Apostle Paul vs. the Unbelievers

{text:bookmark-start} Apostle Paul vs. the Unbelievers {text:bookmark-end} Apostle Paul dedicated his life to preaching the Word of God and spreading that Word to all the nations. He traveled by land and water to reach places where people had never heard about Jesus. Once he arrived at these regions, he began teaching unbelievers about the life of Jesus and the way to inherit His kingdom. He was sometimes greeted with love and other times with hatred. Paul suffered through many trials, beatings, and imprisonment for spreading God’s Word. He was accused of causing riots, of blasphemy, and of stirring up trouble for the Jews. Because of this he was arrested and thrown into prison. This essay will give an overview of the charges brought against him and the outcome of the trials. Paul was first brought into court by the Jews in Achaia. He was brought before the proconsul Gallio. The Jews were accusing him of trying to convince people to worship God which was in opposition to their law. Once Gallio heard the charges they were bringing against Paul, he told the Jews he would not judge him because his crimes were not serious enough. Gallio told the Jews to take Paul and leave the court and since the charges were against their own laws they should handle the matter themselves. {text:bookmark-start} (Acts 18:14 & 15 NIV) {text:bookmark-end} This verdict allowed Paul to remain free and to continue his mission of spreading the Word of God to all who would listen. But, his trails were not over and his worst days were ahead of him. Much later during Paul’s missionary work he was arrested again in Rome and sent to Caesarea to stand trial before Judge Felix. Once Paul arrived to the court the case began. Tertullus, the attorney for the Romans, began to tell Felix what a troublemaker Paul had been. He told Judge Felix that because of Paul and his teachings about Jesus, riots were starting and the land was in complete disarray. Paul then told Felix of the love he had for Jesus...