from his baptism by John to the time when he was caught up from us, must join us as a witness to his resurrection."

Then Peter stood up with the eleven around him, and raising his voice addressed them. "Men of Judea," he said, "and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you, and pay attention to what I say.

The younger men got up and wrapping his body up carried it out and buried it.

So the Twelve called in the whole body of disciples and said to them, "It is not desirable that we should give up preaching the word of God to keep accounts.

and this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

He motioned to them to be quiet, and then related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brothers," he said. Then he left them and went somewhere else.

But Elymas the magician??or that is the meaning of his name??pposed them, and tried to keep the governor from accepting the faith.

But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rushed into the crowd, tearing their clothes

They appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

And God who knows men's hearts testified for them by giving them the holy Spirit just as he had done to us,

Then the apostles and elders with the whole church resolved to select representatives and send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They were Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

Take care of yourselves and of the whole flock, of which the holy Spirit has made you guardians, and be shepherds of the church of God, which he got at the cost of his own life.

The next day we left there and went on to Caesarea, where we went to the house of Philip the missionary, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

On the next day we went with Paul to see James, and all the elders came in.

the speaker, in his exhortation, the giver of charity, with generosity, the office-holder, with devotion, the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

I want to introduce to you our sister Phoebe, who is a helper in the church at Cenchreae.

Remember me to Andronicus and Junias, my fellow-countrymen, who went to prison with me. They are noted men among the missionaries, and they became Christians before I did.

I ask it to shame you. Has it come to this, that there is not a single wise man among you who could settle a disagreement between one brother and another,

Therefore, my dear brothers, have nothing to do with the worship of idols.

and any woman who offers prayer or explains the will of God bareheaded disgraces her head, for it is just as though she had her head shaved.

Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear his hair long is degrading,

And God has placed people in the church, first as apostles, second as inspired preachers, third as teachers, then wonder-workers; then come ability to cure the sick, helpfulness, administration, ecstatic speaking.

And God has placed people in the church, first as apostles, second as inspired preachers, third as teachers, then wonder-workers; then come ability to cure the sick, helpfulness, administration, ecstatic speaking.

and that he was seen by Cephas, and then by the Twelve.

Paul, an apostle not from men nor sent by any man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead??2 and all the brothers who are here with me, to the churches of Galatia;

but I did not see any other apostle, except James, the Lord's brother.

You are built upon the apostles and prophets as your foundation, and Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone.

(which in past ages was not disclosed to mankind as fully as it has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets)

And he has given us some men as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as pastors and teachers,

And he has given us some men as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as pastors and teachers,

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the devoted adherents of Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the superintendents and assistants;

We beg you, brothers, to respect those who work with you and who lead you in the service of the Lord, and teach you.

Do not disregard the utterances it inspires,

Their wives too must be serious, not gossips; they must be temperate, and perfectly trustworthy.

Never reprove an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men like brothers,

Elders who do their duties well should be considered as deserving twice as much as they get, particularly those who work at preaching and teaching.

Elders who do their duties well should be considered as deserving twice as much as they get, particularly those who work at preaching and teaching.

I left you behind in Crete expressly to correct what defects there were, and to appoint elders in each town, as I directed you??6 men of irreproachable character, who have been married only once, whose children are Christians, free from any suspicion of profligacy or disobedience.

For as God's overseer a superintendent must be irreproachable, not arrogant or quick-tempered or given to drink or pugnacious or addicted to dishonest gain,

Do not forget your former leaders, the men who brought you God's message. Remember how they ended their lives and imitate their faith.

Obey your leaders and give way to them, for they are keeping watch in defense of your souls, as men accountable for the trust. Make their work a joy and not a grief, for that would be the worse for you.

Above all, my brothers, do not swear an oath, either by heaven or by the earth, or by anything else; let your "Yes" be a plain Yes, and your "No" a plain No, or you will fall under condemnation.

If any one is sick, he should call in the elders of the church and have them pray over him, and pour oil on him in the name of the Lord,

I appeal therefore to those who are elders among you; I am their brother-elder and a witness to what the Christ suffered, and I am to share in the glory that is to be revealed??2 be shepherds of the flock of God that is among you, not as though it were forced upon you but of your own free will, and not from base love of gain but freely,

But I hold it against you that you tolerate that Jezebel of a woman who claims to be inspired and who is misleading my slaves and teaching them to practice immorality and to eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols.

The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.