You Must Testify at Rome

Paul looked at the council and said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today." The high priest ordered those near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Paul spoke sharply, but when told he was the high priest, Paul said the law says not to speak evil of a ruler.

Paul saw that part of the council were Sadducees and part Pharisees. He said he was on trial for the hope of the resurrection. The Sadducees say there is no resurrection, but the Pharisees believe it. The crowd was divided, and the commanding officer took Paul to the barracks for safety.

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, "Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome."

In the morning more than forty people made a plot and vowed not to eat until they had killed Paul. Paul's sister's son heard of it and told Paul, who sent him to the commanding officer. The officer gathered two hundred soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen. They took Paul by night to Felix the governor, with a letter saying Paul had done nothing worthy of death or bonds.