Persuade

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.

He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.

Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:

But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food.

After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead.

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

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

And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.

When he would not be dissuaded, we quieted down and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak freely to him. I am confident that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”

But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.

So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.

if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness,

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.

I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?

I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And once again: “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”

Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: