Then the commander told the soldiers to take Paul into the army building. He told the soldiers to beat Paul. He wanted to make Paul tell why the people were shouting against him like this.
Festus said, “King Agrippa and all of you men gathered here with us, you see this man (Paul). All the Jewish people, here and in Jerusalem, have complained to me about him. When they complain about him, they shout that he should be killed.
But Ananias answered, “Lord (Jesus), many people have told me about this man (Saul). They told me about the many bad things this man did to your holy people {\cf2\super [189]} in Jerusalem.
But the Lord (Jesus) said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to kings, to the Jewish people, and to other nations.
You know that Stephanas and his family were the first believers in Achaia. They have given themselves to the service of God’s people. I ask you, brothers and sisters,
This service you do is a proof \{of your faith\}. People will praise God because of this. They will praise God because you follow the gospel {\cf2\super [27]} of Christ—the gospel you say you believe. People will praise God because you freely share with them and with all people.
Those Jews killed the Lord Jesus. And they killed the prophets. {\cf2\super [9]} And those Jews forced us to leave that country (Judea). God is not pleased with them. They are against all people.
You know about my persecutions (troubles) and my sufferings. You know all the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You know the persecutions I suffered in those places. But the Lord saved me from all those troubles.
But the Lord stayed with me. The Lord gave me strength so that I could tell the Good News {\cf2\super [23]} everywhere. The Lord wanted all the non-Jews to hear that Good News. So I was saved from the lion’s (enemy’s) mouth.