew 10:14.

16
Having what seems to be an advantage, the Jewish establishment resorted to
physical threats and in some cases outright attacks. Here is where we drew the line.
There was even a hint of a stoning.

Barnabas and I marshalled our group and fled the city for Lystra, a two-day trip
away. Upon arrival in Lystra we came in contact with a man who had been
crippled from birth. He had feet; they just didn’t work the way they were designed.
No matter how hard he tried, nothing seemed to work. He had just about given up
hope. The young man heard me say, “Stand to your feet and tell me what you
want.” Stand to his feet he did. He didn’t just rise slowly, he seemed to catapult up.
He was no longer afraid of anything. When the crowd saw he was walking, they
were dumbfounded. They began to speak in their local dialect, attributing the
healing of the man to the gods. They even claimed that I was Hermes because I
was perceived to be the leader while Barnabas was perceived to be Zeus.
When we realized what they were doing, we immediately put a stop to it. I called
out to the crowd, “What are you doing? We are men just like you. We are not gods.
You have been shown the error of your ways in allowing false gods in your life.
There is a God and He created the heavens and earth. Worship Him and Him alone.
He has revealed Himself to you in nature. Just look at the witness He left for you,
rain for your crops, fruitful seasons, and food. All this He gave for your physical
needs. Then He gave you gladness of heart for your spiritual needs.”58 With all of
this the residents of Lystra were still trying to worship Barnabas and me.

The Jews from Iconium and Antioch banded together and found Barnabas and me
in Lystra. They whipped up the rancor of the people of Lystra so much that they
easily persuaded them to stone me. At first the stones were small, but as the Jews
continued to shout as though they were in a fury, the ire of the people could be
seen on their faces. Nothing could mask the toxicity that permeated the scene.

As the stones they hurled grew larger, the more pain I felt. I fell to the ground
unable to stand any longer. As I lay there motionless, the stones ceased hitting me.
It seemed as though those casting the stones had succeeded in removing any threat
to their false religious system. No one could endure that much damage. Or so they
thought.

58
Acts 14:8-18.

17
The angry stone-throwing mob left the scene to be replaced by a group of
beleaguered believers. Much to their dismay, my lifeless body began to show signs
of viability. Right before their very eyes, the Lord infused more and more life into
my body. What seemed like utter defeat turned into praiseworthy victory. We went
back into the city for the night, then Barnabas and I left Lystra, headed for Derbe
the next morning. In Derbe we preached the Word as often as we could. Upon
hearing the gospel, many people believed.

We could have returned home overland. We were within 240 miles of Antioch in
Syria. But despite the easier option, Barnabas and I decided to return the 600 miles
the way we came. In this way we could strengthen the believers and encourage
those who had heard that I was dead. The Lord gave us our marching orders. He
said we should make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to
observe all His commands. He promised that when we follow His instructions, He
will be with us always and forever.

We had already observed his protection and blessing. He was with us through the
disappointments of the trip, the hardship, and the near-death experience. He would
be with us on the way home as well. I wasn’t there when Jesus gave His
instructions to the Apostles on the mountain in Galilee.59 I was still lost in my
unbelief. But when He made His instructions known to me, I took Him for His
word and observed His commands and experienced His promise.

We left Derbe, went through Lystra, stopped in Iconium, travelled to Pisidian

Antioch, trekked to Perga, before boarding the ship in Attalia sailing for Seleucia,
and wayfaring back to Syrian Antioch. We were finally home. The church was
gathered together waiting to learn about our trip. As Barnabas and I recounted our
experiences, I marveled at how the Lord took care of us. We had some harrowing
experiences, but He was with us at all times even when we didn’t think He was. As
for the church, they were delighted about the reaction of the Gentiles to the Gospel
message.60 We closed the mission report by reminding ourselves about Jesus’ last
words to His apostles before His ascension into heaven. He said, “You will be My

59
Matthew 28:18-20.
60
Acts 14:24-27.

18
witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”61 We didn’t go
to the end of the earth, but we did travel more than 1200 miles extending the reach
of the life-giving message of the Gospel.

Chapter Five
Jerusalem Council

Going on a mission trip is both good and not so good. It is good in that you are
being obedient to the will of God. It is not so good due to the toll it takes on the
body. The trip Barnabas and I took to Galatia (circa AD 46-47) was brutal. Of
course, the stoning in Lystra didn’t help much but the treatment we received from
some of the other cities was bad as well.
Barnabas and I had been back for about a year. When some of the leaders of the
church at Jerusalem came for a visit, they taught that unless a person be

61
Acts 1:8.

19
circumcised, he could not be saved. When Barnabas and I heard what they were
teaching we immediately challenged them. The debates grew belligerent and nearly
came to blows.
There were two distinct camps. In one camp were the Judaizers. These are people
who hold strictly to the law. No deviations. In the other camp are those who adhere
to what has been revealed. The Judaizers insisted that all new believers whether
Jew or Gentile be baptized, circumcised, and keep the law of Moses. The other
group argued that people are not justified by works but through the unmerited
favor of God through Jesus Christ.
Peter made a visit to Antioch unhesitatingly interacting with the Gentiles. He
recounted a story of his trip to Caesarea where he met Cornelius, a Roman
centurion. Cornelius was a God-fearer whom God sent Peter to see. Peter shared
with him and his family the Gospel message. Cornelius and his entire family
believed Peter’s message and were saved. Along with Peter that day were six
Jewish brothers, who were witnesses to what had occurred. Upon believing in
Christ for salvation the Holy Spirit indwelt Cornelius just like He did the apostles
on the day of Pentecost. When Peter returned to Jerusalem the first question the
Jews asked him regarding the Cornelius matter was, “You ate with uncircumcised
men?”
Instead of praising God for Cornelius and his household being saved, they were
holding on to their Gentile bias.
When these Judaizers came to Antioch. Peter stopped fraternizing with the Gentile
believers. He had reverted back to his pre-Cornelius mindset. Because of this
hypocrisy, I called him out publicly. I had to do it. He was negatively influencing
other Jewish believers, especially Barnabas, and alienating Gentile believers.
There was no compromise on this issue from either party. The only way this was
going to be resolved was to go to Jerusalem and have the apostles and elders rule
on the matter. The leaders of the believers in Antioch appointed me and Barnabas
to lead a contingent representing what they believed to be the proper teaching. The
journey was over 300 miles and took us fifteen days to arrive. On the way to
Jerusalem Barnabas and I overnighted in Phoenicia and Samaria to share our views
with believers in those locations. They were delighted by our report of the
missionary journey and were thankful that we acknowledged their participation in
the doctrinal discussion.

20
Upon our arrival in Jerusalem, the apostles welcomed us. Peter was there as was
James, the Lord’s brother. It had been fourteen years (AD 35) since I had met with
the two of them in Jerusalem. John was also there. It is now AD 49. Titus, a Greek
whom I refer to as my spiritual son, was with us. We gave them a firsthand report
of the trip to Cyprus and the cities of Galatia. They were blessed knowing that
great numbers of people believed as they did. In the midst of the celebration, some
Judaizer symphasizers interrupted the report saying, “It is an unavoidable necessity
that these new believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be
part of the growing faith.
As you might suspect, that didn’t go over very well with Barnabas and me. We
continued to make our case. That’s when Peter spoke up saying, “Brothers we all
know that the Lord selected me to go to Cornelius to share the Gospel with him
and his family. And we all know how that turned out. Six brothers were there with
me and can witness to the truth of what I am saying. The Holy Spirit came upon
them the same way He came upon us at Pentecost. Why should there be any
difference. That prompts me to ask the question, why should we add to these new
believers the added and unnecessary burden of the Law. Our fathers couldn’t keep
it, nor can we. Our faith is the belief that we are saved through the grace of our
Lord Jesus. Not from our works no matter how wonderful they may sound.”62
A silence fell over the room. Barnabas and I began to speak of the miracles we
experience on our trip. After everyone had their say, James spoke, “Peter has
reported how God is making the Gentiles a people for Himself. The words of the
prophets agree with what we are hearing and seeing. Therefore, my judgment is
that we write to the Gentles, putting no other restrictions on them other than not
eating meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, and blood.”63
So it seemed like a good idea to draft a letter with these conditions and send it back
to Antioch with Barnabas and me. Because Barnabas and I were so zealous about
the matter, the apostles felt it prudent to send a delegation with us to authenticate
the correct position. Among the ones sent from Jerusalem were Barsabbas,
sometimes called Judas, and Silas. Both men were well respected.
The caravan left for Antioch. It took just over fifteen days to make the trip. Upon
arrival in Antioch, a meeting of the church there was arranged. The letter was read

62
Acts 15:6-11.
63
Acts 15:1-21.

21
aloud. It was met with encouragement and rejoicing. Judas and Silas also brought
an encouraging word which strengthened the brothers.
Their work being accomplished, the Jerusalem contingent began the long journey
back home. Silas, however, remained in Antioch.
Some time went by and I spoke to Barnabas saying, “Let’s go back to all the
churches we helped establish on our trip to see how they are doing?” Barnabas was
onboard for the trip and responded, “I’ll go get Mark.” That didn’t sit well with me
due to him abandoning us on the last trip. The more we discussed it the more bitter
the words were until the only decision to make was to go on separate trips. Mark
went to Cyprus with Barnabas and Silas went with me to Galatia. To this day I
regret the whole situation.64

Chapter Six

Silas and I left Antioch and traveled overland into Northern Syria and Cilicia.
There were no surprises to me since I was born in Tarsus and spent my early life in
this area not to mention the seven years between leaving Jerusalem and teaching in
Antioch. The area has a rich history, some of which is praiseworthy while some of
it is condemnatory. The terrain of the area is rugged. The Taurus Mountains run
parallel to the Mediterranean Sea causing steep inclines from sea level to mountain
peak in some cases. This geographical feature provides a safe haven for the pirates
that often terrorize the coastal region. The Sea People emanated from this
geographic location. They are better known as the Philistines, mortal enemies to
my people.

64
Acts 15:36-41.

22
Moving away from the coastal area, the plains along the northern side of the Via
Sebaste, the main highway through Asia Minor, are rich in soil and a focal point
for a productive farming industry. The area is also famous for hair shirts, clothing
stitched from goatskin called cilicium by the Romans.
The residents of the area speak Greek, Roman, and Latin along with the dialect of
their domicile. The mountain range is both majestic and monstrous at the same
time, a panorama of ghastly perfection.
As we made our way to Cilicia, we came to my home-town, Tarsus, the capital city
of southeast Asia Minor. In order to arrive at the locations of the cities Barnabas
and I visited on the initial journey to Asia Minor, it would be necessary to go
through the Cilician Gates, the only pass through the Taurus Mountains. This
initial leg of the trip is 140 miles, and will take seven to nine days depending on
weather. Once we enter the pass, we will have another 100 miles or five to seven
days before arriving in Derbe.
After a brief respite from our two-week travel we met with the elders65 which had
previously been appointed to lead the church. At first, we gave them the
opportunity to inform us regarding the status of the church. I was astonished to
learn that there were factions in all the churches who had so quickly believed the
false teachers who had visited them. Then we shared with them the good news
from the Jerusalem Council. Finally, before departing for Lystra, I shared with
them the letter I had written to them, reminding them of the fundamentals of the
faith. After a brief time of fellowship, Silas and I prepared for an early morning
exit from Derbe to Lystra, a full two-day journey.
There was some trepidation about returning to the scene of my near-death
experience.66 But that fear was assuaged when we saw Timothy, his mother,
Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. It was Lois who first walked in the faith of the
fathers, setting the example. Eunice followed that example.67 Eunice’s husband
was Greek,68 yet, she and Lois saw to it that Timothy was raised respecting the
Scriptures. I was encouraged when Timothy openly expressed his belief in the
Gospel presented to him69 and asked him to accompany Silas and me on the

65
Acts 14:23.
66
Acts 14:19.
67
2 Timothy 1:5.
68
Acts 16:1.
69
1 Timothy 1:2.

23
continuation of our trip. He was anxious to do so. With Eunice’s approval, he
joined our entourage.
The first action we took before leaving Lystra was to have Timothy circumcised.70
You might ask why circumcise him after making such an issue of the procedure at
the council meeting in Jerusalem? Because Timothy’s father was Greek, but
Timothy was a Jew. The probability of him being circumcised was rather low. He
was known in the both Lystra and Iconium71 as having a good testimony. At that
point the Jews in the cities we were visiting would have known he wasn’t
circumcised. We wanted to remove any potential barrier to the Gospel the Jews
might have placed in the way of their acceptance of the message.
After giving Timothy time to heal from the circumcision, we began our two-day
trip to Iconium. I read to the saints the instructions from the Jerusalem Council and
left the same letter about the faith I left with the believers in Derbe.72
The trip from Iconium to Pisidian Antioch took five days. We repeated the same
procedure there as we had done in the previous cities. I thought it appropriate to
write the letter collectively to all the cities of Galatia, personally delivering it. They
knew I was not one of the original twelve apostles selected by the Lord during His
earthly ministry. There was authority granted to them to carry the Gospel message
to the uttermost parts of the world. He selected Peter to be the apostle to the Jews.
He set me apart for ministry from before I was born.73 In these latter days He has
appointed me to be an apostle to the Gentiles.74 As such it is my responsibility to
not only evangelize but just as important to teach all that Jesus has revealed to me.
I am to be a mentor to the new believer. But I can only be in one place at a time.
One person can’t effectually mentor that many people at one time. To accomplish
the goal, I write letters to the various churches either in a teaching way, or provide
answers to questions people are uncertain about, or to simply encourage.
The first of my letters goes to the Churches in Galatia, the region in the central part
of Asia Minor which includes the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
The letter is a circular letter to be read by all the churches in that area. The major
topic addressed in the letter is the law and grace. Since the topic generated so much
controversy, I felt it important to make sure there was a clear-cut understanding
70
Acts 16:3.
71
Acts 16:2.
72
Acts 16:4.
73
Galatians 1:15.
74
Acts 9:15.

24
that no one is justified by works, but by grace.75 Grace can be defined as getting
what you don’t deserve. Because of sin, human beings do not deserve to be
forgiven. But God graciously does for us what we neither deserve nor can earn. He
justifies the believer. He makes things right.
Take Abraham for example. He was called the friend of God. God spoke to him
and made him a promise. He was to leave his parents, family, and land where he
was living and go to a place with which he was unfamiliar. The only input
Abraham had was whether or not he would go. He didn’t originate the situation,
He didn’t choose the terms and conditions, He had no input except to either accept
or reject the offer. He trusted God and went in the direction God led him. When he
obeyed, God blessed him. Believe is an action word by which one demonstrates the
faith they have in the action they take. We never would have known about
Abraham’s faith had he not exercised that faith in being obedient. That is not
works. Saying you believe one thing and acting in a way contrary to that
expression is the definition of hypocrisy.76
This is the faith brought to you last year when I came the first time. I am astounded
that you have so quickly let Judaizers divert you from such a great truth. You have
been captivated by their false theology that justification results from works of the
law.77 Nothing could be further from the truth. Christ redeemed us from the curse
of the law by becoming a curse in our place.78 The law was our guardian,
informing us of good and evil. But when faith appeared, we no longer needed a
guardian.79 In Christ we are all brothers and sisters, adopted into the family of God.
No longer is there male or female, Jew or Greek, free or slave. We are one in
Christ through faith.80
I came to you over a year ago. Because of my infirmity at the time, my condition
was a burden on you. But you did not reject me despite my appearance. Rather,
you would have sacrificed your own health for my benefit. What happened that
you so easily lapsed? I tell you the truth. I am not your enemy.81 The Judaizers are
your enemy. They want to deceive you. The tone of my voice may seem harsh, but

75
Galatians 2:16.
76
Galatians 3:1-6.
77
Galatians 3:1.
78
Galatians 3:13.
79
Galatians 3:223-26.
80
Galatians 3:27-29.
81
Galatians 4:12-16.

25
you must understand the mistake you make by abandoning the faith. As a father or
mother want the best for their children, I want what is best for you.82
Christ has set us free.83 If you rely on works rather than grace, the death, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus will be of no value to you. If you opt for the law, you
must keep the whole law without an advocate on your behalf. By breaking one part
of the law, you break the whole law. You were doing so well. Who obstructed your
progress?
It is by the Holy Spirit that we wait for the hope of Christ. Walk by the Spirit and
in the Spirit. Do not give in to fleshly desires which include sexual immorality,
impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger,
rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.84
Rather, desire the fruit of the Spirit which includes, love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Those in Christ have
crucified the passion and desires of the flesh.85
What I have spoken to you is a summary of this letter I am leaving with you. Read
it. Discuss it. Believe it.
We must take our leave now, hopeful of finding people willing to listen to the
Gospel message in Ephesus. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you.

82
Galatians 4:18-20.
83
Galatians 5:1.
84
Galatians 5:16-21.
85
Galatians 5:24.

26
 Chapter Seven
Unplanned Circumstances
There are two main roads that meet near Pisidian Antioch. One goes southwest into
the province of Asia, while the other goes north-north west to the province of
Bithynia. We originally thought that Ephesus in the province of Asia would be the
best place to go for the presentation of the Gospel message. There would be plenty
of people we could speak to there. However, the Holy Spirit made it clear that
Ephesus would not be our destination, He forbid us to go there.86 We had travelled
northwest five days covering 100 miles just about to enter Bithynia. when the Holy
Spirit forbid us to go into that region.87 By this time I am quite bemused, as the
expression on my face revealed. We came upon a road going in the direction of the
province of Mysia and followed that road to the coastal city of Troas.
After a hard-ten-day trip to Troas we all were tired. Our frustrations stemming
from our confusion about not being able to share the Gospel message in neither
86
Acts 16:6.
87
Acts 16:7.

27
Asia nor Bithynia were refreshed when Dr. Luke joined our group. Luke is from
Antioch. He is a physician,88 historian,89 and prolific writer.90 His Gentile91
background and communication skills will be valuable as we spread the Gospel
message to that worldview.
One night a male figure appeared to me in a vision. The man was from
Macedonia.92 Don’t ask me what distinguished him as being a Macedonian,
because I can’t tell you. All I know is he was Macedonian. The man said to me,
“Come to Macedonia and help us.” My mind immediately wondered, who is us?
This is obviously more than this one man. What could this vision mean? In light of
the fact that Jesus appeared to me in a flash of light, and remembering how in a
vision I saw Ananias coming to restore my sight, the supernatural experience
seeing the third heaven, and the Holy Spirit’s refusal to allow us to go into Asia
and Bithynia, I knew this vision was purposeful. Immediately, we began making
plans to go to Macedonia.93
Macedonia is located in Europe across the Aegean Sea north of Greece. Early the
next morning we were booking passage for the Greek Island of Samothrace,
continuing on to Neapolis, the seacoast port of the Roman colony, Philippi.94 Being
a Roman colony meant that many of the residents especially the leadership were
former Roman military who had been given land in Philippi as a retirement benefit.
We have been here several days. There is no synagogue here because there are not
at least ten Jewish men in the city. That is the criteria for having a synagogue. It is
customary for Jews to gather at the riverside on the Sabbath in the absence of a
synagogue. So, we went to the riverside for the Sabbath. There we met Lydia, a
businesswoman dealing in purple fabric. She was from the city of Thyatira in the
Roman province now called Asia. Isn’t it interesting that we wanted to evangelize
in the province of Asia but were forbidden to do so by the Holy Spirit? We come to
Greece and the first person we share the Gospel with is from the province of Asia.
Lydia is away from home on a business trip yet as a worshipper of God, she set
aside a time and place to seek His will in her life. As a result, God prepared her
heart to be receptive to hearing the Gospel message which is what I shared with
88
Colossians 4:14.
89
Lue 1:1-4.
90
Acts 1:
91
Colossians 4:10-14.
92
Acts 16:8.
93
Acts 16:10.
94
Acts 16:11-12.

28
her. The longer we spoke the stronger I sensed a kindred spirit, one generous and
humble of heart. My instincts were not wrong. Lydia heard the message, responded
to the message, and gave a public witness to her belief in the resurrected Lord by
being baptized. Not only did she respond but also, those in her family as well. As
evidence of her conversion, she insisted that we stay at her house. Seeing her
sincerity, we accepted the hospitality she offered.95
A curious thing happened on our way to the riverside. Silas, Timothy, and Luke
were with me when a young girl approached us. She is a slave. It is likely that her
owners are retired Roman military officers, but we can’t be certain of that just
now, but we can be sure that she was used by her owners for significant financial
gain. She was a soothsayer. The slave girl acted rather strangely and shouted at us,
“These men are servants of God Most High, (El Elyon) who proclaim to you the
way of salvation.” The residents of Philippi are polytheistic, so, it is interesting that
the slave girl used a Hebrew Old Testament name of God recognizing that people
believe in plural gods, but the God of the Bible is greater than all so-called gods.
He is the superlative God. He is Most High; none are equal to or greater than He.
The pattern repeated itself each day. She was stalking us, and our patience was
running thin. Finally, everything came to a head. This time when she shouted out
her taunt, Paul said to the demon controlling the girl, “I command you in the name
of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
When the demon came out of her, she was no longer able to tell fortunes thereby
becoming useless to her owners. They seized Silas and me dragging us to the agora
where the civic leaders met regularly. They made allegations against us. “These
Jews are creating disturbance in the city advocating customs that are not lawful to
us Romans.” The crowd agreed with the two owners and the leaders put out the
order to have us beaten with rods and jailed afterward. The jailer was ordered to
make sure we were securely restrained. He placed us in the inner part of the prison
and chained our feet together. We were going nowhere.96
Several hours later, approximately midnight, Silas and I were praying and singing
hymns. The other prisoners were listening to us. Suddenly, the ground began to
seize. It shook so violently that the foundation of the prison convulsed. The doors
of the prison opened and all the shackles on all the prisoners fell to the ground. The
jailer felt the quake and ran from the house to the courtyard of the prison. He saw
the open doors and assumed the prisoners escaped. With sword in hand he was
95
Acts 16:13-15.
96
Acts 16:16-24.

29
going to kill himself. I sensed what was going on and called out, “We are all here,
don’t do anything foolish. The jailer asked for a torch and rushed into the prison
only to find every prisoner accounted for. He was trembling in fear. He brought
Silas and me from the inner part of the prison and asked, “What must I do to be
saved?”
Silas and I looked at each other with a confidence unparalleled and with certitude
said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” The members of his
household also believed. They too were saved. All the new believers were
baptized.
Afterward, we spent some time discipling all those who professed faith in Christ.
The wounds from the caning were washed and tended to and food was provided.
Instead of mourning a possible death, the jailer and his family rejoiced in the saved
life through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.97
The next morning (actually it was later that morning) the leadership sent law
enforcement officers to the jailer with the instructions to release Silas and me. The
jailer delivered the news to us and though we would be pleased. But I was not
pleased with the leadership who would imprison and beat a Roman citizen without
a fair trial. I said, “They have beaten Roman citizens and imprisoned them
unlawfully. Now they want us to go away quietly without admitting guilt. No!
Come to the jail and release us yourself.”98
The law enforcement officers reported back to the leadership that Silas and I were
Roman citizens along with the message I sent. When they realized we were Roman
citizens they came to the jail with haste and apologized. Then they ask us to leave
the city.99
We left the jail and went to Lydia’s house for a short visit. After encouraging the
brothers and sisters, we left Philippi100 and ventured toward the town of
Thessalonica a trip estimated to takes five days to reach.
There is a synagogue in Thessalonica.101 So, we headed in that direction travelling
on the Via Egnatia. This was the most famous road in the area. It connects the
lands from the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea to the western shores of the

97
Acts 16:25-34.
98
Acts 16:35-38.q
99
Act 16:39.
100
Acts 16:40.
101
Acts 17:1.

30
Aegean Sea. The road was named after the man who built it the Roman, Gaius
Egnatius. The trip to Thessalonica would be accomplished in three legs. The first
leg is from Philippi to Amphipolis, a two-day journey. The second leg was another
two-day journey to Apollonia. The final leg would see us arriving in Thessalonica
two days later.
It was the Sabbath. As was customary, we went to the synagogue where we had the
opportunity to share the message Jesus is the Christ.102 Some of the Jews were
persuaded while others were not, but the Greeks received the teaching joyously, as
did quite a few of the women.103 This went on for three Sabbaths.104 The Jews were
not pleased that the Gentiles were responding to the Gospel message that I was
preaching. Mind you, they weren’t responding to me. They were responding to the
message that I had been entrusted to deliver. It is not my message. It is God’s
message which I have been granted the privilege of introducing.
On the third Sabbath there were harsh words spoken as tempers flared. It became a
mob scene as chaos ensued. The leading Jews took overt action to remove what
they perceived as the cause of the disruption. In the crowd was a man named Jason
whose house was in close proximity to the synagogue. No one was sure who he
was or what he might have said or didn’t say. The Jews stormed his house and
dragged him and some of the guests visiting him out to the crowd and ultimately to
the civic authorities. They claimed that these men were turning the world upside
down by acting against Roman law. The claim was they were extoling a king other
than Caesar. Jason was the ringleader. The people became all the more confused.
Pandemonium broke out and the civic authorities were baffled. Not knowing what
to do, they arrested Jason and set bail for him and the people who were dragged
from his house. The bail was paid and all of them were released.105
Fearing for our lives, the brothers hid us away until nightfall. Whereupon thy
whisked us out of town and made sure we were safely on the road to Berea,106 a
three-day journey away.
Upon arrival at Berea we looked for the synagogue.107 We learned very quickly that
these men were more fair-minded than the men of Thessalonica. They checked
everything I said with the Scripture. Their exuberance in studying the Scriptures
102
Acts 17:3.
103
Acts 7:4.
104
Acts 17:2.
105
Acts 17:5-9.
106
Acts 17:10.
107
Acts 17:10.

31
was not only encouraging but strong motivation for me as well. It was delightful
going into the synagogue to teach.108 Many believed the words spoken about the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and how He fulfilled the prophesy about the
Messiah.109 When I first shared that Jesus was the Messiah, the looks on their faces
was pure skepticism. But as they read passages like Isaiah 53, the skepticism
turned into hard-core faith.
We weren’t in Berea very long when we recognized some of the faces sitting in the
synagogue on the Sabbath. The Jews from Thessalonica travelled to Berea with the
intent of sowing seeds of discourse. The Jews from Thessalonica observed how
quickly the Bereans were embracing Jesus as the Messiah and searching for ways
to undermine the teaching.110 They stirred the crowd with raw emotion until the
brothers in Berea felt it unsafe for us to stay there any longer. They escorted me all
the way to Athens while Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for a while longer
with the understanding, they would join me as soon as possible.111
I am travelling alone now. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea112 and Luke is
elsewhere. The trip would be a lengthy one. The first leg of the trip would be a
day’s walk to the coast followed by a two week walk to Athens. It would be a long
trip with plenty of time for reflection.
My travels had never taken me to Athens, but I heard a great deal about the city
from tourists coming through Tarsus. My travels in life to this point were for
reasons of either preserving the Jewish faith as I knew it or demonstrating how
Jesus is the Messiah. In other words, I’m not into touristy aspects of any city
heretofore visited. But Athens may prove to be the exception. After all it is a global
city with a seat of learning unsurpassed in it’s time. The place where modern
philosophers debate each other everyday seeking to learn something they had never
before experienced. It is the place influenced mostly by Aristotle, Socrates, and
Plato. The Acropolis features magnificent buildings including the Parthenon.
Regardless of one’s worldview Athens is a magnificent city.
The name Athens is plural. There are two distinct aspects of the city. The
Acropolis and the lower city. Like Rome Athens is situated on many hills.

108
Acts 17:11.
109
Acts 17:12.
110
Acts 17:13.
111
Acts 17:14-15.
112
Acts 17:14.

32
It’s not hard to see polytheism at work in Athens. Since I arrived in the city, I have
seen altars where sacrifices are offered, temples where gods are worshipped, and
people bound in the shackles of idolatry.
My spirit is heartsick for these unfortunate souls.113 It is for this very purpose that I
battle, day and night if necessary, to free the captive whose thought process is so
thoroughly captured by the enemy that their mental capacity is not simply confused
but hopelessly bound by their own will to a godless eternity.
To the synagogue I go to reason with the Jews. To the marketplace I go to identify
truth to the Gentiles. Ever battling; Ever arguing; Ever pleading that I might snatch
just one from Satan’s treacherous grip. Devotees of Epicurean and Stoic
.philosophies are in the courtyards spewing their logic. They view me as being just
another academician babbling on about something no one really cares about; a
preacher of foreign divinity. But because they were hearing something different
than they heard before, some were willing to give me a second hearing. They
allowed me access to the Areopagus or the Council of Elders who often assembled
just below the Acropolis to assess the credibility of new teachings. They wanted to
know more about the idea of resurrection.114 I obliged them.
“Men of Athens, I observe your religious ideology. I see your idols and your
manner of worship. Your deities are numerous. But I found it interesting that you
identify with many known gods and want to make sure you don’t offend any god
by building an altar to an unknown god. I want to introduce you to the God you
claim to be unknown. The God who created the heavens and earth and everything
in it does not live in temples made by man. He does not need anything. He has life
in Himself. He gives life and sustains life. He created one man and from that man
all the peoples on the earth are derived. He established periods of time and
boundaries for dwelling. Most importantly, He put eternity in your heart that you
might search for Him. He is not hiding. He wants you to find Him. As your own
poet, Epimenides, says ‘In Him we live and move and have our being; For we are
indeed his offspring.’ Since we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t try to reduce
Him to the material or to the imagination of man. The time of ignorance God
overlooked, but now He commands all people to repent. He has fixed a day on
which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed;
and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”115
113
Acts 17:16.
114
Acts 17:18-20.
115
Acts 17:22-31.

33
My comments about resurrection from the dead resulted in two responses. The first
was ridicule and the second was curiosity. Despite my best efforts, some followed
and believed. Among those were Dionysius and Damaris.116
Having little success in Athens, I left for Corinth. This would be another lengthy
journey giving me time to process everything that has occurred since leaving for
this trip. My original plan was to visit with the churches Barnabas, and I started on
the first trip back in AD 46. That changed when Barnabas and I had that falling out
over Mark. After visiting the churches and delivering the letter from the elders of
the church in Jerusalem about Gentile participation in the church, we made the
decision to take the Gospel message to the province of Asia. We were in Pisidian
Antioch at the time. The Holy Spirit forbid us to go. So, we took the northern route
intending to preach in Bithynia. But the Holy Spirit said no to that also.117 We
travelled west to Troas where I had a vision of a man from Macedonia calling out
to me for help.118 We crossed over the Aegean Sea to Philippi where we were
arrested, beaten with rods, and jailed. The next day the leading townspeople of the
city asked us to leave. We travelled to a nearby town, Thessalonica, where we
stayed for three Sabbaths before the Jews became upset with my teaching and
threw me out of town. The next city was Berea where we had some initial success,
but the angry Jews from Thessalonica came to the city convincing the average
person we were heretics and kicked us out of Thessalonica. Then it was Athens
where I had plenty of opportunity to speak but was called a babbler for my belief
in the resurrection. What is the Lord trying to tell me? My confidence is running
low. I have travelled approximately 1150 miles over some of the most rugged
terrain in the world, been beaten, jailed, thrown out of three towns, and heckled in
the last town. I have been alone for weeks and look forward with great anticipation
for Silas and Timothy to join me.
Corinth is an interesting town. It is attached to the mainland of Greece by a land
bridge approximately four miles in width. It is an internationally known trade city
with a large diverse population. The Acrocorinth which sits high above the city
(approximately 2000 feet) has a temple to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Temple
prostitutes are plentiful adding to the immoral reputation of the city. To be a
“corinthian” is a byword that represents moral depravity. The Oracle of Delphi is
not far away and holds the residents in rapt attention, especially the women.

116
Acts 17:32-34.
117
Acts 16:6-7.
118
Acts 16:8-9.

34
A Jew by the name of Aquila has come to Corinth. He and his wife, Priscilla, were
cast out of Rome along with all other Jews by the Emperor Claudius in AD 49.119
The reason for the expulsion was the heated debates in the synagogues which led
to rioting. As the Jewish population increased the bigger the problem grew. The
arguments were said to be about one called Chrestus who was generally thought by
the Romans to be the founder of Christianity. The idea of his very existence
irritated the Jewish leadership.
Aquila was a tentmaker by trade. It seemed as though the two of us had several
things in common, so a meeting was planned in order for us to get to know each
other. I stayed with them practicing my trade.120 Every Sabbath we reasoned in the
synagogue trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. While I as engaged in
teaching in the synagogue Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia.121 It felt
really good to have them back in my company again.
The Jews were getting more and more contentious. They opposed and reviled me
until I could take it no longer. I stood in their midst and shook out my robe as
though I was trying to rid my robe of breadcrumbs. I told them, “You have been
warned. Just as I rid myself of these breadcrumbs, so too I rid myself of you. From
this time forward, I’m going to teach the Gentiles.”122 I escaped from there without
incident, but some of the others weren’t so fortunate.
Next door to the synagogue lived Titius Justus. He is a God-fearing man who
opened his home to me. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue and his family believed
as did many Corinthians. All who believed were baptized.123
Despite the adversity, Corinth was more open to the Gospel message than any of
the other places I had visited on this trip. Still, there was apprehension on my part.
One night, I had another vision. The Lord was talking to me. He said, “Don’t be
afraid. Keep on speaking and don’t be silent. I am with you. There are many in this
city who are My people.” At just the right time, the Lord encouraged me and gave
me the strength to continue teaching in Corinth for eighteen months.124

119
Acts 18:1-2.
120
Acts 18:3.
121
Acts 18:5.
122
Acts 18:6.
123
Acts 18:7-8.
124
Acts 18:9-11.

35
During the eighteen months that I remained in Corinth, Gallio was named
proconsul of Corinth. Gallio was liked by everyone. He was the brother of Seneca,
the great Roman philosopher. The Jews dedicated to thwart my work in the city,
brought charges against me. They alleged that I was persuading citizens to worship
their God contrary to Roman law. I was summoned to the bema seat where the
proconsul ruled in cases just like this one. I was about to defend my case when
Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were an action you bring before this court of crime
or wrongdoing, I would hear your case. But since it is a matter of questions about
words and names in your law, you can see to it yourselves. I will not be a judge of
those things.”125 Having said that, he disbursed the crown and left the bema seat.
The Jews were incensed. They seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue and
beat him. But Gallio paid no attention to their activity. Their frustration may have
caused them to react so violently, but it strengthened my resolve to continue on in
the ministry to Corinth for eighteen months.126
When the eighteen months had passed, it was time for me to depart Corinth.
Priscilla and Aquila decided to accompany me. The three of us went to the port
city of Cenchreae to set sail for Syria.127 While there waiting to board the ship, I
had my hair cut because of the vow of separation I made. Under normal
circumstances the vow lasts for thirty days. At the end of the time an offering must
be made at the temple in Jerusalem. Part of that offering is the hair which had been
cut.128 Leaving Cenchreae today the estimated travel time to Ephesus is three days
and the sailing time to Caesarea is seven days. Travel from Caesarea to Jerusalem
is five days. I have allowed adequate time to arrive in Jerusalem to complete my
vow.
We set sail for Ephesus and arrived there in three days. I went to the synagogue to
reason with the Jews about the Risen Lord. They were intrigued and wanted to
know more. They asked me to stay129 but I told them I must get to Jerusalem to
complete my vow, but I did tell them I would return if God wills it to be so.130 My
stay in Ephesus was brief as my ship set sail for Caesarea. The estimated time of
arrival in Jerusalem was within the thirty days. I completed my vow and made my
way back to Antioch. The journey was complete. I traveled over 2700 miles.
125
Acts 18:12-15.
126
Acts 18:16-17.
127
Acts 18:18.
128
Numbers 6:1-22.
129
Acts 18:19-20.
130
Acts 18:21.

36
While I was in Athens, Timothy was in Thessalonica gathering information for me
as to the status of the church in that city. As a result of his report, I penned a letter
to the church in Thessalonica addressing issues that Timothy reported to me,
answering questions they posed to him, and providing spiritual insight. The letter
was written in AD 51. A summary follows.
To the church at Thessalonica from Paul. Silas, and Timothy.
We are thankful for your hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. You heard us proclaim the
gospel and were fully convicted as evidenced by the power of the Holy Spirit. You
received the word in much affliction and became an example to believers in
Macedonia. You turned to God from idols waiting for His Son from heaven whom
He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
We came to you speaking the truth, not to please man but to please God. Not
making demands using apostolic authority but in gentleness like nursing mothers to
her child. We exhorted you like a father to his children. We did not ask anything
from you but worked night and day. When you heard us preach you received it as
the word of God and became imitators of the churches in Judea for you suffered in
the same manner from the Jews and your own countrymen as they suffered. We are
separated from you in distance but not in heart and long to see you again. You are
our joy and glory our boast before our Lord Jesus at His coming.
Satan has hindered us from seeing you. That is why I sent Timothy to encourage
you and help you grow in your faith. That you not be sidetracked by the afflictions
you suffer. Remember I told you there would be trials to endure. Timothy has
given us a good report that you remember us kindly and miss us as we miss you.
May the Lord establish your hearts blameless at His coming with all His saints. We
urge you to continue to grow in the grace of Christ for this I His will for you.
Abstain from immorality for God has called us to holiness. There is no need to talk
about brotherly love for you have demonstrated your understanding regarding love.
There is one thing we want to make sure you know. Do not grieve for those who
have died like those who have no hope. Jesus died and rose again. When He
comes, He will bring those who have died with Him. He will descend from heaven
and the dead will rise and those who are alive will meet Him in the air, to be with
Him forever. Encourage each other with these words.
As for the times and seasons, we have already shared this with you, but I will
reaffirm what we said. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. But you are
37
children of the light and are expecting His return. God has not destined us for
wrath, but to obtain salvation. Encourage one another with these words.
Respect those who are over you in the Lord. Admonish the idle. Always seek to do
good to one another. Pray without ceasing and give thanks for all things. Do not
quench the Spirit or despise prophecies. Test everything. Make sure that this letter
is read in its entirety.
May God richly bless you.
After the first letter I sent the Thessalonians, I received word that they were still
unsure of what I had taught them while in their company. They were upset because
they had been led astray by either a false prophet, a teaching at the synagogue, or
even written correspondence allegedly from me saying that the Day of the Lord
had come, and they missed it. So, I sent another letter to them the summary of
which follows.
This letter is from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church in Thessalonica.
We are so thankful to God for allowing us to minister to you. Your faith is growing
and your love for one another is increasing. We actually boast about you to the
other churches.
You are experiencing affliction due to your belief. Just remember that the Lord
will deal with those who afflict you when he is revealed from heaven with His
mighty angels in flaming fire. They will suffer eternal separation from the Lord.
Concerning the coming of the Lord to gather us together, you have not missed this
event. Do you not remember what I told you when I was with you? Apparently,
you have heard someone falsely state something different, or you heard a teaching
that didn’t match what we taught you, or even worse you have received a letter
allegedly from us that the Day of the Lord has already come. Well that is simply
untrue. The Day of the Lord cannot come until the rebellion has occurred and the
man of lawlessness is identified. This man, the son of destructiveness, will exalt
himself above all others, take a place in the temple of God, and declare that he is
god. This has not yet occurred. It is still in the future. Lawlessness is already
occurring, but things are not as bad as they can be. Lawlessness is being restrained.
But the restraint will not always remain. When the restraint is removed, the lawless
one will deceive those who are perishing because they do not love the truth but
preferred unrighteousness.

38
You are beloved by the Lord. He has chosen you as firstfruits. You have been
saved, are being sanctified, and will be with the Lord in glory. So, stand firm in
what you have been taught and this letter I am writing you. Read it in its entirety
and believe it.
Pray for us that we be delivered from evil men. Not everyone has faith. He will
establish you. We have confidence that you will do the things we command.
Don’t let yourselves become idle. We set an example for you when we were there.
Earn your own way. If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. Do not grow
weary of doing good.
So that you will know this letter is authentically from me, I sign my name in big
bold letters.
The grace of the Lord be with you.
Paul

39
 Chapter Eight
New Day
New Trip

It was nice being home in Antioch.131 There were plenty of believers I could call
friends without the fear of reprisal. Most of my teaching was to believers, and as
rewarding as it is to teach, there was something missing. In order to fill that void, I
decided to revisit the churches that had started as a result of the trips we had made.
We left Syria in AD 53 taking the same land route we had taken on the previous
trip. We went through Galatia and Phrygia and strengthened the disciples there.132
This time there was no opposition to going to Ephesus and to Ephesus we went.
As I was going about my business, I encountered a group of twelve men133 who
claimed to be followers of Jesus. I asked them if they received the Holy Spirit
when they believed. They responded they had never heard of the Holy Spirit.
Being a curious sort, I asked them about their baptism. They quickly informed me
they had been baptized into John’s baptism. They didn’t understand that John was
the forerunner to Jesus and pointed to Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the
sin of the world. John himself said that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase.
Furthermore, John’s baptism pointed to a reality, but baptism in Jesus was the

131
Acts 18:22.
132
Acts 18:23.
133
Acts 19:1,

40
reality. John’s baptism was about believing in the one who was to come, while
baptism in Jesus name is belief in the one who did come.134
When the men heard my explanation, they believed and were baptized. I laid hands
on them to signify the church as authenticating their belief. But when they began
speaking in tongues and prophesying, it was the ultimate authentication of the
presence of the Holy Spirit135 just like Pentecost,136 Samaria,137 and Cornelius138.
In Ephesus is a man by the name of Apollos. He is a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt.
He is well educated and well liked, competent in the Scriptures, and eloquent in
speech. He was teaching in the synagogue when Priscilla and Aquila first heard
him. Immediately they recognized some thing was not P{ ‘right. He too knew only
John’s baptism. They explained the significance to him. Hearing the truth, he
believed,139 and God has used him mightily.140
As is my practice upon entering a new city, I went to the synagogue and taught
there for three months.141 Some of the people became belligerent, speaking evil of
the Way before the congregation. I had enough and left the synagogue to use a
teaching facility owned by a man named Tyrannus. We continued meeting there
for the next two years so all the residents of the Roman province of Asia heard the
word of the Lord. This included both Jew and Greek.142
God was doing a mighty work through me. Handkerchiefs that touched my flesh
were taken to the sick and upon being touched by these cloths, people were healed,
and demons were cast out.143 Some of the Jewish exorcist witnessed these miracles
and tried to cast out demons, thinking that some magic incantation was needed for
the exorcism to be successful. On one occasion seven sons of the Jewish High
Priest, Sceva, were attempting to cast out a demon. They spoke to the demon, “I
adjure you by Jesus who Paul proclaims” … They weren’t even finished with their
incantation before the evil spirit bellowed, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but
who are you?” Having said that, the man who had been possessed by the demon

134
Acts 19:1-4.
135
Acts 19:5-6.
136
Acts 2:4.
137
Acts 8:17.
138
Acts 10:44-48.
139
Acts 18:24-28.
140
1 Corinthians 3:6.
141
Acts 19:8.
142
Acts 19:8-10.
143
Acts 19:11-12.

41
began attacking them so fiercely that they ran out of the area naked and
wounded.144
Word of the scene went out quickly. Fear fell upon both Jews and Greeks. The
name of Jesus was praised. Many believers came forward to offer their testimony.
People who promoted the magic arts brought their books and burned them in the
presence of all the people, the value of which was equal to fifty thousand days
wages. As a result, the Word of the Lord continued to go forth in power and
might.145
In the meantime, the church in Corinth is having problems. They are heavily
influenced by their pagan past, especially Greek mythology. According to Greek
mythology, Python was a monster goddess assigned the task of guarding a
prophetic stone on Mount Parnassus by Gaia, the earth goddess. Apollo, the most
revered god in the pantheon, was the god of truth, archery, and prophecy. He came
to Mount Parnassus and attacked Python shooting her with one hundred arrows. He
left her body to rot causing a pungent odor to continuously be emitted. His mission
was to control the prophetic stone.
A temple was erected at Delphi with priestesses assigned to maintain the area. The
chief priestess was named Pythia. The Pythia was a respected position which
afforded the individual selected to fill that role certain privileges, which women
did not have at the time. The Pythia was exempt from taxes, was paid a normal
salary, granted the right to own property, and was given a golden crown. People
from around the world would come to Delphi to ask important questions for which
Pythia would give answers. Whereas Apollo was a myth, the temple is a reality.
Women are selected as priestesses with the Pythia generally being an older more
mature woman, blameless in her lifestyle.
The Pythia would be consulted to answer important questions. She would go into
one of the inner rooms of the temple where she would sit on a tripod stool located
over a fissure in the flooring. The odor emitted through that fissure would cause
her to go into a trance-like state and she would utter ecstatic sounds which the
priest of the temple would then interpret. Some of the most famous figures in
history would come for the advice of the Oracle, Croesus, Alexander the Great,
and most recently, Nero.

144
Acts 19:13-16.
145
Acts 19:17-20.

42
Pythia was a negative influence on the women in Corinth. They coveted the status
that Pythia was afforded. The leadership of the church at Corinth was weak at best.
Such lack in strong spiritual leadership manifests itself in many ways, rebellion
being one.
I received a report from Chloe’s family that gave me pause. I wrote a letter
addressing these issues. A letter of correction touching on several concerns. She
tells me there is quarreling going on between families.146 This is not acceptable.
We are members of Christ’s family not to be divided, but united.147 There is
jealousy and strife in your ranks.148 Some of you think you are more spiritual than
others. You tolerate immorality.149 You sue each other in court.150 You are not
observing the Lord’s Supper in the right fashion.151 Need I go on?
There are also those among you who question my ministry. Have I not seen the
Lord? You are my workmanship. Of all people you should know that. Nonetheless,
I offer this defense. Do we not have the same rights as the other apostles and Peter?
If married,152 the right to have a wife accompany us on trips or the right to receive
support from you. We have those rights and others based on Scripture that says,
“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” That is not referring to
animals but for those who speak the gospel message. We have sown spiritual seeds
among you and have a justifiable claim to those rights. Both Barnabas, who is with
me,153 and I have put no obstacles in your way. As you heard, Barnabas and I had a
sharp disagreement over whether we should take Mark on our second journey to
Galatia. So bitter was the argument that it caused a definite split in our
relationship. Barnabas and Mark retraced our steps to Cyprus while Silas and I
went overland to Galatia and Corinth. I wrote to the Thessalonians that they should
imitate me. I would be a poor example to them if I let my displeasure with that
decision cause a permanent riff in the relationship between Barnabas and myself.
No! We are examples to you and have not used our rights or imposed them on you.
Then there is the matter of spiritual gifts. You need to be aware of the gifts God
has provided for you.154 There are a variety of them. The Holy Spirit equips each
146
1 Corinthians 1:11.
147

148
1 Corinthians 3:3.
149
1 Corinthians 5:1.
150
1 Corinthians 6:1-8.
151
1 Corinthians 11:17-22.
152
1 Corinthians 7:7-8.
153
1 Corinthians 9:6.
154
1 Corinthians 12:1.

43
believer with the gift as He sees fit. You don’t choose. He does.155 He provides for
your ability as He thinks best. The gift does not belong to you. You are merely a
trustee of the gift to be used not for personal aggrandizement but to build up the
body of Christ.156 Just like the parts of your physical body work in concert with
each other, so that your body functions properly, so too the gifts work together for
the body of Christ to function properly. When each part does its share, the body
grows.157 There are no unimportant gifts. One part of the body is not more
important than another. You are to utilize the gift in love. Without love you are
misusing the gift.158
I am in Ephesus but plan on visiting soon. In the meantime, I am sending Timothy
to you. Make sure to respect him and the work he is doing for the Lord. He has a
letter from me addressing all that I just wrote you about and more. Read it and
heed it. I wrote it with the authority conferred on me by the Lord Himself.
Paul
Having written to the Corinthians, I was nervous as to how they would receive the
criticism I leveled against them.159 Timothy would soon be there to report to me
what the atmosphere would be should I plan to visit. What am talking about. Those
thoughts have been rolling around in my head for quite some time. Leaving
Ephesus, I would go through the cities of Macedonia everywhere I had previously
ministered but fell terribly short. Then off to Greece. Actually, the thought that fills
me the most is to go to Rome.
Timothy and Erastas went on before me.160 I continued to teach, intending to stay
in Ephesus until Pentecost.161
There was a guild of artisans who rebelled. The silversmith’s, led by Demetrious,
feared their livelihood was in jeopardy. They crafted statues of the goddess
Artemis to sell as souvenirs to the multitudes of tourist that travelled to Ephesus
each year to visit the famous temple. This was no small issue. Ephesus was the
chief city in Asia Minor with a population of 250,000 inhabitants. The Temple of
Artemis was revered throughout the world. So, we are talking about a large sum of

155
1 Corinthians 12:11.
156
1 Corinthians 12:7.
157
Ephesians 4:11-16.
158
1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
159
1 Corinthians 4:1-21.
160
Acts 19:22.
161
1 Corinthians 16:8.

44
money. A crowd gathered near the theater at the intersection of Arcadia Street and
Marble Street. At first it was just the silversmiths, but the crowd began to swell
with people chanting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”162 Then civic pride took
over as shouts about the magnificence of the temple were known throughout the
world. Before long other crafts joined in the demonstrations thinking their trades
might be affected as well.
This went on for two hours.163 The mob was in a frenzy. Up to this point the
demonstration was vocal, but violence ensued. Demonstrators rushed into the
theater dragging two men they identified as friends of mine, Gaius and Aristarchus.
I wanted to go to the theater and try to quell the riot, but my students wouldn’t let
me. They sensed there was too much danger already. My appearance could make
the crowd go completely out of control. Even some of the high-ranking city
officials urged me not to go public in this matter.164
Alexander, a member of the synagogue, tried to speak. He stood in a prominent
location and waved his hands to get the crowds attention. When the crowd
recognized he was a Jew, they cried out the louder. Finally, the town clerk was
able to calm the people long enough to speak rationally. He warned them about
taking matters into their own hands and what possible consequences could result.
There are courts where these issues can be satisfactorily handled. The crowd came
to their senses and disbursed.165
When the turmoil was quelled and peace restored, the disciples and I gathered
together to say our farewells.166 The time in Ephesus proved quite productive. The
teaching drew a multitude of disciples, so much so that it was said that all Asia
heard the word of the Lord, both Jew and Greek.167 Not only did they hear, but the
burning of the magic books was evidence that they were absorbing what they heard
like a sponge to water. But the riot at the theater was, much to my surprise, a clear
sign that my time in Ephesus was over.
We departed for Macedonia. Earlier, I sent Titus to Corinth and was awaiting his
report as to the conditions there. It was a seven-day trip via land to get to Troas.
The longer it took to hear from Titus the more uneasy I became. When we arrived
in Troas, the Lord opened a window of opportunity for me to evangelize, but I
162
Acts 19:29.
163
Acts 19:34.
164
Acts 19:33.
165
Acts 19:23-41.
166
Acts 20:1.
167
Acts 19:10.

45
couldn’t. I was simply too worried to do anything else.168 Titus and I finally met in
Macedonia and gave me the report. It was not good, but it wasn’t as bad as it could
have been. Immediately, I wrote a second letter to the Corinthians answering
concerns they had. We were going to make another trip to Corinth but before we
left Macedonia, we preached the Gospel message as far as Illyricum169 on the
eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.
Leaving Macedonia, we headed south through Achaia till we reached the isthmus
leading to the Peloponnesian Peninsula and into Corinth. There we were met by the
members of the church. It was quite the reconciliation.
I had feared that a visit like this would further alienate the people. My last time in
Corinth, I came down pretty hard on the church, trying to get them to understand
their role in society. Setting a good example is a necessity. We’ve tried to do that,
but the challenges have been great.
The church in Jerusalem is under persecution. They are in need of financial aid.
One of the things I wanted to remind the Corinthians of was the collection for the
saints in Jerusalem. We started a collection for them while I was in Galatia. I told
the Church at Corinth when they meet for worship on the first day of the week, put
something aside for the collection and keep it safely so that when I come to you it
will be ready.
Our time in Corinth was three months. We addressed the concerns I had written to
them about and exhorted them to a higher view of their responsibilities. It was
decided that we should leave for Jerusalem. Our itinerary took us directly from
Cenchreae, the port of Corinth, to Syria. Just prior to boarding the ship we learned
of a plot to kill me. So, we scrapped those plans and started to walk to Philippi, a
distance of one hundred fifty miles. Sopater the Berean and Luke went with me to
Philippi. Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe and
Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia went on ahead of us to Troas. It is
the spring of AD 57. The feast of Unleavened Bread began on what the Romans
call Thursday the 7th of April and ended on the 14th which was the following
Thursday. The next day we departed for Troas. Under normal conditions it would
take two days by ship to complete the journey. However, the winds were fierce
against us causing the time from departure to disembarkation to be five days. Our

168
2 Corinthians 2:12-13.
169
Romans 15:19.

46
friends who departed earlier met us at the dock. We had one week before the ship
sailed again.
As is our custom, we gathered together on the first day of the week or according to
the Julian calendar, Sunday the 24th of April. We were still together rather late in
the evening. Most of the people attending were getting weary. My plan was to
leave the next morning for Assos so, it was important to me to impart to them as
much as possible. The room was filled with people. One young man named
Eutychus was sitting on the window ledge. Oil lamps were burning all over the
room giving off a slightly detectible odor. The longer the session went, the more
heads I saw bobbing. People trying to stay awake. It was about midnight.
Eutychus’s head bobbed and out the window he fell more than thirty feet to the
ground. Everyone thought he was dead. I immediately ran down the stairs, held
him in my arms, and felt life within him. Some of the men took the lad home very
much alive. As for the rest of us, we broke bread and resumed the teaching until
the break of dawn. My companions thought I would board the vessel and sail with
them to Assos, but I decided to cover the twenty-mile trip by land. I could be there
by sundown ready for a good night’s rest. There would still be plenty of time to
secure passage to Mitylene, the next port of call.
Boarding the ship at Mitylene, we spent one day sailing and another day waiting
for the next ship to Chios. The next day we sailed to Samos and one day later we
arrived at Miletus. We bypassed Ephesus, wanting to arrive in Jerusalem for
Pentecost.170 The probability of being delayed in Ephesus was quite high. It was
not prudent to stop there.
Miletus is about 30 miles from Ephesus or a walk taking about a day and a half to
complete. I called for the elders in Ephesus to come to me.171 Fortunately, the ship
was docked at Miletus loading and unloading cargo, giving us enough time to meet
together, saying our goodbyes. I wanted to express to the elders how I took nothing
from them but provided for my own living, serving the Lord with all humility.
Recounting some of the tribulations we endured at the hands of the Jews, we
utilized every form of teaching imaginable. Both Jews and Greeks were exposed to
the word of God. Now I am going back to Jerusalem with a warning from the Holy
Spirit that every city I enter will be hazardous to me.172 The Lord gave me a
ministry and I have been carrying out that ministry for more than twenty-five
170
Acts 20:16.
171
Acts 20:17.
172
Acts 20:22-23.

47
years. What started out as good must also finish well. This is the message I
delivered to the elders.
“We are seeing each other here today, but you will not see me again.173 In light of
these things, my testimony is that I am innocent of the blood of all you here today.
Despite the hardships which caused great depression, so much so that I despised
living my life another day, I did not shirk my responsibilities but taught as the Lord
led me, going house to house in some instances. You have been gifted and as a
result much will be expect ed form you. Just as a shepherd watches over his flock,
providing for them and protecting them, so too you are to minister to the people
over which you have been made a steward. You have been made overseers of the
church which Christ obtained with His own blood. You have solemn responsibility.
Be prepared for attacks form within the church and from without. Stand guard for
fierce wolves who will attack not sparing the flock but will attempt to destroy
them. Enemies will try and teach false doctrine to lure away those precious souls to
whom you have been entrusted. Remember for three years I did not cease to warn
you with tears. Now I am leaving and place you in God’s hands who is able to
sanctify you.174
You know that I provided my own expenses and did not take form you money,
food, or clothing for myself or the men who were with me. The work was hard but
we did it joyfully hold on to the words of the Lord who said, ‘It is better to give
than to receive.’”175
We knelt to pray. There were tears and regrets that we would not see each other
again. We embraced each one before they escorted us to the ship. As we cast off,
we had one last wave goodbye.176 We stood at the rail of the ship with tears
streaming down our cheeks, staring at the port and a sea of waving hands until the
emotional scene disappeared from sight.
We arrived at Cos on Tuesday, Rhodes on Thursday, and Patera on Friday. In the
afternoon of the fourth day of our sailing, we landed at Tyre.177 The crew would be
busy loading and unloading cargo for the next few days. It was Tuesday May 10.

173
Acts 20:25.
174
Acts 20:26-33.
175
Acts 20:33-35.
176
Acts 20:36-38.
177
Acts 21:1-3.

48
Tyre was a major shipping port heavily dependent on the export/import trade. We
sought the local church and busied ourselves encouraging them and they us. The
men, their wives, and children enjoyed each other’s company for the seven days
we remained in the Syrian city. When the seven days were ended, all of us
gathered together to bid each other goodbye. We knelt, prayed, and boarded the
ship waving our hands bidding each other a fond farewell.178
The next port of call was Ptolemais.179 It was a short voyage taking us only a few
hours to complete. We stayed with the brothers there for a day, before setting sail
for Caesarea. There we knew quite a few more people. Our time there would last
many days. Among the people visiting was a man named Agabus. This man was
gifted by God to be a prophet. He rightfully prophesied fifteen years ago the
famine that caused such difficulty to the saints in Jerusalem.180 He had another
prophesy to share with us. He took my belt and bound both his hands and feet with
it. Then announced, “The Jews in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and
deliver him to the Gentiles.”181 Everyone who heard what Agabus had to say
strongly urged me not to go to Jerusalem.182 This was not the first time I had been
given a warning about what was awaiting me in Jerusalem. I asked the church at
Rome to pray for me as well as the brothers at Ephesus for this very reason.183
From Ephesus to Rome to Caesarea people strongly urged me not to go back to
Jerusalem. But my response was the same, “I do not know what the future holds. I
know imprisonment awaits me. It will not be the first time. I do not value my life
as man values his. Instead, the value of my life is in finishing the race set before
me by the Lord, that in it He will be glorified. Understand this, I am ready to die if
necessary, for the one who gave His life for me.”184
Having said these things, the brothers recognized the folly in trying to further
persuade me.
We departed Caesarea for the sixty-five-mile trek to Jerusalem. The journey will
be all up hill. Beginning at the coastal area, the road proceeds to a series of low-
lying hills called the Shephelah which connects the often precipitous hill region of
Israel to the coast. Because of the steep drop offs in the hill region the Shephelah is

178
Acts 21:4-6.
179
Acts 21:7.
180
Acts 11:28.
181
Acts 21:10-11.
182
Acts 21:12.
183
Acts 21:22-23; Romans 15:30-33.
184
Acts 21:12-14.

49
the necessary connection to Jerusalem. When going to Jerusalem, it is almost
always referred to as “going up to Jerusalem,”185 with the up referring to elevation
not direction.
While in Jerusalem it is my intention to stay with a Greek believer from Cyprus
who has a home in the city. His name is Mnason.

185
Acts 11:2; 15:2; 21:15 et al.

50
“
Chapter Nine
Prophecy Fulfilled

We made it to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost. It was a real challenge but one we
conquered. The brothers welcomed our visit. We arrived late one afternoon and
made arrangements to meet with James and the elders the following day. Although
James was not an apostle, he was viewed as the leader of the church. Both James
and Jude were half brothers to the Lord. They had the same mother, Mary, but not
the same father. Joseph was the father of James and Jude, while God was the father
of Jesus.
James and the elders listened to the report we gave from our journey to Asia Minor
and Greece. They were elated and glorified God for His mercy and grace. They
had some concerns. It was the feast and many Jews from all over the Roman world
were in Jerusalem. They were all filled with zeal for the law and have been told
that you have been teaching that Jews should not circumcise their children nor
follow the customs of our faith. I assured them that there was no truth to that claim.
“What should we do? How can I vindicate myself from these misstatements?”
It was suggested that I purify myself and pay the expenses of four men who had
taken a vow. That would demonstrate the high regard I have for the Law of Moses.
The plan sounded reasonable. By doing so, all will know that there is no truth to
the rumor that I have been preaching contrary to the Law of Moses. This is only for
the Jews. The Gentiles come under the authority of the letter from the Jerusalem
Council issued eight years ago. The next day the four men and I went to the temple
giving notice as to when the purification would take place. I also paid for the
expenses of the four young men. Those two gestures should have satisfied the
strictest of Jews.
However, some of the Jews from Asia stirred up the curiosity of the people. They
reiterated the lie and made the additional charge that I had taken gentiles into the
temple. They said this because they saw Trophimus and I walking together in the
city and assumed that I took him into the temple. The peaceful town of Jerusalem
51
became chaotic. There were so many people there that they ran into each other.
Bringing a gentile into the temple could result in the death of the Jew who aided in
such a caper as well as the death of the gentile. Signs are posted warning of the
consequences of gentiles encroaching on the temple property. There are places
gentiles are permitted and places where gentiles are expressly forbidden.
Before I knew it, a rabid group among those who were there grabbed me and
dragged me out of the temple. The Roman guards trying to keep the peace were
stationed at the Antonia Fortress overlooking the temple area. As soon as they
detected the first hint of difficulty, they sprung into action. The gates of the temple
were shut, keeping people from going in or out of the area. As the mob seemed
bent on killing me, the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, dispatched soldiers to stop
the melee. When the unruly crowd saw the soldiers, they stopped beating me. The
tribune who followed close behind his troops arrested me and bound me with two
chains to keep me secure. Some in the crowd shouted accusatory charges and other
shouted things best left unsaid. There was so much confusion that the tribune
ordered his men to bring me into the barracks so he could ascertain what was going
on. When we approached the stairway, the mob cried out for violence. The soldiers
hoisted me up on their shoulders and carried me into the barracks. The horde
continued their attacks calling for my demise.
I asked to speak to the tribune. He was surprised that I spoke Greek. He tried to
identify me as the Egyptian who fours years earlier led a revolt against Rome. He
was a false prophet posing as the long-awaited Messiah. The Romans pursued the
rebels either killing or capturing several hundred of the Egyptian followers but the
Egyptian managed to allude the soldiers.
I told Lysias, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no small city. Let me
speak to the people.” He relented. I stood on the steps in plain site of the people. I
motioned with my hands to indicate to them I had something to say. When I spoke
to them in Hebrew, a hush fell over the crowd.
I began, “Brothers and fathers, let me defend myself against these baseless charges.
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia. I was educated in Jerusalem under the
tutelage of Gamaliel in the strict manner of the law, zealous for God as all of you
are here. I persecuted the Way binding and delivering them to prisons, even
imposing the death sentence on them, both men and women. The high priest and
the council can verify my statements. They even gave me letters of authority to
travel to other countries to pursue who at the time I thought were rebels, trying to

52
undermine the faith of our fathers. On such trip was to Damascus. We had been
travelling for about a week. It was the sixth hour of the day when we approached
the city. Suddenly a bright light, flooded the area where we were walking. I fell to
the ground as a voice called out to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I
answered, “Who are you Lord?” He said to me “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you
are persecuting.” My travelling companions saw the light but did not understand
the voice speaking to me. I answered, “What shall I do Lord?” He said, “Get up
and go into Damascus. There you will be told what to do.” Since I could not see
because the bright light blinded me, I was led by the hand into the city.
In the city there was a man named Ananias came to me. He was a man well spoken
of by the people of the city. A devout man according to the law. He said to me,
“Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Just as soon as he uttered those words my sight
returned. He said, “The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, see the
Righteous One, and to hear the voice from His mouth. You will be a witness for
Him to everyone to what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Go
and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”
I preached Jesus resurrected and encountered stiff opposition to the point that my
life was being threatened. Then this same Jesus appeared to me while I was deep in
prayer in the temple. He said to me. “Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”
As soon as I mentioned the Gentiles, the unruly mob began screaming, “Death to
such a man. He must not be allowed to live.” They acted like madmen, screaming,
throwing off their outer garments, and tossing dust in the air. Lysias ordered his
men to take me back inside the barracks. He was going to interrogate me. To
ensure I would give him the information he wanted, he planned on torturing me
with a cat of nine tails. As they began tying my wrist to the post I asked the
centurion standing nearby whether or not it was lawful to flog a Roman citizen
who was not condemned. The centurion immediately cautioned Lysias. Lysias
asked me, “Are you Roman citizen?” I responded, “Yes!” Lysias answered, “I
bought this citizenship with a large sum of money.” I replied, “But I am a citizen
by birth.” I was immediately unleashed form the leather restraints. Lysias was
troubled by the fact that he had ordered a Roman citizen to be flogged.
Lysias wanted to know the real reason the mob wanted me dead. The next day he
called the chief priests and all the council members to meet. He set me in front of
them to present my case. “Brothers,” I started. “In good conscience I have lived my
life up to this very day.” O)ne of the people there called out to one of the men

53
standing beside him to strike me on the mouth. I glared at him and said, “You
whitewashed wall. Do you judge me according to the Law yet break the law
yourself by ordering me to be struck? “ Those standing beside the man shouted,
“Who are you to vilify the high priest?” I responded, “I wasn’t aware he was the
high for it is written, you shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”
You might be asking yourself, “How is it that you did not know this man was the
high priest?” This man was named Ananias. He had been appointed high priest by
Herod of Chalis in AD 47. Since I left Jerusalem in AD 32, I had only been back to
Jerusalem three other times. Once was the trip with Barnabas to deliver the
collection for the famine relief in AD 44, the Jerusalem Council in AD 49, the
return from the second missionary journey in AD 48. Honestly, I did not have the
chance or the incentive to search for the high priest during those visits. He was
tending to his duties and I to mine.
I continued my defense along the same lines as I confessed Jesus as my Lord,
recounting the blessings which occurred as a result of the ministry.
The council was comprised of Sadducees and Pharisees about evenly matched. I
cried out, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being persecuted
because I believe in the resurrection, the hope that is within me. Now I said that
because I wanted a diversion from the Council. The Sadducees did not believe in
resurrection or heavenly messengers. A descension split the ranks of the council
members causing an argument to break out. The Pharisees concluded that they had
no issues with me. The time for peaceful disagreement was over. The debate grew
with more and more rancor until such time as Lysias commanded his soldiers to
rescue me taking me back to the barracks where I would temporarily be safe. The
following night the Lord appeared to me with the instructions too take heart. I
would go to Rome to testify about Jesus.
The ordeal was far from being over. Forty Jewish men banded together with an
oath to kill me. They were so adamant about their plan that they vowed not to eat
anything until they had successfully rid the world of Saul of Tarsus. They took
their plan to the chief priest and elders, telling them to reconvene the council under
the ruse of trying to get the facts straight about my arrest. As I am transported from
the custody of the Romans to the council chambers, an ambush will be staged
killing me.
My nephew, my sister’s son, somehow learned about the plot. He visited me in the
barracks. As he related the plan to me, I got the attention of one of the centurions
54
on duty and suggested he take my nephew to Lysias to report this subterfuge.
Lysias took my nephew by the hand to a place where there was more privacy and
asked him to repeat the story he had overheard. When he had finished speaking,
Lysias ordered him “To tell no one that you have spoken to me about this.” After
which Lysias told two of his centurions to ready two hundred soldiers, seventy
horsemen, and two hundred spearmen for the purpose of safely transporting me to
Caesarea. For further precautions the detail departed Jerusalem at the third watch
of the night. A letter was sent to the procurator, Felix detailing the circumstances
surrounding my arrest. He further advised the proconsul to meet with the council
and the accused to determine whether or not Roman law had been broken.
We arrived at Antipatris during the third watch of the night. Here we would rest
and continue our trip in the morning. The next day the soldiers returned to
Jerusalem and we left Antipatris setting a new course for Caesarea. Upon entering
the city, I was remanded to the custody of Felix. He read the letter from Lysias and
asked my country of origin. I told him Cilicia to which he replied,” I will call for
the council to come for a hearing.” Having said that, he gave orders for me to be
guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
The praetorium was a well-planned well-constructed walled facility. The building
was laid out in a square. Within the walls was a courtyard often used for military
drills, offices occupied by government workers, the proconsul’s living quarters,
and the judicial hall. Although I was considered a prisoner, there was no prison
facility there per se. If one wanted to escape, it likely would not be that difficult.
Five days passed before Ananias and some of the elders appeared to bring their
case against me. The trip alone would have taken at least three days, not to mention
the time necessary to prepare their case against me. The prosecutor was a man
named Tertullus. I’m not sure whether he was a Roman or a Hellenistic Jew. One
thing I am certain of is that he was determined to make sure I was found guilty of
the charges they brought against me.
Tertullus began his prosecution by playing to Felix emotionally. He said, “Most
excellent Felix, we enjoy many benefits as a result of your governing foresight. We
enjoy peace. Where uncertainty exists, you have made reforms that benefitted
those under your authority. For these things we are most grateful to you. We
recognize that you are a busy man yet have agreed to hear us briefly on this matter.
The man you have in custody is a plague. He is a leader of this sect of Nazarenes,
stirring up riots among the Jews not just in Jerusalem but all over the world. He
55
even tried to profane the temple by bringing a Gentile where a Gentile does not
belong. Interrogate him and you will see all the things he is accused of are true.
The Jews who were present joined in the conversation affirming the veracity of all
that Tertullus charged.
They made their case. Felix nodded to me signaling that it was my turn. I
acknowledged his sucessful reign as proconsul and began stating verifiable details
challenging the accusations brought against me. No disputing with anyone, no
stirring up a crowd, and no taking Gentiles into the temple. I did confess that I hold
to the truths of the sect they call the Way, I worship the God of our fathers, I
believe the Law and the writing of the prophets, and my hope is in God. We
believe in the same things.
I have been out of Jerusalem for several years visiting other believers and making
disciples as we are tasked to do. From those believers I carried donations for the
brothers in Jerusalem. I had taken a vow and was sponsoring some other brothers
who also took vows. This is what I was doing in the temple when I was brutally
attacked led by certain Jews from Asia. These are the ones who should be here
giving testimony to what actually happened. But they are not here because they
have no evidence to prove their charges. Th only thing I am guilty of is diverting
the attention of the council by crying out my belief as a Pharisee in the resurrection
of the dead.
Felix is familiar with the Way. He did not want to make a decision, so he opted to
wait until such time as Lysias came to Caesarea. He hop[ed that Lysias could shed
more light on the situation so a fair verdict could be rendered. Felix then ordered
the centurion responsible for me to make sure I was secure yet have certain
liberties included was the liberty to have guests visit me.
Days went by and no visit from Lysias. However, Felix called for me to be brought
to him. Drusilla, Felix’s young wife, was also in attendance. Drusilla was the
youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I a Jewess. Felix listened as I spoke about
faith in Jesus Christ. When I began teaching on righteousness, self-control, and the
coming judgment, Felix was noticeably troubled. He ended our visitation rather
abruptly. He said, “Go away! I’ll call for you when I want to hear more. He was
hopeful that I would give him money, but I did not. That didn’t stop Felix from
calling on me periodically over the next two years. At the end of the two-year
period Porcius Festus replaced Felix as proconsul. Felix did not try me, nor did he

56
release me from custody. He appeased the Jews and kept me under guard in
Caesarea.
Porcius Festus arrived at his new command post in Caesarea. He was here three
days before he left for Jerusalem to meet the leadership of the Jews. They wasted o
time in bringing my case to his attention. As a favor to them they requested Felix
bring me to Jerusalem for trial. Their intent is to ambush the soldiers transporting
me so they can carry-out their plot to kill me. Much to his credit, he demurred.
Rather, he suggested the council go with him back to Caesarea and if then we find
anything wrong in the name of justice, we will render a guilty verdict.
Festus stayed in Jerusalem about ten days before returning to Caesarea. Once there
he took his seat on the bema. The soldiers brought mee into the proceedings. The
same Jews that brought me to the last trial were standing in the courtroom. The
charges were basically the same, having to do with rituals and charges that were
unproven.
My defense was simple. I didn’t do it. They could not prove me guilty of any
wrongdoing without lying. This was not a matter of the seriousness of the charges,
but of the truth. Festus wanted to be fair and asked me if I would consider going to
Jerusalem for a trial. It was then I realized that this whole issue would not go away
by changing venues. I gave my final answer, “If I have broken the law in such a
grievous manner, I will accept the punishment. But if these charges are false, no
one can convict me. As a Roman citizen, I appeal to Caesar. Festus conferred with
his counsel and said, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
While I awaited my transfer to Rome, King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, came
to Caesarea to greet the new proconsul. Proper protocol demanded such a visit.
Festus, being Roman, did not fully grasp the theological implications involved in
the dispute between the council and me. He said he could find no grounds under
which I had erred. It seemed to be a disagreement over a man named Jesus whom
Paul said was alive and the council members claimed was dead. Regardless who is
correct in this argument, there is no crime against Roman law. He asked Agrippa
for advice.

57
58
 .

59
60
61
62
63
64
65