One of the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had a reputation among all the people. He commanded to put the apostles outside for a while.

They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet. His name was Saul.

They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet. His name was Saul.

Saul agreed to his death. There was at that time a great persecution against the congregation at Jerusalem. All but the apostles were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest.

As he journeyed to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shined around him.

The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

The Lord said to him, Arise, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for he is praying.

The Lord said to him: Be on your way. This man is a chosen vessel to bear my name to the people of the nations, and kings and the children of Israel.

He preached in the synagogues immediately. He preached Christ the Son of God.

After many days the Jews took counsel to kill him.

Barnabas led him to the apostles. He declared to them how he had seen the Lord in The Way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

When the brothers detected this they brought him to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus.

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.

They sent it to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.

Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their mission. They took with them John, surnamed Mark.

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.

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.

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

They traveled the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they found Barjesus. He was a sorcerer, a false prophet and a Jew.

Then Paul stood up gestured with his hand and said: Men of Israel, and you who reverence God, listen.

They said: Sirs, why do you do these things? We are only men like you. We bring you good news. You should turn from these worthless things to the living God. He is the God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things.

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.

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. read more. 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. They wrote letters as follows: The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).

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.

Paul had a vision that night. In it he saw a Macedonian standing and pleading with him, Come over to Macedonia and help us!

From there we went inland to Philippi, a city of the first district of Macedonia. It is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there.

They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.

Paul said to them: They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison. Do they now throw us out privately? No I say, but let them come in person to bring us out.

Paul went in, for it was his custom. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures for three Sabbath days.

Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said: Men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious.

Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said: Men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious.

He was of the same trade as Paul. So he stayed with them and worked at their tentmaker trade.

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

I know all of you and have preached the kingdom with you. But you will not see me again.

I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or clothes.

But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people. The commander gave permission so Paul stood on the stairs, motioned to the people. When there was silence he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:

They heard him speak in the Hebrew tongue and became quiet. I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you.

The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.

Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute, he said to me. Everyone with me saw the light. They did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me.

I went back to Jerusalem. Then I have a vision while I prayed in the temple.

The Lord said: 'Go! I will send you far away to the people of the nations.'

When they tied him up to be whipped Paul said to the officer standing there, Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman citizen who has not been tried for a crime?

The commander said: I became one by paying a large amount of money. I am one by birth, Paul answered.

Paul looked straight at the Council and said: Fellow Israelites! My conscience is perfectly clear about the way in which I have lived before God to this very day.

When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.

When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.

Hearing about the ambush, Paul's sister's son entered the barracks and reported to Paul.

All the Jews know the way I first lived as a youth among my own nation at Jerusalem.

All the Jews know the way I first lived as a youth among my own nation at Jerusalem. They knew me from the beginning. They could testify that I was from the strictest sect of our religion and I lived as a Pharisee.

That I did in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the holy ones in prison. I received authority from the chief priests and gave the command to put them to death.

I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests.

I will rescue you from the people and the nations. I am sending you to them.

Paul rented a place to live for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to him.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed (set apart) for the good news of God,

Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, respecting his name.

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

What shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?

I could wish that I were accursed (separated) (banned) (excommunicated) from Christ for the good of (in behalf of) my countrymen and brothers (the Jews).

Brothers, my hearts desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation.

I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify (honor) (praise) (celebrate) my ministry.

And again he says: Rejoice, you nations, with his people. (Deuteronomy 32:43)

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the nations, ministering the good news of God, that the offering of these nations might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

When I take my journey to Spain, I will come to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and to be escorted on my way by you, after I have been satisfied with your company.

After I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come to you in Spain.

I wrote in a letter to you not to keep company with fornicators.

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

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

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

But I have used none of these rights! Neither have I written these things, that it should be done to me. It would be better for me to die, than that any man should make my reason for boasting void.

And last of all I also saw him, as of one with an untimely birth.

And last of all I also saw him, as of one with an untimely birth. I am the least of the apostles and do not deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the people of God.

We make known to you brothers the grace of God that has been given to the congregations of Macedonia.

When I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man. For the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will continue to do the same.

Of the Jews five times I received forty stripes less one.

The governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me.

I was given a painful physical ailment that will keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw. It acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud.

From Paul, who is an apostle not from men nor through men but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.

I did not receive it from man. I was not taught it! It came to me through revelation from Jesus Christ.

I advanced as a Jew beyond many of my own age among my countrymen. I was more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

I did not go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before I was. I went away to Arabia and again I returned to Damascus.

I did not go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before I was. I went away to Arabia and again I returned to Damascus.

I did not go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before I was. I went away to Arabia and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and waited with him fifteen days.

Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Fourteen years later I went again to Jerusalem with Barnabas. I took Titus with me also.

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news to people who are not circumcised. Just as Peter had been entrusted with the good news to the people who are circumcised.

When Cephas came to Antioch, I openly resisted him because he was completely wrong.

You know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the good news to you the first time.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens. You are fellow citizens with the holy ones and of the household of God.

To me, the very least of all the holy ones, was given grace (loving divine influence) to preach to the people of the nations the untraceable riches of Christ.

I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better.

Let your manner of life be worthy of the good news about Christ. Whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your conduct, that you stand fast in one spirit (common purpose) (mental disposition) (vital principle), with one mind striving together for the faith of the good news.

Have this attitude (mind-set) (understanding) (mental state) in you that was also in Christ Jesus.

I trust in the Lord that I also will come shortly.

I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Things that offered gain to me I count a loss for Christ.

You also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news, when I departed from Macedonia, no other congregation shared their money with me. Only you shared with me.

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

In him is concealed all the hidden treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge.

Masters, give your servants that which is just and equal. You know that you also have a Master in heaven.

For not only did the message about God go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing that we need to say. All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God,

For you know brothers that our coming to you was not in vein.

You may remember, brothers, our labor and hardship. We worked day and night that we would not burden any of you when we preached the good news of God to you.

You brothers became imitators of the congregations of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus. You also suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews.

We wanted to come to you. I, Paul, wanted to more than once and yet Satan hindered us.

When we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens.

I do not want you to be ignorant brothers, concerning those who are asleep (in death). You do not need to sorrow like others who have no hope. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. read more. We tell you this by God's Word, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep. For the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first. We that are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so will we ever be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words.

do not get upset right away or alarmed when someone claims that we said through some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of Jehovah has already come. (Isaiah 13:6) (Zephaniah 1:14) (2 Peter 3:10)

We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a mark in every letter; this is the way I write.

They will forbid marrying, [and command] to abstain from food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.

Do not drink water any longer, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your many infirmities.

O Timothy, guard that which is committed to you. Turn away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from opposition and from false knowledge.

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my forefathers did, that without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers, day and night.

I am mindful of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me his prisoner. Join me in suffering for the good news according to the power of God.

You know that all that are in Asia turned away from me. This includes Phygelus and Hermogenes. The Lord grants mercy to the house of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains. read more. When he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me. May the Lord grant him to find the mercy of God in that day, and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, you know very well.

and also persecutions and sufferings. The things that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. Out of them the Lord delivered me.

From childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Do your best to come to me shortly. For Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. read more. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark with you, for he is useful to me for ministering. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the books, parchments, and the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: God will render to him according to his works. You should also beware of him, for he intensely opposed our words. At first no one defended me. They all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

At first no one defended me. They all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the people of the nations might hear. I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion (Satan the Devil) (great danger) (1 Peter 5:8) (Psalm 22:21) (1 Thessalonians 2:18). read more. The Lord will deliver me from every evil work. He will save me to his heavenly kingdom. To him is the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila and the house of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit (mental disposition) (attitude). Grace be with you.

They must be stopped. Their mouths must be shut up, for they subvert entire households. They teach things that should not be taught, for the sake of dishonest gain.

not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

Be an example of good works in all things, showing no corruption in your doctrine.

Prepare a lodging for me. I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.