but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while.

dragged him outside the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

dragged him outside the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

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

Meanwhile the men who were his fellow travelers stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one.

And the Lord said to him. "Arise, go into the street named 'Straight,' and make inquiries in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus, one Saul.

"Go," answered the Lord, "this man is chosen instrument of mine to bear my name before the nations and their kings, and before the Children of Israel also;

And he began at once to proclaim in the synagogues Jesus as the Son of God.

And when many days were fulfilled the Jews made a plot to kill Saul;

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and told them how Saul had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him; and also how he had preached the Name of the Lord Jesus boldly at Damascus.

When they learned this the brothers took him down to Caesarea, and then sent him forth to Tarsus.

Then those who had been scattered by the trouble that arose over Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch; but they preached the word to none except Jews.

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."

This they did, forwarding their contributions to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

and after discharging their mission, Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, surnamed Mark.

Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.

Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.

So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

They had John Mark as an assistant; and after going through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, named Bar-Jesus,

So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, said: "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.

"Men, why are you doing all this? We also are men, with natures like your own! We are bringing you good tidings, that you are to turn from these empty things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is.

Thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been commended to the grace of God, for the work which they had now completed.

But some men came down from Judea and attempted to teach the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised according to Moses' custom, you cannot be saved." Now when dispute and controversy sprang up between them and Paul and Barnabas, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. read more. So the church saw them off on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria. Here they set forth the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were received by the church and the apostles and elders, and they told them all things that God had done with them. But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, but were now believers, stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise Gentile, and to order them to keep the Law of Moses." The apostles and elders met to consider the matter; and after there had been a long discussion, Peter rose and said: "Brothers, you know how a good while ago God made choice among you, that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the message of the gospel and believe.

and after there had been a long discussion, Peter rose and said: "Brothers, you know how a good while ago God made choice among you, that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the message of the gospel and believe. "And God, who knows the hearts of all, gave this testimony in their behalf, by bestowing upon them the Holy Spirit just as he did upon us; read more. "and he made no distinction between us and them, in cleansing their hearts by faith. "Now then, why are you tempting God by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? "On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved." Then the whole assembly remained silent, and listened to Barnabas and Saul as they told the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the Gentiles through them. When they had finished speaking, James said: "Brothers, listen to me. Symeon has told how God first looked graciously upon the Gentiles, to take out from among them a people to be called by his name. "And this is in harmony with the language of the prophets, which says. "After these things I will return, And I will rebuild David's fallen tent; And I will build again its ruins, And I will set it up; "So that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, Even all the Gentiles, who are called by my name, "Says the Lord, who has been making this known from the beginning of the world. "My judgment therefore, is against troubling those who turn to God from among the Gentiles; "but that we should write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood. "For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town where he is read aloud, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the synagogues." Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to select some of their number, and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The men chosen were Judas called Bar-Sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. They took with them the following letter. "The apostles and older brothers send greeting to the Gentile Brotherhood throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia; "as we have heard that some of your number who went out from us have troubled you with words and upset your souls, without having received any such instruction from us; "we have unanimously decided to select certain men, and to send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul; "men who have risked their very lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "So we have sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. "For it has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; "that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, and from tasting blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear from these things and it will be well with you. Farewell."

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let is go back and visit the brothers in every city in which we have proclaimed the word of the Lord. Let us see how they fare."

Here a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia, entreating him and saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us!"

and thence came to Philippi, a city of Macedonia, the fore most in its district, a Roman colony. There we stayed for some time.

"They are teaching customs which it is not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or practise."

But Paul said: "They have flogged us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens; and have thrown us into prison. Are they now going to get rid of us secretly? No, indeed! Let them come here, themselves and take us out."

and Paul, according to his usual custom, went in to them and, for three Sabbath Days, he reasoned with them out of the Scriptures,

So Paul stood up in the center of Mars Hill, and said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects you are remarkably religious.

So Paul stood up in the center of Mars Hill, and said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects you are remarkably religious.

Paul came to them, and because he was of the same trade with them, he lodged with them, and worked with them??or by trade they were tentmakers.

Then, setting sail from Ephesus, he landed at Caesarea; he went up to Jerusalem and saluted the church, and came down to Antioch.

And now I know that not one of you among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see my face again.

"No man's silver or gold of clothing did I ever covet.

"I am a Jew," answered Paul, "a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I pray you, give me permission to speak to the people." So when he had given leave, Paul stood on the stairs, beckoning with his hands to the people. There came a great hush, and he spoke to them as follows, in Hebrew.

When they heard him speaking in Hebrew they became the more quiet. "I am a Jew," he said, "born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strict manner of the Law of our forefathers, ardent for God, even as you all are this day.

"To this the high priest and all the council of elders are witnesses. It was from them that I received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I was already on my way to bring those also who were there back to Jerusalem, in bonds, for punishment.

"'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus, the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting,' he answered me. "Now my companions, though they beheld the light, did not hear the words of Him who spoke to me.

"After my return to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple,

"'Depart,' he said to me, 'for I will send you forth, far hence, to the Gentiles.'"

But when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing near, "If a man is a Roman citizen, and uncondemned, is it lawful for you to scourge him?"

"I paid a large sum to get this citizenship," said the tribune. "But I was citizen-born," said Paul.

With a stedfast gaze at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived with a good conscience before God to this day."

Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"

Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"

But Paul's sister's son heard of their intended attack, and he went and got into the barracks, and told Paul.

"The kind of life I have lived from my youth upward among my own nation and at Jerusalem, all that early life of mine, is well known to all the Jews.

"The kind of life I have lived from my youth upward among my own nation and at Jerusalem, all that early life of mine, is well known to all the Jews. "They know me of old, if they are willing to testify, how that according to the strict sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.

"And this also I did in Jerusalem. Armed with authority from the chief priests, I shut up many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death I gave my vote against them.

"On this errand I was traveling to Damascus one day, armed with authority and commission of the chief priests,

"'I will deliver you from the Jewish people, and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you to open their eyes

After this Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and used to receive all who came to see him.

From Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for a gospel of God,

It is through him, even Jesus Christ our Lord, that I received grace and apostleship to promote obedience to the faith among all the Gentiles, for his name's sake;

First I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout all the world.

What then shall we say of Abraham, our ancestor in the flesh?

For I was on the point of praying to be accursed from Christ on behalf of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Brothers, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for my countrymen, that they may be saved.

Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

For to you who are Gentiles I say that since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,

Or again, Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.

I act as priest of the gospel of God; so that the Gentiles, when offered before him, may be an acceptable sacrifice, because consecrated by the Holy Spirit.

whenever I go to Spain, I am hoping to see you on my way there, and to be set forward by you on my way there, and to be set forward by you on my journey thither, after I have enjoyed your company for a little while.

When, therefore, I have settled this, and have secured to them the poor at Jerusalem the fruit of this collection, I shall come on by you into Spain.

I told you in my letter not to associate with the immoral.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

But for my part, I have never availed myself of any of these rights. I do not say this to bring it about in my own case. I would rather die than let any one make void this boast of mine.

and last of all, as by one born out of due time, he was seen by me also.

and last of all, as by one born out of due time, he was seen by me also. For I am the least of the apostles, I who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Now, brothers, I wish to tell you about the grace of God which has been manifest in the churches of Macedonia.

Even when I lacked the actual necessities of life while I was with you, I was a burden to no one; for whatever I lacked, the brothers from Macedonia supplied, when they came. So I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

Five times at the hands of the Jews, I have received one short of forty lashes.

In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the King, kept guard over the city of the Damascus, to arrest me;

It was for this reason, lest I should be over-elated, that there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be over-elated.

Paul, an apostle sent not from men nor by any man, but by Jesus Christ and by God the Father who raised him from the dead;

for neither did I myself receive it from man, nor by man was I taught it, but by a revelation an apocalypse of Jesus Christ.

and how in my zeal for Judaism I outstripped many of my own age and nation, in my special zeal for the traditions of my forefathers.

or even going up to Jerusalem to see those who had been apostles before me, I went off at once to Arabia, and on my return came back to Damascus.

or even going up to Jerusalem to see those who had been apostles before me, I went off at once to Arabia, and on my return came back to Damascus.

or even going up to Jerusalem to see those who had been apostles before me, I went off at once to Arabia, and on my return came back to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter, and spent two weeks with him.

Then I went into the districts of Syria and Cilicia.

Fourteen years later I went up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me

On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter has with the gospel for the circumcised

But when Cephas came to Antioch I resisted him to his face, because he stood self-condemned.

on the contrary, you know that although it was illness which brought about my preaching the gospel to you at my first visit,

Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.

To me, who am less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, that I should proclaim among the Gentiles the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ;

but am in a quandary between the two. I am perplexed. I have a strong desire to break camp and to be with Christ, which is far better;

Only do lead lives worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come to see you or hear reports concerning you in my absence, I may know that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul, enlisted in a common struggle for the faith of the gospel,

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

but I trust in the Lord that I also shall come shortly.

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

But what was once gain to me, that I have counted loss for Christ.

And you very well know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I had left Macedonia, no church but yourselves had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

Masters, deal justly and fairly with your slaves, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

For the word of the Lord has been sounded forth from you, and its sound has been heard not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where the tidings of your faith toward God have been spread abroad, so that I have no need to speak of it. For others, of their own accord, tell about the welcome I had from you, and how you turned to God from your idols, to be slaved of a true and living God,

For you yourselves know, brothers, that my visit to you did not fail of its purpose;

You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews??15 The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out??hey are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.

For that reason I would fain have visited you??, Paul, again and again??ut Satan hindered me.

And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone.

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, about those who are falling asleep. You must not sorrow like other men, who have no hope. For if we really believe that Jesus died and rose again, so even so will God through Jesus bring with him those also who have fallen asleep. read more. For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. And afterwards we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. So comfort one another with these words.

not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand."

I did not eat my food as a gift from any man, but in toil and travail, night and day, I worked, so that I might not be a burden to any of you.

I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting, which is my token in every letter. Thus I write??18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

who discourage marriage, and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thankfulness, by those who believe, and have a clear knowledge of the truth.

It is my wish, then, that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule their houses, and give no occasion to our adversary for railing.

Do not continue to drink nothing but water, but take a little wine for your stomach's sake, and your frequent attacks of illness.

O, Timothy, guard the treasure which is committed to you. Shun the profane babblings and contradictions of the falsely called "knowledge"

I give thanks to God whom I worship with a pure conscience as my fathers did, when I remember you unceasingly in my prayers.

I have been reminded of that sincere faith which is in your heart; which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and, I am fully persuaded, dwells in you also.

Do not then be ashamed to bear witness for our Lord, nor for me, his prisoner. Nay, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

You already know that all the Christians in Roman Asia forsook me, among them Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord show mercy to the house hold of Onesiphorus; for many a time he refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. read more. But when he came to Rome he sought for me until he found me. The Lord grant him to find mercy form the Lord in that Day! And you know better than I how many services he rendered in Ephesus.

as well as the persecutions and sufferings which befell me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You know all the persecutions I endured, and how the Lord delivered me out of them all!

and how from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Do your best to come to me speedily, for Demas has deserted me for love of this present world, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens is gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. read more. Luke only is with me. Pick up Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus; also my books, but especially my parchments. Alexander, the coppersmith, manifested bitter hostility toward me. The Lord will requite him according to his works. Be also on your guard against him, for he has violently opposed my arguments. At the time of my first defense no one stood by me; on the contrary they all deserted me??ay it not be laid to their charge!

At the time of my first defense no one stood by me; on the contrary they all deserted me??ay it not be laid to their charge! Nevertheless the Lord Jesus stood by me, and strengthened my heart, that through me full proclamation of the gospel might be made, and the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion's jaws. read more. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and will preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen! Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left behind me ill at Miletus. Do try to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brotherhood. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

for they upset whole households and, for filthy lucre's sake, teach what they ought not to teach.

so as to make them sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

In your teaching be serious and sincere.

Please also prepare for me a lodging, for I am hoping by your prayers to be restored to you again.