All of these with one mind continued earnest in prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

It was on one of these days that Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren--the entire number of persons present being about 120--and said,

And the brethren prayed, saying, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, show clearly which of these two Thou hast chosen

They were beside themselves with wonder, and exclaimed, "Are not all these speakers Galilaeans?

Yet we all alike hear these Galilaeans speaking in our own language about the wonderful things which God has done."

Stung to the heart by these words, they said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, "Brethren, what are we to do?"

"What are we to do with these men?" they asked one another; for the fact that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them is well known to every one in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck.

And we--and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him--are witnesses as to these things."

"Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men.

And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing.

These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they laid their hands upon them.

Then the High Priest asked him, "Are these statements true?"

As they listened to these words, they became infuriated and gnashed their teeth at him.

Then, rising on his knees, he cried aloud, "Lord, do not reckon this sin against them." And with these words he fell asleep.

While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the Message.

"Can any one forbid the use of water, and object to these persons being baptized--men who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?"

And the Spirit told me to accompany them without any misgivings. There also went with me these six brethren who are now present, and we reached the Centurion's house.

Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread.

We also are but men, with natures kindred to your own; and we bring you the Good News that you are to turn from these unreal things, to worship the ever-living God, the Creator of earth and sky and sea and of everything that is in them.

Even with words like these they had difficulty in preventing the thronging crowd from offering sacrifices to them.

Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was no little disagreement and controversy, until at last it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren should go up to consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem on this matter.

Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.'

For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--

You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell."

She kept following close behind Paul and the rest of us, crying aloud, "These men are the bondservants of the Most High God, and are proclaiming to you the way of salvation."

Then they brought them before the praetors. "These men," they said, "are creating a great disturbance in our city.

But, failing to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the other brethren before the magistrates of the city, loudly accusing them. "These men," they said, "who have raised a tumult throughout the Empire, have come here also.

Great was the excitement among the crowd, and among the magistrates of the city, when they heard these charges.

But since these are questions about words and names and your Law, you yourselves must see to them. I refuse to be a judge in such matters."

These facts, then, being unquestioned, it becomes you to maintain your self-control and not act recklessly.

For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.

With these words he dismissed the assembly.

These brethren had gone on and were waiting for us in the Troad.

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided for my own necessities and for the people with me.

As soon as we heard these words, both we and the brethren at Caesarea entreated Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Associate with these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses so that they can shave their heads. Then everybody will know that there is no truth in these stories about you, but that in your own actions you yourself scrupulously obey the Law.

These words of his caused an angry dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly took different sides.

He also wrote a letter of which these were the contents:

The Jews also joined in the charge, maintaining that these were facts.

While I was busy about these, they found me in the Temple purified, with no crowd around me and no uproar; but there were certain Jews from the province of Asia.

Or let these men themselves say what misdemeanour they found me guilty of when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?"

If, however, I have done wrong and have committed any offence for which I deserve to die, I do not ask to be excused that penalty. But if there is no truth in what these men allege against me, no one has the right to give me up to them as a favour. I appeal to Caesar."

I was at a loss how to investigate such questions, and asked Paul whether he would care to go to Jerusalem and there stand his trial on these matters.

For the King, to whom I speak freely, knows about these matters. I am not to be persuaded that any detail of them has escaped his notice; for these things have not been done in a corner.

"My prayer to God, whether briefly or at length," replied Paul, "would be that not only you but all who are my hearers to-day, might become such as I am--except these chains."

But Paul, addressing Julius and the soldiers, said, "Your lives will be sacrificed, unless these men remain on board."

For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."