Quotes About Community

Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ëDo not speak evil about the ruler of your people.í”

The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from the earliest days of my youth, among my own people and in Jerusalem.

The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.

Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food.

After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

They were all encouraged and took some food themselves.

In all, there were 276 of us on board.

The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.

Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.

The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.

Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.

The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.

Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.

The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.

Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.

And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.