and of the rest no one was daring to join himself to them, but the people were magnifying them,

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

And they even took into the streets people who were ill, and put them on beds, so that when Peter went by, some of them might be in his shade.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

were filled with zeal, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them into the common prison.

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

And when the officers were come, they did not find them in the prison; and returned and reported

“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened [the doors], we found no one inside.”

Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.

Presently, however, some one came and told them, that the men whom they had put in prison were actually standing in the Temple Courts, teaching the people.

then the magistrate having gone away with officers, brought them without violence, for they were fearing the people, lest they should be stoned;

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him.

And they were persuaded by him; and, calling unto them the Apostles, they, with beating, charged them not be speaking upon the name of Jesus; and let them go.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

every day also in the temple, and in every house, they were not ceasing teaching and proclaiming good news -- Jesus the Christ.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Then, they set on men who were saying - We have heard him speaking profane things against Moses and God.

And the people, with the rulers and the scribes, were moved against him, and they came and took him before the Sanhedrin,

For he has said in our hearing that this Jesus of Nazareth will put this place to destruction and make changes in the rules which were handed down to us by Moses.

and gazing at him, all those sitting in the sanhedrim saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.

God's words were these--'Abraham's descendants shall live in a foreign country, where they will be enslaved and ill-treated for four hundred years.

And the patriarchs, [because they] were jealous of Joseph, sold [him] into Egypt. And God was with him,

'And there came a dearth upon all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation, and our fathers were not finding sustenance,

But when Jacob heard that there were provisions in Egypt, he sent our fathers, the first time.

and, on their second visit, Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and the kindred of Joseph were made known to Pharaoh.

And Joseph having sent forth, he summoned Jacob his father. And all his kinfolk, in souls, were seventy-five.

And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

But when the time was near for putting into effect the undertaking which God had given to Abraham, the people were increasing in Egypt,

He, having evil designs against our nation, was cruel to our fathers, and they were forced to put out their young children, so that they might not go on living.

'And when forty years were fulfilled to him, it came upon his heart to look after his brethren, the sons of Israel;

And on the morrow he shewed himself to them as they were contending, and compelled them to peace, saying, Ye are brethren, why do ye wrong one another?

At those words Moses fled, and went and lived for a time in Midian, and two sons were born to him there.

And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

This is the man who was in the church in the waste land with the angel who was talking to him in Sinai, and with our fathers; and to him were given the living words of God, so that he might give them to you.

to whom our fathers were not willing to become obedient, but rejected [him] and turned [back] in their hearts to Egypt,

'And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands,

So God turned from them and gave them up to the worship of the Host of Heaven, as it is written in the Book of the Prophets, "'Were they victims and sacrifices which you offered Me, forty years in the Desert, O House of Israel?

That Tent was bequeathed to the next generation of our forefathers. Under Joshua they brought it with them when they were taking possession of the land of the Gentile nations, whom God drove out before them. So it continued till David's time.

“You stiff-necked and stubborn people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. You are doing just as your fathers did.

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

and having cast him forth outside of the city, they were stoning him -- and the witnesses did put down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul --

and they were stoning Stephen, calling and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit;'

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And many who were paralyzed or lame were cured, so that there was great rejoicing throughout that city.

to whom they were all giving heed, from small unto great, saying, 'This one is the great power of God;'

and they were giving heed to him, because of his having for a long time amazed them with deeds of magic.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

then were they laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

So [when] they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news [to] many villages of the Samaritans.

He was returning [to his home in Ethiopia] and was sitting in his chariot [Note: Chariots were stopped on long journeys occasionally for resting, eating, reading, etc.] reading [a scroll of] the prophet Isaiah.

But he said, "How, in fact, were I able, unless some one should guide me?" And he besought Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

And as they were going on the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch said, 'Lo, water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?'

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

But the men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but beholding no one.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

But Saul went on increasing in power, and the Jews in Damascus were not able to give answers to the arguments by which he made it clear that Jesus was the Christ.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

and their counsel against him was known to Saul; they were also watching the gates both day and night, that they may kill him,

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

And it came to pass that Peter passing throughout all quarters, came down also unto the saints who were dwelling at Lydda,

And all those living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and were turned to the Lord.

And Peter went with them. And when he had come, they took him into the room: and all the widows were there, weeping and putting before him the coats and clothing which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

He was a devout man and God-fearing, and so were all his household. He gave many alms to the people, and constantly prayed to God.

He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

AM if calculating by Roman time], to the top of the house to pray [Note: The roofs of houses were flat areas, often used for resting, meals, prayer, etc.].

And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed, having called two of his household and a pious soldier of those who were constantly with him,

Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:

And he became hungry and desired to eat. But as they were making ready an ecstasy came upon him:

and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth:

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

Inviting them in, therefore, he entertained them; but, on the morrow, he rose up and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren who were from Joppa went with him;

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

and he said, Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thy kind acts were remembered before God;

Therefore I sent for you at once, and you {were kind enough to come}. So now we all are present before God to hear all the things that have been commanded to you by the Lord."

you know how it spread over the whole of Judaea, starting from Galilee after the baptism preached by John ??38 how God consecrated Jesus of Nazaret with the holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and curing all who were harassed by the devil; for God was with him.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.