He answered. "It is not for you to know times and occasions which the Father has fixed in his own authority;

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."

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, about a Sabbath Day's journey distant.

"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.

"For he was numbered among us, and he did get his allotted share of this ministry.

"For it is written in the Book of Psalms, Let his dwelling-place be desolate; Let no man dwell there, also, Let another take his work.

"It is necessary then that, of the men who have been associated with us during the whole time in which the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

from his baptism by John down to the day on which he was taken up from us, one should join us a witness to his resurrection."

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

"Then how is it that each one of us hears them speak his own mother tongue?

Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea, in Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,

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

"No, this is what the prophet Joel predicted.

"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;

For David says of him. "I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is at my right hand lest I be shaken.

"Therefore my heart is glad, my tongue exults, my very body also shall pitch its tent in hope.

"Men and brothers, I can speak plainly to you concerning the patriarch David, because he not only died and was buried, but his tomb is among us even to this very day.

Since he is by the mighty hand of God exalted, and has received from his Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this which you now see and hear.

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

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 his name, on the ground of faith in his name, has made strong this man, whom you now see and know; yes, the faith that is through him has made this man sound and strong again, in the presence of you all.

"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,

"For he is the Stone, cast aside by you builders, which has become the head stone of the corner.

"There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, in which we must be saved."

"What," said they, "shall we do with these men? For it is well known throughout Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it.

"But that the matter may spread no further among the people, let us threaten them not to speak to any one hereafter about this name."

But Peter and John said in reply. "Do you decide whether in the sight of God it is right to obey you rather than God;

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

And when they heard it they all lifted up their voices in prayer to God, saying. "O Sovereign Lord, who madest heaven and earth and sea, and all that in them is,

In this way Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement" is what it means), who was a native Cyprus,

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.

"We strictly forbade you, did we not, to teach about this Name, and here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

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

"And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

"but if it is from God, you cannot put it down; you may even find yourselves fighting against God."

Then the Twelve called the general body of the disciples together, and said to them. "It is not fitting for us to leave off preaching the Word of God, and minister at tables.

But certain men from the so-called "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and certain Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, Cilicians, and men from Roman Asia, started to dispute with Stephen,

They also set up false witnesses who testified. "This fellow is continually talking against the Holy Place and against the law.

"For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which were handed down to us by Moses."

"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.

"'And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them I will judge, said God, 'and after ward they shall come out, and they shall worship me in this place.

"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.

"But the man who was ill-treating his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, "'Who made you a magistrate and ruler over us?

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

"And the Lord said: "Take off your sandals, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

"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.

"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness along with the angel who spoke to him in Mt. Sinai, and with our ancestors to whom he gave living words to hand down to us.

"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.

"The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet; What kind of house will you build for me? saith the Lord. Or what resting-place shall I have?

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

"Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become??53 "you who received the law, given through angels, and obeyed it not."

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.

"You have no part or lot in this matter." Your heart is not right in the sight of God.

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.

So Philip ran up, and heard him reading Isaiah the Prophet, and said to him. "Do you understand what you are reading?"

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.

In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will declare his posterity? For his life is cut off from the earth.

"Pray," asked the eunuch of Philip, "of whom is the prophet speaking? Of himself, or of some one else?"

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 Philip said, "If you believe with your whole heart, you may." The eunuch answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

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

He is now praying, and has seen a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him to restore his sight."

"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.

His hearers were all astonished, and began to say. "Is not this the very man who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called upon the Name? Did he not come hither for the express purpose of carrying them all in chains to the high priests?"

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.

Among the disciples at Joppa was a woman named Tabitha??hich may be translated Dorcas or "Gazelle"?? woman whose life was full of good works and almsgiving, which she was doing continually.

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 stared at him in terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" "Your prayers and your alms have risen for a memorial before God," answered the angel;

"and now send men to Joppa and fetch one Simon, who is called Peter.

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

"Three men are now looking for you. Rise, go down and go with them, nothing doubting; for it is I who have sent them."

So Peter went down to the men and said: "I am the man you are looking for. What is the reason of your coming?"

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

To them he said: "You know, yourselves, that it is illegal for a Jew to associate with or to visit one of another nation; but God has taught me that I should not call any man common or unclean. For this reason, when sent for, I came without demur.

and said: "'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

"'So send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is lodging with Simon the tanner, in a house by the seaside.'

Then Peter began to speak. "Of a truth I begin to see quite plainly that God is no respecter of persons;

"but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

"You cannot but know the message which he sent to the descendants of Israel, when he preached the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all;

"not to all the people, but to witnesses??en previously chosen by God??hat is, to us, who ate and drank with him after he had risen from the dead;

"when he charged us to preach to the people, and to testify that this was he whom God ordained to be the judge of the living and of the dead.

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