Quotes About Authority

After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

While I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and requested a judgment against him.

So when they came here with me, I did not delay. The next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought in.

Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges.

But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” “Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.

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.

But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.

I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign one about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.

Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them.

In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

ëWho are You, Lord?í I asked. ëI am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,í the Lord replied.

Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them.

And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

But contrary to Paulís advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.

Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”

Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”