Acts 26:2-11
2“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today aagainst all the accusations of the Jews, 3especially because you are familiar with all the bcustoms and ccontroversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.4 d“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among emy own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that faccording to the strictest gparty of our hreligion I have lived as ia Pharisee. 6And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in jthe promise made by God to our fathers, 7 kto which lour twelve tribes hope to mattain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope nI am accused by Jews, O king! 8Why is it thought oincredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9 p“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of qJesus of Nazareth. 10 rAnd I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority sfrom the chief priests, but twhen they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11And uI punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them vblaspheme, and win raging fury against them I xpersecuted them even to foreign cities.
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16
15 ywho killed both the Lord Jesus and zthe prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and aaoppose all mankind 16 abby hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always acto fill up the measure of their sins. But adwrath has come upon them at last! ▼▼Or completely, or forever
1 Peter 4:12-14
Suffering as a Christian
12Beloved, do not be surprised at afthe fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice aginsofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ahwhen his glory is revealed. 14 aiIf you are insulted ajfor the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory ▼▼Some manuscripts insert and of power
and of God rests upon you. Revelation of John 2:10
10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, althat you may be tested, and for amten days anyou will have tribulation. aoBe faithful apunto death, and I will give you aqthe crown of life.
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