Paul's argument goes beyond this, though, as he explains to the king how he became a Christian and why he was so passionate in his teaching. The appeal of Paul's testimony struck a nerve with the king, who seems to personally believe in Jesus because of Paul, asking him, "Are you so quickly persuading me to be a Christian." This shows that the Gospel is not only spreading around the world, but it is also spreading into the halls of power and influence.
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
The second reading is the conclusion of Acts. Paul, a Roman citizen, demanded that any trial be conducted by the imperial court in Rome. This legal strategy, however, allows Paul to actively proclaim the gospel in that capital city -- the center of the known world at that time. Having survived a shipwreck off the island of Malta, Paul arrives in Rome, where he is welcomed by both the Jewish and fledgling Christian community, and where he preaches for two years -- despite technically being under arrest. (According to tradition, after this period, Paul would be convicted and executed, also becoming a Christian martyr.)
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If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Acts 23-28 today.
