The idea pleased the whole congregation. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch,

Those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to the Jews.

Those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to the Jews.

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation for a whole year. They taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch at that time. read more. One of them was named Agabus. He indicated through the Spirit that a great famine was about to come on the entire earth. He said it would come to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea. They sent it to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.

There were prophets and teachers in the congregation at Antioch. This included: Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to God, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said: Set Barnabas and Saul apart for the work I have called them. read more. After they fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them away. Being sent by Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.

Being sent by Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.

When they left Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia. They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

When they left Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia. They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

After they preached the good news to that city and taught many, they returned again to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

After they preached the good news to that city and taught many, they returned again to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

They sailed to Antioch, where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work they completed.

Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question. read more. The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers. Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them. The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are. The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations. When they finished talking James said: Brothers listen to me: Simeon declared how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12) Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day. The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.

Paul and Barnabas stayed at Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of God, with many others also. After time passed Paul said to Barnabas: Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the Word of God, and see how they are doing. read more. Barnabas decided to take John, whose surname was Mark, with them. Paul did not think it a good idea to take him with them. So he left them at Pamphylia. Their disagreement was so great between them that they parted company. So Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and departed, being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of God. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.

The Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia. So they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

When he landed at Caesarea, he greeted the congregation and traveled to Antioch.

When he landed at Caesarea, he greeted the congregation and traveled to Antioch. After spending some time there he departed through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.

When Cephas came to Antioch, I openly resisted him because he was completely wrong. He ate with the people of the nations until some men James sent arrived. When they arrived, he drew back and separated himself. He feared those who were of the circumcised people. read more. The rest of the Jews were hypocrites with him, so much that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the good news. Therefore I said to Cephas, in front of them all: If you, being a Jew, live as the nations do and not as the Jews, why do you compel the people of the nations to live like the Jews? We are Jews by birth, and not sinners from the nations. Yet we know that a man is not righteous by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. We believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be righteous by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law. The works of the law justify no one. We sought to be righteous in Christ. And we were found to be sinners. Is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. If I build up again the things that I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. I, through the law, died to the law that I might live to (for) God. I have been impaled with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh (physical body) I live by faith. This is the faith that is in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not reject the grace (totally undeserved gift) of God: for if righteousness is [gained] through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

I testify for him, that he has worked hard for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. read more. Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the congregation that is in her house. When this letter has been read among you, make sure it is read also in the congregation of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

You know that man sins and is perverted. He is self-condemned.

It said: Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven congregations in Asia: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

To the angel of the congregation in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation says this: