The Acts of the Apostles

PROLOGUE AND THE ASCENSION

In my first discourse, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before his ascension, he gave charges through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them with many proofs, appearing to them over forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

While assembled with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, which they had heard from him. He explained that while John baptized with water, they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days. When they came together, they asked him if this was the time he would restore the kingdom to Israel. He replied that it was not for them to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Instead, he promised, "ye will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

After saying this, as they watched, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. As they were gazing into heaven, two men in white clothing stood by them and said, "Men of Galilee, why do ye stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall thus come in the manner in which ye have beheld him going into heaven."

THE APOSTOLIC FELLOWSHIP

The apostles then returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a sabbath day's journey away. Upon entering the city, they went to the upper chamber where they were staying. Present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Jude the brother of James. They all devoted themselves continually to prayer with one accord, along with several women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

In those days, Peter stood up among the brethren, a group of about one hundred and twenty people. He said it was necessary to fulfill the scripture spoken by the Holy Spirit through David concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among them and had received a part in their service. Peter recounted how Judas acquired a field with the reward for his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open, and his bowels gushed out. This became known to all in Jerusalem, and the field was called Aceldama, meaning "field of blood."

Peter then quoted from the book of Psalms: "Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it," and, "Let another take his overseership." Therefore, he continued, it was necessary that one of the men who had been with them the entire time the Lord Jesus was among them—from John's baptism until his ascension—should become a witness with them of his resurrection. They appointed two men: Joseph called Barsabas (also surnamed Justus), and Matthias. They prayed, "Thou Lord, knower of the hearts of all, shew which one of these two thou hast chosen, to receive the lot of this service and apostleship, from which Judas transgressing fell to go to his own place." They then cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, who was then numbered with the eleven apostles.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

When the day of Pentecost was being fulfilled, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Parted tongues, as of fire, appeared to them and rested on each one. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

At that time, there were pious Jews from every nation under heaven dwelling in Jerusalem. When this sound occurred, a multitude gathered and was bewildered because each one heard the apostles speaking in his own dialect. Amazed, they wondered, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans? and how do we hear them each in our own dialect in which we have been born?" The crowd included Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene, sojourning Romans (both Jews and proselytes), Cretans, and Arabians. They all heard them speaking in their own tongues about the great things of God. Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another what this could mean, while others mocked, saying they were full of new wine.

Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd, declaring that the men were not drunk, as it was only the third hour of the day. He explained that this event was what the prophet Joel had spoken of: God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days, causing sons and daughters to prophesy, young men to see visions, and old men to dream dreams. He quoted the prophecy that God would show wonders in heaven and signs on earth—blood, fire, and smoke—before the great day of the Lord, and that "whosoever shall call upon thename of the Lord shall be saved."

He then addressed the men of Israel, speaking of Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to by God through miracles, wonders, and signs. Peter accused them, saying that by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, they had crucified and killed him by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, loosing the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. He quoted David, who foresaw the Lord and spoke of his soul not being left in hades nor his body seeing corruption. Peter argued that David died and was buried, but being a prophet, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ. This Jesus, Peter declared, God has raised up, and they were all witnesses.

Exalted to the right hand of God, Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured out what they were now seeing and hearing. Peter affirmed that David did not ascend into the heavens but said, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I have put thine enemies to be the footstool of thy feet." Therefore, he concluded, let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ.

When the people heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and asked Peter and the other apostles what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized, each one of them, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He assured them that the promise was for them, their children, and all who are far off, as many as the Lord would call. With many other words, he exhorted them to be saved from that perverse generation.

Those who accepted his word were baptized, and about three thousand souls were added that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.

THE EARLY CHURCH COMMUNITY

Awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to all, according to anyone's need. Day by day, they attended the temple together with one accord and broke bread in their homes, eating with gladness and simplicity of heart. They praised God and had favor with all the people, and the Lord added to their assembly daily those who were being saved.

THE HEALING OF THE LAME MAN

One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. A man lame from his mother's womb was being carried and placed daily at the temple gate called Beautiful to ask for alms. Seeing Peter and John about to enter, he asked for alms. Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, "Look on us." The man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something. But Peter said, "Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, this give I to thee: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean rise up and walk."

Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up; immediately, his feet and ankle bones were strengthened. Leaping up, he stood, walked, and entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him and recognized him as the man who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate. They were filled with wonder and amazement. As the healed man held onto Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's, greatly astonished.

Peter addressed the crowd, asking why they were astonished or why they stared at them as if they had made the man walk by their own power or piety. He declared that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of their fathers—had glorified His servant Jesus. He reminded them that they had delivered Jesus up and denied him in the presence of Pilate, who had decided to release him. They denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to them, killing the originator of life, whom God raised from the dead. Peter proclaimed that faith in Jesus' name had made the man strong, giving him complete soundness in their presence.

He acknowledged that they and their rulers had acted in ignorance but that God had thus fulfilled what was announced by the prophets: that His Christ should suffer. He called on them to repent and be converted for the blotting out of their sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord's presence and so that God may send Jesus Christ, who was foreordained for them. Heaven, he explained, must receive Jesus until the times of the restoring of all things, which God has spoken about through his holy prophets. He reminded them of Moses' prophecy of a prophet like himself whom they must hear, and that all prophets since Samuel have announced these days. He concluded by saying they were the sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with their fathers, and that God, having raised up His servant Jesus, sent him first to them to bless them by turning each one from his wickedness.

THE FIRST PERSECUTION

As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, distressed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They arrested them and put them in custody until the next day. However, many who heard the word believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

The next day, the rulers, elders, and scribes gathered in Jerusalem, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others of the high-priestly family. They brought Peter and John before them and questioned them about the power or name by which they had healed the man. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed the rulers and elders, stating that if they were being examined about a good deed done to an infirm man, it should be known to all of them and to all Israel that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom they crucified and whom God raised from the dead—that the man stood before them healed. He identified Jesus as the stone set at nought by the builders which had become the cornerstone, declaring that salvation is in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which people must be saved.

Seeing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving they were uneducated men, the council wondered and recognized that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the healed man standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. After commanding them to leave the council, they conferred among themselves, acknowledging that a notable sign had been done and they could not deny it. To prevent the news from spreading further, they decided to threaten the apostles severely not to speak to anyone in Jesus' name. They called them back and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered, "If it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge ye; for as for us we cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard." After further threats, the council let them go, finding no way to punish them because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.

THE BELIEVERS' PRAYER AND FELLOWSHIP

After being released, Peter and John went to their own company and reported everything. Upon hearing it, the believers lifted their voices to God in unison, acknowledging Him as the Creator who spoke through David about the nations raging against the Lord and His Christ. They recognized that Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel had gathered against God's holy servant Jesus to do what His counsel had determined beforehand. They then prayed, "And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and give to thy bondmen with all boldness to speak thy word," asking God to stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.

After they prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. The multitude of believers was of one heart and soul; no one claimed any possessions as their own, but they had everything in common. With great power, the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was no one in need among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each as anyone had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (meaning Son of Consolation), sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA

A man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property but kept back part of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge. He brought only a portion and laid it at the apostles' feet. Peter confronted him, asking why Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price. Peter reminded him that the land was his to keep or sell, and the money was his to control. He concluded, "Thou hast not lied to men, but to God." Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died, and great fear came upon all who heard about it. The young men wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him.

About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her if they had sold the land for a certain price, and she affirmed it. Peter then said to her, "Why is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Lo, the feet of those that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out." She immediately fell at his feet and died. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Great fear came upon the whole assembly and all who heard of these events.

APOSTOLIC SIGNS AND IMPRISONMENT

Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles, and they were all together in Solomon's Porch. No one else dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem, and multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord. People even brought the sick into the streets on beds so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them. Multitudes from the cities around Jerusalem also came, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The high priest and the sect of the Sadducees were filled with wrath and had the apostles arrested and put in the public prison. But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, led them out, and instructed them to go stand in the temple and speak all the words of this life to the people. At daybreak, they entered the temple and began to teach.

Meanwhile, the high priest and the council sent to the prison to have the apostles brought, but the officers found the prison securely shut and the guards standing at the doors, with no one inside. Perplexed, the temple captain and chief priests then received a report that the men they had imprisoned were in the temple teaching. The captain went with his officers and brought the apostles back without violence, fearing the people.

The high priest questioned them, reminding them of the strict order not to teach in Jesus' name, yet they had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine and sought to bring this man's blood upon them. Peter and the apostles answered, "God must be obeyed rather than men." They testified that the God of their fathers had raised Jesus, whom the council had slain. God exalted him as Leader and Savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel, and they, along with the Holy Spirit whom God gives to those who obey Him, were witnesses to these things.

Hearing this, the council was enraged and planned to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law, stood up and had the apostles put outside for a moment. He warned the council to be careful, citing the examples of Theudas and Judas the Galilean, who rose up with followers but perished, and their movements came to nothing. He advised, "Withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work have its origin from men, it will be destroyed; but if it be from God, ye will not be able to put them down, lest ye be found also fighters against God." They took his advice. After calling the apostles in, they had them beaten, charged them again not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. The apostles left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. Every day, in the temple and in homes, they never stopped teaching and preaching that Jesus is the Christ.

THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SEVEN

In those days, as the number of disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The twelve apostles gathered the multitude of disciples and said it was not right for them to neglect the ministry of the word of God to serve tables. They instructed the brethren to look among themselves for seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom they could appoint over this business, while the apostles would devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.

This proposal pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, along with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to increase, the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

STEPHEN'S ARREST AND DEFENSE

Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. However, opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, who began to dispute with Stephen. They could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. So they secretly instigated men to say they had heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.

They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they seized Stephen and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who claimed, "This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law; for we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses taught us." All who sat in the council looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The high priest asked, "Are these things then so?" Stephen began his defense by recounting the history of Israel. He spoke of how the God of glory appeared to their father Abraham in Mesopotamia, calling him to a new land. God promised this land to him and his descendants, even though Abraham had no child, and foretold their four-hundred-year sojourn and enslavement in a foreign land. God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and the lineage continued through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs.

Stephen described how the patriarchs, out of envy, sold Joseph into Egypt, but God was with him, delivered him, and gave him wisdom before Pharaoh, who made him ruler. He recounted the famine that brought Jacob and his family, seventy-five souls in all, down to Egypt, where they died and were buried in Shechem. As the time of God's promise drew near, the people multiplied in Egypt until a new king arose who did not know Joseph and oppressed their ancestors.

It was during this time that Moses was born, a child exceedingly lovely, who was raised in Pharaoh's household and instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. When he was forty, Moses visited his brethren and, seeing one wronged, killed an Egyptian. He thought his brethren would understand that God was delivering them by his hand, but they did not. The next day, when he tried to reconcile two fighting Israelites, he was rejected with the words, "Who established thee ruler and judge over us?" Moses then fled to Midian.

After forty more years, an angel appeared to him in a burning bush in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. The Lord identified Himself as the God of his fathers and commissioned him to deliver His people from Egypt. This same Moses, whom they had rejected, God sent as a ruler and deliverer. He led them out, performing wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. It was this Moses who prophesied that God would raise up a prophet like him.

Stephen continued, describing how their fathers in the wilderness would not obey Moses but turned back in their hearts to Egypt, asking Aaron to make them gods. They made a calf and rejoiced in the work of their own hands. God turned from them and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as written in the prophets. They carried the tent of Moloch and the star of their god Remphan. Their fathers had the tent of testimony, built according to God's pattern, which Joshua brought into the promised land. David found favor and asked to build a house for God, but it was Solomon who built it. Yet, Stephen declared, quoting the prophet, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, for heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool.

Finally, Stephen directly confronted the council: "O stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers, ye also." He accused them of persecuting every prophet and of betraying and murdering the Just One, whose coming the prophets had foretold. He charged them with receiving the law by the ministry of angels but not keeping it.

THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN

Hearing these things, the council members were cut to the heart and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He exclaimed, "Lo, I behold the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." At this, they cried out with a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed at him with one accord. They cast him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." After saying this, he fell asleep.

THE GOSPEL IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA

Saul was consenting to Stephen's death. On that day, a great persecution arose against the assembly in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Pious men buried Stephen and made great lamentation for him, while Saul ravaged the assembly, entering house after house, dragging off men and women and committing them to prison.

Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached Christ to them. The crowds paid attention to what he said, hearing and seeing the signs he did, as unclean spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. There was great joy in that city. A man named Simon had previously practiced magic there, astonishing the people and claiming to be someone great. All had given him heed, calling him the great power of God. But when they believed Philip's preaching about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself also believed, and after being baptized, he continued with Philip, amazed at the signs and great miracles he saw.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Upon their arrival, they prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give to me also this power." But Peter rebuked him: "Thy money go with thee to destruction, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money... Repent therefore of this thy wickedness." Simon, fearful, asked them to pray for him. After testifying and speaking the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, telling him to go south on the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. He rose and went, and there he saw an Ethiopian eunuch, a man of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had been to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to go and join the chariot. Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah and asked if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch replied, "How should I then be able unless some one guide me?" and invited Philip to sit with him.

The passage he was reading was about a sheep led to the slaughter. The eunuch asked Philip whom the prophet was speaking of. Philip, beginning with that same scripture, preached Jesus to him. As they went along, they came to some water, and the eunuch asked what hindered him from being baptized. Philip baptized him, and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away. The eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing. Philip was found at Azotus and passed through, preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed near Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?" He asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest." Saul was told to rise and enter the city, where he would be told what to do. The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. Saul got up, but when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. They led him by the hand into Damascus, where he remained for three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord appeared to him in a vision, instructing him to go to the street called Straight and seek in the house of Judas a man from Tarsus named Saul, who was praying. The Lord told Ananias that Saul had seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming and laying his hands on him to restore his sight. Ananias protested, having heard of the evil Saul had done to the saints in Jerusalem. But the Lord said, "Go, for this man is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and the sons of Israel: for I will shew to him how much he must suffer for my name."

Ananias went, laid his hands on Saul, and said, "Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way... that thou mightest see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. He was baptized, and after taking food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus and immediately began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All who heard him were astonished. Saul increased in strength and confounded the Jews in Damascus, proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plan became known. The disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall in a basket.

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. Barnabas, however, took him to the apostles and described his conversion and bold preaching. Saul then moved freely among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the Lord's name. When the Hellenists sought to kill him, the brethren brought him to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. The assemblies throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria then had peace and were edified, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

PETER'S MINISTRY IN LYDDA AND JOPPA

As Peter traveled through all quarters, he came to the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus, the Christ, heals thee: rise up, and make thy couch for thyself." He immediately rose, and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha (which means Dorcas), who was full of good works and alms. She fell sick and died. The disciples, hearing Peter was in nearby Lydda, sent for him. When Peter arrived, the widows stood around him weeping, showing the garments Dorcas had made. Peter put them all outside, knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He presented her alive to the saints and widows. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.

THE GOSPEL EXTENDS TO GENTILES

In Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort. He was a devout man who feared God with his whole household, gave alms generously, and prayed continually. About the ninth hour of the day, he had a vision of an angel of God, who told him that his prayers and alms had been remembered by God. The angel instructed him to send men to Joppa to fetch Simon, who is called Peter. Cornelius immediately sent two of his servants and a devout soldier.

The next day, as they were nearing the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray. He became hungry and fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and a great sheet descending, holding all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice said, "Rise, Peter, slay and eat." Peter replied, "In no wise, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean." The voice spoke a second time, "What God has cleansed, do not thou make common." This happened three times, and the sheet was taken back up to heaven.

While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit told him that three men were seeking him and that he should go with them without hesitation, for the Spirit had sent them. The men from Cornelius arrived and explained their master's vision. Peter invited them in. The next day, he went with them, accompanied by some brethren from Joppa. When they arrived at Cornelius's house, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. He fell at Peter's feet, but Peter lifted him up, saying he too was just a man.

Peter explained to the gathering that although it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, God had shown him not to call any man common or unclean. Cornelius then recounted his vision. Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." He preached the word of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, testifying to His anointing with the Holy Spirit, His good works, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. He declared that all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were hearing the word. The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles also, for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Peter then asked if anyone could forbid water for baptism for those who had received the Holy Spirit just as they had. He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH

The apostles and brethren in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. When Peter returned to Jerusalem, the circumcision party contended with him for eating with uncircumcised men. Peter recounted the entire sequence of events—his vision, the Spirit's command, Cornelius's vision, and the Holy Spirit falling upon the Gentiles as it had on them at the beginning. He remembered the Lord's words about being baptized with the Holy Spirit and concluded that he could not forbid God. When they heard this, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, "Then indeed God has to the nations also granted repentance to life."

Meanwhile, those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jews. However, some men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the assembly in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and exhorted them all to remain faithful. He then went to Tarsus to seek Saul, and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they met with the assembly and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

During this time, prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and signified by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the inhabited earth, which came to pass in the days of Claudius. The disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren living in Judea. They did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

PERSECUTION BY HEROD

At that time, Herod the king laid hands on some from the assembly to harm them. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. Seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also, during the days of Unleavened Bread. He put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the assembly made unceasing prayer to God for him.

The night before Herod was to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards were before the door. An angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter's side, woke him, and said, "Rise up quickly." The chains fell off his hands. The angel instructed him to get dressed and follow. Peter followed, thinking he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened for them by itself. After they had gone down one street, the angel departed.

Peter, coming to himself, knew for certain that the Lord had sent His angel to deliver him. He went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered praying. When he knocked, a servant girl named Rhoda came, and upon recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back inside without opening the gate, announcing that Peter was there. They told her she was mad, but when she insisted, they said, "It is his angel." Peter continued knocking. When they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. He motioned for them to be silent and described his escape, telling them to report it to James and the brethren before going to another place. The next day, there was a great disturbance among the soldiers. Herod, having searched for Peter and not found him, examined the guards and ordered their execution.

Later, on a set day, Herod, dressed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration. The people shouted, "A god's voice and not a man's." Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied. Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their ministry, returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John Mark.

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

In the assembly at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul. As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." After fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus. In Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues, with John Mark as their assistant. They traveled through the whole island to Paphos, where they found a Jewish magician and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (as his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul from the faith.

Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at Elymas and called him a son of the devil, full of deceit and an enemy of righteousness. He declared that the Lord's hand was upon him, and he would be blind for a season. Immediately, a mist and darkness fell on him. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Paul and his company then sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.

From Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath, they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue invited them to speak. Paul stood up and recounted God's dealings with Israel: choosing their fathers, delivering them from Egypt, enduring them in the wilderness, giving them the land of Canaan, providing judges until Samuel, and then giving them King Saul. After removing Saul, God raised up David, a man after His own heart. From David's seed, Paul declared, God had brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.

He spoke of John the Baptist, who had prepared the way for Jesus. He proclaimed that the word of salvation had been sent to them. He explained that the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, not knowing Jesus, had fulfilled the prophecies by condemning him. Though they found no cause for death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. After he was taken down from the cross and buried, God raised him from the dead. He appeared for many days to those who had come with him from Galilee. Paul announced the good news that God had fulfilled His promise to the fathers by raising Jesus, quoting from the second psalm, "Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee." He proclaimed that through this man, remission of sins is preached, and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses.

As they were leaving, the people begged that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. The following week, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of God. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with envy and contradicted Paul, speaking injuriously. Paul and Barnabas then spoke boldly, saying it was necessary for the word to be spoken to the Jews first, but since they rejected it and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, they would turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecy of being a light to the nations. When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. But the Jews stirred up persecution, and Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the region. They shook the dust from their feet and went to Iconium, and the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

In Iconium, they entered the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the brethren. Paul and Barnabas stayed for a good while, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to his word by granting signs and wonders. The city was divided. When an assault was planned to stone them, they fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach.

In Lystra, a man who was lame from birth and had never walked was listening to Paul speak. Paul, seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Rise up straight upon thy feet." The man sprang up and walked. When the crowds saw this, they lifted up their voices in Lycaonian, saying, "The gods, having made themselves like men, are come down to us." They called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury. The priest of Jupiter brought bulls and garlands to sacrifice to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed into the crowd, crying out that they were just men, preaching for them to turn from vanities to the living God who made heaven and earth.

Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. But as the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and entered the city. The next day, he went with Barnabas to Derbe. After preaching the gospel and making many disciples there, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. They appointed elders in every assembly, and with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord. After passing through Pisidia and Pamphylia, they sailed back to Antioch, where they gathered the assembly and reported all that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL

Certain men came down from Judea to Antioch and taught the brethren that unless they were circumcised according to the custom of Moses, they could not be saved. This caused no small discussion and commotion with Paul and Barnabas. It was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

In Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, apostles, and elders, and they reported what God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed rose up, saying it was necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and command them to keep the law of Moses. The apostles and elders gathered to consider the matter. After much discussion, Peter stood and reminded them how God had chosen him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and how God had given them the Holy Spirit just as He had to the Jews, purifying their hearts by faith. He asked why they would tempt God by putting a yoke on the disciples that neither their fathers nor they could bear, affirming that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus.

The multitude fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe the signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them. After they finished, James answered, saying Simon (Peter) had related how God first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name, which agrees with the words of the prophets. He quoted the prophecy that God would return and rebuild the tabernacle of David so that the residue of men might seek the Lord. Therefore, James judged that they should not trouble the Gentiles who were turning to God, but write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from what is strangled, and from blood.

This seemed good to the apostles, elders, and the whole assembly. They sent chosen men—Judas called Barsabas and Silas—with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with a letter. The letter stated that they gave no commandment to those who had troubled the Gentile believers and that it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to them to lay no greater burden than the necessary things: abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, blood, what is strangled, and fornication. When the letter was read in Antioch, the people rejoiced. After some time, Paul proposed to Barnabas that they return and visit the brethren in every city where they had preached. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, but Paul thought it unwise, as Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia. The disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and, commended by the brethren to the grace of God, went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, where he met a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish believing woman and a Greek father. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he circumcised him because of the Jews in those places. As they traveled, they delivered the decrees from the Jerusalem council. They passed through Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they tried to go into Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So they passed by Mysia and came to Troas.

In the night, Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man pleading with him to "Pass over into Macedonia and help us." They concluded the Lord had called them to preach there. They sailed from Troas to Samothrace, then Neapolis, and finally Philippi, a Roman colony. On the Sabbath, they went by a river where prayer was customarily made and spoke to the women gathered there. A woman named Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard them, and the Lord opened her heart. She and her household were baptized, and she constrained them to stay at her house.

As they went to prayer, a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who brought her masters much profit, followed them, crying out, "These men are bondmen of the Most High God, who announce to you the way of salvation." After many days, Paul, distressed, turned and commanded the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, and it did. When her masters saw their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the magistrates, accusing them of troubling the city and teaching unlawful customs. The crowd rose against them, and the praetors had them stripped, scourged, and thrown into the inner prison, with their feet fastened in the stocks.

About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake that shook the prison's foundations. All the doors opened, and everyone's bonds were loosed. The jailer awoke, and seeing the doors open, he drew his sword to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out, "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here." The jailer called for lights, rushed in trembling, and fell down before them. He brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?" They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house." They spoke the word of the Lord to him and his household. That same hour, he washed their stripes and was baptized, he and all his family. He then brought them into his house and set food before them, rejoicing with his whole household that he had believed in God.

In the morning, the magistrates sent word to release them. But Paul declared that they, being Roman citizens, had been beaten publicly and uncondemned, and would not leave secretly. The officials, afraid when they heard they were Romans, came and pleaded with them to leave the city. After leaving the prison, they visited Lydia, encouraged the brethren, and departed.

They traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica, where Paul reasoned in the synagogue for three Sabbaths. Some Jews believed and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of devout Greeks and many leading women. But the jealous Jews formed a mob, assaulted the house of Jason, and dragged him and others before the city authorities, crying that these men who had turned the world upside down had come there. After taking security from Jason, they were released.

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. The Bereans were more noble, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them believed. But when Jews from Thessalonica learned Paul was in Berea, they came and stirred up the crowds. The brethren sent Paul away to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained. Paul was conducted to Athens.

In Athens, Paul's spirit was provoked as he saw the city full of idols. He reasoned in the synagogue and the marketplace. Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. They brought him to the Areopagus and asked about this new teaching. Paul stood and said, "Athenians, in every way I see you given up to demon worship." He spoke of an altar he had found inscribed, "To the unknown God," and declared he was announcing the God they worshipped without knowing. He proclaimed the God who made the world does not dwell in man-made temples and has made all nations from one blood, so that they should seek Him. He quoted their own poets, saying, "For we are also his offspring." Since they were God's offspring, they should not think the divine is like gold or stone. God, having overlooked the times of ignorance, now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed, having given proof by raising him from the dead.

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said they would hear him again. A few men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.

PAUL IN CORINTH, EPHESUS, AND ANTIOCH

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who had recently come from Italy because Claudius had commanded all Jews to leave Rome. Paul stayed and worked with them, for they were tent-makers by trade. He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath. When Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul was pressed to testify to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When they opposed and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said he would go to the Gentiles. The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, telling him not to be afraid but to speak, for He had many people in that city. Paul stayed there a year and six months.

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul, but Gallio dismissed the case, refusing to be a judge of their religious matters. After staying many more days, Paul sailed for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. He arrived at Ephesus, reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, and then sailed to Caesarea. After greeting the assembly, he went down to Antioch.

After spending some time there, he departed and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples. A Jew named Apollos, an eloquent man mighty in the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. He was fervent in spirit and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Apollos then went to Achaia, where he greatly helped those who had believed and powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples. He asked them, "Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye had believed?" They replied that they had not even heard that there was a Holy Spirit and had been baptized into John's baptism. Paul explained that John's was a baptism of repentance, pointing to Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue for three months, but when some became hardened and spoke evil of the Way, he separated the disciples and reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.

Certain itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches." When the seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva did this, the evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but ye, who are ye?" The man with the spirit then leaped on them and overpowered them. This became known to all in Ephesus, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Many who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them publicly.

After these things, Paul purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome. A great disturbance arose in Ephesus concerning the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, gathered his fellow craftsmen and argued that Paul was turning people away by saying that gods made with hands are not gods, thus threatening their trade and the temple of the great goddess Artemis. Filled with wrath, they cried out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" The city was filled with confusion, and they rushed into the theater, dragging Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's companions. Paul wanted to go in, but the disciples and some friendly officials urged him not to. The town clerk quieted the crowd, arguing that the men had done no wrong and that any grievances should be settled in the courts. He then dismissed the assembly.

JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

After the tumult ceased, Paul went to Macedonia and Greece. Discovering a plot by the Jews against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. He and his companions, including Luke, sailed from Philippi and came to Troas. On the first day of the week, as they were gathered to break bread, Paul preached to them, prolonging his speech until midnight. A young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window, fell into a deep sleep, fell three stories, and was taken up dead. Paul went down, embraced him, and said his life was in him. They brought the boy back alive.

From Troas, they traveled to Miletus. Paul, hastening to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost, had decided to sail past Ephesus. From Miletus, he sent for the elders of the Ephesian assembly. He reminded them of his service among them, testifying of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus. He told them he was now bound in the spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what would happen, except that the Holy Spirit testified that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him. He declared his life of no account, so long as he could finish his course and the ministry he received from the Lord.

He told them they would see his face no more and charged them to take heed to themselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God. He warned that after his departure, savage wolves would come in, and from among their own selves men would arise speaking perverse things. He committed them to God and the word of His grace. After kneeling and praying with them all, there was much weeping as they accompanied him to the ship.

They sailed on, coming to Tyre, where the disciples, through the Spirit, told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. They continued to Caesarea and stayed with Philip the evangelist. There, the prophet Agabus came, took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus saith the Holy Spirit, The man whose this girdle is shall the Jews thus bind in Jerusalem, and deliver him up into the hands of the Gentiles." Everyone pleaded with Paul not to go, but he was resolute, ready not only to be bound but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

PAUL'S ARREST AND TRIALS

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul reported to James and the elders all that God had done among the Gentiles. They glorified God but informed Paul that thousands of Jewish believers, all zealous for the law, had been told that he taught Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses. To show this was false, they advised him to join four men who were under a vow, be purified with them, and pay their expenses. Paul agreed.

When the seven days of purification were almost completed, Jews from Asia saw him in the temple, stirred up the crowd, and laid hands on him, crying that he had brought Greeks into the temple and defiled the holy place. They had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city and assumed Paul had brought him inside. The whole city was moved, and they dragged Paul out of the temple. As they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman cohort was notified. He and his soldiers ran down and rescued Paul, binding him with two chains. As he was being carried into the fortress, Paul asked for permission to speak to the people.

Standing on the stairs, Paul addressed the crowd in Hebrew, recounting his life as a zealous Pharisee and his persecution of the Way. He then told the story of his conversion on the road to Damascus and his commission from Jesus to go to the nations. The crowd listened until he mentioned the Gentiles, at which point they shouted for his death. The commander ordered him to be examined by scourging, but as they stretched him out, Paul said to the centurion, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" The commander, upon learning Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, was afraid and loosed him.

The next day, the commander brought Paul before the chief priests and the council. Paul, looking at the council, declared he had lived in all good conscience. The high priest Ananias ordered him struck on the mouth. Paul rebuked him as a "whited wall." Knowing the council was composed of Sadducees and Pharisees, Paul cried out that he was on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead. This caused a great dissension between the two parties, for Sadducees deny the resurrection, angels, and spirits, while Pharisees confess them. In the tumult, the commander, fearing Paul would be torn to pieces, had him taken back to the fortress. That night, the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good courage; for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so thou must bear witness at Rome also."

More than forty Jews bound themselves by an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. They plotted with the chief priests to have Paul brought back to the council as a pretense for an ambush. But Paul's nephew heard of the plot and told Paul, who had him report it to the commander. The commander immediately arranged for Paul to be taken by night to Caesarea under heavy guard, with a letter to Governor Felix explaining the situation.

Five days later, the high priest Ananias, some elders, and an orator named Tertullus came and laid their case against Paul before Felix. Tertullus accused Paul of being a pest, a creator of sedition among Jews, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Paul, in his defense, denied the charges, avowing that he served the God of his fathers, believed all that is written in the Law and the Prophets, and had a hope in the resurrection. Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings, keeping Paul in custody but with some freedom. Felix and his wife Drusilla later heard Paul speak about faith in Christ. As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was alarmed and dismissed him, hoping Paul would offer him a bribe. After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wanting to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

When Festus arrived, the Jewish leaders renewed their accusations. Festus, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, asked Paul if he was willing to be judged in Jerusalem. Paul refused, stating he was standing at Caesar's judgment seat and had done no wrong to the Jews. He said, "I appeal to Caesar." After conferring with his council, Festus replied, "To Caesar shalt thou go."

Some days later, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived to greet Festus, who laid Paul's case before them. Agrippa expressed a desire to hear Paul himself. The next day, Paul was brought before them. He recounted his life as a Pharisee, his persecution of Christians, his miraculous conversion, and his divine commission to be a witness to both Jews and Gentiles, calling them to repent and turn to God. Festus interrupted, shouting that Paul was mad, but Paul appealed to King Agrippa's knowledge of the prophets. Agrippa said to Paul, "In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian." After they withdrew, Agrippa told Festus, "This man might have been let go if he had not appealed to Caesar."

THE VOYAGE TO ROME

It was decided that Paul and other prisoners should sail to Italy under the care of a centurion named Julius. The voyage was difficult, and Paul warned that it would end in disaster, but the centurion listened to the ship's owner. A violent storm called Euroclydon caught the ship, and for many days they saw neither sun nor stars, losing all hope of being saved.

Paul stood up among them and urged them to take heart, for an angel of the God whom he served had stood by him that night, assuring him he must stand before Caesar and that God had granted him the lives of all who sailed with him. He told them they would be cast on a certain island. On the fourteenth night, the sailors sensed they were near land. Fearing they would run aground on rocks, they cast out anchors. Paul warned the centurion that unless the sailors stayed with the ship, they could not be saved, so the soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat. Paul urged everyone to eat, and after giving thanks, they all took food. There were 276 souls on board.

They ran the ship aground on a place with a sandbar. The prow stuck fast, but the stern was broken by the waves. The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, but the centurion, wanting to save Paul, stopped them. He commanded those who could swim to get to land first, and the rest followed on planks and pieces of the ship. In this way, everyone reached land safely.

PAUL IN MALTA AND ROME

They learned the island was called Melita. The native people showed them unusual kindness. As Paul gathered a bundle of sticks for the fire, a viper came out from the heat and fastened on his hand. The islanders thought he was a murderer whom justice would not allow to live, but when he shook off the beast into the fire and suffered no harm, they changed their minds and said he was a god. The chief man of the island, Publius, received them hospitably. Paul healed Publius's father of a fever, and others on the island who were sick also came and were cured.

After three months, they sailed in an Alexandrian ship. They landed at Syracuse, then Rhegium, and finally Puteoli, where they found brethren and stayed for seven days. They then went on toward Rome. Brethren from Rome, having heard of their arrival, came out to meet them as far as the Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. In Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.

After three days, Paul called together the local Jewish leaders. He explained that though he had done nothing against their people or customs, he had been delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into Roman hands, and had been compelled to appeal to Caesar. He stated, "for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me." They had received no letters about him and asked to hear his views. On an appointed day, many came to his lodging, and from morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded, but others disbelieved.

As they were leaving, disagreed among themselves, Paul spoke one final word, quoting Isaiah's prophecy about the people's hardened hearts. He then declared to them, "Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; they also will hear it." Paul remained for two whole years in his own hired lodging, welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom and without hindrance.

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Concise Summary

The Acts of the Apostles chronicles the birth and expansion of the early Christian church, beginning with Jesus's ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Jerusalem, and following the ministry of the apostles—first Peter and then primarily Paul—as they spread the gospel message throughout the Roman Empire, culminating in Paul's arrival as a prisoner in Rome to bear witness to Christ.

You are about to hear a sacred historical narrative from the Holy Bible, titled The Acts of the Apostles. This work contains twenty-six main sections, exploring the birth of the Christian church, beginning with the ascension of Jesus Christ and following the ministries of the apostles Peter and Paul as the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to the heart of the Roman Empire.

Let us begin with the Prologue and the Ascension.

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In my first discourse, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before his ascension, he gave charges through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

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After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them with many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

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While assembled with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. He explained that while John baptized with water, they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.

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When they came together, they asked him if this was the time he would restore the kingdom to Israel. He replied that it was not for them to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Instead, he promised, quote: "ye will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth," end quote.

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After saying this, as they watched, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. As they were gazing into heaven, two men in white clothing stood by them and said, quote: "Men of Galilee, why do ye stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall thus come in the manner in which ye have beheld him going into heaven," end quote.

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This concludes the Prologue. Now we turn to The Apostolic Fellowship.

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The apostles then returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a sabbath day's journey away. Upon entering the city, they went to the upper chamber where they were staying.

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Present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Jude the brother of James. They all devoted themselves continually to prayer with one accord, along with several women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

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In those days, Peter stood up among the brethren, a group of about one hundred and twenty people. He said it was necessary to fulfill the scripture spoken by the Holy Spirit through David concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus.

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Peter recounted how Judas acquired a field with the reward for his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open, and his bowels gushed out. This became known to all in Jerusalem, and the field was called Aceldama, meaning "field of blood."

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Peter then quoted from the book of Psalms: "Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it," and, "Let another take his overseership." He continued that it was necessary for one of the men who had been with them the entire time—from John's baptism until the ascension—to become a witness of the resurrection.

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They appointed two men: Joseph called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias. They prayed, quote: "Thou Lord, knower of the hearts of all, shew which one of these two thou hast chosen, to receive the lot of this service and apostleship, from which Judas transgressing fell to go to his own place," end quote.

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They then cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, who was then numbered with the eleven apostles.

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This concludes the account of the Apostolic Fellowship. Now we turn to The Day of Pentecost.

[pause 2s]

When the day of Pentecost was being fulfilled, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

[pause 1s]

Parted tongues, as of fire, appeared to them and rested on each one. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

[pause 1s]

At that time, there were pious Jews from every nation under heaven dwelling in Jerusalem. When this sound occurred, a multitude gathered and was bewildered because each one heard the apostles speaking in his own dialect.

[pause 1s]

The crowd included Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. They all heard them speaking in their own tongues about the great things of God.

[pause 1s]

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another what this could mean, while others mocked, saying they were full of new wine. But Peter stood up with the eleven and declared that this event was what the prophet Joel had spoken of: God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days.

[pause 1s]

He quoted the prophecy that God would show wonders in heaven and signs on earth—blood, fire, and smoke—before the great day of the Lord, and that, quote: "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," end quote.

[pause 1s]

Peter then spoke of Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to by God through miracles, whom they had crucified by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, loosing the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

[pause 1s]

He declared that the patriarch David, being a prophet, spoke of the resurrection of the Christ. This Jesus, Peter proclaimed, God has raised up, and they were all witnesses. Exalted to the right hand of God, Jesus poured out what they were now seeing and hearing.

[pause 1s]

Therefore, he concluded, let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and asked what they should do.

[pause 1s]

Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who accepted his word were baptized, and about three thousand souls were added that day.

[pause 2s]

This concludes the events of Pentecost. Now we examine The Early Church Community.

[pause 2s]

Awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to all, according to anyone's need.

[pause 1s]

Day by day, they attended the temple together with one accord and broke bread in their homes, eating with gladness and simplicity of heart. They praised God and had favor with all the people, and the Lord added to their assembly daily those who were being saved.

[pause 2s]

Thus was the fellowship of the early church. We now turn to The Healing of the Lame Man.

[pause 2s]

One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. A man lame from his mother's womb was being carried and placed daily at the temple gate called Beautiful to ask for alms.

[pause 1s]

Seeing Peter and John, he asked for alms. Peter, with John, looked at him intently and said, "Look on us." The man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something.

[pause 1s]

But Peter said, quote: "Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, this give I to thee: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean rise up and walk," end quote. Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up; immediately, his feet and ankle bones were strengthened.

[pause 1s]

Leaping up, he stood, walked, and entered the temple with them, praising God. All the people saw him and were filled with wonder and amazement, and they ran together to Peter and John in the portico called Solomon's.

[pause 1s]

Peter addressed the crowd, declaring that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had glorified His servant Jesus. He proclaimed that faith in Jesus' name had made the man strong, and he called on them to repent and be converted, that their sins might be blotted out.

[pause 2s]

This was the healing at the Beautiful Gate. Now we recount The First Persecution.

[pause 2s]

As Peter and John were speaking, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, distressed because they were proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They arrested them and put them in custody.

[pause 1s]

However, many who heard the word believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. The next day, the rulers, elders, and scribes gathered in Jerusalem, including Annas the high priest and Caiaphas.

[pause 1s]

They questioned Peter and John about the power or name by which they had healed the man. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom they crucified and whom God raised from the dead.

[pause 1s]

He identified Jesus as the cornerstone which the builders rejected, declaring that salvation is in no one else. Seeing their boldness and perceiving they were uneducated men, the council wondered and recognized they had been with Jesus.

[pause 1s]

They conferred among themselves, acknowledging the notable sign, and decided to threaten the apostles not to speak to anyone in Jesus' name. But Peter and John answered, quote: "If it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge ye; for as for us we cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard," end quote.

[pause 2s]

This concludes the first persecution. Now we turn to The Believers' Prayer and Fellowship.

[pause 2s]

After being released, Peter and John went to their own company and reported everything. Upon hearing it, the believers lifted their voices to God in unison, acknowledging Him as the Creator.

[pause 1s]

They prayed, quote: "And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and give to thy bondmen with all boldness to speak thy word," end quote, asking God to perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

[pause 1s]

The multitude of believers was of one heart and soul; no one claimed any possessions as their own, but they had everything in common. There was no one in need among them, for owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles' feet for distribution.

[pause 1s]

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas, meaning Son of Consolation, sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

[pause 2s]

Thus was their fellowship. The narrative now turns to Ananias and Sapphira.

[pause 2s]

A man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property but kept back part of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge. He brought only a portion to the apostles' feet.

[pause 1s]

Peter confronted him, asking why Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. Peter reminded him that the land and the money were his to control, concluding, quote: "Thou hast not lied to men, but to God," end quote. Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died.

[pause 1s]

About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her if they had sold the land for a certain price, and she affirmed it.

[pause 1s]

Peter then said to her, quote: "Why is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Lo, the feet of those that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out," end quote. She immediately fell at his feet and died, and great fear came upon the whole assembly.

[pause 2s]

This was the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. Now we witness Apostolic Signs and Imprisonment.

[pause 2s]

Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. Multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord, and people brought the sick into the streets so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them, and they were all healed.

[pause 1s]

The high priest and the Sadducees, filled with wrath, had the apostles arrested and put in the public prison. But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and instructed them to go stand in the temple and teach.

[pause 1s]

When the council sent for the apostles, the officers found the prison empty. They soon received a report that the men were in the temple teaching. The captain brought them back without violence, fearing the people.

[pause 1s]

The high priest reminded them of the strict order not to teach in Jesus' name. Peter and the apostles answered, quote: "God must be obeyed rather than men," end quote. They testified that God had raised Jesus, whom the council had slain, to be a Leader and Savior.

[pause 1s]

Hearing this, the council was enraged and planned to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel advised them, quote: "Withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work have its origin from men, it will be destroyed; but if it be from God, ye will not be able to put them down," end quote.

[pause 1s]

They took his advice. After having the apostles beaten and charged again not to speak in the name of Jesus, they released them. The apostles left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.

[pause 2s]

This concludes the account of their imprisonment. Now we turn to The Appointment of the Seven.

[pause 2s]

In those days, as the number of disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The twelve apostles gathered the disciples and said it was not right for them to neglect the ministry of the word to serve tables.

[pause 1s]

They instructed the brethren to look among themselves for seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom they could appoint over this business. This proposal pleased the whole multitude.

[pause 1s]

They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, along with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

[pause 2s]

Thus were the seven appointed. We now examine Stephen's Arrest and Defense.

[pause 2s]

Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. However, opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, who began to dispute with Stephen but could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

[pause 1s]

They secretly instigated men to accuse him of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. They stirred up the people, seized Stephen, and brought him before the council with false witnesses. All who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

[pause 1s]

The high priest asked, "Are these things then so?" Stephen began his defense by recounting the history of Israel, from the call of Abraham, to the sojourn in Egypt, to the deliverance by Moses. He described how their fathers in the wilderness rejected Moses and turned to idolatry.

[pause 1s]

He noted that while David desired to build a house for God, and Solomon built it, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, for heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool.

[pause 1s]

Finally, Stephen directly confronted the council, quote: "O stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers, ye also," end quote. He accused them of persecuting every prophet and of betraying and murdering the Just One.

[pause 2s]

This was Stephen's defense. The narrative now proceeds to The Martyrdom of Stephen.

[pause 2s]

Hearing these things, the council members were cut to the heart and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

[pause 1s]

He exclaimed, quote: "Lo, I behold the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God," end quote. At this, they cried out, covered their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.

[pause 1s]

They cast him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

[pause 1s]

Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, quote: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," end quote. After saying this, he fell asleep.

[pause 2s]

Thus Stephen became the first martyr. Now we follow The Gospel in Judea and Samaria.

[pause 2s]

Saul was consenting to Stephen's death. On that day, a great persecution arose against the assembly in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

[pause 1s]

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached Christ. The crowds paid attention, seeing the signs he did, and there was great joy in that city. A magician named Simon, who had astonished the people, also believed and was baptized.

[pause 1s]

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John. They laid their hands on the new believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon offered the apostles money for this power, but Peter rebuked him sharply for thinking the gift of God could be bought.

[pause 1s]

Meanwhile, an angel of the Lord told Philip to go south on the desert road to Gaza. There he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official, returning from worship in Jerusalem. The Spirit told Philip to join the man's chariot.

[pause 1s]

Philip found him reading the prophet Isaiah and, beginning with that scripture, preached Jesus to him. The eunuch believed and, seeing water, asked to be baptized. Philip baptized him, and the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.

[pause 2s]

Thus the gospel spread. The narrative now turns to a pivotal moment: The Conversion of Saul.

[pause 2s]

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, to arrest any who were of the Way. As he journeyed, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

[pause 1s]

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?" He asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest."

[pause 1s]

The men traveling with him stood speechless. Saul got up, but he was blind. They led him into Damascus, where he remained for three days without sight, food, or water.

[pause 1s]

The Lord appeared in a vision to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, instructing him to go to Saul and restore his sight. Ananias protested, fearing Saul's reputation, but the Lord said, "Go, for this man is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and the sons of Israel."

[pause 1s]

Ananias went, laid his hands on Saul, and immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. He was baptized, and after taking food, he regained his strength and began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

[pause 2s]

This was the conversion of Saul. We now follow Peter's Ministry in Lydda and Joppa.

[pause 2s]

As Peter traveled through all quarters, he came to the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, quote: "Aeneas, Jesus, the Christ, heals thee: rise up, and make thy couch for thyself," end quote. He immediately rose.

[pause 1s]

In Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha, also called Dorcas, who was full of good works, fell sick and died. The disciples sent for Peter, who came and, after praying, turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes, sat up, and he presented her alive to the saints.

[pause 2s]

Thus Peter ministered in those towns. The story continues as The Gospel Extends to Gentiles.

[pause 2s]

In Caesarea, there was a Roman centurion named Cornelius, a devout man who feared God. An angel appeared to him in a vision, instructing him to send for Simon Peter in Joppa.

[pause 1s]

The next day, as Cornelius's men approached, Peter went to the housetop to pray. He fell into a trance and saw a great sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals which the law deemed unclean. A voice said, "Rise, Peter, slay and eat."

[pause 1s]

Peter refused, but the voice spoke a second time, "What God has cleansed, do not thou make common." This happened three times. While Peter pondered this, the Spirit told him that three men were seeking him and that he should go with them without hesitation.

[pause 1s]

Peter went with the men to Cornelius's house. There, he preached the good news of Jesus Christ, declaring, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him."

[pause 1s]

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were hearing the word, including the Gentiles. The Jewish believers with Peter were astonished. Peter then commanded that they be baptized in the name of the Lord.

[pause 2s]

A new door had been opened. We now turn to The Church in Antioch.

[pause 2s]

When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was criticized by the circumcision party for eating with uncircumcised men. He recounted the entire sequence of events, and when they heard it, they glorified God, saying, "Then indeed God has to the nations also granted repentance to life."

[pause 1s]

Meanwhile, believers scattered by the persecution over Stephen traveled to Antioch. There, they began speaking not only to Jews but also to Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number believed.

[pause 1s]

The assembly in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch. He rejoiced at what he saw and went to Tarsus to find Saul. He brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year, they met with the assembly and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

[pause 1s]

During this time, a prophet named Agabus foretold a great famine. The disciples in Antioch, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren living in Judea, sending it by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

[pause 2s]

Thus the church in Antioch was established. We now face a time of Persecution by Herod.

[pause 2s]

At that time, Herod the king laid hands on some from the assembly. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. Seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

[pause 1s]

Peter was kept in prison, guarded by four squads of soldiers, but the assembly made unceasing prayer to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him out, an angel of the Lord stood by Peter as he slept between two soldiers, bound with two chains.

[pause 1s]

The angel struck Peter's side, and the chains fell from his hands. The angel led him past the guards and through an iron gate, which opened by itself. Peter, realizing it was not a vision, went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered praying.

[pause 1s]

They were astonished to see him. The next day, Herod, unable to find Peter, ordered the guards executed. Later, while giving an oration, Herod was struck by an angel of the Lord because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied.

[pause 2s]

Despite the persecution, the mission expands. We now begin The First Missionary Journey.

[pause 2s]

In the assembly at Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, quote: "Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them," end quote. After fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. They sailed to Cyprus, accompanied by John Mark.

[pause 1s]

In Paphos, they encountered a magician named Elymas who opposed them. Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked him, and the magician was struck blind for a season. Seeing this, the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, believed.

[pause 1s]

From there, they sailed to Perga, where John Mark left them. They continued to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath, Paul stood in the synagogue and preached, recounting God's history with Israel and proclaiming Jesus as the promised Savior, raised from the dead, through whom forgiveness of sins is offered.

[pause 1s]

The following week, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word. But envious Jews contradicted Paul. Paul and Barnabas then declared that since the Jews rejected the word, they would turn to the Gentiles. The Gentiles rejoiced, but the Jews stirred up persecution, and Paul and Barnabas were expelled.

[pause 1s]

In Iconium, a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed, but opposition forced them to flee to Lystra. There, Paul healed a man lame from birth. The crowds, thinking them gods, tried to offer sacrifices, but Paul and Barnabas tore their garments and proclaimed the living God.

[pause 1s]

Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. But as the disciples gathered around him, he rose up. After preaching in Derbe, they returned through the cities, strengthening the disciples and appointing elders before sailing back to Antioch.

[pause 2s]

This concludes the first journey. The narrative now focuses on The Jerusalem Council.

[pause 2s]

Certain men came from Judea to Antioch and taught that unless Gentile believers were circumcised according to the custom of Moses, they could not be saved. This caused a great commotion, and it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders.

[pause 1s]

In Jerusalem, after much discussion, Peter stood and reminded them how God had given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as He had to the Jews, purifying their hearts by faith. He argued against placing a yoke on them that even their fathers could not bear.

[pause 1s]

James then judged that they should not trouble the Gentiles who were turning to God, but write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from what is strangled, and from blood. This seemed good to the entire assembly.

[pause 1s]

They sent a letter with this decision to Antioch, and the believers there rejoiced. Later, Paul proposed to Barnabas that they revisit the cities. A sharp disagreement arose over whether to take John Mark, and they separated. Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.

[pause 2s]

With the council's decision made, we now begin The Second Missionary Journey.

[pause 2s]

Paul came to Lystra and met a disciple named Timothy, whom he took with him. They traveled through Phrygia and Galatia but were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. In Troas, Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man pleading, "Pass over into Macedonia and help us."

[pause 1s]

They sailed to Philippi, a Roman colony. There, a woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, believed and was baptized. Later, Paul cast a spirit of divination out of a slave girl. Her masters, seeing their source of profit gone, had Paul and Silas stripped, scourged, and thrown into prison.

[pause 1s]

About midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, a great earthquake shook the prison. All the doors opened, and everyone's bonds were loosed. The jailer, about to kill himself, was stopped by Paul. He asked, "Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?" and they replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved." The jailer and his household believed and were baptized.

[pause 1s]

The next morning, the magistrates learned that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens and, afraid, pleaded with them to leave. They continued to Thessalonica and Berea, where many believed, before Paul was conducted to Athens.

[pause 1s]

In Athens, Paul's spirit was provoked by the city's idols. He spoke at the Areopagus, declaring the "unknown God" whom they worshipped without knowing—the Creator of all who now commands all people everywhere to repent, for He will judge the world by the man whom He has raised from the dead.

[pause 2s]

From Athens, the journey continues with Paul in Corinth, Ephesus, and Antioch.

[pause 2s]

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tent-makers. He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, telling him not to be afraid, and he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God.

[pause 1s]

Afterward, he sailed to Ephesus and then on to Caesarea, eventually returning to Antioch. In Ephesus, an eloquent man named Apollos arrived, who was mighty in the Scriptures but knew only the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla explained the way of God to him more accurately.

[pause 2s]

After strengthening the churches, Paul begins The Third Missionary Journey.

[pause 2s]

Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples who had only received John's baptism. He explained to them about Jesus, and they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

[pause 1s]

Paul taught in Ephesus for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word. God was doing extraordinary miracles by his hands. A great disturbance later arose, stirred up by a silversmith named Demetrius, whose trade in silver shrines of the goddess Artemis was threatened by Paul's preaching. The city was filled with confusion, but the town clerk eventually quieted the crowd and dismissed the assembly.

[pause 2s]

After these events, we follow Paul's Journey to Jerusalem.

[pause 2s]

Paul traveled through Macedonia and Greece. In Troas, on the first day of the week, as he preached late into the night, a young man named Eutychus fell from a third-story window and was taken up dead. Paul went down, embraced him, and the boy was brought back alive.

[pause 1s]

From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the Ephesian assembly. He gave them a final charge, warning that savage wolves would come in after his departure. He told them they would see his face no more and committed them to God, before kneeling and praying with them all in a tearful farewell.

[pause 1s]

They sailed on toward Jerusalem. In Caesarea, the prophet Agabus took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and prophesied, "Thus saith the Holy Spirit, The man whose this girdle is shall the Jews thus bind in Jerusalem, and deliver him up into the hands of the Gentiles." Everyone pleaded with Paul not to go, but he was resolute, ready even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

[pause 2s]

His fateful journey concluded, we now witness Paul's Arrest and Trials.

[pause 2s]

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul went through a rite of purification in the temple to show his respect for the law. But Jews from Asia saw him, stirred up the crowd, and accused him of defiling the temple by bringing in Greeks. The whole city was moved, and they dragged Paul out to kill him.

[pause 1s]

Roman soldiers rescued Paul and took him into the fortress. The next day, he was brought before the Jewish council. Knowing it was composed of Pharisees and Sadducees, Paul cried out that he was on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead, causing a great dissension between the two parties.

[pause 1s]

That night, the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good courage; for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so thou must bear witness at Rome also." Learning of a plot by more than forty Jews to kill Paul, the Roman commander sent him under heavy guard to the governor, Felix, in Caesarea.

[pause 1s]

Before Felix, Paul denied the charges against him. Felix kept him in prison for two years, hoping for a bribe. When Porcius Festus became governor, Paul, to avoid being tried in Jerusalem, declared, "I appeal to Caesar." Festus replied, "To Caesar shalt thou go."

[pause 1s]

Later, Paul was brought before King Agrippa. He recounted his life and miraculous conversion. Festus declared him mad, but Agrippa said to Paul, "In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian." Agrippa told Festus that Paul might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.

[pause 2s]

The appeal is made. Now begins The Voyage to Rome.

[pause 2s]

Paul and other prisoners sailed for Italy under a centurion named Julius. The voyage was difficult, and a violent storm called Euroclydon caught the ship. For many days they saw neither sun nor stars and lost all hope of being saved.

[pause 1s]

But Paul stood among them and urged them to take heart, for an angel had assured him that he must stand before Caesar and that God had granted him the lives of all on board. He told them they would be cast on a certain island.

[pause 1s]

On the fourteenth night, the ship ran aground. The stern was broken by the waves. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, but the centurion, wanting to save Paul, stopped them. Everyone—two hundred and seventy-six souls in all—reached land safely, some by swimming and others on pieces of the ship.

[pause 2s]

They have survived the storm. The narrative concludes with Paul in Malta and Rome.

[pause 2s]

They learned the island was called Melita, or Malta. The native people showed them unusual kindness. As Paul gathered sticks for a fire, a viper fastened on his hand. When he suffered no harm, the islanders said he was a god. Paul then healed the father of Publius, the chief man of the island, and many others.

[pause 1s]

After three months, they sailed for Rome. Brethren from the city came out to meet them, and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. In Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.

[pause 1s]

He called together the local Jewish leaders and explained his circumstances. On an appointed day, he expounded to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded, but others disbelieved.

[pause 1s]

Paul then declared that the salvation of God had been sent to the nations, and they would hear it. Paul remained for two whole years in his own hired lodging, welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom and without hindrance.

[pause 2s]

Thus the word of God spread, unhindered, from Jerusalem to the heart of the empire.