OF THE
HOLY APOSTLES.
THE former treatise, Theophilus, I composed, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach,2until that day, when having given a charge to his apostles through the Holy Ghost, whom he had chosen, he was taken up:3to whom also he had shewed himself alive, after he had suffered, by many infallible proofs, during forty days being frequently seen by them, and speaking of the things which relate to the kingdom of God:4and assembling them together, commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye have heard from me.5For John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days after the present.
6They then accordingly assembling together, asked him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time reestablish the kingdom of Israel?7But he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath reserved under his own authority.8But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, both in Jerusalem, and throughout all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the extremity of the earth.
9And as he was speaking these things, while they were looking upon him, he was taken up; and a cloud enveloping him hid him from their eyes.10And as they looked up earnestly into the heaven, while he was passing, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11who also said to them, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up to heaven? this Jesus, who hath been taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in the same manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12Then they returned unto Jerusalem, from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, about a sabbath-day’s journey distant.13And when they had arrived, they went up to an upper room, where abode Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealous, and Jude brother to James.14These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
15And in those days arose Peter in the midst of the disciples, and said, (there was a number of persons together, about an hundred and twenty,)16Men and brethren, it must needs be that this scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost delivered before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the conductor of those who seized on Jesus.17For he was reckoned of our number, and had obtained an appointment to this ministry.18This man indeed accordingly purchased a spot of ground with the wages of iniquity; and projected forward, he burst in the midst, and all his bowels fell out.19And it was a fact known to all who dwelt at Jerusalem; so that this field is called in their own dialect, Aceldama, that is, The field of blood.20For it is written in the book of Psalms23, Let his habitation be desolate, and let there be no man to dwell in it: and his office, as bishop, let another take24.
21Wherefore from among the men who have associated with us always during the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,22beginning from his baptism by John, until the day in which he was taken up from us, must there be chosen with us a witness of his resurrection, even one of these.23So they appointed two persons, Joseph called Barsabas, whose sirname was Justus, and Matthias.24And joining in prayer, they said, Do thou, O Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, point out the one of these two which thou hast chosen,25to take a part in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, to go to his own place.26And they drew lots for them and the lot fell to Matthias and he was by unanimous suffrage numbered with the eleven apostles.
SO when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with unanimity assembled together.2And there came suddenly from heaven a sound as it were of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.3And there was an appearance to them of divided tongues, as of fire, and it rested on every one of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.
5Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, men of piety, from every nation under heaven.6And when this report spread, the multitude collected around them, and were overwhelmed with astonishment, because they heard them speaking every one in his own peculiar dialect.7And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying one to another, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?8And how do we hear every man in our own peculiar dialect, in which from our birth we were brought up?9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and they who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia,10and Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia adjoining Cyrene, and the sojourners, who are Romans, both Jews and proselytes,11Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own several tongues the marvellous things of God.12And they were all amazed, and much perplexed, and knew not what to think, saying one to another, What can this mean?13But others scoffing said, These men are brimful of sweet wine.14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them; Men of Judea, and all ye who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words:15for these men are not, as ye suppose, drunk, for it is only the third hour of the day.16But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel;17“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:18and upon my servants and my handmaidens in those days will I pour out of my spirit; and they shall prophesy:19and I will perform prodigies in the heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and illustrious day of the Lord come.21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Lord shall be saved25.”22Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazarean, a man from God, pointed out to you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as yourselves also know:23him, by the destined counsel and foreknowledge of God delivered up, ye have seized, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:24whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: forasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held thereby.25For David speaketh concerning him, “I have seen the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand, that I might not be shaken:26therefore is my heart full of joy, and my tongue hath exulted; and still shall my flesh also repose in hope,27that thou wilt not leave my soul in the mansion of the dead, nor permit that Holy One of thine to see corruption.28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt fill me with delight by thy countenance26.”
29Men and brethren, permit me to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David, that he hath been both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us to this day.30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Messiah to sit upon his throne;31he, foreseeing this, spake of the resurrection of the Messiah, that his soul should not be left in the mansion of the dead, and that his flesh should not see corruption.32This very Jesus hath God raised up, of which we all are witnesses.33He therefore being exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, hath poured out this, which ye now see and hear.34For David is not ascended into the heavens: for he saith himself, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit on my right hand,35until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet27.”36Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him Lord and Messiah, even that very Jesus whom ye crucified.
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you into the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.39For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off; even as many as the Lord our God shall call.40And with many other words he testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this untoward generation.
41They therefore who gladly received his discourse were baptised: and there were added to them that day about three thousand souls.42And they persevered stedfastly in the doctrine of the apostles, and in communion, and in breaking bread, and in prayers.43And on every soul there was an awe: and many miracles and signs were done by the apostles.44Now all who believed were together, and had all things common;45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as every one had need.46And daily continuing with one mind at the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with great joy and simplicity of heart,47praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added the saved ones daily to the church.
NOW at that time Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth;2when a certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who were entering into the temple;3who seeing Peter and John just going into the temple, asked to receive alms.
4Then Peter fixing his eves stedfastly on him with John, said, Look on us.5So he attentively regarded them, expecting to receive something from them.6Then said Peter, I have neither silver nor gold; but what I have, that I give thee: By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, arise, and walk!7And taking him by the right hand, he raised him up: and immediately his feet and ancles were restored to strength.8And springing up he stood on his feet, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.9And all the people beheld him walking and praising God:10and they took notice of him, that it was the same person who had sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with astonishment and amazed at what had happened to him.11But as the lame man that was cured held fast Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them into the portico called Solomon’s, in vast amazement.
12Then Peter observing it, addressed himself to the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why gaze ye upon us, as if by our own power or piety we had enabled this man to walk?
13The God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and besought that a man, a murderer, might as a favour be given unto you;15but ye slew the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead: of which we are witnesses.16And through faith in his name hath his name restored this man to strength, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the sight of you all.17And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance ye did this deed, as did also your rulers.18But the things which God before announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Messiah should suffer, he hath thus fulfilled.19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when refreshing seasons shall come from the presence of the Lord;20and he will send Jesus Christ, who was before preached unto you:21whom the heaven indeed must receive, until the times of restoration of all things, which God hath spoken of by the mouth of all his holy prophets from the beginning of the world.22For Moses truly said unto the fathers, “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like myself; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.23But it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly exterminated from amidst the people28.”24And all the prophets indeed from Samuel, and those who succeeded him, as many as have spoken, have also foretold those days.25Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed29.”26Unto you in the first instance, hath God, after raising up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, to the end that every one of you should turn away from your iniquities.
AND as they were thus speaking, the priests, and the captain of the temple-guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them,2worn down with vexation, because they taught the people, and preached by Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3And they laid hands on them, and committed them to prison till the next day: for it was then evening.
4But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.5Now it came to pass that the next morning, their rulers, and elders, and scribes, were assembled at Jerusalem,6and Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were the high-priest’s relations.7And placing them in the midst, they interrogated them, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this thing?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,9if we are this day examined relative to the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he was restored;10be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him doth this man stand here sound in your presence.11This is the stone which, though set at nought by you builders, is become the head of the corner30.12And there is no salvation in any other person: for there is no other name under heaven given unto men, whereby we must be saved.
13Attentively regarding then the noble confidence of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were men unlettered, and destitute of education, they were astonished; and they recollected them, that they had been with Jesus.14But seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they had not a word to reply in contradiction.15But bidding them retire out of the council-chamber, they conferred among themselves,16saying, What shall we do with these men? for that an acknowledged miracle hath been wrought by them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.17But that it be no farther spread among the people, we will menace them with threats, no more to speak in this name to any man.18So calling them in, they charged them not to speak in any manner, nor to teach, in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John, answering them, said, If it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges.20For we cannot refrain from speaking the things which we have seen and heard.21Then they with many additional threatenings dismissed them, finding no pretext how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for what had been done.22For the man was more than forty years of age, upon whom this miracle of healing was performed.
23But they being dismissed, came unto their own friends, and told them all things which the high-priests and elders had said.24Now when they heard it, they lifted up their united voice to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God which made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things which are in them:25who by the mouth of David thy servant saidst, Why do the heathen so furiously rage, and the people meditate vain things?26The kings of the earth rose up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah31.27For they have been in truth collected together against thy holy Son Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, even Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the heathen, and the people of Israel,28to do all that thy hand and thy counsel predestined should come to pass.29And as to the present transactions, Lord, look upon their threatnings: and grant thy servants power with all boldness to speak thy word,30by stretching out thy hand for healing; and that signs and miracles may be performed by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31And while they were praying, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32And in the multitude of those that believed there was one heart and soul: and not one person said, that any part of his substance was his peculiar property; but all things were in common among them.
33And with great power bore the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34Neither was there any person in want among them: for as many as were possessors of fields or houses disposed of them, and brought the prices of the things sold,35and laid them at the apostles’ feet: and a distribution was made to every one according as he had need.36And Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, (which is, being interpreted, A son of consolation,) a Levite, a Cyprian by birth,37having a field belonging to him, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
NOW a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, had sold an estate,2and secreted a part of the price paid, his wife also being privy to the transaction, and he brought a part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.3But Peter said, O Ananias! why hath Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost, and secrete something from the price of the estate?4it remained unsold, was it not vested in thee? and when sold, was it not in thine own power? why then hast thou determined in thine heart to do this deed? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.5Then Ananias, hearing those words, sunk down and expired: and great dread fell upon all who heard these things.6Then the young men arose, and swathed him up, and carrying him out, buried him.
7Now it came to pass at the distance of about three hours, his wife also, not knowing what had passed, came in.8And Peter addressed her, Tell me, if ye sold the estate for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much.
9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have conspired together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? see, the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.10Then she fell instantly at his feet, and expired: and the young men entering, found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her with her husband.11And great awe fell on all the Church, and on all who heard these things.
12But by the hands of the apostles were many signs and miracles done among the people; (and they were all with one accord in the portico of Solomon.13But of the rest no man had the courage to unite himself with them: though the people extolled them.14But believers on the Lord were abundantly added to them, multitudes, both of men and women.)15Insomuch that they carried out into the streets the sick, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter was coming by, if but even his shadow might pass over some of them.
16Then came together also a multitude from the neighbouring cities to Jerusalem, bringing the sick, and those who were disturbed by unclean spirits; who were healed universally.
17Then arose the high-priest, and all those who were connected with him, (which was the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with zeal,18and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the doors of the prison, and conducting them forth, said,20Go, and taking your station in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life.21Having heard this therefore, they entered very early in the morning into the temple, and taught. But when the high-priest came, and those who were with him, they convoked the sanhedrim, and all the assembly of elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to bring them.22But the officers, on their arrival, found them not in the prison: and returning, informed them,23saying; The prison indeed found we fast locked with all security, and the guards standing without, before the door: but when we opened it, we found no person within.
24Now when they heard these words, both the priest and captain of the temple and the chief priests were in the utmost perplexity concerning these things, what could be the meaning of it.25Then came a person and informed them, saying, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.26Then went the captain, with the officers, and brought them; not forcibly, for they were afraid of the people, lest they should stone them.27But when they had conducted them, they placed them in the sanhedrim: and the high-priest interrogated them,28saying, Did we not lay our strict injunction upon you, that you should not teach in this name? and, lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would fain bring this man’s blood upon us.
29Then Peter and the apostles answering said, We must obey God rather than men.30The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye had killed, suspending him on a tree.31Him hath God exalted at his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins.32And we are witnesses of these things; and the Holy Ghost also, which God hath given to those who obey him.
33But when they heard this, they were cut asunder as with a saw, and took counsel how to make away with them.
34Then arose a certain Pharisee, in the sanhedrim, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in high esteem by all the people, and ordered the apostles to be taken out for a little space;35and he said unto them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves respecting these men, what ye mean to do to them.36For before these days arose Theudas, saying that he himself was a singular personage: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, attached themselves: who was taken off; and as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.37And after him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the enrolment, and drew away a multitude of the populace after him: he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.38And as to the matters now before you, I say unto you, Abstain from these men, and leave them to themselves: for if this design or this work be of men, it will come to nothing:39but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; and in that case would be found fighters against God.40And to him they assented: and calling in the apostles, after scourging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
41Then they went rejoicing from the presence of the sanhedrim, that for his name’s sake, they had been counted worthy to suffer this injurious treatment.42And all the day long in the temple, and from house to house, they never ceased teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.
NOW in those days, when the disciples were multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian proselytes against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution.2Then the twelve assembling the multitude of the disciples, said, It is not fit that we should leave the word of God, to make distribution to the tables.3Therefore, brethren, do ye look out for seven men from among yourselves, the best approved, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint to superintend this business.4But we will devote ourselves constantly to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5And this saying was very agreeable to all the multitude: and they elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas a proselyte a man of Antioch:6whom they presented before the apostles: and having prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
7And the word of God increased: and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied greatly; and a vast body of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8Now Stephen, full of faith and of power, wrought great miracles and signs among the people.9Then rose up certain men of the synagogue of the freed-men, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.10And they could not resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.11Then they suborned men to say, We heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses, and against God.12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and coming upon him, they seized him together, and dragged him to the sanhedrim;13and they set up false witnesses, saying, This man doth not cease speaking blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:14for we have heard him affirm, that Jesus the Nazarean, even he, will destroy this place, and change the accustomed ordinances which Moses delivered to us.15And fixing their eyes upon him, all who sat in the sanhedrim, beheld his face as the face of an angel.
THEN said the high-priest, Are these things so?
2He replied, Men, brethren, and fathers, hear me:
The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,3and said to him, Go forth out of thy country, and from among thy relations, and come hither to a land which I will shew thee32.4Then he went out from the country of the Chaldeans, and, dwelt in Charran: and from thence, after his father was dead, God removed him as a sojourner into this very country, in which we now dwell.5Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not so much as the print of his foot: yet he promised to give it for a possession to him and to his seed after him, when he had no son.6Then spake God to him thus, That his seed should sojourn in a foreign land: and that they should enslave it, and grievously afflict it, four hundred years.7And the nation by which they shall be enslaved will I judge, said God: and after these things they shall come out, and shall worship me in this place33.8And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.9And the patriarchs, envious, sold Joseph into Egypt: yet God was with him,10and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house.11Then came a famine upon all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great distress: and our fathers found no provisions.12But when Jacob heard that there were provisions in Egypt, he sent our fathers, the first time.13And the second time Joseph was made known unto his brethren; and Joseph’s family was made known unto Pharaoh.14Then sent Joseph, and invited his father Jacob to come to him, and all his kindred, consisting of seventy-five persons.15So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, himself, and our fathers,16and they removed him to Sychem, and laid him in the sepulchre which Abraham had bought, at a price paid in silver, of the sons of Emmor, the father of Shechem.17But as the time of the promise which God had with an oath confirmed unto Abraham drew nigh, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,18until another king arose, who knew not Joseph.19This man, forming crafty designs against our nation, grievously treated our fathers, so as to cause them to expose their children, in order to exterminate the race.20At which time Moses was born, and was endued with singular beauty from God, who was brought up three months in the house of his father:21and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter took him home, and brought him up for herself, as a son.22And Moses was educated in all the wisdom of Egypt, and was mighty in words and actions.23But when he had completed his fortieth year, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.24And seeing one of them treated injuriously, he defended him, and executed vengeance for him who had suffered the outrage, smiting the Egyptian.25For he thought that his brethren would understand that God by his hand would give them deliverance: but they understood not.26And the following day he shewed himself to them as they were fighting, and urged them to peace, saying, My friends, ye are brethren; wherefore do ye ill treat one another?27Then he who did his neighbour wrong thrust him from him, saying, Who appointed thee a ruler and a judge over us?28Wilt thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?29Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.
30And when forty years were completed, there appeared to him in the desert of mount Sinai the angel of the Lord, in a flame of fire in a bush.31But when Moses saw it, he marvelled at the sight: and as he was drawing nearer to observe it, a voice from the Lord came to him,32“I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob34.” Then Moses trembling, dared not to look farther.
33Then the Lord said unto him, “Loose the sandal from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.34Attentive I have beheld the evil treatment of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them. And now come hither, I will send thee into Egypt35.”35This very Moses whom they had rejected, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.36He brought them forth, after performing miracles and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.37This is the Moses who said unto the children of Israel, “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren, as myself; him shall ye hear36.”38This is he, who was with the church in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the oracles of life to give unto us:39to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt,40saying to Aaron, Make us gods who shall go before us: for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what hath happened to him.41And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice for the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
42Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, Have ye offered me slain beasts and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?43Yet have ye taken up the tabernacle of Moloc, and the star of your god Remphan, those figures which ye made to pay adoration to them: and I will transport you beyond Babylon37.
44The tabernacle of the testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, as he that spake to Moses commanded, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen.45Which also our fathers having received, brought in with Joshua into the place possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out from before the presence of our fathers, unto the days of David;46who found favour before God, and sought to procure an habitation for the God of Jacob.47But Solomon built an house for him.48Though the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as the prophet saith,49“Heaven is my throne, and earth the footstool for my feet: what kind of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what place is there for my repose?50hath not my hand made all these things38?”
51Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and in ears, ye do always oppose yourselves against the Holy Ghost: as your fathers, so are ye.52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they killed those who before published the tidings of the coming of that Righteous Person; of whom ye have now been the betrayers and murderers:53who have received the law through arrangements of angels, yet have not observed it.
54Now when they heard these things, they were cut through their hearts as with a saw, and gnashed upon him with their teeth.
55But he being full of the Holy Ghost, and looking up stedfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;56and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.
57Then they screamed out with a great cry, and stopped their ears, and rushed all together upon him,58and dragging him out of the city, stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, named Saul.59And they stoned Stephen, in the act of prayer, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!60Then falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, Lord, impute not to them this sin! And thus speaking, fell asleep.
BUT Saul was delighted with his execution.
Now on that very day commenced a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and all, besides the apostles, were dispersed through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
2Then some pious men assembling, carried Stephen to his grave, and made great lamentation over him.
3But Saul ravaged the church, entering into the houses, and dragging men and women, cast them into prison.
4Those therefore who were dispersed, travelled through the country, preaching the word.5But Philip, going down to a city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.6And the multitudes with united minds were very attentive to the things spoken by Philip, when they heard him, and saw the miracles which he did.7For the unclean spirits, roaring with great cries, came forth out of many who were possessed: and many who were paralytic and lame were healed.8And there was great joy in that city.
9But a certain man, named Simon, lived previously in that city, who practised magic, and astonished the nation of Samaria, giving out himself as an extraordinary great personage:10to whom all gave heed from the small to the great, saying, This man is the great power of God.11And to him they attended, because he had of a considerable time astonished them by his magical tricks.12But when they believed Philip, who preached the glad tidings of the things which related to the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised both men and women.13Then Simon also himself believed: and being baptised, he attached himself to Philip, and beholding the signs and great miracles which were performed, he was astonished.
14But when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:15who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:16for as yet he had not fallen on any one of them: only they had been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus.17Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18Now when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the apostles’ hands, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,19saying, Confer on me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, they may receive the Holy Ghost.20But Peter said unto him, May thy silver with thyself go into perdition, because thou hast imagined that the gift of God can be purchased with money.21There is for thee neither part nor lot in this word: for thy heart is not right before God.22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray to God, if haply this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.23For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity.24Then Simon answering said, Pray ye for me unto the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken may come upon me.
25Then they, after bearing their testimony, and speaking the word of the Lord, returned towards Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26Now the angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Arise, and go towards the south, on the road which leads down from Jerusalem to Gaza: it is a wilderness.27And he arose and went: and lo! an Ethiopian man, an eunuch, a person in power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasury; he had gone to worship unto Jerusalem,28and was returning, and sitting in his chariot, was reading the prophet Isaiah.29Then said the Spirit to Philip, Go up, and approach close to that chariot.30Then Philip running up to him, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah; and he said, Well! but dost thou understand what thou art reading?31He replied, How indeed can I, except some person guide me in the way? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.32The portion of scripture which he had been reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before him who sheareth it is dumb, so he opened not his mouth:33in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: but his generation who can describe? for his life was taken away from the earth39.”34Then the eunuch addressing himself to Philip, said, I pray thee, of whom doth the prophet thus speak? of himself, or of some other person?35Then Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from that scripture, preached to him Jesus.36But as they went on the road, they came to some water: and the eunuch said, Here is water, what forbids my being baptised?37And Philip said, If thou believest with the whole heart, it is allowable. Then he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.38And he bid the carriage stop: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.39But when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more: then he went on his way rejoicing.40But Philip found himself at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel in all the cities, until he came to Cæsarea.
BUT Saul, still breathing out threatenings and murder against the disciples of the Lord, applying to the high-priest,2besought of him letters for the synagogues at Damascus, that if he should find any persons of this way, whether men or women, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem.3So advancing on his journey, he was drawing nigh to Damascus: and suddenly there shone around him a light from heaven:4and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5Then said he, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting: It is difficult for thee to kick against the goads.6And trembling and amazed he said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7And the men who travelled with him stood astonished, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man.8Then Paul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.9And he was three days seeing nothing, and did neither eat nor drink.
10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias! And he said, Here I am, Lord.11Then the Lord said to him, Arise, go into the street called Strait, and inquire at the house of Judas for one named Saul a man of Tarsus: for, behold, he is praying,12and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming to him, and laying his hand upon him, that he may recover his sight.13But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how many evils he hath inflicted on thy saints at Jerusalem:14and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.15But the Lord said unto him, Go: for this man is an elect vessel for me, to bear my name before nations, and kings, and the children of Israel:16for I will shew him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
17Then went Ananias, and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who was seen by thee in the way that thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.18And directly there fell from his eyes as it were scales: and he recovered sight instantly, and arose, and was baptised.19And when he had taken nourishment, he regained his strength. And Saul continued with the disciples who were at Damascus several days.20And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.21And all who heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this the man who made havoc at Jerusalem, among those who called on this name? and hither he came for this purpose, that he might carry them in chains unto the chief priests?22But Saul was endued with still greater power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, conclusively evincing that this person is the Messiah.
23But when many days were fulfilled, the Jews consulted together how to kill him:24but their design was discovered to Saul. And they kept guard at the gates of the city day and night, that they might kill him.25But the disciples taking him by night, got him off through the wall, letting him down in a basket.
26But when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not crediting that he was a disciple.27Then Barnabas taking him by the hand, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how boldly he had preached at Damascus in the name of Jesus.28And he was with them coming in, and going out at Jerusalem:29and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he talked and disputed with the Grecian proselytes: but they made an attempt to murder him.30Then the brethren, when they knew it brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
31Then had the churches peace through all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, being edified; and walking in the fear of God, and in the consolation of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
32Now it came to pass, as Peter was passing through all parts, that he went down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.33And found there a certain man named Æneas, during six years stretched on a bed, who was paralytic.34And Peter said to him, Æneas, Jesus the Messiah maketh thee whole: arise, and make thine own bed. And he arose immediately.35And all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36But there was at Joppa a woman, a disciple, named Tabitha, (which by interpretation is called Dorcas:) this woman was full of good works and of alms which she did.37But it came to pass that in those days she sickened and died: having then washed her, they laid her out in an upper room.38And as Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him without delay to come over to them.39Then Peter arose and went with them. And they carried him, on his arrival, into the upper room: and all the widows stood round him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made, whilst she was with them.40But Peter putting them all out, fell upon his knees, and prayed; and turning to the body, said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41Then he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling in the saints and the widows, presented her to them alive.42And it was known through all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord.43Then it came to pass, that he abode many days at Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
NOW there was a man at Cæsarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italic,2a man of piety, and who feared God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, Cornelius.4Then looking stedfastly on him, and being terrified, he said, What means this, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.5And now send men to Joppa, and inquire for Simon, who is surnamed Peter:6he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is near the sea: this man will tell thee what thou must do.7But when the angel departed who spake to Cornelius, he called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier, persons who constantly were in attendance upon him;8and relating all things to them, sent them to Joppa.
9Then the next morning, as they were on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up to the flat roof to pray about the sixth hour:10and he grew very hungry, and desired something to eat: but whilst they were getting it ready, a sacred ecstacy fell upon him.11And he saw heaven opened, and there descended to him a certain vessel, as a great sheet with chains at the four corners, and resting upon the earth:12in which were all the quadrupeds of the earth, and wild beasts, and reptiles, and birds of the air.13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; slay and eat.14But Peter said, By no means, Lord for I have never at any time eaten of any thing common or unclean.15And the voice again a second time came to him, What God hath cleansed, call not thou unclean.16This was thrice repeated: and the vessel was again taken up into heaven.
17But while Peter was perplexed in himself what was meant by the vision which he had seen, then, behold! the men which had been sent by Cornelius having inquired out the house of Simon, stood before the door,18and calling, asked if Simon, surnamed Peter, lodged there.19But while Peter was musing upon the vision, the Spirit said to him, Lo! three men are inquiring after thee.20Arise then, and go down, and go with them, entertaining no doubt, for I have sent them.21Then Peter went down to the men who were sent by Cornelius to him; and said, Lo! I am the person that ye ask for: what is the business on which ye are come hither?22Then they said, Cornelius a centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report with all the nation of the Jews, has been divinely admonished by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, to hear words from thee.
23Then inviting them in, he lodged them there. And the next morning Peter went with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.24And the next day they entered into Cæsarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relations and nearest friends.25And as Peter was entering, Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, paid him homage.26But Peter raised him up, saying, Arise; I also myself am a man.27And conversing with him, he entered, and found many assembled together.
28And he said unto them, Ye know how contrary it is to established usage, for a man who is a Jew to associate with or visit one of another nation; but God hath shewed me to call no man common or unclean.29Wherefore also without a word, I came when invited: I beg to know therefore for what purpose ye have sent for me?
30Then Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting till this hour; and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and, lo! a man stood before me in shining apparel,31and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are remembered before God.32Send therefore to Joppa, and invite Simon, whose surname is Peter, to come to thee; he lodgeth in the house of Simon the tanner, near the sea: who, when he is come will talk with thee.33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore are all we here present before God, to hear all things that are given in charge to thee from God.
34Then Peter opening his mouth, said, In truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons:35but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.36The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all,) ye know:37even that which was the common talk through all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38respecting Jesus, who was of Nazareth, how God had anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were tyrannically oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the region of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed suspending him on a tree:40him God raised up the third day, and ordained that he should be visibly manifested;41not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he was arisen from the dead.42And hath commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to bear our testimony that this is the person who is ordained of God the Judge of the living and the dead.43To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one who believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins.
44While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the discourse.45And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out.46For they heard them speaking in different languages, and magnifying God. Then Peter addressed them,47Can any one forbid the water for baptising these persons, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?48So he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to tarry there some days.
NOW the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.2And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him,3saying, Thou hast gone in to men holding uncircumcision, and hast eaten with them.
4Then Peter taking up the matter from the beginning, explained it to them regularly, saying,5I was in the city of Joppa praying and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel descending as a vast sheet let down from heaven by its four corners; and it came close to me:6on which looking attentively, I perceived, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the air.7Then I heard a voice saying to me, Rise, Peter; slay and eat.8But I said, By no means, Lord: for never yet hath any thing common or unclean entered into my mouth.9But the voice replied the second time from heaven, What God hath cleansed, call not thou common.10Now this was repeated thrice: and the whole withdrawn again into heaven.11And, lo! immediately three men stood before the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.12And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no hesitation. But with me went also these six brethren, and we entered into the man’s house:13and he informed us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and invite Simon, who is surnamed Peter;14who will speak words to thee, by which thou mayest be saved, and thy house.15So when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, just as on us at the beginning.16Then I recollected the word of the Lord, how he had said, John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost.17If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God?
18So when they heard these things they were satisfied, and glorified God, saying, Well! then hath God even to the Gentiles given repentance unto life.
19Now those also who were dispersed by the persecution which arose on account of Stephen passed on as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no man except the Jews only.20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they arrived at Antioch, spake to the Grecian proselytes, preaching the Lord Jesus.21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a vast multitude believing, turned to the Lord.22And the report concerning them was heard in the ears of the church which was at Jerusalem: and they dispatched Barnabas, to go as far as Antioch.23Who, when he arrived there, and beheld the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted them all, with full purpose of heart to adhere to the Lord.24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and a great multitude was added to the Lord.
25Then went forth Barnabas to Tarsus, in search of Saul:26and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast multitude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians.27Now there came down in those days prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.28And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the spirit that a great famine was coming upon the whole habitable globe: which also came in the reign of Claudius Cæsar.29Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea:30which also they did, sending it off to the presbyters by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church.2And he slew James the brother of John with a sword.3And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)4Whom having apprehended, he put him in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep guard over him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the peoplefor execution.5So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was offered up by the church to God for him.6Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison.7And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter’s side, he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his hands.8And the angel said to him, Gird thyself up, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Wrap thyself in thy mantle, and follow me.9And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision.10So passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron door which leads into the city, which opened to them spontaneously: and being come out, they walked forward through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.11And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know assuredly, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the eager expectation of the people of the Jews.12And after considering with himself, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark; where many were thronged together, and praying.13Peter then knocking at the door of the gateway, there came a damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda.14And well knowing Peter’s voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door.15But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel.16But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and saw him, and were astonished.17Then beckoning with the hand that they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren these things. And departing thence he went into another place.
18Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter.19And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Cæsarea, took up his abode there.
20Now Herod was fiercely bent on war against the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they presented themselves unanimously before him, and ingratiating themselves with Blastus who was over the king’s bedchamber, they begged for peace; because their country received all their supply of provisions from the king’s territories.21Then on a day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his throne, made an harangue unto them.22And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not a man.23But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being devoured with worms, he expired.
24But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused.25Then Barnabas and Saul departed from Jerusalem, having completed the distributionof the sum entrusted with them; and they took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
NOW there were at Antioch, according to the established church, prophets and teachers; such as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger the black, and Lucius a Cyrenian, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch’s foster-brother, and Saul.2And as they were employed in the ministry, and kept a fast, the Holy Ghost said, Set apart for me now both Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3Then having kept a fast and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them out.4They then being sent forth indeed by the Holy Ghost, went down to Seleucia; and from thence sailed to Cyprus.5And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.6Now as they travelled through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain person who professed magic, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:7who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; he inviting to his house Barnabas and Saul, desired earnestly to hear the word of God.8But Elymas the magician (for such is his name when interpreted) opposed them, seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith.9Then Saul (now Paul), filled with the Holy Ghost, and fixing his eyes upon him,10said, O thou full of all guile and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the strait ways of the Lord?11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, seeing the sun no more for a season. And instantly there fell on him a thick mist and darkness; and groping about he sought some to lead him by the hand.12Then when the proconsul saw what was done, he believed, being struck with the doctrine of the Lord.
13Hereupon sailing from Paphos, they who were about Paul came to Perga in Pamphylia: but John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.14And they departed from Perga, and came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they sat down.15Then after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogues sent to them, saying, Men and brethren, if ye are disposed to give a word of exhortation to the people, speak.
16Then Paul arose, and waving his hand, said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hear me.17The God of this people Israel selected our fathers, and exalted the people during their abode in the land of Egypt, and with a mighty arm brought he them out of it.18And about the space of forty years he bore with their behaviour in the wilderness.19And destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their territory to them by lot.20And after these things, during a space of about four hundred and fifty years, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.21And from that time they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during forty years.22And removing him, he raised up unto them David to be king; respecting whom also he spake testifying, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall perform all my intentions40.”23From this man’s seed according to the promise hath God raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus:24John having preached before his first coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25But as John was finishing his course, he said, Whom do ye suppose me to be? I am notthe Messiah. But, behold! he is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.26Men and brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and all among you who fear God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.27For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, being ignorant of him, and the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath-day, by condemning him have fulfilled them.28And though they found no cause of death in him, they besought Pilate that he might be killed.29But when they had finished all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.30But God raised him from the dead:31and he was seen many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.32And we preach to you the promise made to our fathers;33for this hath God fulfilled to their children, even to us, in raising up Jesus: as it is also written in the second Psalm, “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee41.”34But that he raised him from the dead, no more in future to return to corruption, he hath thus spoken, “I will give you the holy things of David, which are sure42.”35Wherefore also he saith in another place, “Thou wilt not permit thy Holy One to see corruption43.”36For David indeed, after having served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, and was placed with his fathers, and saw corruption.37But he, whom God raised up, saw no corruption.38Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man remission of sin is proclaimed to you:39and by this man shall every one who believeth be justified from all things, from which it was not possible that he should be justified by the law of Moses.40Take heed then, that this come not upon you, which is spoken by the prophets;41“Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I do a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though one declare it unto you44.”
42But when the Jews were going out of the synagogue, the Gentiles entreated that these words might be spoken to them the following sabbath.43And when the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, exhorting them, persuaded them to abide stedfast in the grace of God.
44And on the next sabbath almost all the city thronged together to hear the word of God.45But the Jews seeing the multitude, were filled with envy, and opposed the things spoken by Paul, contradicting and reviling.46Then Paul and Barnabas speaking with undaunted boldness, said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken unto you: but since ye have thrust it from you, and judged yourselves not worthy of eternal life, lo! we turn to the Gentiles.47For so hath the Lord enjoined us, “I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mightest be for salvation unto the extremity of the earth45.”48Now when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord: and they believed, even as many as were ordained to life eternal.49So the word of the Lord was diffused through the whole region.
50Then the Jews stirred up the devout women, and those who were respectable, and the principal persons of the city, and raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.51But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium.52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.