after giving instructions through the Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up to heaven.

And once when he was eating with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. "Of this," he said, "you have heard from me.

When he had said this, and while they were looking at him, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him up out of their sight.

While they were gazing into the sky as he was going up, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them,

It was during these days that Peter stood up among the brothers??he whole number of persons present was about one hundred and twenty??nd said:

"Men and brothers, it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit uttered beforehand by the lips of David in regard to Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.

"For he was numbered among us, and he did get his allotted share of this ministry.

"This fact became known to the people of Jerusalem so that the place was called in their language, Acheldamach, The Field of Blood.

from his baptism by John down to the day on which he was taken up from us, one should join us a witness to his resurrection."

Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

When the day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all together in the same place,

and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

So when this noise was heard, the crowd gathered in bewilderment because each man heard them speaking in his own language.

but God has raised him to life, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for death to hold him.

"Men and brothers, I can speak plainly to you concerning the patriarch David, because he not only died and was buried, but his tomb is among us even to this very day.

"Because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that of the fruit of his loins he would set one on his throne,

"he, foreseeing this, spoke of the resurrection of Christ that neither was he left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

when a man lame from his birth was carried along, who was wont to be laid each day near the gate of the Temple called the Beautiful Gate, to ask alms of those who were going into the Temple.

and recognized that this was the man who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him.

While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people crowded awe-struck around them, in what was known as Solomon's Portico.

"It was for you first that God raised up his Servant, and sent him to bless you in turning every one of you away from your wicked ways."

They arrested them, and put them in prison till the next day, for it was already evening.

There was held in Jerusalem, next morning, a meeting of their rulers, the elders and scribes,

So when they had further threatened them they let the apostles go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them because of the people, for everybody was glorifying God over what had happened.

For the man on whom this miracle of healing had been wrought was over forty years old.

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the message of the Lord with boldness.

Now the multitude of the believers was of one heart and one soul, nor did any one of them say that any of his possessions was his own; but they had all things common.

And the apostles continued with great power to give their witness concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

Nor was there any one of them in want, for all who owned houses or lands would sell them and bring the price of the things that were sold, and lay it at the apostles' feet;

In this way Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement" is what it means), who was a native Cyprus,

"While it remained unsold, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was not the price at your own disposal? How could you conceive this act in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God."

"Why was it," said Peter, "that you both agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Lo, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out."

In consequence people would even bring out their sick into the streets, and place them upon beds and pallets as Peter was passing, that at least his shadow might fall upon some of them.

"Years ago Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and was joined by about four hundred men. He was killed, and all of his followers dispersed and annihilated.

Now in these days while the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Grecian Jews began to murmur against the Hebrews, because their widows were habitually overlooked in the distribution of alms.

And the word of the Lord continued to spread; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was increasing exceedingly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen answered. "Listen, brothers and fathers. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,

"What God said was this. "'His offspring will sojourn in a foreign land where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.

"But God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him grace and wisdom, when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him Governor over Egypt, and over all the royal household.

"But Jacob heard that there was food in Egypt, and sent our ancestors there on their first visit.

"On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh was informed of Joseph's parentage.

"In this time Moses was born, a divinely beautiful child, who was brought up for three months in his father's house.

"When he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and brought him up as her own son.

"So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works.

"And when he was forty years old it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel;

"(Now he supposed that his brothers would understand how God by his hand was bringing them deliverance; but they did not.)

"But the man who was ill-treating his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, "'Who made you a magistrate and ruler over us?

"When Moses saw it he was astonished at the sight. But when he drew near to look, the voice of the Lord said,

"This was he who brought them out, after he had shown signs and wonders in the wilderness, for forty years.

"It was this Moses who said to the Children of Israel, "God will raise up a Prophet for you from among your brothers, as he did me.

"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness along with the angel who spoke to him in Mt. Sinai, and with our ancestors to whom he gave living words to hand down to us.

No, it was the Tabernacle of Moloch and the star-symbol of the god Rempha that you lifted up??he images which you made in order to worship them; so I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

"That tabernacle was brought in by our ancestors, in their turn, when they under Joshua entered on the possession of the nations whom God thrust out before them, until the days of David.

"But it was Solomon who built him a house.

But Saul was laying waste the church. He was wont to enter into every house, and to drag off men and women, and to commit them to prison.

But when they believed Philip, who was preaching glad tidings about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women.

And Simon himself also believed, and after his baptism he remained with Philip, and was full of amazement as he beheld the signs and striking miracles which were performed.

But when Simon perceived that, by the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Spirit was given, he offered them money saying,

So he arose and went. And behold an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, who was a high official (a chief treasurer) of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia, who had come to Jerusalem to worship

Was now on his way home, and was reading the Prophet Isaiah as he sat in his chariot.

Now the portion of Scripture which he was reading was as follows. He was led a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is dumb, So he opened not his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will declare his posterity? For his life is cut off from the earth.

And as he journeyed, when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed round him.

Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, "Ananias!" And he answered, "Lo, I am here, Lord."

Instantly something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.

Afterward he took food and was strengthened. And he remained for some time with the disciples at Damascus.

But Saul gained more and more influence, and kept putting the Jews who lived in Damascus to confusion by his proof that Jesus was the Christ.

but information of their plot was given Saul, and although they kept watch day and night on the gates, in order to make away with him,

So he came to Jerusalem, and attempted to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple.

Henceforth Saul was one of them, going in and out of the city, and speaking fearlessly in the Name of the Lord.

Now throughout the whole of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria the Church continued to enjoy peace and to be spiritually built up. It was increasing in members also, as it kept walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Now Peter, as he was going from town to town, came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda.

Among the disciples at Joppa was a woman named Tabitha??hich may be translated Dorcas or "Gazelle"?? woman whose life was full of good works and almsgiving, which she was doing continually.

She, as it happened, was taken ill just at that time, and died. After washing her body, they laid it in an upper room.

And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the entreaty, "Delay not to come to us."

So Peter arose and went with them. On his arrival they took him up-stairs, and all the widows stood near him, weeping, and showing him the cloaks and garments which Dorcas used to make, while she was still with them.

Now there was at Caesarea a man named Cornelius, a captain in the Italian regiment.

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.

And after the angel who was speaking to him was gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier who was in constant attendance upon him,

This happened three times; and immediately the sail was drawn up into the sky.

Now while Peter was greatly perplexed to know what the vision which he had been sent by Cornelius, and had made inquiries for the house of Simon, stood at the gate,

and called and asked whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.

So the Spirit said to Peter, who was still pondering over the vision.

"Cornelius," they answered, "a captain, a devout man, and God-fearing, of whom the whole, Jewish nation speaks well, was instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to listen to your message."

and the day after that they reached Caesarea. There Cornelius was waiting for them, and had brought together all his relatives and intimate friends.

Cornelius answered. "Three days ago, at this very hour, I was praying in my house at three o'clock in the afternoon, when suddenly a man in a shining robe stood by me,

"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about everywhere doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.

"when he charged us to preach to the people, and to testify that this was he whom God ordained to be the judge of the living and of the dead.

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message.

And all the Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

"I was in the city of Joppa, praying, and while in a trance I saw a vision; a certain vessel descending, what seemed to be an enormous sail let down to me,

"This was said three times, and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.

"And lo! at that very moment, three men who had been sent for me from Caesarea stood before the house in which I was.

"So if God gave them the same gift as he gave to us, when we first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

When he arrived, and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord, with full purpose of heart;

for he was a good man, and full of faith and the Holy Spirit. And a great multitude was added to the Lord.

and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they were guests of the church, and taught many people. And it was in Antioch that the disciples first received the name of "Christians."

One of them, who was Agabus, rose up, and being instructed by the Spirit, predicted that a great famine was about to come upon the whole inhabited earth. (It came in the reign of Claudius.)

And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.)