So [when] they had come together, they began asking him, saying, "Lord, [is it] at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

But he said to them, "It is not for you to know [the] times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.

And as they were staring into the sky [while] he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain that is called Olive Grove which is near Jerusalem, {a Sabbath day's journey away}.

because he was counted among us and received a share in this ministry."

And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.")

"For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,' and, 'Let another person take his position.'

Therefore it is necessary for [one] of the men who have accompanied us during all the time [in] which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

beginning from the baptism of John until the day [on] which he was taken up from us--one of these [men] must become a witness of his resurrection together with us."

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them [ability] to speak out.

And how do we hear, each one [of us], in {our own native language}?

Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing [in] Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

For these [men] are not drunk, as you assume, because it is the third hour of the day.

But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

"Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as [you] yourselves know--

For David says with reference to him, 'I saw the Lord before me {continually}, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.

"Men [and] brothers, it is possible to speak with confidence to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us until this day.

For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those [who are] far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself."

And Peter looked intently at him, together with John, [and] said, "Look at us!"

And [when he] saw [it], Peter replied to the people, "Men [and] Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as [if] by our own power or godliness we have made him walk?

And on the basis of faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith [that is] through him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.

This one is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become {the cornerstone}.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved."

saying, "What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them [is] evident to all those who live [in] Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny [it]!

But in order that it may not spread much [further] among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name {to anyone at all}."

But Peter and John answered [and] said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide!

[as] you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

and placing [them] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need.

So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality,

[When it] remained to you, did it not remain [yours]? And [when it] was sold, was it at your disposal? How [is it] that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!"

So Peter [said] to her, "How [is it] that it was agreed by you [two] to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband [are] at the door, and they will carry you out!"

Now the high priest rose up and all those [who were] with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), [and] they were filled with jealousy.

Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, [as to] what this might be.

saying, "{We strictly commanded} you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!"

But Peter and the apostles answered [and] said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men!

This one God has exalted to his right hand [as] Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel 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."

And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.

But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him.

Now in these days, [as] the disciples were increasing [in number], a complaint arose by the {Greek-speaking Jews} against the {Hebraic Jews} because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution [of food].

So the twelve summoned the community of disciples [and] said, "It is not desirable [that] we neglect the word of God to serve tables.

But some of those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen ({as it was called}), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up [and] disputed with Stephen.

For we have heard him saying that this Nazarene Jesus will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed down to us."

And [as they] looked intently at him, all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face [was] like the face of an angel.

And the high priest said, "Is it so concerning these [things]?"

and the nation {that} they will serve as slaves, I will judge,' God said, 'and after these [things] they will come out and will worship me in this place.'

"But as the time of the promise that God had made to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt

and [when] he was abandoned, the daughter of Pharaoh took him [up] and brought him [up] {as her own son}.

But the one who was doing wrong to [his] neighbor pushed him aside, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us?

And the Lord said to him, 'Untie the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

This Moses whom they had repudiated, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?'--this man God sent [as] both ruler and redeemer with {the help} of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

"This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.'

This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and who [with] our fathers received living oracles to give to us,

saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go on before us! For this Moses, who led us out from the land of Egypt--we do not know what has happened to him!'

But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, just as it is written in the book of the prophets: 'You did not bring offerings and sacrifices to me [for] forty years in the wilderness, [did you], house of Israel?

The tabernacle of the testimony {belonged} to our fathers in the wilderness, just as the one who spoke to Moses directed [him] to make it according to the design that he had seen,

But the Most High does not live in [houses] made by human hands, just as the prophet says,

'Heaven [is] my throne and earth [is] the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what [is the] place of my rest?

"[You] stiff-necked [people] and uncircumcised in hearts and in [your] ears! You constantly resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers [did], [so] also [do] you!

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand about the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become,

And they kept on stoning Stephen [as he] was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, [as] they heard [him] and saw the signs that he was performing.

They were all paying attention to {him}, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called 'Great.'"

But when they believed Philip [as he] was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized.

{You have no} part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.

Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Get up and go toward the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert [road].)

and was returning and sitting in his chariot, and reading aloud the prophet Isaiah.

So Philip ran up to [it] [and] heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet and said, "So then, do you understand what you are reading?"

Now the passage of scripture that he was reading aloud was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer [is] silent, so he did not open his mouth.

And as they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"

But Philip found himself at Azotus, and [as he] passed through, he proclaimed the good news [to] all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Now as [he] proceeded, it happened that [when] he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

And the Lord [said] to him, "Get up, go to the street called 'Straight' and in the house of Judas look for {a man named Saul from Tarsus}. For behold, he is praying,

But the Lord said to him, "Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.

And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: "This one is the Son of God!"

And all who heard [him] were amazed, and were saying, "Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem [on] those who call upon this name, and had come here for this [reason], that he could bring them tied up to the chief priests?"

But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus [by] proving that this one is the Christ.

Now it happened that [as] Peter was traveling through all [the places], [he] also came down to the saints who lived [in] Lydda.

And [because] Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, [when they] heard that Peter was in {Lydda}, sent two men to him, urging, "Do not delay to come to us!"

And he stared at him and became terrified [and] said, "What is [it], Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your charitable deeds have gone up for a memorial offering before God.

And now, send men to Joppa and summon a certain Simon, who is also called Peter.

This man is staying as a guest with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."

And the next day, [as] they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray [at] about the sixth hour.

Now while Peter was greatly perplexed within himself [as to] what the vision that he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having found the house of Simon by asking around, stood at the gate.

And they called out [and] asked if Simon who was also called Peter was staying there as a guest.

So Peter went down to the men [and] said, "Behold, I am [he] whom you are looking for! What [is] the reason for which you have come?"

So he invited them in [and] entertained them as guests, and on the next day he got up [and] went away with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

And [as he] conversed with him, he went in and found many [people] gathered.

And he said to them, "You know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or to approach a foreigner. And to me God has shown [that] I should call no man common or unclean.

Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon who is also called Peter. This man is staying as a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.

So Peter opened [his] mouth [and] said, "In truth I understand that God is not one who shows partiality,

but in every nation the one who fears him and who does what is right is acceptable to him.

[As for] the message that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ--this one is Lord of all--

not to all the people but to us who had been chosen beforehand by God [as] witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that this one is the one appointed by God [as] judge of the living and of the dead.

"Surely no one can withhold the water for these [people] to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did!"

[As I] looked intently into it, I was considering [it], and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild animals and the reptiles and the birds of the sky.

And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter,

And [as] I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as also on us at the beginning.