Paul Finishes His Mission

When Paul went to the temple in Jerusalem, he took some people with him who were not Jews. This made the Jewish people angry. They took him out of the temple and beat him. Acts 21:26–32

Roman soldiers took Paul away from the Jewish people but let him talk to them first. He told them that he was a missionary teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had seen a light from heaven and had heard the Savior’s voice. Acts 21:31–40; Acts 22:1–21

The people did not believe him. They shouted at him and wanted to kill him. The soldiers put Paul in prison for the night. Acts 22:22–30; Acts 23:1–10

That night, the Savior visited Paul and told him not to be afraid. Jesus said that Paul would go to Rome and teach the gospel there. Acts 23:11

Some of the people wanted the Romans to kill Paul, so the Romans sent him to their king, Agrippa. When King Agrippa asked what Paul had done, Paul said that he had been a Pharisee and had hated the people who believed in Jesus. He had even put them into prison. Then he had seen a light from heaven and heard the Savior’s voice. Now he believed in Jesus. Acts 23:12–35; Acts 25:13–23; Acts 26:1–15

Paul told King Agrippa that the gospel was true, that Jesus was resurrected, and that He had told Paul to teach His gospel. Because he obeyed Jesus Christ and taught about Him, many of the people hated Paul. Acts 26:16–26

King Agrippa said that he almost believed in Jesus because of what Paul said. The king did not think Paul should be killed. He sent Paul to Rome. Acts 26:27–32; Acts 27:1–2

Paul was in prison in Rome for two years. Many people came to see him and be taught the gospel. He wrote letters to the Saints in other lands. Many of these letters are called epistles in the New Testament. Acts 28:16–31

Paul knew that he would be killed, but he was not afraid. He had obeyed God’s commandments; he had taught the gospel; he had finished his mission. He knew that Heavenly Father loved him and that after he died, he would live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 4:6–8

Illustrated by Paul Mann