Before King Agrippa and his sister Bernice at Governor Festus’ headquarters in Caesarea, Paul again recounts his conversion while traveling to Damascus to persecute the followers of Jesus. Paul’s message is most penetrating and convicting, to the point that Agrippa stops him by asking, “Do you think to make me a Christian is so short a time?” Agrippa and Festus agree that Paul could be released from custody had he not appealed to Caesar.

Before governor Festus at Caesarea, Paul avoids a group of assassins by appealing to be tried in Rome by the emperor. One of the Herodian family, Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrive in Caesarea to welcome Festus, the newly appointed governor. Agrippa wants to hear from Paul himself and so opens an opportunity for Paul to speak of Jesus and the resurrection. Paul proceeds to tell the story of his encounter with Jesus while traveling to Damascus.

Paul’s testimony must be silenced, so zealous religious men vow to kill Paul at all costs. Their plot becomes known to Paul then the tribune, so Paul is sent away under heavy guard to Caesarea to the Roman governor Felix. Once again, the enemies of Paul and the Way are frustrated. Paul can now present the Gospel message to a combined audience of Jews and Romans. He focuses on the coming judgment day and the resurrection of both the just and the unjust, echoing Daniel 12:2.

The tribune is ready to scourge Paul as a form of examination, but he desists after Paul informs him he is a Roman citizen. The tribune then brings Paul before a meeting with the Council, or Sanhedrin, presided over by Ananias, the high priest. As Paul begins, the high priest orders someone to strike a vicious blow to Paul’s mouth. Paul, temporarily angered, seems to rebuke the high priest. Later, Jesus comes to Paul and assures him he will finally reach Rome.

An outraged mob in the temple attacks Paul, who is rescued and arrested by the Roman tribune and his troops. After being carried by soldiers up the steps of the fortress to the barracks and reaching a landing, Paul asks permission to speak to the crowds below. The tribune had thought Paul was a notorious rebel, but finding otherwise, allows Paul to speak. Paul addresses the crowd respectfully, they quiet down, and Paul begins an apology or defense wherein he describes his conversion.

Paul and company travel to Jerusalem by boat, though Paul is warned that he will be a captive there. In Jerusalem he visits James and the elders who are concerned about his presence there. They want Paul to pay the expenses of four men under a vow, so that their opponents will know Paul has not ceased being an observant Jew. But when Paul enters the court of Israel they think he has brought in a Gentile, and a riot erupts. This results in Paul’s arrest by the Roman tribune.

Paul arrives at Miletus and invites the Ephesian elders to travel there to join him. He tells them he is committed to the work of evangelism. He does so humbly, saying twice that he did not “shrink” from declaring to them the whole counsel of God. When Paul’s very moving sermon is concluded, he bids farewell to the Ephesian elders, overseers, and pastors who are saddened that they will not see him again and express warmly their love for him.

Ephesian merchants sold silver images of the goddess Artemis (Diana in Greek). A silversmith guild leader, Demetrius, organizes opposition to Paul and the Christians. Ephesian authorities calm an almost riot, and Paul leaves for Macedonia, until he comes to Troas, at the northwestern part of Asia. He meets with Christians and preaches long into the night, and a young man, Eutycus, falls out a third story window and is killed. Paul comes down and says he is alive. The church rejoices.

Extraordinary miracles are occurring, and the city of Ephesus is stirred up. Jewish exorcists--the sons of Sceva--see Paul and try to copy him. In their attempts to “adjure” a person with demons, they failed and were beaten up and fled. The result was that many Ephesians turned from magical practices and brought their books of secret chants and rituals to burn them, worth about 50,000 silver drachmas. The word of God grew rapidly as a result.

Paul is now in Asia (modern day Turkey), in Ephesus. He meets “disciples” who had only been baptized with John the Baptist’s baptism and had not heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul begins to teach them the rest of the story, when suddenly the Holy Spirit falls upon them, and they begin speaking in tongues and prophesying. Paul goes into the synagogue and boldly proclaims Jesus.