In my former treatise, I gave an account, O Theophilus, of all the actions and doctrine of Jesus, to the time of his assumption,

Being therefore in his presence, they asked him, saying, Lord, is this the time when you will restore again the kingdom to Israel?

but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.

After this discourse, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

but after he had purchased a field with the reward of his iniquity, he fell down, his belly burst, and all his bowels gushed out:

wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us,

saying, "thou Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show us which of these two thou hast chosen,

When the day of pentecost was come, they all met together with one accord.

when all of a sudden there came a sound from heaven, like that of an impetuous wind, which filled all the house where they were.

and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance.

now many devout Jews were residing at Jerusalem, who came from all quarters of the world.

struck with astonishment and admiration, they said to one another, are not these men who are speaking, all Galileans?

Cretes, and Arabians, we hear them all proclaiming in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

and they were all amazed, and perplex'd, saying one to another, what can the meaning of this be?

But Peter standing up with the eleven, and raising his voice, said to them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and observe what I say.

"it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams:

and on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy:

and I will shew prodigies in the heavens, and signs on the earth; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.

'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses.

therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

and all the people were allarm'd at the many prodigies and miracles which were done by the apostles.

All that believed were united together, and had all things in common,

praising God, and showing benevolence to all the people. and the Lord encreased the church daily with new converts.

all the people saw him walking and praising God.

As the lame man who was cured, held Peter and John, the people all in surprize ran to Solomon's porch, where they were.

it is the faith which we have in him, that has procured strength to this man whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

but thus it is that God has accomplished what he had foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer.

but must reside in heaven, till the time of the restitution of all things, of which God has spoken from the beginning by the mouth of his holy prophets.

and whoever he be that will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people."

afterwards Samuel and all that prophesied after him, have likewise foretold these times.

ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, when he said to Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed in your posterity."

it is to you that God first of all sent his son Jesus, having raised him up to bless you, provided you all renounce your iniquities.

While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadduces came upon them,

since we are this day to be examined about the cure of a cripple, and by what means he was recovered; be it known to you all,

and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you entirely recover'd.

saying, what shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

so when they had further threatned them, they let them go, not finding it practicable to punish them, because of the people, who all glorified God for that which was done.

As soon as they were discharg'd, they went to their brethren, and reported all that the chief priests and senators had said to them:

at the relation of which they unanimously lift up their voice to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God who hast made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is therein:

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled, trembled; they were all filled with the holy spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common.

Great was the power by which the apostles attested the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and they were all greatly favoured by the people.

was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God.

at these words Ananias fell down dead upon the spot: which struck the minds of all that heard of it with great dread.

which affected the whole assembly, and all that heard of it with great dread.

multitudes came likewise from the neighbouring cities to Jerusalem, bringing their sick, and those who were tormented with impure spirits: who were all cured.

Then the high priest, and all that accompanied him, who were of the sect of the Sadducees, being filled with indignation,

go, stand in the temple, and declare to the people, the whole doctrine of life.

when they heard that, they entred into the temple early in the morning, and taught. in the mean time, the high priest, and those of his party, being arrived at the council-chamber, summon'd all the Jewish senate to meet, and sent to the prison to bring the apostles before them.

when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time.

for some time ago one Theudas started up, pretending to be something extraordinary, who was join'd indeed by about four hundred men: but he was no sooner put to death, than his followers all dispers'd, and were reduc'd to nothing.

after this man, Judas of Galilee appear'd, at the time of the registry, and seduc'd many people: he also perished, and all his followers were dispersed.

my opinion therefore is, not to meddle with these men, but to let them go on: for if the design be a human project, it will fall of it self. but if it be from God,

the twelve therefore assembled all the disciples, and said, it is not fit that we should leave the word of God, to mind what relates to your meals.

this proposition pleased the whole assembly: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the holy spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.

and all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw an air of majesty in his aspect.

and the nation to whom they shall be in bondage, will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place."

he delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him wisdom to become acceptable to Pharaoh king of Egypt; who made him governor of Egypt, and all his houshold.

in the mean time a famine spread over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, so that our fathers did not know where to get provisions.

after this, Joseph sent to invite his father Jacob to come with all his kindred, being threescore and fifteen persons.

now while the time was approaching to accomplish what God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew numerous in Egypt,

this prince employ'd all his arts against our nation, and persecuted our fathers, by obliging them to expose their young children, in order to extirpate the race.

at length Moses was instructed in all the sciences of the Egyptians, and had great influence by his counsels and actions.

will you kill me as you kill'd the Egyptian yesterday? at these words Moses fled,

I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. come immediately, and I will send you into Egypt."

on the contrary, ye carried the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: wherefore I will transport you beyond Babylon."

and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

hath not my hand made all these things?"

then they broke out into a loud cry, and stopping their ears, fell upon him all at once.

Thus they stoned Stephen, while he was calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,

that they all followed him, both old and young. this man, said they, is the plenipotentiary of God.

then Philip enter'd upon the subject, and show'd how the whole passage was applicable to Jesus.

[and Philip said, if you believe with all your heart, you may. and he answered, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.]

but Philip was found at Azotus: and passing on, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.

the mean while the men who accompany'd him, remain'd astonish'd, hearing a voice, but seeing no one.

and is impower'd by the chief priests, to imprison all that make profession of thy name.

for I will make him see how much he must suffer for my name.

the audience were all amazed, and said, is not this he that persecuted the professors of this doctrine at Jerusalem, and came here on purpose to carry them prisoners to the chief priests?

A good while after, the Jews conspir'd to kill him:

the disciples took him by night, and let him down the wall in a basket.

when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he try'd to associate himself with the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and could not be persuaded that he was a disciple.

Then the churches in all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, were unmolested and establish'd, and by their religious conduct, and the assistance of the holy spirit, grew more extensive.

and all that dwelt at Lydda, and Saron, saw him, and became converts to the Lord.

At Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, that is in Greek, Dorcas: this woman was very active in all the offices of benevolence and charity.

Peter immediately went with them, and when he was come, they conducted him to the upper chamber: and all the widows advanc'd to him weeping, and shew'd the robes and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.

but Peter turn'd them all out, and kneeled down and prayed, then turning towards the body, Tabitha, said he, arise immediately. she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

this was soon spread thro' all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

and was a proselyte, together with all his family: he gave much alms to the people, and was assiduous in his prayers to God.

and after he had related to them the whole affair, he sent them to Joppa.

and being seiz'd with hunger, he would have had something to eat: but while they were making it ready, he fell into a trance,

in it were all sorts of quadrupeds, reptiles, and birds.

While Peter was perplexed about the signification of this vision, the messengers from Cornelius having enquir'd out Simon's house, arriv'd at the gate,

but Peter rais'd him, saying, stand up; I am but a man, as well as you.

then Cornelius said, it is now four days ago that I was fasting, and while I was at prayers in my house, about the ninth hour, a man in bright attire presented himself before me,

send therefore to Joppa, for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side, who, when he is arriv'd, will give you information."

immediately I sent to you; and you have done well to come. now here we are all in the presence of God, to hear whatever he has given you in charge.

this was what he communicated to the children of Israel, proclaiming salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all mankind.

you know, how his fame spread from Galilee through all Judea, after the baptism which John had preach'd: