Jean Ann Williams | Author

“But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, ‘Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?’ When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, ‘What are you about to do? For […]

“Up to this word they [Jewish crowd] listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.’ And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the tribune ordered him [Paul] to be brought […]

“And I [Paul] said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he [Jesus] said to me, ‘Go, […]

“‘When I [Paul] had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me’” (Acts 22:17, 18 ESV). Father, look how You protected Paul. He was Your Chosen. Father, please protect us […]

“‘And he [Ananias] said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash […]

“‘And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me [Paul], and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him’” (Acts 22:12, 13 ESV).  Father, You had a […]

“‘As I [Paul] was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of […]

“I [Paul] persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds […]

“‘Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I [Paul] now make before you.’ And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they [the crowd] became even more quiet. And he said: ‘I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of […]

“As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, ‘May I say something to you?’ And he [tribune] said, ‘Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?’ Paul replied, ‘I […]