Bible Verses About Religious Zeal

For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.

When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.

I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.

I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,

testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.

But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.