“Whether it takes a short time or a long time,” Paul replied, “I pray to God that you and everyone listening to me today may become like me—except for these chains!”
Paul knew that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees. So he called out to the members of the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I’m a Pharisee. I come from a family of Pharisees. I’m on trial because I believe that people will rise from the dead.”
So I sent for you right away, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, and God is also with us, so we are ready to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
I would have liked to keep Onesimus with me so he could take your place in helping me while I’m being held in chains because of the good news I am offering.
It has now been made known through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and brought never-ending life out into the light through the good news.
Three days later Paul called a meeting of the local Jewish leaders. When they came, Paul said to them, “My brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs we’ve had since long ago. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.