“I’m a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but I grew up here in Jerusalem. I studied with Gamaliel, who trained me well in the law that was given to our people long ago. I wanted to honor God as much as any of you do.
But members of a group called the Synagogue of the Freedmen began to oppose him. Some of them were Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria. Others were Jews from Cilicia and Asia. They all began to argue with Stephen.
But make sure that you honor Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope you have. But do this gently and with respect.
The man I’m sending you was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him. But I came with my soldiers and rescued him, because I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.
But Paul replied to the officers, “The judges had us beaten in public. They didn’t give us a trial, even though we are Roman citizens! Then they threw us into prison. And now they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come and lead us out personally.”
Here’s the letter they sent with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers. To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings.