5
They've known me for a long time and can testify, if they're willing, that I followed the strictest party of our religion. They know that I lived my life as a Pharisee.
6
"I'm on trial now because I expect God to keep the promise that he made to our ancestors.
7
Our twelve tribes expect this promise to be kept as they worship with intense devotion day and night. Your Majesty, the Jews are making accusations against me because I expect God to keep his promise.
8
Why do all of you refuse to believe that God can bring dead people back to life?
9
"I used to think that I had to do a lot of things to oppose the one named Jesus of Nazareth.
10
That is what I did in Jerusalem. By the authority I received from the chief priests, I locked many Christians in prison. I voted to have them killed every time a vote was taken.
11
I even went to each synagogue, punished believers, and forced them to curse [the name of Jesus]. In my furious rage against them, I hunted them down in cities outside [Jerusalem].
12
"I was carrying out these activities when I went to the city of Damascus. I had the power and authority of the chief priests.
13
Your Majesty, at noon, while I was traveling, I saw a light that was brighter than the sun. The light came from the sky and shined around me and those who were with me.
14
All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It's hard for [a mortal like] you to resist God.'
15
"I asked, 'Who are you, sir?' "The Lord answered, 'I am Jesus, the one you're persecuting.