Acts 23:1-11 - This week’s passage finds Paul beaten, bound, and thrown into jail. It is likely that Paul, under those circumstances, was questioning whether or not he would once again be able to publicly preach the gospel of Christ. However, in the midst of these hardships, Jesus comes to Paul and tells him to “Take courage,” and that he would indeed preach the gospel message in Rome. What is striking is the authority with which Jesus speaks; that what he said was certain to happen. Does Jesus speak to us today in a similar way? Does he still speak with the same authority? And if so, how can I know if I can trust his authority?