Eventually, by fighting for the very life of ALA the Rogers prevailed in their second attempt to expand the ministry, experiencing miracle after miracle. Additionally, the peace of God did go beyond all understanding. The Rogers will state that the most amazing thing about their early experience of ALA is that God moved through the most unusual ways, where in the end the only person that could receive the glory and praise for the accomplishments was God Himself! But again, the persecution had only just begun and the road ahead had wind’s that were contrary to the vision.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in on city, flee to the next; for I truly say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:16-23

In June of 2002 Abundant Life Academy expanded into Mexico, near Guadalajara. The vision of the Mexico campus was to provide an opportunity for “entitled” American teens to serve in the mission field; building houses and churches for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the homeless, and participating in other worth outreach projects. The school grew from 6 students to 70 students in just under one year. The opposition from the Mexican government was nothing compared to the opposition from US Citizens who lived near the ALA campus in Lake Chapala, Mexico. The US Citizens, mostly retirees, came against Abundant Life Academy with a vengeance. They used the corruption within the Mexican government to constantly harass ALA, bringing false claims at every turn. ALA weathered the storm and prevailed for a season.

“… He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to tell who He was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet…” Matthew 12:13-17

Soon thereafter, ALA was struck from within, experiencing the first of several betrayals from employees of ALA. These betrayals were from people who were born again believers who supposedly loved Jesus. The inside betrayals were the hardest to endure. By this time ALA was much more then just the Rogers as God had sent many Spirit-led believers to the ministry. All those in leadership suffered the blow of being betrayed and persecuted by the very people they had grown to love and trust. However, with each betrayal or persecution, the leadership of Abundant Life Academy grew stronger, operating with more resolve and commitment then ever before.

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they were saying, ‘Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus…” Matthew 26:3-5, 16

The Leadership of ALA will admit that many times individuals within the strong group wavered. At times these trials and testing were horrific. Operating a ministry for rebellious teens takes it toll after a while, and what we have found is that only those who are truly “called” will be able to withstand the storms and battles. The faith it takes to stand firm and wear the Armour of God can only come from God… as the pretenders fall away and run at the first glimmer of opposition. As the opposition came, several buckled under the weight and turned against us. ALA had its Judas. If it could happen to Jesus then it could happen to any ministry. However, what the enemy meant for destruction God allowed to bring about His glory!

“For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” John 5:18

It would be nice to stay that the persecution and opposition to the Abundant Life Academy “calling” ended in Mexico, but it did not. Eventually, the persecution from the corrupt Mexican governmental officials grew to the point that it was in everyone’s best interest to close down the Mexican campus and relocate all the students to the United States. We just could not trust that the Mexican government would act in good faith and we did not want to put the students safety at risk. We made the move to relocate our base campus back within the US in December 2004. Unfortunately, we left behind many awesome ministries that we either started or supported. It seemed like a tremendous disappointment at the time, but in the effort to secure the students safety we felt as though we had no other choice. The retreat against the opposition was painful and disappointing.

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the same of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:11-12

In January of 2005 ALA also had a very productive program in the Czech Republic. At the time we relocated the Mexico campus we also had 12 students in Liberec, Czech Republic, a small town north of Prague, in the heart of Europe. After much prayer the leadership of ALA decided to bring all the students and staff under one roof, including those who were in Europe. Thus, we relocated all the Abundant Life Academy students from Mexico and Europe to a 384-acre ranch in Nevada known as “Hidden Canyon Ranch”. Our renewed vision was to train the students up at Hidden Canyon Ranch and then send them on short-term mercy ministry projects to Mexico and abroad. This way, we could continue supporting the ministries we started in Mexico and Europe and ensure the safety of the students.

“So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23

Craig and Wendy Rogers had first looked at Hidden Canyon in April 2001 as a possible site for future growth. The Rogers kept in contact with the owners of Hidden Canyon over the next few years. Finally, in December 2004, with the pressure building from the Mexican authorities, Abundant Life Academy was relocated to the beautiful Hidden Canyon Ranch. Immediately, the leadership of ALA began to set a course to develop the HCR campus and plans were underway to build a 20,000 sq ft school to provide for 80 additional students. HCR seemed to be the ideal place for our permanent campus site (Leadership Training Center), where we could then send out short-term student led missionary trips to Mexico and Europe. We called our Nevada campus the Abundant Life Academy Leadership Training Center and our mission was to restore the troubled teen through advanced Christ-based leadership curriculum and prepare the student to serve in the mission field, participating in substantial mercy ministry projects to poor and impoverished countries.

 

6 months later Abundant Life Academy was hit with the biggest attack of all to date. Child Protective Services of Nevada had received a false report of neglect and abuse from a former disgruntled parent of ALA (late April of 2005). For whatever reason, this parent submitted several false claims (totally fabricated) to CPS of Nevada, who then launched an attack of epic proportion against Abundant Life Academy. On May 2nd, 2005, CPS illegally, without investigating the false allegations, removed 33 ALA students from Hidden Canyon Ranch. Due to the uproar from the ALA parents CPS immediately launched a strategy to cover up their actions. To justify their illegal actions CPS filed a series of false reports against Abundant Life Academy that were eventually found to be unsubstantiated.

“Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who because a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” Acts 1:16

In early June of 2005, at the White Pine County Courthouse, Abundant Life Academy valiantly defended itself (as led by the Holy Spirit) and the judge who proceeded over the case ruled from the bench that Child Protective Services failed to conduct an investigation of the false allegations and acted in an improper/hasty manner by removing the ALA students. However, by removing the ALA students from the campus CPS effectually, albeit temporarily, closed down Abundant Life Academy. The damage was already done.

 

The ALA attorney’s were able to prove that CPS was not concerned about the validity of the false allegations that came from the disgruntled parent, and they were not concerned about the safety and welfare of the ALA students. The attorney’s were able to show that from the first moment CPS received the complaint from the disgruntled parent they acted with an agenda. CPS took advantage of the false allegations used their authority to exercise their political agenda. What the ALA attorney’s were able to show is that CPS acted under the agenda to shut down ALA’s Christ-centered school. The judge also stated that CPS acted was reckless in their actions. Through interactions with the highest ranking CPS department heads the Leadership of ALA believes that CPS acted with an extreme political agenda and committed itself to stop the development of a faith-based program for troubled teens regardless the cost. CPS of Nevada clearly defended their interpretation of Nevada’s “child’s rights”. CPS of Nevada believed that they were justified in taking the students out of ALA because no parent has the right to expose children to Christian teaching when it is not the child’s desire to do so.

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find, any though many false witnesses came forward.” Matthew 26:59-60

“So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.” John 7:43

“Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.” John 8:59

“The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘I showed you many good works form the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” John 10:31

However, it is our pleasure to report that there was a small miracle that helped ALA fight against the reckless and illegal actions of CPS. One of the CPS workers left behind their entire case file they had built against Abundant Life Academy. In the file were all the notes of all the conversations between the various department heads of DCFS (CPS). This case file was admitted into evidence during the hearing and with it ALA was able to show that CPS acted with an agenda to shut down Abundant Life Academy before any investigation. Within the file there was no discussion about the allegations from the disgruntled parent, the discussions focused on closing the school down.

Furthermore, Abundant Life Academy attorneys were able to prove that CPS ignored mounds evidence that would have led to a favorable outcome for ALA had CPS actually conducted an investigation. As all the facts were presented it was clear that almost every person from CPS who took the witness stand lied and distorted the facts. Each of these CPS witness were impeached as they were caught in one lie after another. The Leadership of ALA believes that CPS workers lied to cover up and justify their illegal actions. It was also clear that CPS purposefully rejected any evidence that would have hindered their agenda to shut the school down. In the end CPS offered no explanation for their illegal actions and failed to make any apologies to ALA, the students, or the parents.

“As they were speaking to the people, the priest and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the mend came to be about five thousand.” Acts 4:1-4

With this latest attack of persecution it would have been easy to quit. It would have been justifiable to state that ALA had lost the favor of God, and it would be time to retreat and give up. However, through prayer, the leadership of Abundant Life Academy decided that God had not removed His favor and that the adversity that we endured was meant to build our faith and strengthen our resolve. After dealing with the devastating loss from CPS’s actions we went to our knees seeking God’s will. What we came out of that time of prayer is that God’s favor would grow and He would led us to greater and grandeur levels of anointing. We are now more committed to the ministry of ALA then ever before. We are committed to restoring troubled teens to their destiny in Christ, to their families, and to their future. We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and will not be deterred by those who persecute, betray, or oppose our calling.

“The power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:12-16

Thus, in faith, Abundant Life Academy committed to re-establish our campus in Kanab, Utah. In doing so, in stepping out in faith to continue the work and ministry given to us, the leadership of Abundant Life Academy learned a valuable lesson that very few have the honor to realize. What we discovered is that any ministry willing to be totally obedient to the calling of God, serving Jesus Christ as Lord, Master, and Savior, will go through tremendous opposition, betrayal, and persecution. What we learned is that God is calling us to be “overcomers”. He is not promising us a walk in the park, He is promising us death to ourselves and life through the Spirit. What we learned is that this trail should be no surprise, and that this persecution could be noted as our “validation” from God. Through the trials God is validating the ministry, trying our faith, and bringing forth sanctification. God loves those who are humble and those who obey. Because of these trials we are truly humble and ready to follow Him to our death if need be. This persecution, which was good enough for His Son Jesus, is good enough for us!

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also a the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

“But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name. And when they had summoned them, they commanded then mot to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus… Whether it is right in sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened..” Acts 4:17-22

Additionally, we discovered that every man and woman of God (described in the Bible) who served God went through what we went through, and much more. They (Abel, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, the Prophets, David, Esther, Ruth, Jesus, Peter, John the Baptist, John, Paul, Stephen, Phillip, Timothy, etc.) all dealt directly with persecution, betrayal, and opposition. What we discovered is the fact that people who submit completely and fully to God’s call on their life are sure to face persecution, betrayal, and opposition. These three events are actually looked upon as “approval” from God as He allows these events in our life to shape and mold us, try us, and to bring about His Holiness and Righteousness. Through persecution, betrayal, and opposition we will find God’s favor, His Spirit, and His triumph!

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the food fight, keeping faith and good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” 1 Timothy 1:18
“this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him up death.” Act 2:23

Please enjoy the following Scriptures as they relate to the persecution, betrayal, and opposition that Peter, Paul, and Stephen went through in the pursuit of the call of God upon their life. In trying their faith, God was pleased… without faith it is impossible to please Him! We believe that after reading about the persecution, betrayal, and opposition that the disciples went through (as recorded in the Book of Acts) you will see the pattern of the “approved ministries” and how the men and women of God are tested, tried, and then honored in their faith to stay the course, even unto death.

“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bondservants may speak Your word with all confidence, so while You extend Your had to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:27-31

“…Multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any on of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirit, and they were all being healed. But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of Sadducees)” Acts 5:14-18

“Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison.” Acts 5:22-23

“The men whom you in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people! Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). “When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying ‘We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather then men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Act 5:27

“After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away for these men and let them alone, for it this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to over throw them or else you may even be found fighting against God. They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, the kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5:37-42

“..The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priest were becoming obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some for Cilicia and Asisa, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.’ And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, ‘This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us. And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.” Acts 6:7-15

“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.” Acts 7:9-10

“when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as the called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ ” Acts 7:58-60

“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, expect the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.” Acts 8:1-3

“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem…” Acts 9:1-2

“So, then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone… And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch…” Acts 11:19, 25

“Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also… When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.” Acts 12:1-5

“And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:49-52

“And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, they because aware of it and fled to the cites of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to preach the gospel.” Acts 14:5-7

“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:19-22

“Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And, when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue…. After there had been much debated, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brethren, you know that in the early days God mad a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now, therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:1-2, 7-11

“But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, and when they had brought them to chief magistrates, they said, ‘These men are through our city into confusion, being Jews, an d are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Roman. The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;” Acts 16:19-25

“But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attaching the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.’ They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities that heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.” Acts 17:5-9

“But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.” Acts 17:13-14

“But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, ‘this man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” Acts 18:12-13

“About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, ‘Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence… the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus. Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.” Acts 19:23-27, 28-29

“When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.” Acts 20:2-3

“…Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that they Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.” Acts 20:19-23

“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.” Acts 20:27-31

“And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but eve to dies at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:11-14

“…Began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, ‘Men of Israel, come to our aid? This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place… Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks…” Acts 21:27-34

“When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more then forty who formed this plot. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, ‘We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.” Acts 23:12-15

“When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. When he had read it, he asked from what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, ‘I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also, giving orders for him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium. After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, ‘Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him…. By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him. The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things we so. When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, since you can take note of the fact that no more then twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. But this I admit to you, that according to the Ways which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia – who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.” Acts 24:1-9, 10-22

“Festus then, having arrived in the province, three days later went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul, and they were urging him, requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way). Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly… he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. After Paul arrived, the Jews who has come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing may and serious charges against him which they could not prove, while Paul said in his own defense, ‘I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” Acts 25:1-4, 6-8