Acts 18:14 Cross References - ISV

¹⁴ Paul was about to speak when Gallio admonished the Jewish leaders, “If there were some misdemeanor or crime involved, it would be reasonable to put up with you Jews.

¹⁹ Jesus told them, “You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!”

¹² Future Persecutions
“But before all these things take place, people will arrest you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ It will give you an opportunity to testify. ¹⁴ So purpose in your hearts not to prepare your defense ahead of time, ¹⁵ because I will give you the ability to speak, along with wisdom, that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

¹⁸ After he had put up with them for 40 years in the wilderness,

³⁹ Paul replied, “I’m a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people.”

²⁷ This man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I went with the guard and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. ²⁸ I wanted to know the exact charge they were making against him, so I had him brought before their Council. ²⁹ I found that, although he was charged with questions about their Law, there was no charge against him deserving death or imprisonment.

¹¹ If I’m guilty and have done something that deserves death, I’m willing to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to the emperor!”

¹⁸ When his accusers stood up, they didn’t accuse him of any of the crimes I was expecting. ¹⁹ Instead, they had several arguments with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died—but Paul kept asserting he was alive. ²⁰ I was puzzled how I should investigate such matters, so I asked if he would like to go to Jerusalem and be tried there for these things.

²⁶ I have nothing reliable to write our Sovereign about him, so I have brought him to all of you, and especially to you, King Agrippa, so that I will have something to write after he is cross-examined.

¹ Paul Presents His Case to AgrippaThen Agrippa told Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.
² “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, that I can defend myself today against all the accusations of the Jewish leaders,

³ For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval.

¹ Paul Contrasts Himself with False ApostlesI wish you would tolerate a little of my foolishness. Yes, please tolerate me!

⁴ For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or should you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you are all too willing to listen.

² He can deal gently with people who are ignorant and easily deceived, since he himself is subject to weakness.

¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset. ¹⁵ Instead, exalt the Messiah” as Lord in your lives. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.