Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.
After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
And don’t presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.
‘Listen to this, house of Jacob – those who are called by the name Israel and have descended from Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord and declare the God of Israel, but not in truth or righteousness.
Are you not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and who gave it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I travelled to Damascus to arrest those who were there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.