So, when they came together, they began to ask him, "Master, are you at this time about to restore the kingdom of Israel?"

While they were gazing into the sky as he was going up, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them,

and they said: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into the sky will come back in just the same way as you have seen him going into the sky."

"Men and brothers, it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit uttered beforehand by the lips of David in regard to Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.

and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

"These men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only nine o'clock in the morning.

"Men of Israel, listen to these words. Jesus the Nazarene, a man accredited to you by God, through mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, as you yourselves know;

They would sell their lands and other property, and distribute the proceeds among all, just as any one from time had need.

when a man lame from his birth was carried along, who was wont to be laid each day near the gate of the Temple called the Beautiful Gate, to ask alms of those who were going into the Temple.

Peter fixed his eyes upon him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."

While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people crowded awe-struck around them, in what was known as Solomon's Portico.

When he saw this, Peter said to the people. "Men of Israel, why are you wondering at this? Why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made this man to walk?

"but you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a favor the release of a murderer.

"And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

"Moses, for example, said: "The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet for you from among your brothers, as he raised up me; you must listen to whatever he may tell you;

"Rulers and elders of the people, if we are being examined today concerning a benefit conferred upon a cripple, as to how has this man been cured,

As soon as the apostles were released, they went to their friends, and told what the high priests and elders had said.

As Ananias heard these words he fell down and expired, and all who heard were awe-struck.

In consequence people would even bring out their sick into the streets, and place them upon beds and pallets as Peter was passing, that at least his shadow might fall upon some of them.

"Him God has exalted at his right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.

"But he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not a single square yard of ground; yet he promised to bestow the land as a permanent possession on him and his posterity??e at that time being childless.

"but as the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise which God made to Abraham, the people multiplied and increased in Egypt;

"When he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and brought him up as her own son.

"'Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'

"This Moses whom they refused when they said, Who made you to be a ruler and a judge? that same Moses we find God sending as a ruler and a redeemer by the hand in the bush.

"It was this Moses who said to the Children of Israel, "God will raise up a Prophet for you from among your brothers, as he did me.

"Said they to Aaron. "Make Gods for us who shall march in front of us! As for this Moses who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has happened to him.

"So God turned from them, and gave them up to the worship of the heavenly host, as it is written in the book of the Prophets. "Did you offer unto me slain beasts as sacrifices during the forty years in the wilderness, O House of Israel?

"In the wilderness our ancestors had the Tabernacle of Testimony built, as he appointed who told Moses to make it according to the pattern he had seen.

"Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as said the prophet.

"Stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Ghost! As your fathers did, so do you.

As they heard these words they became furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

Many from all classes would give heed to him, declaring, "This man is the Power of God, known as the Great Power."

And Simon himself also believed, and after his baptism he remained with Philip, and was full of amazement as he beheld the signs and striking miracles which were performed.

So the apostles, after bearing solemn witness, and declaring the message of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, evangelizing many Samaritan villages as they went.

Was now on his way home, and was reading the Prophet Isaiah as he sat in his chariot.

Now the portion of Scripture which he was reading was as follows. He was led a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is dumb, So he opened not his mouth.

And as they were going on their way they came to a certain water, and the eunuch said: "See, here is water! What hinders my being baptized?"

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

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

Now throughout the whole of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria the Church continued to enjoy peace and to be spiritually built up. It was increasing in members also, as it kept walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Now Peter, as he was going from town to town, came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda.

She, as it happened, was taken ill just at that time, and died. After washing her body, they laid it in an upper room.

And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the entreaty, "Delay not to come to us."

"He is staying as a guest with Simon, a tanner, whose house is near the sea."

And as he talked with him, he went in and found a large company assembled.

"I ask therefore why you sent for me."

Then Peter said, "Can any one refuse water for the baptism of these men who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"

"And," said Peter, "as soon as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as he fell upon us at the beginning.

"So if God gave them the same gift as he gave to us, when we first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"

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.

When news of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch.

When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter.

And as they were worshiping the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

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,

"and when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years.

"how that God fulfilled it for us their children in raising up Jesus; as it is also written in the second Psalm, "Thou art my son, today have I become thy Father.

"And as to his having raised him from among the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has said this, "I will give thee the holy and sure blessings of David.

As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue, the people earnestly begged that these words might be repeated to them on the following Sabbath.

As for the disciples, they were continually filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

But as the disciples collected around him, he rose and went back into the city. The next day he went off with Barnabas into Derbe;

"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;

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.

"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;

And as they went on their way through the cities they handed them the resolutions which the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem had ordained for them to keep.

When they got as far as Mysia, they attempted to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit it;

Now as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain slave girl met us, who had a spirit of divination, and who brought her masters great gain by fortune-telling.

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

Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him, as well as to all who were in his house.

As soon as the Jews in Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea also, they came there, and stirred up and troubled the crowds.

Those who were caring for Paul brought him as far as Athens, and there left him, with instructions to Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed.

"For as I was passing along and observing your objects of worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What you are worshiping in ignorance, this I am proclaiming to you.

"neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all life and breath and all things.

"for in him we live and move and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, "'For we also are his offspring.'

inasmuch as he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world justly, by the Man whom he has ordained, and he has given proof of all this by raising him from the dead."

But as they opposed him and abused him, he shook out his garments in protest, and said: "Your blood be upon your own hands. I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

but as these are merely questions about words and names and your own law, you yourselves must see to it. I am not willing to be a judge of these matters."

And Paul after remaining in Corinth some time longer, took leave of the brothers, and sailed away to Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. As Paul was under a vow, he had his head shaved at Cenchrea.

but said, as he took leave of them, "I will return again to you, if God will."

This went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia heard the Lord's message, Jews as well as Greeks.

Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia.

There accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, so as not to spend time in Asia, for he was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if it were possible, by the day of Pentecost.

But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God.

As soon as we heard these words, both we and those who were standing near entreated Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

"As for the Gentile believers, we wrote giving judgment that they should abstain from anything sacrificed to an idol, from blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication."

Just as he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the tribune, "May I speak to you?"

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.

"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.

"And as I was seeing nothing for the glory of the light, I was led by the hand of my companions, and so came into Damascus.

The next day, as he wished to learn the real reason why the Jews accused Paul, he unbound him, and commanded the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to come together, and brought Paul down, and placed him before them.

And the following night the Lord stood by him and said: "Be of good courage; for as you have borne faithful witness concerning me at Jerusalem, so you must testify at Rome also."

"Now do you and the Sanhedrin ask the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you would judge his case more exactly; and we are ready to kill him, before he comes near the place."

"The Jews," he answered, "have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow to the Sanhedrin, as though they wish to examine his case in detail.

Then he called two centurions to him and said: "Get ready by nine o'clock tonight two hundred infantry to march as far as Caesarea, and also seventy troopers and two hundred spearmen."

He further ordered them to provide horses on which to mount Paul, so as to bring him safely to Felix, the governor.

"This man Paul had been seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with the troops, and rescued him, as I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.

So the soldiers took Paul, as they were bid, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

So Paul was sent for, and then Tertullus began to accuse him, saying. "As it is owing to your excellency that we enjoy profound peace, and that the state of this nation,

And as he reasoned about morality, self-control, and the future judgment, Felix was terrified, and said, "For the present go on your way, and when I find a convenient season, I will send for you."