Reference: Acts of the Apostles
American
A canonical book of the New Testament, written by Luke as a sequel to his gospel, and a history in part of the early church. It is not, however, a record of the acts of all the apostles, but chiefly of those of Peter and Paul. In his gospel, Luke described the founding of Christianity in what Christ did, taught, and suffered; in the Acts he illustrates its diffusion, selecting what was best fitted to show how the first followers of Christ in building up his church. Beginning were his gospel indeed, he narrates the ascension of the Savior and the conduct of the disciples thereupon; the outpouring of the Holy Spirit according to Christ's promise; the miraculous preaching of the apostles, their amazing success, and the persecutions raised against them; with other events of moment to the church at Jerusalem, till they were scattered abroad. He then shows how Judaism was superseded, and how Peter was led to receive to Christian fellowship converts from the Gentiles. The remainder of the narrative is devoted to the conversion and calling of the apostle Paul, his missionary zeal, labors, and sufferings, and the ends with his two years' imprisonment at Rome.
Luke himself witnessed, to a great extent, the events he narrates. His Greek is the most classical in the New Testament; and the view he gives of the spirit of the early church so many of whose members had "been with the Lord," is invaluable. The book was probably written about A. D. 64, that is, soon after the time at which the narration terminates. The place where it was written is not known.
In order to read the Acts of the Apostles with intelligence and profit, it is necessary to have a sufficient acquaintance with geography, with the manners of the times and people referred to, and with the leading historical events. The power of the Romans, with the nature and names of the public offices they established, and the distinctions among them, must be understood, as well as the disposition and political opinions of the unconverted Jewish nation, which were to prevalent among the Christianized Hebrews.
Easton
the title now given to the fifth and last of the historical books of the New Testament. The author styles it a "treatise" (Ac 1:1). It was early called "The Acts," "The Gospel of the Holy Ghost," and "The Gospel of the Resurrection." It contains properly no account of any of the apostles except Peter and Paul. John is noticed only three times; and all that is recorded of James, the son of Zebedee, is his execution by Herod. It is properly therefore not the history of the "Acts of the Apostles," a title which was given to the book at a later date, but of "Acts of Apostles," or more correctly, of "Some Acts of Certain Apostles."
As regards its authorship, it was certainly the work of Luke, the "beloved physician" (comp. Lu 1:1-4; Ac 1:1). This is the uniform tradition of antiquity, although the writer nowhere makes mention of himself by name. The style and idiom of the Gospel of Luke and of the Acts, and the usage of words and phrases common to both, strengthen this opinion. The writer first appears in the narrative in Ac 16:11, and then disappears till Paul's return to Philippi two years afterwards, when he and Paul left that place together (Ac 20:6), and the two seem henceforth to have been constant companions to the end. He was certainly with Paul at Rome (28; Col 4:14). Thus he wrote a great portion of that history from personal observation. For what lay beyond his own experience he had the instruction of Paul. If, as is very probable, 2 Tim. was written during Paul's second imprisonment at Rome, Luke was with him then as his faithful companion to the last (2Ti 4:11). Of his subsequent history we have no certain information.
The design of Luke's Gospel was to give an exhibition of the character and work of Christ as seen in his history till he was taken up from his disciples into heaven; and of the Acts, as its sequel, to give an illustration of the power and working of the gospel when preached among all nations, "beginning at Jerusalem." The opening sentences of the Acts are just an expansion and an explanation of the closing words of the Gospel. In this book we have just a continuation of the history of the church after Christ's ascension. Luke here carries on the history in the same spirit in which he had commenced it. It is only a book of beginnings, a history of the founding of churches, the initial steps in the formation of the Christian society in the different places visited by the apostles. It records a cycle of "representative events."
All through the narrative we see the ever-present, all-controlling power of the ever-living Saviour. He worketh all and in all in spreading abroad his truth among men by his Spirit and through the instrumentality of his apostles.
The time of the writing of this history may be gathered from the fact that the narrative extends down to the close of the second year of Paul's first imprisonment at Rome. It could not therefore have been written earlier than A.D. 61 or 62, nor later than about the end of A.D. 63. Paul was probably put to death during his second imprisonment, about A.D. 64, or, as some think, 66.
The place where the book was written was probably Rome, to which Luke accompanied Paul.
The key to the contents of the book is in Ac 1:8, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." After referring to what had been recorded in a "former treatise" of the sayings and doings of Jesus Christ before his ascension, the author proceeds to give an account of the circumstances connected with that event, and then records the leading facts with reference to the spread and triumphs of Christianity over the world during a period of about thirty years. The record begins with Pentecost (A.D. 33) and ends with Paul's first imprisonment (A.D. 63 or 64). The whole contents of the book may be divided into these three parts:
(1.) Chaps. 1-12, describing the first twelve years of the Christian church. This section has been entitled "From Jerusalem to Antioch." It contains the history of the planting and extension of the church among the Jews by the ministry of Peter.
(2.) Chaps. 13-21, Paul's missionary journeys, giving the history of the extension and planting of the church among the Gentiles.
(3.) Chaps. 21-28, Paul at Rome, and the events which led to this. Chaps. 13-28 have been entitled "From Antioch to Rome."
In this book it is worthy of note that no mention is made of the writing by Paul of any of his epistles. This may be accounted for by the fact that the writer confined himself to a history of the planting of the church, and not to that of its training or edification. The relation, however, between this history and the epistles of Paul is of such a kind, i.e., brings to light so many undesigned coincidences, as to prove the genuineness and authenticity of both, as is so ably shown by Paley in his Horae Paulinae. "No ancient work affords so many tests of veracity; for no other has such numerous points of contact in all directions with contemporary history, politics, and topography, whether Jewish, or Greek, or Roman." Lightfoot. (See Paul.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
SINCE many have undertaken to arrange a complete digest of the things fully believed among us, as they delivered them to us who, from the beginning, were eye witnesses and ministers of the word, read more. it seemed good to me also, having traced all things accurately from the first, to write in order to you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of the words concerning which you have been taught.
I WROTE my first account, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus did and taught,
I WROTE my first account, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus did and taught,
but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
AND sailing from Troas we came in a direct course to Samothracia, and on the next day to Neapolis,
And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
Luke only is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for [he will be] useful to me for service.
Fausets
The second treatise, in continuation of the Gospel as recorded by Luke. The style confirms the identity of authorship; also the address to the same person, Theophilus, probably a man of rank, judging from the title "most excellent." The Gospel was the life of Jesus in the flesh, the Acts record His life in the Spirit; Chrysostom calls it "The Gospel of the Holy Spirit." Hence Luke says: "The former treatise I made of all that Jesus began to do and teach;" therefore the Acts give a summary of what Jesus continued to do and teach by His Spirit in His disciples after He was taken up. The book breaks off at the close of Paul's imprisonment, A.D. 63, without recording his release; hence it is likely Luke completed it at this date, just before tidings of the apostle's release reached him.
There is a progressive development and unity of plan throughout. The key is Ac 1:8; "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me in (1) Jerusalem, and (2) in all Judaea, and (3) in Samaria, and (4) unto the uttermost part of the earth." It begins with Jerusalem, the metropolis of the Jewish dispensation, and ends with Rome, the metropolis of the whole Gentile world. It is divisible into three portions:
I. From the ascension to the close of Acts 11, which describes the rise of the first purely Gentile church, at Antioch, where the disciples consequently were first called See CHRISTIANS (see);
II. Thence down to the special vision at Troas (Acts 16), which carried the gospel, through Paul, to Europe;
III. Thence onward, until it reached Rome. In each of the three periods the church has a distinct aspect: in the first, Jewish; in the second, Gentile with a strong Jewish admixture; in the third, after the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15), Gentile in a preponderating degree. At first the gospel was preached to the Jews only; then to the Samaritans (Ac 8:1-5); then to the Ethiopian eunuch, a proselyte of righteousness (Ac 8:27); then, after a special revelation as Peter's warrant, to Cornelius, a proselyte of the gate; then to Gentile Greeks (not Grecians, i.e. Greek speaking Jews, but pagan Greeks, on the whole the best supported reading, Ac 11:20); then Peter, who, as "the apostle of the circumcision," had been in the first period the foremost preacher, gives place from Acts 13 to Paul, "the apostle of the uncircumcision," who successively proclaimed the word in Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, and Rome. Luke joined Paul at Troas (about A.D. 53), as appears from the "we" taking the place of "they" at that point in his history (Ac 16:8-10). The repetition of the account of the ascension in Acts 1 shows that an interval of some time had elapsed since writing the more summary account of it at the end of Luke 24; for repetition would have been superfluous unless some time had intervened.
Matthew's Gospel, as adapted to Jewish readers, answers to the first period ending about A.D. 40, and was written probably in and for Jerusalem and Judaea; Mark answers to the second or Judaeo-Gentile period, A.D. 40-50, as his Gospel abounds in Latinisms, and is suited to Gentile converts, such as were the Roman soldiers concentrated at Caesarea, their head quarters in Palestine, the second great center of gospel preaching, the scene of Cornelius' conversion by Mark's father in the faith, Peter. Luke's Gospel has a Greek tinge, and answers to the third period, A.D. 50-63, being suited to Greeks unfamiliar with Palestinian geography; written perhaps at Antioch, the third great center of gospel diffusion.
Antioch is assigned by tradition as his residence (A.D. 52) before joining Paul when entering Europe. Beginning it there, he probably completed it under Paul's guidance, and circulated it from Philippi, where he was left behind, among the Greek churches. Probably Paul (A.D. 57) alludes to his Gospel in 2Co 8:18; "the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches." Certainly he quotes his Gospel as Scripture, and by inspiration stamps it as such in 1Ti 5:18. His having been chosen by the Macedonian churches joint trustee with Paul of their contributions to Jerusalem implies a long residence, during which he completed and circulated his work. As Acts was the fruit of his second connection with Paul, whose labors down to his imprisonment in Rome form the chief part of the book, so he wrote the Gospel through the help he got in his first connection with him, from Troas down to Philippi. (See Birks' Horse Evarig., 192, etc., for the probability that Theophilus lived at Antioch.) Jerome says Luke published his Gospel "in the parts of Achaia and Baeotia."
The Book of Acts links itself with the Gospels, by describing the foundation and extension of the church, which Christ in the Gospels promised; and with the Pauline epistles by undesigned, because not obvious, coincidences. It forms with the Gospels a historical Pentateuch, on which the Epistles are the inspired commentary, as the Psalms and Prophets are on the Old Testament historical books. Tertullian De Bapt., 17, and Jerome, Vir. Illustr., Luc., 7, mention that John pronounced spurious the Acts of Paul and Thecla, published at Ephesus. As Luke's Acts of the Apostles was then current, John's condemnation of the spurious Acts is a virtual sanction of ours as genuine; especially as Re 3:2 assigns this office of testing the true and the false to John's own church' of Ephesus. The epistle of the churches of Lyons and Vienna to those of Asia and Phrygia (A.D. 177) quotes it. Irenseus, Adv.
Hser., 1:31, Clemens Alexandrinus, Strom., 5, and Origen, in Euseb. H. E., 6:23, attest the book. Eusebius, H.E., 3:25, ranks it among "the universally recognized Scriptures." Its rejection by the Manicheans on purely doctrinal grounds implies its acceptance by the early church catholic. Luke never names himself. But the identity of the writer with the writer of the Gospel (Lu 1:3) is plain, and that the first person plural (Ac 16:10,17; 21:1,18; 27:1; 28:16) includes the writer in the first person singular (Ac 1:1). Paul's other companions are distinguished from the writer (Ac 20:4-6,15). The sacred writers keep themselves in the background, so as to put forward their grand subject. The first person gives place to the third at Ac 17:1, as Paul and Silas left Luke behind at Philippi. The nonmention of Luke in Paul's epistles is due to his not having been with him at Corinth (Acts 18), whence the two epistles to the Thessalonians were written; nor at Ephesus (Acts 19), whence he wrote to the Romans; nor at Corinth again, whence he wrote to the Galatians.
The first person is not resumed until Ac 20:5-6, at Philippi, the very place where the first person implies he was with Paul two years before (Acts 16); in this interval Luke probably made Philippi his head quarters. Thenceforward to the close, which leaves Paul at Rome, the first person shows Luke was his companion. Col 4:14; Phm 1:24, written there and then, declare his presence with Paul in Rome. The undesigned coincidence remarkably confirms the truth of his authorship and of the history. Just in those epistles written from places where in Acts the first person is dropped, Luke is not mentioned, but Silas and Timothy are; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; 2Co 1:19 compared with Ac 18:5.
But in the epistles written where we know, from Acts 28, the writer was with Paul we find Luke mentioned. Alford conjectures that as, just before Luke's joining Paul at Troas (Ac 16:10), Paul had passed through Galatia, where he was detained by sickness (Ga 4:13, Greek "Ye know that because of an infirmity of my flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first"), and Phrygia, and as the epistle to Colossae in Phrygia terms Luke "the beloved physician," Luke became Paul's companion owing to the weak state of the apostle's health, and left him at Philippi when he was recovered, which would account for the warm epithet "beloved."
In Ac 21:10 Agabus is introduced as if he had never been mentioned before, which he was in Ac 11:28. Probably Luke used different written sources of information, guided in the selection by the Holy spirit. This view accounts for the Hebraistic style of the earlier parts (drawn from Hebrew sources), and the Grecian style of the
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on the earth shall be unbound in heaven.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on the earth shall be unbound in heaven.
it seemed good to me also, having traced all things accurately from the first, to write in order to you, most excellent Theophilus,
it seemed good to me also, having traced all things accurately from the first, to write in order to you, most excellent Theophilus,
I WROTE my first account, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus did and taught,
I WROTE my first account, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus did and taught,
but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
this man, delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have affixed to the cross, and killed by the hand of the wicked,
this man, delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have affixed to the cross, and killed by the hand of the wicked,
This is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the head of a corner.
This is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the head of a corner.
And Saul consented to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution of the church at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And Saul consented to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution of the church at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And pious men buried Stephen and made a great lamentation for him.
And pious men buried Stephen and made a great lamentation for him. But Saul persecuted the church, and going from house to house, seizing men and women, committed them to prison.
But Saul persecuted the church, and going from house to house, seizing men and women, committed them to prison. Being scattered abroad, therefore, they went everywhere preaching the good news of the word;
Being scattered abroad, therefore, they went everywhere preaching the good news of the word; and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.
and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.
And he arose and went. And behold a man, an Ethiopian eunuch, an officer of Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasures, who had come to Jerusalem to worship,
And he arose and went. And behold a man, an Ethiopian eunuch, an officer of Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasures, who had come to Jerusalem to worship,
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.
And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But arise and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.
But arise and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.
And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons,
And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons,
But some of them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who came to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus.
But some of them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who came to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
which they also did, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
which they also did, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
AND at that time Herod the king put forth his hands to injure some of the church.
AND at that time Herod the king put forth his hands to injure some of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also,??nd it was during the days of unleavened bread,??4 and having seized he put him in prison, committing him to four companies of four soldiers each to guard him, wishing after the passover to bring him before the people.
And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also,??nd it was during the days of unleavened bread,??4 and having seized he put him in prison, committing him to four companies of four soldiers each to guard him, wishing after the passover to bring him before the people.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him. And when Herod was about to bring him forward, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards kept watch before the door.
And when Herod was about to bring him forward, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards kept watch before the door. And behold, an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the building; and striking Peter on the side he awoke him saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And behold, an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the building; and striking Peter on the side he awoke him saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me.
And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me. And going out he followed him, and knew not that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
And going out he followed him, and knew not that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first guard, and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself, and going out they went forward one street, and immediately the angel left him.
And passing through the first guard, and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself, and going out they went forward one street, and immediately the angel left him. And Peter coming to himself said, Now I know that the Lord has really sent his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the Jews.
And Peter coming to himself said, Now I know that the Lord has really sent his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the Jews. And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying.
And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying. And knocking at the door of the gate, a female servant, called Rhoda, came to listen,
And knocking at the door of the gate, a female servant, called Rhoda, came to listen, and knowing the voice of Peter she did not open the gate from joy, but ran in and told that Peter stood before the gate.
and knowing the voice of Peter she did not open the gate from joy, but ran in and told that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, You are mad. But she asserted strongly that it was so. And they said, It is his angel.
But they said to her, You are mad. But she asserted strongly that it was so. And they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking; and having opened they saw him, and were astonished.
But Peter continued knocking; and having opened they saw him, and were astonished. And making signs to them with his hand to be silent, he related how the Lord had conducted him out of the prison, and said, Tell these things to James and the brothers. And going out he departed to another place.
And making signs to them with his hand to be silent, he related how the Lord had conducted him out of the prison, and said, Tell these things to James and the brothers. And going out he departed to another place. And when it was day there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
And when it was day there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. And Herod seeking and not finding him, examined the guards, and commanded them to be put to death, and going down from Judea to Caesarea remained [there].
And Herod seeking and not finding him, examined the guards, and commanded them to be put to death, and going down from Judea to Caesarea remained [there].
Of the posterity of this man, according to his promise, has God raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus;
Of the posterity of this man, according to his promise, has God raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus;
and saying, Men, why do you do these things? We are also men subject to like sufferings with you, preaching that you should turn from these vain [services] to the living God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things in them,
and saying, Men, why do you do these things? We are also men subject to like sufferings with you, preaching that you should turn from these vain [services] to the living God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things in them, who in past generations permitted all nations to walk in their own ways;
who in past generations permitted all nations to walk in their own ways; although indeed he left not himself without a witness, doing good, giving rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
although indeed he left not himself without a witness, doing good, giving rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
and passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared by night to Paul; a certain man of Macedonia standing, asking him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us.
And a vision appeared by night to Paul; a certain man of Macedonia standing, asking him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
She following Paul and us, cried, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us the way of salvation;
She following Paul and us, cried, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us the way of salvation;
AND travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
AND travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
But the unbelieving Jews taking certain base men of those about the markets, and exciting a mob, disturbed the city; and coming to the house of Jason sought to bring them out to the people;
But the unbelieving Jews taking certain base men of those about the markets, and exciting a mob, disturbed the city; and coming to the house of Jason sought to bring them out to the people;
And those conducting Paul brought him to Athens, and receiving a charge to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
And those conducting Paul brought him to Athens, and receiving a charge to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry.
And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry.
And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry.
And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry. Then he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those that were pious, and in the market every day with those he met.
Then he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those that were pious, and in the market every day with those he met.
Then he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those that were pious, and in the market every day with those he met.
Then he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those that were pious, and in the market every day with those he met. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And laying hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is which is taught by you?
And laying hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is which is taught by you? for you bring certain strange things to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean.
for you bring certain strange things to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean. And all the Athenians and the strangers living there spend their leisure in nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
And all the Athenians and the strangers living there spend their leisure in nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
For as I passed through, and observed your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which was inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I declare to you.
For as I passed through, and observed your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which was inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I declare to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God] being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands,
The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God] being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands, neither is he served by the hands of men as needing any thing, since he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
neither is he served by the hands of men as needing any thing, since he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one blood every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, determining their appointed times and the bounds of their habitation,
and he made of one blood every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, determining their appointed times and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might feel after and find him, and indeed he is not far from every one of us.
that they should seek God, if perhaps they might feel after and find him, and indeed he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring.
For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring. Being therefore an offspring of God, we ought not to think the Deity to be like gold or silver or stone, a work of art and human device.
Being therefore an offspring of God, we ought not to think the Deity to be like gold or silver or stone, a work of art and human device. Overlooking therefore the times of ignorance, God now commands all men everywhere to change their minds,
Overlooking therefore the times of ignorance, God now commands all men everywhere to change their minds, because he has appointed a day in which he is about to judge the world in righteousness, by the man whom he has appointed, giving assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
because he has appointed a day in which he is about to judge the world in righteousness, by the man whom he has appointed, giving assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
And finding a certain Jew by the name of Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy, and his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, he went to them,
And finding a certain Jew by the name of Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy, and his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, he went to them,
And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul gave himself wholly to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews Christ Jesus.
And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul gave himself wholly to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews Christ Jesus.
And there followed him to Asia, Sopater the son of Pyrrhus of Berea, and of those of Thessalonica, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and those of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus;
And there followed him to Asia, Sopater the son of Pyrrhus of Berea, and of those of Thessalonica, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and those of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus; these going before waited for us at Troas.
these going before waited for us at Troas. And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.
And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.
And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.
And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.
and sailing thence, on the next day we came opposite to Chios, and in another day we touched at Samos, and stopping at Trogylium, on the day following we came to Miletus.
and sailing thence, on the next day we came opposite to Chios, and in another day we touched at Samos, and stopping at Trogylium, on the day following we came to Miletus.
serving the Lord with all humility, and tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews,
serving the Lord with all humility, and tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews,
But life precious to myself, I make of no account that I may finish my course and the service which I received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
But life precious to myself, I make of no account that I may finish my course and the service which I received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one of you with tears.
Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one of you with tears. And now I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance with all the sanctified.
And now I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance with all the sanctified.
AND when we had torn ourselves from them we set sail, and going in a straight course came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara.
AND when we had torn ourselves from them we set sail, and going in a straight course came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara.
And departing on the next day we came to Caesarea, and going to the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we staid with him.
And departing on the next day we came to Caesarea, and going to the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we staid with him.
And having continued there many days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea by the name of Agabus,
And having continued there many days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea by the name of Agabus,
And on the following day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present.
And on the following day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present.
who also endeavored to profane the temple, whom we also took,
who also endeavored to profane the temple, whom we also took, (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer) from whom you will be able to learn by examination of all these things of which we accuse him.
from whom you will be able to learn by examination of all these things of which we accuse him.
AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion by the name of Julius, of the cohort of Augustus.
AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion by the name of Julius, of the cohort of Augustus.
and said, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold, God has given you all that sail with you.
and said, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold, God has given you all that sail with you.
AND when we came to Rome the centurion committed the prisoners to the prefect of the camp, and Paul was allowed to remain by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
AND when we came to Rome the centurion committed the prisoners to the prefect of the camp, and Paul was allowed to remain by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
because what can be known of God is manifest among them; for God has manifested [himself] to them.
because what can be known of God is manifest among them; for God has manifested [himself] to them. For his invisible [attributes] are clearly seen from the creation of the world, being perceived by the things which are made, even his eternal power and deity, so that they have no defense,
For his invisible [attributes] are clearly seen from the creation of the world, being perceived by the things which are made, even his eternal power and deity, so that they have no defense, because having known God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and their ignorant mind was darkened.
because having known God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and their ignorant mind was darkened. Saying that they were wise they became foolish,
Saying that they were wise they became foolish, and changed the glory of the imperishable God into the likeness of the image of perishable man, and of birds, and quadrupeds, and reptiles.
and changed the glory of the imperishable God into the likeness of the image of perishable man, and of birds, and quadrupeds, and reptiles. Wherefore God also gave them up with the desires of their hearts to impurity, to disgrace their bodies among themselves,
Wherefore God also gave them up with the desires of their hearts to impurity, to disgrace their bodies among themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, amen.
who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, amen.
But according to your hardness and unchanged heart you treasure up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and of a revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
But according to your hardness and unchanged heart you treasure up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and of a revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
whom God set forth [to be] a propitiator through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing by of the errors committed previously in the forbearance of God,
whom God set forth [to be] a propitiator through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing by of the errors committed previously in the forbearance of God,
For the promise to Abraham and his posterity that he should inherit the world was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
For the promise to Abraham and his posterity that he should inherit the world was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Be not deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals.
Be not deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals.
And we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is in all the churches,
And we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is in all the churches,
In Damascus, the ethnarch, when Aretas was king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to take me,
In Damascus, the ethnarch, when Aretas was king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to take me,
I know a man, in Christ above fourteen years, whether in the body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows,??uch a one caught up to the third heaven.
I know a man, in Christ above fourteen years, whether in the body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows,??uch a one caught up to the third heaven.
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus;
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus;
The promises were spoken to Abraham and his offspring. He said not, And to offsprings, as of many, but as of one, And to your offspring, which is Christ.
The promises were spoken to Abraham and his offspring. He said not, And to offsprings, as of many, but as of one, And to your offspring, which is Christ.
but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh,
but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh,
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone,
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone,
For many walk, of whom I told you often and now also tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ;
For many walk, of whom I told you often and now also tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ;
and he is before all things, and in him all things consist,
and he is before all things, and in him all things consist,
for in him [God] was well pleased that all fullness should dwell,
for in him [God] was well pleased that all fullness should dwell,
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
PAUL and Sylvanus [Silas] and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you and peace.
PAUL and Sylvanus [Silas] and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you and peace.
For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith;
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith;
A certain one of them, their own poet, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gormandizers.
A certain one of them, their own poet, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gormandizers.
And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, spend the time of your life with fear,
And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, spend the time of your life with fear,
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without a spot;
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without a spot;
To you therefore who believe he is precious; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of a corner
To you therefore who believe he is precious; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of a corner
Be watchful, confirm the rest who are about to die. For I have not found your works perfect before my God.
Be watchful, confirm the rest who are about to die. For I have not found your works perfect before my God.
Hastings
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
1. Summary of contents.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
SINCE many have undertaken to arrange a complete digest of the things fully believed among us,
it seemed good to me also, having traced all things accurately from the first, to write in order to you, most excellent Theophilus,
AND in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being procurator of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Ituria and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias being tetrarch of Abilene,
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded with encampments, then know that its desolation is at hand.
but he said this signifying by what death he should glorify God; and having said this, he said to him, Follow me.
I WROTE my first account, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus did and taught,
I WROTE my first account, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus did and taught,
All these continued with one accord in prayer, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
and this became known to all who lived at Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their language Aceldamach, which is Field of blood.
Then those that received his word were baptized, and there were added on that day about three thousand souls;
And when they had prayed the place was shaken in which they were assembled, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God with boldness.
AND in those days the disciples being multiplied, there was a complaint of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected in the daily service.
But Saul persecuted the church, and going from house to house, seizing men and women, committed them to prison.
and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.
But because they believed Philip preaching the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
and asked of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of that way, he might bring them bound, men and women, to Jerusalem.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
and one of them, by the name of Agabus, standing up signified by the spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world; which also came under Claudius Caesar.
AND at that time Herod the king put forth his hands to injure some of the church.
And there were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch; Barnabas and Simeon called Niger [the black], and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant. And having gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus, read more. who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man having called for Barnabas and Saul desired to hear the word of God; but Elymas the magian, for so his name is interpreted, opposed them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.
And those with Paul, sailing from Paphos, went to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
And those with Paul, sailing from Paphos, went to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. And passing on from Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia, and going into the synagogue on the Sabbath they sat down.
and removing him, he raised up for them David for a king, of whom also he said and testified, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.
But the Jews excited the pious and honorable women, and the first men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out from their limits.
But the Jews excited the pious and honorable women, and the first men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out from their limits.
And at Iconium they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude of the Jews and Greeks believed.
and preached the good news there.
And the multitude seeing what Paul did, lifted up their voice in the language of Lycaonia, saying, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men;
But the apostles Barnabas and Paul hearing of it, rending their clothes ran among the multitude, crying
And having preached the good news to that city, and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch,
There being therefore no little dissension and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question.
that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.
And passing through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, coming by Mysia they endeavored to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; read more. and passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared by night to Paul; a certain man of Macedonia standing, asking him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
And when he saw the vision we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the good news to them.
and thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, [and] a colony. And we spent some days in that city. And on the sabbath we went out of the gate, by the river, where the proseuche [place of prayer] usually was, and sitting down we spoke to the women who came together.
And on the sabbath we went out of the gate, by the river, where the proseuche [place of prayer] usually was, and sitting down we spoke to the women who came together. And a certain woman by the name of Lydia, a dealer in purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard, whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the [words] spoken by Paul. read more. And when she was baptized, and her house, she requested saying, If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay; and she constrained us.
And when it was day the prefects sent the lictors, saying, Let those men go.
But Paul said to him, They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, being Romans, and cast us into prison; and now do they privately cast us out? No, indeed: but let them come themselves and conduct us out.
AND travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
AND travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
And some of them believed and adhered to Paul and Silas; of the pious Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
but not finding them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
And the brothers immediately, by night, sent away Paul and Silas to Berea; and when they came they went into the synagogue of the Jews;
Many of them therefore believed, both of honorable Grecian women, and of men not a few.
And those conducting Paul brought him to Athens, and receiving a charge to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry.
And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry.
And laying hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is which is taught by you?
but certain men adhering to him believed, among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul gave himself wholly to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews Christ Jesus.
And Crispus the synagogue ruler believed in the Lord, with all his house; and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized.
And when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose with one consent against Paul and brought him to the tribunal,
And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, and entering himself into the synagogue reasoned with the Jews.
And when Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, passing through the higher portions of the country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples;
And going into the synagogue he spoke boldly, for three months, reasoning and persuading in favor of the kingdom of God.
and some of the rulers of Asia also, who were friendly to him, sending to him, besought him not to expose himself in the theatre.
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, that it might not be necessary for him to spend a long time in Asia; for he hastened, if it was possible for him, to be at Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost.
I have showed you all things, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
grieving most of all for the word which he said, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
And observing Cyprus, and leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to discharge her cargo.
And when we had completed the days we went out and proceeded on our journey, they all attending us with their wives and children till without the city, and kneeling down on the shore we prayed,
This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
and I persecuted this way to death, binding and committing to prison both men and women,
But when they extended him with cords, he said to the centurion standing by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, a Roman, and uncondemned?
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gratify the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.
AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion by the name of Julius, of the cohort of Augustus. And going on board of a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places in Asia, we set sail, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us;
Proceeding thence we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary,
And on the fourteenth night, when we were borne along in the Adriatic, at about midnight the sailors suspected that some land was approaching them.
but the centurion wishing to save Paul, prohibited them from this design, and commanded those able to swim to cast themselves into the water first, and go to the land;
And the barbarians showed us no ordinary humanity; for kindling a fire they received us all, on account of the rain which was falling, and the cold.
Near that place were the lands of the first man in the island, whose name was Poplius, who received and entertained us kindly three days.
And after three days he called the chief men of the Jews together; and when they had convened, said to them, Men and brothers, having done nothing contrary to the people or to the customs of the fathers, I was delivered up from Jerusalem a prisoner into the hands of the Romans,
But Paul continued two entire years in his hired house, and received all who came to him,
And now remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow-citizens of the saints and of the family of God,
Only conduct yourselves as citizens worthily of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the nephew of Barnabas,??oncerning whom you received commandments, if he comes to you receive him,??11 and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these are the only co-laborers for the kingdom of God who have been a comfort to me.
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
When therefore we could no longer refrain, we thought it best to be left alone at Athens,
for Demas forsook me having loved the present life and went to Thessalonica, Cresces to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia;
I know your works and where you live; where Satan's throne is; and you hold my name, and did not deny my faith in the days in which Antipas my faithful martyr was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
And it was given him to give a spirit to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that all who would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Morish
The introduction to this book compared with the introduction to the gospel by Luke makes it plain that the two were written by the same person. The Acts ends with the two years' imprisonment of the apostle Paul at Rome: it could not therefore have been written before the end of that time, and was probably written very soon afterwards or it would have given the issue of Paul's trial. This would place the date about A.D. 63.
The 'Acts' forms a link between the Gospels and the Epistles, as the ascension of Christ formed a link between the Gospels and the Acts. It occupies a sort of transition time, for though the church was soon formed, the doctrine of the church was not made known until Paul's epistles. The title, 'Acts of the Apostles,' might have led us to expect a more general account of the labours of all the Twelve; but their mission in the ways of God is superseded by that of Paul, both as minister of the gospel of the glory of Christ, and of the church. A wise selection of the fruits of apostolic energy has been made, verifying some things stated in the Gospels, and forming an indispensable introduction to the Epistles.
After the ascension of the Lord, and the choosing an apostle to fill the place of Judas, the first great event recorded is the day of Pentecost. The Lord had said, "I will build my church," Mt 16:18 ; and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is the answer to the question, when did the incorporation of the church begin? 1Co 12:13 proves that it was by the gift of the Holy Spirit, though, as it has been said, the doctrine of the church was not revealed till afterwards.
Ananias was charged with lying to the Holy Spirit, by whom God was then dwelling in the church. Our Lord had promised that on His departure He would send them another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to abide with and be in them. This also was fulfilled at Pentecost. Peter, Stephen, etc. were full of the Holy Spirit: cf. Ac 4:31.
After this another call was made to Israel to receive Jesus as the Christ. They had killed the Prince of life, but God had raised Him from the dead, and now in mercy and on the ground of their ignorance one more appeal was made to them to repent and be converted that their sins might be blotted out, and that God might send again Jesus Christ who was then in heaven. The rulers however were grieved that they preached by Jesus the resurrection from among the dead, and commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Stephen, being accused before the Sanhedrim, rehearsed the history of Israel from the beginning, and charged them with resisting the Holy Spirit, as their fathers had done. The indictment of Israel as man in the flesh, and the exposure of his enmity to God led to the final sin of rejecting the glorified Christ, expressed by the stoning of Stephen who calling upon the Lord not to lay the sin to their charge, exemplified the life of Christ in his body.
This ends the first phase of the acts of the Holy Spirit, and clears the way for the going out of the gospel and the revelation of the truth of the church. The persecution that followed led to the spread of the gospel. Philip preached Christ to the Samaritans and many believed. Peter went from Jerusalem, laid his hands upon them and they received the Holy Spirit. Peter was then used at Caesarea in opening the door to the Gentiles (answering to his having the keys of the kingdom committed to him, Mt 16:19), and they also received the Holy Spirit.
In the meantime Saul had been converted, and immediately preached that Jesus was the Son of God. The churches had rest, and walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied. Ac 9:31. Herod Agrippa however soon began to persecute the church; he killed James the brother of John, and put Peter into prison, who was however miraculously delivered. Herod died a miserable death; and the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12. This ends the phase of the church's history in connection with the remnant of Israel.
Antioch, instead of Jerusalem, now became a centre of evangelisation, independent of apostolic authority, yet without breaking the unity of the Spirit by forming a separate church. Barnabas and Saul are separated to the work by the Holy Spirit, and with John Mark take a missionary journey.
Certain persons from Judaea insisting at Antioch that the Gentile converts must be circumcised or they could not be saved, the question was referred to the church at Jerusalem. In their decision they could say, "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves ye shall do well. Fare ye well." Ac 15:28-29.
Paul with Silas took a second missionary journey, extending to Europe and returned to Antioch. Ac 18:22. From thence Paul went a third journey. (For the particulars of these journeys and from whence Paul wrote some of his epistles, see the article PAUL.) It may be noted that while at Ephesus, because of the opposition of the Jews in the synagogues, Paul separated the disciples and they met in a building distinct from the synagogue, commencing a further development of the church's history. Ac 19:9.
At the close of the third missionary journey Paul, led by deep spiritual affection for his nation, but forbidden by the Spirit in whose energy the ministry entrusted to him had hitherto been carried out, went up to Jerusalem, where he was arrested. The rest of the book details his trials and danger from the Jews; his journey to Rome, where he calls together the chief of the Jews, to whom he preaches Jesus. We read no more of any of his labours, and the Acts leaves him a prisoner.
The book embraces a period of about thirty years: the mystery of the church, and the gospel of the glory committed to Paul, as well as the state of the assemblies must be gathered from the Epistles. During the above period Paul wrote the two epistles to the Thessalonians, the two to the Corinthians, to the Galatians, Romans, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And I tell you that you are Peter [a rock], and upon this rock will I build my assembly, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on the earth shall be unbound in heaven.
And when they had prayed the place was shaken in which they were assembled, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Then had the church peace in all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and being built up, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these necessary things; that you should abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication, from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.
and coming down to Caesarea, and going up and saluting the church, he went down to Antioch;
But when some were hardened and believed not, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, he left them and separated the disciples from them, and reasoned day by day in the school of one Tyrannus.
for we have all been baptized with one Spirit in one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether servants or freemen, and have all been made to drink one Spirit.
Smith
Acts of the Apostles,
the fifth book in the New testament and the second treatise by the author of the third Gospel, traditionally known as Luke. The book commences with an inscription to one Theophilus, who was probably a man of birth and station. The readers were evidently intended to be the members of the Christian Church, whether Jews or Gentiles; for its contents are such as are of the utmost consequence to the whole Church. They are the fulfillment of the promise of the Father by the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the results of that outpouring by the dispersion of the gospel among the Jews and Gentiles. Under these leading heads all the personal and subordinate details may be arranged. First St. Peter becomes the prime actor under God int he founding of the Church. He is the centre of the first group of sayings and doings. The opening of the door to Jews, ch. 2, and Gentiles, ch. 10, is his office, and by him, in good time, is accomplished. Then the preparation of Saul of Tarsus for the work to be done, the progress, in his hand, of that work, his journeyings, preachings and perils, his stripes and imprisonments, his testifying in Jerusalem and being brought to testify in Rome, --these are the subjects of the latter half of the book, of which the great central figure is the apostle Paul. The history given in the Acts occupies about 33 years, and the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. It seems most probable that the place of writing was Roma, and the time about two years from the date of St. Paul's arrival there, as related in
This would give us fro the publication about 63 A.D.
Watsons
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. This book, in the very beginning, professes itself to be a continuation of the Gospel of St. Luke; and its style bespeaks it to be written by the same person. The external evidence is also very satisfactory; for besides allusions in earlier authors, and particularly in Clement of Rome, Polycarp, and Justin Martyr, the Acts of the Apostles are not only quoted by Irenaeus, as written by Luke the evangelist, but there are few things recorded in this book which are not mentioned by that ancient father. This strong testimony in favour of the genuineness of the Acts of the Apostles is supported by Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Jerome, Eusebius, Theodoret, and most of the later fathers. It may be added, that the name of St. Luke is prefixed to this book in several ancient Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, and also in the old Syriac version.
2. This is the only inspired work which gives us any historical account of the progress of Christianity after our Saviour's ascension. It comprehends a period of about thirty years, but it by no means contains a general history of the church during that time. The principal facts recorded in it are, the choice of Matthias to be an Apostle in the room of the traitor Judas; the descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of pentecost; the preaching, miracles, and sufferings of the Apostles at Jerusalem; the death of Stephen, the first martyr; the persecution and dispersion of the Christians; the preaching of the Gospel in different parts of Palestine, especially in Samaria; the conversion of St. Paul; the call of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert; the persecution of the Christians by Herod Agrippa; the preaching of Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles, by the express command of the Holy Ghost; the decree made at Jerusalem, declaring that circumcision, and a conformity to other Jewish rites and ceremonies, were not necessary in Gentile converts; and the latter part of the book is confined to the history of St. Paul, of whom St. Luke was the constant companion for several years.
3. As this account of St. Paul is not continued beyond his two years' imprisonment at Rome, it is probable that this book was written soon after his release, which happened in the year 63; we may therefore consider the Acts of the Apostles as written about the year 64.
4. The place of its publication is more doubtful. The probability appears to be in favour of Greece, though some contend for Alexandria in Egypt. This latter opinion rests upon the subscriptions at the end of some Greek manuscripts, and of the copies of the Syriac version; but the best critics think, that these subscriptions, which are also affixed to other books of the New Testament, deserve but little weight; and in this case they are not supported by any ancient authority.
5. It must have been of the utmost importance in the early times of the Gospel, and certainly not of less importance to every subsequent age, to have an authentic account of the promised descent of the Holy Ghost, and of the success which attended the first preachers of the Gospel both among the Jews and Gentiles. These great events completed the evidence of the divine mission of Christ, established the truth of the religion which he taught, and pointed out in the clearest manner the comprehensive nature of the redemption which he purchased by his death.
OEcumenius calls the Acts, the "Gospel of the Holy Ghost; and St. Chrysostom, the "Gospel of our Saviour's resurrection," or the Gospel of Jesus Christ risen from the dead. Here, in the lives and preaching of the Apostles, we have the most miraculous instances of the power of the Holy Ghost; and in the account of those who were the first believers, we have received the most excellent pattern of the true Christian life.