While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me;

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.

After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.

This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, Field of Blood).

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

Let his dwelling become desolate;
let no one live in it; and
Let someone else take his position.

“Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—

beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.

Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.

How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language?

Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.

On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know.

For David says of Him:

I saw the Lord ever before me;
because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

“Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.

Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us.”

While he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, greatly amazed, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade.

When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?

“And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did.

Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them,

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.

This Jesus is

the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone.

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;

and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed for each person’s basic needs.

Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement,

Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!”

As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

As the commander of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this.

“Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us!”

God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown;

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him.

Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.

Then some from what is called the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen.

For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

“Is this true?” the high priest asked.

He didn’t give him an inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, but He promised to give it to him as a possession, and to his descendants after him, even though he was childless.

I will judge the nation
that they will serve as slaves, God said.
After this, they will come out
and worship Me in this place.

“As the time was drawing near to fulfill the promise that God had made to Abraham, the people flourished and multiplied in Egypt

and when he was left outside, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted and raised him as her own son.

“As he was approaching the age of 40, he decided to visit his brothers, the Israelites.

“But the one who was mistreating his neighbor pushed him away, saying:

Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us?

When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he was approaching to look at it, the voice of the Lord came:

“Then the Lord said to him:

Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

“This Moses, whom they rejected when they said, Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?—this one God sent as a ruler and a redeemer by means of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

“This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brothers.

He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors. He received living oracles to give to us.

They told Aaron:

Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what’s happened to him.

Then God turned away and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:

House of Israel, did you bring Me offerings and sacrifices
40 years in the wilderness?

“Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern he had seen.

However, the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says:

Heaven is My throne,
and earth My footstool.
What sort of house will you build for Me?
says the Lord,
or what is My resting place?

“You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit; as your ancestors did, so do you.

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They even killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.

They were stoning Stephen as he called out: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”

The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing.

They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God!”

But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.

You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.

and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.

When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this:

He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb is silent before its shearer,
so He does not open His mouth.

In His humiliation justice was denied Him.
Who will describe His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.

The eunuch replied to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or another person?”

As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water! What would keep me from being baptized?”

[And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him.

“Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there.

But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites.

Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

But all who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man who, in Jerusalem, was destroying those who called on this name and then came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah.

As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. She was always doing good works and acts of charity.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.”

Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, lord?”

The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God.

Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter.

He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop about noon.

Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”

Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’

but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him.

He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.

not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

He commanded us to preach to the people and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

“Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter.

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning.

Therefore, if God gave them the same gift that He also gave to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?”

Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one except Jews.