I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

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

They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David spoke in advance about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

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).

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.”

to take the place in this apostolic service that Judas left to go to his own place.”

Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.

And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

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

And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

“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.

Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!”

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.

and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.

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

But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets—that His Messiah would suffer—He has fulfilled in this way.

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

And everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people.

You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, And all the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.

because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example.

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.

When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness,

Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.

For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

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!”

“Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the field for this price?”

“Yes,” she said, “for that price.”

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.

After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered.

Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name.

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.

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

And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

and said to him:

Get out of your country
and away from your relatives,
and come to the land
that I will show you.

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.

were carried back to Shechem, and were placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

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

He assumed his brothers would understand that God would give them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.

No, you took up the tent of Moloch
and the star of your god Rephan,
the images that you made to worship.
So I will deport you beyond Babylon!

Our ancestors in turn received it and with Joshua brought it in when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers, until the days of David.

He found favor in God’s sight and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

Saul agreed with putting him to death.

On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.

So there was great joy in that city.

A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great.

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.

When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had welcomed God’s message, they sent Peter and John to them.

After they went down there, they prayed for them, so the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

saying, “Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

“Please pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.)

The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”

So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.

[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.

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

Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

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.”

So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth.

While talking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there.

Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean.

That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask: Why did you send for me?”

Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,

You know the events that took place throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached:

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.

All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.”

The apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had welcomed God’s message also.

“I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a visionary state, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me.

At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were.

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.

Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the time of Claudius.

About that time King Herod cruelly attacked some who belonged to the church,

When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the days of Unleavened Bread.

So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what took place through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

After they passed the first and second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went outside and passed one street, and immediately the angel left him.

Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.”

She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gateway.

“You’re crazy!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true. Then they said, “It’s his angel!”

As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to.”

For the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers, since they did not recognize Him or the voices of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled their words by condemning Him.

When they had fulfilled all that had been written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and put Him in a tomb.

And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors.

Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you,

So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you:

Look, you scoffers,
marvel and vanish away,
because I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will never believe,
even if someone were to explain it to you.”

As they were leaving, the people begged that these matters be presented to them the following Sabbath.

Then Paul and Barnabas boldly said: “It was necessary that God’s message be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles!

The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them.

and heard Paul speaking. After observing him closely and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

“Men! Why are you doing these things? We are men also, with the same nature as you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.

After they had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch,