But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I’ve chosen this man to do a special work for me. He will announce my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
Through him we received grace to become apostles to the Gentiles and through that grace to bring them to obedience to God by trusting in Jesus. We do this to bring glory to him.
I was appointed to be a messenger and an apostle to preach the good news. (I’m telling the truth; I’m not lying.) God appointed me to be a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
You didn’t choose me, I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit that would endure, so that you would receive from the Father anything you ask for in my name.
From Paul, an apostle, and from all the brothers and sisters who are with me. I have not been sent by any human group or leader. I’ve been sent by Jesus Christ and by God the Father, who raised him from the dead. To the churches in Galatia.
But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace wasn’t wasted on me. No, I worked harder than all the other apostles—though it wasn’t me doing the work. God’s grace was with me.
They’ll fight a war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will win the victory over them. That’s because he’s the most powerful Lord of all and the greatest King of all. His appointed, chosen, and faithful followers will be with him.”
The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You need to get to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, and God will generously spare the lives of all those sailing with you.’
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.
“Then he said, ‘The God of our people has chosen you, and he wants you to know the plans he has for you, to see the Blameless One, and to hear his voice.