And great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard about these [things].

And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering {house after house}, he dragged off both men and women [and] delivered [them] to prison.

Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing [in numbers].

{And the report came to the attention} of the church that was in Jerusalem about them, and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch,

And [when he] found [him], he brought [him] to Antioch. And it happened to them also [that they] met together [for] a whole year with the church and taught a large number [of people]. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm [them].

Thus Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was fervently being made to God by the church for him.

Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church that was there: Barnabas, and Simeon (who was called Niger), and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

And [when they] had appointed elders for them in every church, [after] praying with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

And [when they] arrived and called the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.

So they were sent on their way by the church, [and] passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.

And [when they] arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them.

Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas--Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, men [who were] leaders among the brothers--

And [when he] arrived at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, [and] went down to Antioch.

And from Miletus he sent [word] to Ephesus [and] summoned the elders of the church.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has appointed you [as] overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he obtained through the blood of his own [Son].