making the scriptures plain

Notes

Largely through Paul's tireless efforts in co-operation with the Holy Spirit, the Christian church spread throughout the then known world.

Through his turbulent ministry, Paul remained true to his calling. In Jerusalem under arrest, He gave his testimony concerning his former persecution of the Christians and his subsequent conversion on the Damascus road.

Before Felix, the governor, and his wife he shared his faith in Christ. Then before Festus and King Agrippa, he explained that he was a Pharisee, hoping for the promised Messiah like every other Jew. He described his conversion experience and how Jesus had called him to preach to the Gentiles. He explained that his message was all about the events that Moses and the prophets said would happen. That Christ should suffer and rise from the dead. Agrippa was 'almost persuaded'.

In Rome, many Jews came to Paul's lodgings. Night and day he tried to persuade them, from the Scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ. To those that did not believe he cried 'let it be known that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles!' He continued preaching and teaching Jesus Christ in a rented house in Rome for two years, until his life was taken.

I fell unto the ground

Acts.22.3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Acts.22.6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
Acts.22.7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Acts.22.8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
Acts.22.9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
Acts.22.10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
Acts.22.11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into

Arise, and be baptized

Acts.22.14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Acts.22.16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

I also was standing by

Acts.22.17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Acts.22.18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
Acts.22.19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
Acts.22.20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Acts.22.21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

I am a Pharisee

Acts.23.6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Be of good cheer, Paul

Acts.23.11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts.24.14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Acts.24.15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Herein do I exercise myself

Acts.24.16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Acts.24.21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
Acts.24.24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews

Acts.25.19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts.26.6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Acts.26.7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Acts.26.9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts.26.13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

Acts.26.14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts.26.15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
Acts.26.16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

From the power of Satan unto God

Acts.26.17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
Acts.26.18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?

Acts.26.19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
Acts.26.20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Acts.26.22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
Acts.26.23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian

Acts.26.25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

Acts.26.26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
Acts.26.27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Acts.26.28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Acts.26.29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Fear not, Paul

Acts.27.23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Acts.27.24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Acts.27.25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

He took bread, and gave thanks to God

Acts.27.35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Acts.27.35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Acts.28.20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

The salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles

Acts.28.23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Acts.28.25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Acts.28.26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

Their eyes have they closed

Acts.28.27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Acts.28.28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Preaching the kingdom of God

Acts.28.30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
Acts.28.31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.