The first narrative I made, O Theophilus, concerning all things that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

"Brethren, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake beforehand, through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who arrested Jesus;

and it became known to all those dwelling at Jerusalem; so that place was called, in their own language, Akeldama, that is, 'Field of blood.'

"It is needful, therefore, that one of these men??ho accompanied us all the time that the Lord went in and out among us,

to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place."

but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel:

And it shall be, that every one who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death; because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

For David says concerning Him, 'I beheld the Lord in my presence continually; because He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.

"Brethren! It is permitted to speak to you freely concerning the patriarch David, that he both died, and was buried; and his tomb is among us till this day;

being, therefore, a prophet, and knowing that with an oath God swore to him, that out of the fruit of his loins One should sit on his throne;

he, foreseeing it, spake concerning the resurrection of Christ, that neither was He left behind unto Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

"Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God made Him both Lord and Christ??his Jesus Whom ye crucified."

Those, therefore, who gladly received his word, were immersed; and there were added to them on that day about three thousand souls;

and they were recognizing him, that this was he who was wont to sit for alms, at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

but ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked that a man?? murderer??e granted to you;

"And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers;

but God thus fulfilled what He before announced through the mouth of all His prophets, that His Christ should suffer.

Repent ye, therefore, and turn, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

and that He may send forth Christ Jesus who had been before appointed for you;

And it shall be, that every soul that will not hearken to that Prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'

And it came to pass, the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem,

be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, in Him does this man stand here before you well!

This is the Stone That was set at naught by you, the builders, Which was made into a head of a corner.

And in no one else is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that has been given among men, in Which we must be saved."

Now, beholding the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered and ignorant men, they were wondering; they also were recognizing them, that they had been with Jesus;

saying, "What shall we do to these men? for, indeed, that a notable sign has been done through them is manifest to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it;

but, that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak no more to any man in This Name."

And, being released, they went to their own friends, and reported all that the high priests and the elders said to them.

by stretching forth Thy hand for healing; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Thy Holy Child Jesus."

And the heart and soul of the multitude of those who believed were one; and not even one was saying that any of the things belonging to him was his own, but they had all things common.

But Peter said, "Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart, that you should lie to the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the land?

Now it came to pass about three hours after, that his wife also, not knowing what had happened, came in;

But Peter said to her, "Why is it that it was agreed by you to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."

so that they even carried forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, in order that, as Peter might pass by, his shadow at least might overshadow some one of them.

for before these days arose Theudas, alleging that he himself was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were disbanded, and came to nothing.

And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to them, said, "It is not proper that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables;

for we have heard him say, that This Jesus, the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years.

But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first;

and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem.

The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive.

And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian.

And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not.

This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.

"Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen;

who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.'

And Saul was approving of his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the countries of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

and there was much joy in that city.

Now the apostles in Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John;

who, indeed, having come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

Now Simon, seeing that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, offered them money,

saying, "Give me also this authority, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

for I see that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."

And Simon answered and said, "Pray ye to the Lord in my behalf, that none of the things which ye have spoken may come upon me."

But an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south, on the way that leads down from Jerusalem to Gaza:" this is a wilderness.

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

asked from him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that, if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

And, as he was journeying, it came to pass, that he was drawing nigh to Damascus; and suddenly there flashed around him a light from Heaven;

And the Lord said to him, "Arise, go to the street that is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul of Tarsus; for, behold, he is praying;

and in a vision he saw a man, Ananias by name, coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive sight."

And Ananias went away, and entered into the house; and, laying his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent me??ven Jesus, Who appeared to you in the way in which you were coming, sent me, that you may receive sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

and straightway in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, that He is the Son of God.

And all who heard were astonished, and said, "Is not this he who destroyed, in Jerusalem, those calling upon this name, and had come here for this purpose, that he might bring them bound to the high priests?"

But Saul was being more empowered, and was confounding the Jews who were dwelling in Damascus; proving that this is the Christ.

but their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates also, both day and night, that they might kill him;

Now, having come to Jerusalem, he was trying to join himself to the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

But Barnabas, taking him, brought him to the apostles, and narrated to them how he saw the Lord in the way, and that He spake to him; and how, in Damascus, he spake boldly in the name of Jesus.

And it came to pass that Peter, going through all parts, came down also to the saints who were dwelling at Lydda.

And it came to pass in those days that she, having become sick, died; and, having washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.

And, Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent to him two men, entreating him, "Delay not to come to us!"

And it came to pass that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius, meeting him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him.

and he says to them, "Ye know that it is unlawful for a Jew to join himself with, or come to, one of another race; and yet God showed me that I should call no man common or unclean.

At once, therefore, I sent to you; and you did well, in coming. Now, therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things that have been commanded you by the Lord."

And Peter, opening his mouth, said, "Of a truth, I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons;

Ye know the word that came throughout all Judaea, after the immersion which John preached; even Jesus of Nazareth,

how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power; Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the Devil; because God was with Him.

And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to fully testify that it is He Who hath been ordained by God Judge of the living and dead.

To Him all the prophets testify, that through His Name every one who believes on Him receives remission of sins."

And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because that upon the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit;

"Can any one forbid the water, that these should not be immersed, who, indeed, received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"

And He commanded that they should be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain some days.

Now the apostles, and the brethren who were in Judaea, heard that the gentiles also received the word of God.

saying, that he went in to men holding uncircumcision, and ate with them!

If, therefore, God gave them the like gift, as to us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"

Those, therefore, who were dispersed by reason of the tribulation that arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none but Jews only.

who, having come, and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced, and was exhorting all that, with purpose of heart, they should cleave to the Lord;

and, having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that, even for a whole year, they met together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude; and that the disciples got the name "Christian" first in Antioch.

and one of them??gabus by name??tanding up, signified through the Spirit that there was about to be a great famine over all the inhabited earth; which, indeed, happened under Claudius.

Now about that time Herod the king put forth his bands to harm some of the assembly.

and, seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And then were the days of unleavened bread.

And, when Herod was about to bring him forth, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards before the door were keeping the prison.

And, going forth, he was following him; and he knew not that it was true, which was being done by the angel, but was thinking that he saw a vision.

And, having passed the first and second watch; they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and, going out, they passed on through one street, and straightway the angel departed from him.

And Peter, having come to himself, said, "Now I know truly that the Lord sent forth His angel, and delivered me out of Herod's hand, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

And, recognizing the voice of Peter, she opened not the gate for joy; but, running in, she told them that Peter was standing before the gate.

And they said to her, "You are mad!" But she kept confidently affirming that it was so. And they said, "It is his angel"

And Herod, having sought for him, and not finding him, having examined the guards, ordered that they be led away to death. And, going down from Judaea to Caesarea, he tarried there.

Now he was very angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians; and they came with one accord to him; and, having made Blastus, the king's chamberlain, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was being maintained by that of the king.