Then the commander of the temple guard went with the officers and brought the apostles without the use of force (for they were afraid of being stoned by the people).

‘I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look more closely.

The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas were Roman citizens

The Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent,

Some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him.

When the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius called two of his personal servants and a devout soldier from among those who served him,

and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar, and God has graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing with you.’

Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius replied, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have gone up as a memorial before God.

And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage,

None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor.

He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to kill him.

So Paul entered the synagogue and spoke out fearlessly for three months, addressing and convincing them about the kingdom of God.

A man named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who live there,

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction.

But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”

But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.

When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple.

When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he assumed the prisoners had escaped.

So Paul stood before the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects.

Then Paul left the synagogue and went to the house of a person named Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.