Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Please allow me to speak to the people.”

Those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has already chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear a command from his mouth,

because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.’

The crowd was listening to him until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Away with this man from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live!”

Those standing near him said, “Do you dare insult God’s high priest?”

But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered the barracks and told Paul.

Then the commanding officer sent the young man away, directing him, “Tell no one that you have reported these things to me.”

He wrote a letter that went like this:

I found he was accused with reference to controversial questions about their law, but no charge against him deserved death or imprisonment.

When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight.

But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city,

This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.

If then I am in the wrong and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, but if not one of their charges against me is true, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

But I found that he had done nothing that deserved death, and when he appealed to His Majesty the Emperor, I decided to send him.

And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors,

a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve God night and day. Concerning this hope the Jews are accusing me, Your Majesty!

But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this reason, to designate you in advance as a servant and witness to the things you have seen and to the things in which I will appear to you.