(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Now when Simon saw that through the placing of the apostles' hands [on people] the Holy Spirit was given [Note: The fact that Simon "saw" something happen suggests it was supernatural and therefore highly desirable by Simon], he offered to pay them money [for this power],

But Peter said to him, “May your money be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift of God with money!

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Let your heart be changed, and make prayer to God that you may have forgiveness for your evil thoughts.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

He was returning [to his home in Ethiopia] and was sitting in his chariot [Note: Chariots were stopped on long journeys occasionally for resting, eating, reading, etc.] reading [a scroll of] the prophet Isaiah.

And he said, “Well, how could I [understand] unless someone guides me [correctly]?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The passage of the scripture which he was reading, was this: As a sheep for the slaughter was he led; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so opened he not his mouth

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And he gave orders for the carriage to be stopped, and the two of them went down into the water, and Philip gave him baptism.

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the disciples of the Lord,

[and] asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring [them] tied up to Jerusalem.

And on going, it came to pass for him to approach Damascus. And suddenly there shone around him a light out of heaven.

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

for behold he is praying, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hand upon him, that he might recover his sight.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

and he took some food and was strengthened.

For several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus.

He lost no time in preaching throughout the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God ??21 to the amazement of all his hearers, who said, "Is this not the man who in Jerusalem harried those who invoke this Name, the man who came here for the express purpose of carrying them all in chains to the high priests?"

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that Jesus is the Christ.

but he found out about their plan. And so they watched the gates [of the city] day and night [looking for their chance] to kill him.

When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.

But Barnabas took him to the Apostles and gave them an account of how he had seen the Lord on the road, and had given hearing to his words, and how at Damascus he had been preaching in the name of Jesus without fear.

Preaching in the name of the Lord without fear; and he had discussions with the Greek Jews; but they were working for his death.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus, the Christ, heals thee: rise up, and make thy couch for thyself. And straightway he rose up.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was known for her good actions and acts of charity that she was always doing.

When the disciples heard that Peter was at Lydda (for Joppa is not far from Lydda), they sent two men to beg him to "Come on to us without delay."

And he took her hand, lifting her up; and, sending for the saints and widows, he gave her to them, living.

And so it was that Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.

devout and fearing God together with all his household, doing many charitable deeds for the people and praying to God {continually}.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

AM if calculating by Roman time], to the top of the house to pray [Note: The roofs of houses were flat areas, often used for resting, meals, prayer, etc.].

And when the angel who said these words to him had gone away, he sent for two of his house-servants, and a God-fearing man of the army, one of those who were waiting on him at all times;

Now the day after, when they were on their journey and were near the town, Peter went up to the top of the house for prayer, about the sixth hour:

He had become unusually hungry and wished for food; but, while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance.

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

in which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven,

And a voice came to him, saying, Come, Peter; take them for food.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice [came] again to him for the second time: "[The things] which God has made clean, you must not consider unclean!"

And this was for thrice: and again was the vessel taken up into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

While Peter was thoughtfully considering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Now listen, three men are looking for you.

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

And Peter going down to the men said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging [for the night].

The next day Peter got up and left with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And when it came about for Peter to enter, Cornelius, having met him, after falling down at his feet, worshiped.

But Peter, lifting him up, said, Get up, for I am a man as you are.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

send, therefore, to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; this one doth lodge in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who having come, shall speak to thee;

So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to listen to everything that you have been instructed by the Lord [to say].”

but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by 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--

you know how it spread over the whole of Judaea, starting from Galilee after the baptism preached by John ??38 how God consecrated Jesus of Nazaret with the holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and curing all who were harassed by the devil; for God was with him.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

As for what he did in the land of the Jews and of Jerusalem, we can testify to that. They slew him by hanging him on a gibbet,

However, God raised Him up the third day and made it possible for Him to appear [following His resurrection],

Not unto all the people, but unto witnesses who had been fore-appointed by God, unto us, who, indeed, did eat and drink with him after his rising from among the dead.

To him all the prophets testify, for all believing on him to receive remission of sins through his name.

All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

“Can anyone refuse water for these people to be baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”

And he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay there for a few days.

for having visited and eaten with men who were not Jews.

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

at which having looked stedfastly, I was considering, and I saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of heaven;

And a voice came to my ears saying, Come, Peter; take them for food.

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

But the voice replied from heaven for the second time, '[The things] which God has made clean, you must not consider unclean!'

And this was for thrice: and again all was drawn up into heaven.

And behold, immediately three men came to the house in which I was, being sent for me from Caesarea.

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

For he will tell you truths, which will prove the means of Salvation to you and all your household.'

If therefore the like free-gift God gave unto them, as even unto us, when we had believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who was, I, that could withstand God?

And having heard these, they were silent, and honoured God, saying, For also God gave the nations repentance to life.

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

and the disciples, according as any one was prospering, determined each of them to send for ministration to the brethren dwelling in Judea,

And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also,??nd it was during the days of unleavened bread,??4 and having seized he put him in prison, committing him to four companies of four soldiers each to guard him, wishing after the passover to bring him before the people.

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.