THE ACTS
of the Apostles
Author
The Book of Acts does not specifically mention its author, but many indicators point to Luke, “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14). The author was the same person as the one who wrote the Third Gospel (1:1, 2). He was a close associate of Paul, as indicated in the “we” sections of the book. The writer was a man of culture, as indicated by his literary style; he had a universal outlook; and he revealed an interest in medical matters. In addition, church tradition uniformly declares that Luke was the author of Acts. Therefore, the bulk of the evidence, both external and internal, supports Luke as the author.
Date
Luke tells the story of the early church within the framework of geographical, political, and historical details that could only fit in the first century. For example, Luke’s use of regional Roman governmental titles, which only someone living at the time could know precisely, suggests that the book was probably written within its actual time frame. Furthermore, there is no mention of the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and Nero’s persecution of the Christians, which began about A.D. 64. Therefore, because of these facts, and because the book does not record the death of Paul but leaves him a prisoner in Rome, it is logical to date the writing of Acts near the end of the apostle’s imprisonment there in about A.D. 62.
Content
Acts is a sequel to the life of Christ in the Gospels, and it records the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome. It is the initiation of Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18–20; Luke 24:46–49).
Acts 1:8 is the key to the book. Not only does this verse predict the outpouring of the Spirit and its powerful witness, but the geographical references present a simple outline of the narrative. In general, Acts relates the step-by-step expansion of Christianity westward from Palestine to Italy. The book thus begins in Jerusalem (chs. 1—7), with Peter assuming the major role and Jews as the recipients of the gospel.
Following the death of Stephen (7:60—8:1), widespread persecution broke out against the church, and believers scattered, sowing the seed of the gospel in Samaria and among the Gentiles (chs. 8—12). During this period of history the conversion of Saul occurred (ch. 9), an event of such importance that Luke includes three long descriptions of the incident (chs. 9; 22; 26).
The longest section of Acts focuses on the development and expansion of the Gentile ministry directed by Paul and his associates (chs. 13—28). It concludes with Paul’s arrival in Rome, capital of the empire and representative of “the end of the earth.” The book ends rather abruptly, because in all likelihood, Luke had brought the matter up-to-date, and there was no more to write.
Purpose
The key to the purpose of Acts is in the first verse, where Luke implies that the book is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel told what “Jesus began both to do and teach,” and Acts tells what the risen Lord continues to do and teach through the Holy Spirit.
Personal Application
Acts is a record of practicing Christianity under the power of the Holy Spirit. It teaches believers how to live together in meaningful Christian fellowship, sharing freely with one another (2:42; 4:32–35).
Conversely, Acts also shows that Christians inevitably will have disagreements (6:1; 11:1–3; 15:2, 7; 15:36–39), but that God gives wisdom and grace to settle differences (15:12–22). Even though the early church had its share of strong personalities, there was still a willingness to listen and to submit to one another (15:6–14).
Probably the most prominent characteristic of the early Christians was their spiritual power. They fasted and prayed fervently (2:42; 6:4; 13:3), and their faith released the miracle-working power of God (3:16). Acts is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Signs followed those who believed! See Mark 16:17, 18.
Christ Revealed
The Book of Acts records several examples of the early apostolic proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the pattern is consistent. First, Jesus is presented as a historical figure, a man empowered to perform signs and wonders (2:22; 10:38). Next, the death of Jesus is attributed equally to the wickedness of men and to the purpose of God. On the one hand, the Jews had “crucified” Him “by lawless hands” (2:23; see 3:13–15; 4:10; 5:30; 7:52; 10:39; 13:28). On the other hand, Jesus had been “delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God” (2:23; see 17:3). Then the resurrection of Jesus is emphasized, particularly as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and as God’s reversal of men’s verdict on Jesus (1:3; 2:24–32; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40, 41; 13:30–37; 17:31). The apostles declare that Jesus has been exalted to a position of unique and universal dominion (2:33–36; 3:21; 5:31). From that place of supreme honor and executive power Jesus had poured out the promised Holy Spirit (2:33), who bears witness to Him (5:32) and empowers believers (1:8). Jesus has been “ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead” (10:42) and will return in triumph at the end of the age (1:11). Meanwhile, those who believe in Him will receive forgiveness of sins (2:21; 3:19; 4:12; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38, 39) and “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (2:38). Those who do not believe in Him are destined for terrible things (3:23).
The Holy Spirit at Work
The power of the Holy Spirit through the church is the most striking feature in Acts. The book has even been called The Acts of the Holy Spirit. The work of the Spirit in Acts, however, cannot be understood without seeing the relationship between Acts and the Gospels, which demonstrates an essential continuity. Both the public ministry of Jesus in the Gospels and the public ministry of the church in Acts begin with a life-changing encounter with the Spirit; both are essential accounts of the results of that event.
The power of the Spirit in Jesus’ life authorized Him to preach the kingdom of God and to demonstrate kingdom power by healing the sick, casting out demons, and setting the captives free (Luke 4:14–19; Matt. 4:23). The same Spirit power in Acts 2 gave the same authority to the disciples. Jesus is the prototype of the Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life (10:38). The Book of Acts is the story of the disciples receiving what Jesus received in order to do what Jesus did.
Luke’s terminology in describing people’s experience with the Holy Spirit in Acts is fluid. He is more interested in conveying a relational dynamic than in delineating a precisely worded theology. He notes that people were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4; 9:17), that “they received the Holy Spirit” (8:17), that “the Holy Spirit fell upon [them]” (10:44), that “the Holy Spirit had been poured out on [them]” (10:45), and that “the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 19:6). These are all then essential equivalents of Jesus’ promise that the church would “be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (1:5; see especially its immediate fulfillment in 2:4, which Luke describes as a filling).
Three of these five instances record specific special manifestations of the Spirit in which the people themselves participated. Those on the Day of Pentecost and the Gentiles of Cornelius’s house spoke with other tongues (2:4; 10:46); the Ephesians “spoke with tongues and prophesied” (19:6). Although it is not specified, it is generally agreed that there was also some type of manifestation in which the Samaritans participated because Luke says that “when Simon saw that…the Holy Spirit was given” (8:18).
Outline of Acts
Prologue 1:1–14
I. Preface 1:1–3
II. The promise of the Holy Spirit 1:4–8
III. The ascension of Christ 1:9–11
IV. The Upper Room prayer meeting 1:12–14
Part One: Peter and the ministry of the Jewish church in Jerusalem 1:15—12:24
I. The selection of Matthias as the twelfth apostle 1:15–26
II. The Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit 2:1–47
A. The outpouring of the Spirit 2:1–4
B. The crowd’s confused response 2:5–13
C. Peter’s explanatory sermon 2:14–39
D. The new church after Pentecost 2:40–47
III. The healing of the lame man 3:1—4:31
A. The healing miracle 3:1–10
B. Peter’s explanatory sermon 3:11–26
C. The arrest of Peter and John 4:1–4
D. Peter’s defense before the Sanhedrin 4:5–12
E. The Sanhedrin’s response 4:13–22
F. Thanksgiving for the apostles’ release 4:23–31
IV. Apostolic authority in the early church 4:32—5:42
A. Oversight of charitable gifts 4:32–37
B. Judgment of sin: Ananias and Sapphira 5:1–11
C. Healings and miracles 5:12–16
D. Powerlessness of the opposition 5:17–42
1. Supernatural release from prison 5:17–21
2. The boldness of the apostles 5:22–32
3. The counsel of Gamaliel to release the apostles 5:33–42
V. The ministry of Stephen 6:1—7:60
A. His selection as one of the seven deacons 6:1–7
B. His power, ministry, and arrest 6:8–15
C. His defense before the Sanhedrin 7:1–53
D. His martyrdom 7:54–60
VI. The first ministry to non-Jews 8:1–40
A. To the Samaritans (Philip and Peter) 8:1–25
B. To the Ethiopian (Philip) 8:26–40
VII. The conversion of Saul 9:1–31
VIII. Aeneas and Dorcas healed through Peter’s ministry 9:32–43
IX. The story of Cornelius 10:1—11:18
A. Cornelius and his house come to Christ 10:1–48
B. Peter defends his witness to the Gentiles 11:1–18
X. The witness of the early church 11:19—12:24
A. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch 11:19–30
B. Peter’s miraculous escape from Herod’s prison 12:1–24
Part Two: Paul and the international outreach of the church at Antioch 12:25—28:31
I. Paul’s first missionary journey 12:25—14:28
A. Paul’s apostolic commission 12:25—13:3
B. Exorcism on Cyprus 13:4–12
C. Preaching and revival at Antioch in Pisidia 13:13–50
D. Signs and wonders at Iconium 13:51—14:5
E. Healing and stoning at Lystra 14:6–20
F. Follow-up ministry and return to Antioch 14:21–28
II. The Council at Jerusalem to discuss law and grace 15:1–35
III. Paul’s second missionary journey 15:36—18:22
A. Paul and Barnabas divide over Mark 15:36–41
B. Follow-up ministry with Timothy 16:1–5
C. The vision to evangelize Greece 16:6–10
D. Baptism of Lydia at Philippi 16:11–15
E. Imprisonment at Philippi 16:16–40
F. Riot at Thessalonica 17:1–9
G. Openness to the Word in Berea 17:10–15
H. Philosophizing in Athens 17:16–34
I. One and a half years in Corinth 18:1–17
J. Return to Antioch 18:18–22
IV. Paul’s third missionary journey 18:23—21:14
A. Ministry, miracles, and rioting in Ephesus 18:23—19:41
B. Journeys in Greece 20:1–6
C. Paul’s all-night sermon in Troas 20:7–12
D. From Troas to Miletus and Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders 20:13–38
E. Paul is warned about Jerusalem in Tyre and by Agabus in Caesarea 21:1–14
V. Paul’s journey to Rome through Jerusalem 21:15—28:31
A. Paul returns to Jerusalem 21:15—23:35
1. Paul’s return and arrest 21:15–36
2. Paul’s defense before the Jerusalem mob 21:37—22:29
3. Paul’s defense before the Sanhedrin 22:30—23:10
4. The plot to kill Paul 23:11–35
B. Paul’s defense before Felix 24:1–27
C. Paul’s defense before Festus and Agrippa 25:1—26:32
D. The voyage to Rome 27:1—28:31
Prologue
1
1 THE former account I made, O aTheophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 auntil the day in which 1He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit bhad given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3 ato whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many 1infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit Promised
4 aAnd being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the *Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have bheard from Me;
5 a“for John truly baptized with water, bbut you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 And He said to them, a“It is not for you to bknow times or *seasons which the Father has put in His own *authority.
8 a“But you shall receive power bwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and cyou shall be 1witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and dSamaria, and to the eend of the earth.”
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
9 aNow when He had spoken these things, while they watched, bHe was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them ain white apparel,
11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into *heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, awill so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The Upper Room Prayer Meeting
12 aThen they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they had entered, they went up ainto the upper room where they were staying: bPeter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and cSimon the Zealot; and dJudas the son of James.
14 aThese all continued *with one 1accord in prayer 2and supplication, with bthe women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with cHis brothers.
Matthias Chosen
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the 1disciples (altogether the number aof names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16 “Men and brethren, this *Scripture had to be fulfilled, awhich the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, bwho became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 “for ahe was numbered with us and obtained a part in bthis ministry.”
18 a(Now this man purchased a field with bthe 1wages* of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his 2entrails gushed out.
19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
a‘Let his dwelling place be 1desolate,
And let no one live in it’;
and,
b‘Let another take his 2office’.
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 “beginning from the *baptism of John to that day when aHe was taken up from us, one of these must bbecome a *witness with us of His *resurrection.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called aBarsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, awho know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
25 a“to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven *apostles.
Coming of the Holy Spirit
2
1 When athe Day of Pentecost had fully come, bthey were all 1with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from *heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and ait filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them 1divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And athey were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began bto speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Crowd’s Response
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, adevout men, from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the amultitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak aGalileans?
8 “And how is it that we hear, each in our own 1language in which we were born?
9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and aCappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 “Cretans and 1Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
Peter’s Sermon
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15 “For these are not drunk, as you suppose, asince it is only 1the third hour of the day.
16 “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘Anda it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
bThat I will pour out of My Spirit on all *flesh;
Your sons and cyour daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
aAnd they shall prophesy.
19 aI will show *wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 aThe sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass
That awhoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be *saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: *Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you aby miracles, wonders, and *signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 “Him, abeing delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, byou 1have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 a“whom God raised up, having 1loosed the 2pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
25 “For David says concerning Him:
a‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see acorruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you aof the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 “Therefore, being a prophet, aand knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, 1according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the *Christ, athat His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 a“This Jesus God has raised up, bof which we are all witnesses.
33 “Therefore abeing exalted 1to bthe right hand of God, and chaving received from the Father the *promise of the Holy Spirit, He dpoured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
a‘The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, athey were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, a“Repent,* and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the 1remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is to you and ato your children, and bto all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
A Vital Church Grows
40 And with many *other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this 1perverse generation.”
41 Then those who 1gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand *souls were added to them.
42 aAnd they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ 1doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then *fear came upon every soul, and amany wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and ahad all things in common,
45 and 1sold their possessions and goods, and adivided2 them among all, as anyone had need.
46 aSo continuing daily *with one accord bin the temple, and cbreaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And athe Lord added 1to the *church daily those who were being saved.
A Lame Man Healed
3
1 Now Peter and John went up together ato the temple at the hour of prayer, bthe ninth hour.
2 And aa certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, bto 1ask* alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: aIn the *name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, aleaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
9 aAnd all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they knew that it was he who asat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Preaching in Solomon’s Portico
11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch awhich is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.
12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
13 a“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, bglorified His Servant Jesus, whom you cdelivered* up and ddenied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14 “But you denied athe Holy One band the *Just, and casked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 “and killed the 1Prince of life, awhom God raised from the dead, bof which we are witnesses.
16 a“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that ayou did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 “But athose things which God foretold bby the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
19 a“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be *blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 “and that He may send 1Jesus Christ, who was 2preached to you before,
21 a“whom heaven must receive until the times of brestoration of all things, cwhich God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since 1the world began.
22 “For Moses truly said to the fathers, a‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
23 ‘And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’
24 “Yes, and aall the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also 1foretold these days.
25 a“You are sons of the prophets, and of the *covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, b‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
26 “To you afirst, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to *bless you, bin turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
Peter and John Arrested
4
1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the aSadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
4 However, many of those who heard the *word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Addressing the Sanhedrin
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,
6 as well as aAnnas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, a“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 aThen Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 “If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, athat by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, bwhom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 “This is the a‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
12 a“Nor is there *salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, aand *perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been *healed astanding with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 saying, a“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a 1notable miracle has been done through them is bevident2 to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 “But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 aSo they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, a“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 a“For we *cannot but speak the things which bwe have seen and heard.”
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, abecause of the people, since they all bglorified God for cwhat had been done.
22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of *healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness
23 And being let go, athey went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God *with one accord and said: *“Lord, aYou are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 “who 1by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
a‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
27 “For atruly against bYour holy Servant Jesus, cwhom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
28 a“to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
29 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants athat with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30 “by stretching out Your hand to *heal, aand that signs and wonders may be done bthrough the name of cYour holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, athe place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, band they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Sharing in All Things
32 Now the multitude of those who believed awere of one *heart and one soul; bneither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with agreat power the apostles gave bwitness* to the *resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And cgreat grace was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; afor all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 aand laid them at the apostles’ feet; band they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And 1Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of 2Encouragement),* a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37 ahaving land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Lying to the Holy Spirit
5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 aBut Peter said, “Ananias, why has bSatan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
4 “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, afell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and awrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have *agreed together ato *test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 aThen immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.
11 aSo great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Continuing Power in the Church
12 And athrough the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. bAnd they were all *with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
13 Yet anone of the rest dared join them, bbut the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, athat at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing asick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Imprisoned Apostles Freed
17 aThen the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the *sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with 1indignation,*
18 aand laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19 But at night aan angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people aall the words of this life.”
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. aBut the high priest and those with him came and called the 1council together, with all the 2elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Apostles on Trial Again
22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported,
23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing 1outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”
24 Now when 1the high priest, athe captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.
25 So one came and told them, 1saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, afor they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
28 saying, a“Did we not strictly *command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, band intend to bring this Man’s cblood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: a“We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 a“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by bhanging on a tree.
31 a“Him God has *exalted to His right hand to be bPrince and cSavior, dto give repentance to Israel and *forgiveness of sins.
32 “And awe are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit bwhom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Advice
33 When they heard this, they were afurious1 and plotted to kill them.
34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named aGamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, 1take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.
36 “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, 1joined* him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.
37 “After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
38 “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39 a“but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found bto fight against God.”
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had acalled for the apostles band beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, arejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for 1His name.
42 And daily ain the temple, and in every house, bthey did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Seven Chosen to Serve
6
1 Now in those days, awhen the number of the *disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the bHellenists,1 because their widows were neglected cin the daily distribution.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, a“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 “Therefore, brethren, aseek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this bbusiness;
4 “but we awill give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, aa man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and bPhilip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and cNicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and awhen they had prayed, bthey laid hands on them.
7 Then athe word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many bof the priests were *obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8 And Stephen, full of 1faith and power, did great awonders and signs among the people.
9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
10 And athey were not able to *resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 aThen they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak 1blasphemous* words against this holy place and the law;
14 a“for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
Stephen’s Address: The Call of Abraham
7
1 Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?”
2 And he said, a“Brethren and fathers, listen: The bGod of *glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in cHaran,
3 “and said to him, a‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’
4 “Then ahe came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was bdead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.
5 “And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to *set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, aHe promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him.
6 “But God spoke in this way: athat his descendants would *dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bbondage and oppress them four hundred years.
7 a‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will bjudge,’ said God, c‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’
8 a“Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; band so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; cand Isaac begot Jacob, and dJacob begot the twelve patriarchs.
The Patriarchs in Egypt
9 a“And the patriarchs, becoming *envious, bsold Joseph into Egypt. cBut God was with him
10 “and delivered him out of all his troubles, aand gave him favor and *wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
11 a“Now a famine and great 1trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.
12 a“But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
13 “And the asecond time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh.
14 a“Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and ball his relatives to him, 1seventy-five people.
15 a“So Jacob went down to Egypt; band he died, he and our fathers.
16 “And athey were carried back to Shechem and laid in bthe tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.
God Delivers Israel by Moses
17 “But when athe time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, bthe people grew and multiplied in Egypt
18 “till another king aarose who did not know Joseph.
19 “This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, amaking them expose their babies, so that they might not live.
20 a“At this time Moses was born, and bwas well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months.
21 “But awhen he was set out, bPharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son.
22 “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was amighty in words and *deeds.
23 a“Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.
24 “And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian.
25 “For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.
26 “And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why *do you wrong one another?’
27 “But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, a‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
28 ‘Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’
29 a“Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a *dweller in the land of Midian, where he bhad two sons.
30 a“And when forty years had passed, an Angel 1of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.
31 “When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him,
32 “saying, a‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look.
33 a‘Then the LORD said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
34 “I have surely aseen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will bsend you to Egypt.” ’
35 “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, a‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer bby the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.
36 a“He brought them out, after he had bshown *wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, cand in the Red Sea, dand in the wilderness forty years.
Israel Rebels Against God
37 “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, a‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. bHim1 you shall hear.’
38 a“This is he who was in the 1congregation in the wilderness with bthe Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, cthe one who received the living doracles2 to give to us,
39 “whom our fathers awould not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt,
40 a“saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’
41 a“And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and brejoiced in the works of their own hands.
42 “Then aGod turned and gave them up to worship bthe host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:
c‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,
O house of Israel?
43 You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of your god Remphan,
Images which you made to worship;
And aI will carry you away beyond Babylon.’
God’s True Tabernacle
44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of *witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses ato make it according to the pattern that he had seen,
45 a“which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, bwhom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the cdays of David,
46 a“who found favor before God and basked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob.
47 a“But Solomon built Him a house.
48 “However, athe Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
49 ‘Heavena is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the LORD,
Or what is the place of My rest?
50 Has My hand not amade all these things?’
Israel Resists the Holy Spirit
51 “You astiff-necked1 and buncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
52 a“Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of bthe Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,
53 a“who have received the law by the direction of *angels and have not kept it.”
Stephen the Martyr
54 aWhen they heard these things they were 1cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55 But he, abeing full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the bglory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and said, “Look! aI *see the heavens opened and the bSon of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, *stopped their ears, and ran at him *with one accord;
58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And athe *witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, areceive my spirit.”
60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, a“Lord, do not charge them with this *sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Saul Persecutes the Church
8
1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and athey were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and amade great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, ahe made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Christ Is Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore athose who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
5 Then aPhilip went down to 1the city of Samaria and *preached Christ to them.
6 And the multitudes *with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For aunclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously apracticed 1sorcery in the city and bastonished the 2people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,
10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”
11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his 1sorceries for a long time.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things aconcerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
The Sorcerer’s Sin
14 Now when the aapostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them athat they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For aas yet He had fallen upon none of them. bThey had only been baptized in cthe name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then athey laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because ayou thought that bthe gift of God could be purchased with money!
21 “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your aheart is not right in the sight of God.
22 “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God aif perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 “For I see that you are apoisoned by bitterness and bound by *iniquity.”
