The number of them that believed in the Lord, both of men and women, grew more and more

insomuch that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets: that at the least way the shadow of Peter, when he came by, might shadow some of them.

Then the chief priest rose up, and all they that were with him: which is the sect of the Sadducees: and were full of indignation,

When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. The chief priest came and they that were with him and called a council together, and all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch them.

Then came one and showed them, "Behold, the men that ye put in prison stand in the temple, and teach the people."

saying, "Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and ye intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

When they heard that, they clave asunder, and sought means to slay them.

And to him they agreed, and called the apostles, and beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, "It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables.

And all that sat in the council looked steadfastly on him, and saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Then came he out of the land of Chaldea and dwelt in Haran. And after that, as soon as his father was dead, he brought him into this land, in which ye now dwell,

and he gave him none inheritance in it - no, not the breadth of a foot - But promised that he would give it to him to possess and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

God verily spake on this wise, that this seed should be a dweller in a strange land, and that they should keep them in bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

'But 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.'

Then came there a dearth over all the land of Egypt, and Canaan, and great affliction, that our fathers found no sustenance.

But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers first,

and were translated into Shechem, and were put in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for money of the sons of Hamor, at Shechem.

The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, and made them to cast out their young children, that they should not remain alive.

And when he saw one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged his quarrel that had the harm done to him, and smote the Egyptian.

For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hands should save them: but they understood not.

But he that did his neighbour wrong, thrust him away saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge among us?

Then fled Moses at that saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian; Where he begat two sons.

This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israel, 'A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear.'

This is he that was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. This man received the word of life to give unto us,

saying unto Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us. For we know not what is become of this Moses that brought us out of the land of Egypt.'

Then God turned himself, and gave them up, that they should worship the stars of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'O ye of the house of Israel: gave ye to me sacrifices and meat offerings by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

"Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed them, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen:

which found favour before God, and desired that he would faine have made a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

Howbeit, he that is highest of all dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet,

'Heaven is my seat, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build for me, saith the Lord? Or what place is it that I should rest in?

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them, which showed before of the coming of that Just, whom ye have betrayed and murdered.

Saul had pleasure in his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Jewry and Samaria, except the apostles.

Howbeit, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

And the people gave heed unto those things which Philip spake with one accord, in that they heard and saw the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed of them. And many taken with palsies, and many that halted, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city.

And there was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the same city, used witchcraft and bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he was a man that could do great things.

When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard say that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

which, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the holy ghost.

When Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands on them, the holy ghost was given: he offered them money, saying,

"Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I put the hands, he may receive the holy ghost."

Then said Peter unto him, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou wenest that the gift of God may be obtained with money.

Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness, and pray God that the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

For I perceive that thou art full of bitter gall, and wrapped in iniquity."

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

Then the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, "Arise and go towards midday unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is in the desert."

And he said, "How can I, except I had a guide?" And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Philip said unto him, "If thou believe with all thine heart, thou mayest." He answered, and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God."

And as soon as they were come out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; that the chamberlain saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing:

and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."

and here he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name."

Ananias went his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy ghost."

And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God.

All that heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Jerusalem? And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high priests?"

But Saul increased in strength; And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus affirming that this was very Christ.

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to couple himself with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple.

But when the brethren knew of that, they brought him to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

And it chanced that as Peter walked throughout all quarters, he came to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Sharon, saw him, and turned to the Lord.

And it chanced in those days that she was sick and died. When they had washed her and laid her in a chamber -

Because Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there - they sent unto him, desiring him that he would not be grieved to come unto them.

And it fortuned that he tarried many days in Joppa, with one Simon, a tanner.

a devout man, and one that feared God with all his household, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed God always.

When the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him,

But Peter said, "God forbid Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed that make thou not common."

And they said unto him, "Cornelius the captain, a just man and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the people of the Jews, was warned by a holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee."

And as he talked with him, he came in, and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, "Ye do know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to company or come unto an alien: But God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean:

Then sent I for thee immediately, and thou hast well done for to come. Now are we all here, present before God to hear all things that are commanded unto thee of God."

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive, that God is not partial:

but in all people, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Ye know the preaching that God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, which is Lord over all things;

How God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy ghost, and with power; which Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devils, for God was with him.

And he commanded unto us to preach unto the people and testify, that it is he that is ordained of God, a judge of quick and dead.

To him giveth all the prophets witness, that through his name all that believe in him shall receive remission of sins."

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the gentiles also was shed out the gift of the holy ghost.

"Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptised, which have received the holy ghost as well as we?"

And the Apostles and the brethren that were throughout Jewry heard say that the Heathen had also received the word of God.

And the spirit said unto me, that I should go with them, without doubting. Moreover the six brethren accompanied me. And we entered into the man's house.

Forasmuch then as God gave them like gifts, as he did unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ: what was I that I should have withstood God?"

They which were scattered abroad through the affliction that arose about Stephen, walked throughout till they came unto Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no man, but unto the Jews only.

Tidings of these things came unto the ears of the congregation, which was in Jerusalem; And they sent forth Barnabas that he should go unto Antioch.

Which when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad: and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would continually cleave unto the Lord.

and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it chanced that a whole year they had their conversation with the congregation there, and taught much people insomuch that the disciples of Antioch were the first that were called Christian.

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit, that there should be great dearth throughout all the world, which came to pass in the Emperor Claudius' days.

In that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the congregation.

and because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, and took Peter also. Then were the days of sweetbread.

And he came out, and followed him: and wist not that it was truth which was done by the angel; but thought he had seen a vision.

When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed through one street, and by and by the angel departed from him.

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of the Jews."

And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they, "It is his angel."

And now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind and not see the sun for a season." And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; And he went about, seeking them that should lead him by the hand.

When Paul, and they that were with him, had departed by ship from Paphos, they came to Perga a city of Pamphylia. And there departed John from them, and returned to Jerusalem.

Then Paul stood up and beckoned with the hand and said, "Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

And after that they desired a king, and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.