Amplified Bible (AMP)

Saul Persecutes the Church

1 Saul wholeheartedly approved of Stephen’s death.

And on that day a greatandrelentless persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.

2 Some devout men buried Stephen, andmourned greatly over him [expressing a personal sense of loss].

3 But Saulbeganravaging the church [and assaulting believers]; entering house after house and dragging off men and women, putting them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

4 Now those [believers] who had been scattered went from place to place preaching the word [the good news of salvation through Christ].

5 Philip [the evangelist] went down to the city of Samaria andbeganproclaiming Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) to them.

6 The crowds gathered and were paying close attention to everything Philip said, as they heard [the message] and saw the [miraculous] signs which he was doing [validating his message].

7 For unclean spirits (demons), shouting loudly, were coming out of many who were possessed; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 So there was great rejoicing in that city.

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.

10 They all paid [a great deal of] attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God!”

11 They were paying attention to him because for a long time he had mystifiedanddazzled them with his magic.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached thegood news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, both men and women.

13 Even Simon believed [Philip’s message of salvation]; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he watched theattestingsigns and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that [the people of] Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

15 They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

16 for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession].

17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

19 saying, “Give me this authorityandpower too, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 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!

21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart (motive, purpose) is not right before God.

22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I see that you areprovoked by bitterness and bound by sin.”

24 But Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me both of you, so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.”

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

25 So, when Peter and John had given their testimony and preached the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, preaching the good news [about salvation] in many Samaritan villages [along the way].

26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” (This is a desert road).

27 So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch [a man of great authority], a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship,

28 and he was returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading [the scroll of] the prophet Isaiah.

29 Then the [Holy] Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”

30 Philip ran up and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

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

32 Now this was the passage of Scripture which he was reading:

“Like a sheepHe was led to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

SoHe does not openHis mouth.

33 “In humiliationHis judgment was taken away[justice was denied Him].

Who will describeHis generation?

ForHis life is taken from the earth.”

34 The eunuch replied to Philip, “Pleasetell me,about whom does the prophet say this? About himself or about someone else?”

35 Then Philip spoke and beginning with this Scripture he preached Jesus to him [explaining that He is the promised Messiah and the source of salvation].

36 As they continued along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch exclaimed, “Look! Water! What forbids me from being baptized?”

37 [Philip said to him, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

38 And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord [suddenly] took Philip [and carried him] away [to a different place]; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip found himself atAzotus, and as he passed through he preached the good news [of salvation] to all the cities, until he came toCaesarea [Maritima].

The Conversion of Saul

1 NowSaul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to thehigh priest,

2 and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging tothe Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest themandbring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ];

4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him,“Saul, Saul, why are you persecutingandoppressing Me?”

5 And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And Heanswered,“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,

6 now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

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

8 Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

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

10 Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision,“Ananias.”And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 And the Lord said to him,“Get up and go to the street calledStraight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying[there],

12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much sufferingandevil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem;

14 and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].”

15 But the Lord said to him,“Go, for this man is a[deliberately]chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

16 for I will make clear to him how much he must sufferandendure for My name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles].”

18 Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized;

19 and he took some food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

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

20 And immediately hebeganproclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!”

21 All those who heard him continued to be amazed and said, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem attacked those who called on this name [of Jesus], and had come here [to Damascus] for the express purpose of bringing them bound [with chains] before the chief priests?”

22 But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence]andproving [with Scripture] that thisJesusis the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

23 After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him,

24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him;

25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down throughan opening inthe wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 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.

27 However,Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openlyandspoken confidently in the name of Jesus.

28 So he was with them, moving around freely [as one among them] in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

29 He was talking and arguing with theHellenists (Greek-speaking Jews); but they were attempting to kill him.

30 When the brothers found out [about the plot], they brought him down toCaesarea [Maritima] and sent him off to Tarsus [his home town].

31 So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfortandencouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].

Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling throughoutthe land,he went down to [visit] thesaints (God’s people) who lived at Lydda.

33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.

34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” Immediately Aeneas got up.

35 Then all who lived at Lydda andthe plain ofSharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now inJoppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, (which translatedinto Greekmeans Dorcas). She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did.

37 During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room.

38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.”

39 So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all thetunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

40 But Peter sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand and helped her up; and then he called in thesaints (God’s people) and the widows, and he presented her [to them] alive.

42 This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior].

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

Cornelius’ Vision

1 Now atCaesarea [Maritima]there wasa man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as theItalian Regiment,

2 a devout man and one who, along with all his household, feared God. He made many charitable donations to theJewishpeople, and prayed to God always.

3 About the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4 Cornelius was frightened and stared intently at him and said, “What is it, lord (sir)?” And the angel said to him, “Your prayers and gifts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God [an offering made in remembrance of His past blessings].

5 Now send men toJoppa and have them call for a mannamedSimon, who is also called Peter [and invite him here];

6 he is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7 When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his own personal attendants;

8 and after explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 The next day, as they were on their way and were approaching the city, Peter went up onthe roof of the house about the sixth hour (noon) to pray,

10 but he became hungry and wanted something to eat. Whilethe meal was being prepared he fell into a trance;

11 and he saw the sky opened up, and anobject like a great sheet descending, lowered by its four corners to the earth,

12 and it contained allkinds offour-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.

13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”

14 But Peter said, “Not at all, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common (unholy) and [ceremonially] unclean.”

15 And the voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansedandpronounced clean, no longer consider common (unholy).”

16 This happened three times, and then immediately the object was taken up into heaven.

17 Now Peter was still perplexedandcompletely at a loss as to what his vision could mean when the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, arrived at the gate.

18 And they called out to ask whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there.

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

20 Get up, go downstairs and go with them without hesitatingordoubting, because I have sent them Myself.”

21 Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. For what reason have you come?”

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man well spoken of by all the Jewish people, wasdivinelyinstructed by a holy angel to send for youto cometo his house and hear what you have to say.”

23 So Peterinvited them in and gave them lodging [for the night].

Peter at Caesarea

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

24 On the following day he [and the others] entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 When Peter arrived, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet andworshipedhim.

26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am only a man.”

27 As Peter talked with him, he entered [the house] and found a large group of people assembled.

28 He said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate withorbefriend a Gentile, or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I am not to call anyone common or [ceremonially] unclean.

29 Therefore when I was sent for, I came without raising an objection. So I ask for what reason have you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour (3:00-4:00 p.m.); and a man [dressed] in bright, dazzling clothing suddenly stood before me,

31 and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered before God [so that He is about to help you].

32 ~‘Therefore sendwordto Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you. He is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’

33 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].”

Gentiles Hear Good News

34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing],

35 but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptableandwelcomed by Him.

36 You know the message which He sent to the sons of Israel, announcingthe good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all–

37 you know the things that have taken place throughout Judea, starting in Galilee after the baptism preached by John–

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

39 We are [personally] eyewitnesses of everything that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem [in particular]. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross;

40 God raised Him [to life] on the third day and caused Him to be plainly seen,

41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosenanddesignated beforehand by God,that is,to us who ate and drank together with Him after He rose from the dead.

42 He commanded us to preach to the people [both Jew and Gentile], and to solemnly testify that He is the One who has been appointedandordained by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

43 All the prophets testify about Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him [whoever trusts in and relies on Him, accepting Him as Savior and Messiah] receives forgiveness of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles].

45 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.

46 For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and exaltingandmagnifyingandpraising God. Then Peter said,

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

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

Peter Reports at Jerusalem

1 Now the apostles and the believers who were throughout Judea heard [with astonishment] that the Gentiles also had receivedandaccepted the word of God [the message concerning salvation through Christ].

2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [certain Jewish believers who followed the Law] took issue with him [for violating Jewish customs],

3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and [even] ate with them!”

4 But Peter began [at the beginning] and explained [the events] to them step by step, saying,

5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision of an object coming down from heaven, like a huge sheet being lowered by the four corners; and [it descended until] it came right down to me,

6 and looking closely at it, I sawall kinds ofthe four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air [both clean and unclean according to the Law],

7 and I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’

8 But I said, ‘Not at all, Lord; for nothing common (unholy) or [ceremonially] unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9 But the voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansedandpronounced clean, no longer consider common (unholy).’

10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven.

11 And right then the three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we werestaying.

12 The Spirit told me to go with them without the slightest hesitation. So these six brothers also went with me and we went to the man’s house.

13 And Cornelius told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying, ‘Sendwordto Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here;

14 he will bring a message to you by which you will be saved [and granted eternal life], you and all your household.’

15 When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just asHe didon us at the beginning [at Pentecost].

16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say,‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

17 So, if God gave Gentiles the same gift [equally] as He gave us after we acceptedandbelievedandtrusted in the Lord Jesus Christ [as Savior], who was I to interfereorstand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorifiedandpraised God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentancethat leadstoeternallife [that is, real life after earthly death].”

The Church at Antioch

19 So then [since they were unaware of these developments] those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with [the stoning of] Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, without telling the message [of salvation through Christ] to anyone except Jews.

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch andbeganspeaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming [to them] the good news about the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand (the power and presence) of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord [for salvation, accepting and drawing near to Jesus as Messiah and Savior].

22 The news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced andbeganto encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay trueanddevoted to the Lord.

24 For Barnabas was a good man [privately and publicly–his godly character benefited both himself and others] andhe wasfull of the Holy Spirit and full of faith [in Jesus the Messiah, through whom believers have everlasting life]. And a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

25 And Barnabas left for Tarsus to search for Saul;

26 and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For an entire year they met [with others] in the church and instructed large numbers; and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 One of them named Agabus stood up and prophesied through the [Holy] Spirit that a severe famine would come on theentire world. And this did happen during the reign ofClaudius.

29 So the disciples decided to senda contribution,each according to his individual ability, to the believers who lived in Judea.

30 And this they did, sending the contribution to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Peter’s Arrest and Escape

1 Now at that timeHerod [Agrippa I] the king [of the Jews] arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to harm them.

2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword;

3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to have Peter arrested as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread [the Passover week].

4 When he had seized Peter, he put him in prison, turning him over to four squads of soldiers of four each to guard him [in rotation throughout the night], planning after the Passover to bring him out before the people [for execution].

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but ferventandpersistent prayer for him was being made to God by the church.

6 The very night before Herod was to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries were in front of the door guarding the prison.

7 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared [beside him] and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter’s side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off his hands.

8 The angel said to him, “Prepare yourself and strap on your sandals [to get ready for whatever may happen].” And he did so. Then the angel told him, “Put on your robe and follow me.”

9 And Peter went out followingthe angel.He did not realize that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city. Of its own accord it swung open for them; and they went out and went along one street, and at once the angel left him.

11 When Peter came to his senses, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and has rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting [to do to me].”

12 When he realized what had happened, he went to the house ofMary the mother of John, who was also calledMark, where many [believers] were gathered together and were prayingcontinually[and had been praying all night].

13 When he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.

14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she failed to open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gateway.

15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel!”

16 But [meanwhile] Peter continued knocking; and when they openedthe doorand saw him, they were completely amazed.

17 But motioning to them with his hand to be quietandlisten, he described how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things toJames and the brothers and sisters.” Then he left and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

19 When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he interrogated the guards and commanded that they be led awayto execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea [Maritima] and spent some time there.

Death of Herod

20 Now Herod [Agrippa I] wasextremely angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and their delegates came to him in a united group, and after persuading Blastus,the king’s chamberlain [to support their cause], they asked for peace, because their country was fed by [imports of grain and other goods from] the king’s country.

21 On an appointed day Herod dressed himself in hisroyal robes, sat on his throne (tribunal, rostrum) andbegandelivering a speech to the people.

22 The assembled people kept shouting, “It is the voice of a god and not of a man!”

23 And at once an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory [and instead permitted himself to be worshiped], andhe was eaten by worms and died [five days later].

24 But the word of the Lord [the good news about salvation through Christ] continued to grow and spread [increasing in effectiveness].

25 Barnabas and Saul came backfrom Jerusalem when they had completed their mission, bringing with them John, who was also called Mark.

First Missionary Journey

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets [who spoke a new message of God to the people] and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was calledNiger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up withHerod [Antipas] the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them [in approval and dedication] and sent them away [on their first journey].

4 So then, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

5 When Barnabas and Saul arrived at Salamis, theybeganto preach the word of God [proclaiming the message of eternal salvation through faith in Christ] in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John [Mark] as their assistant.

6 When they had traveled through the entire island [of Cyprus] as far as Paphos, they found a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus,

7 who was [closely associated] with theproconsul [of the province], Sergius Paulus, an intelligentandsensible man. He called for Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ].

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is how his name is translated) opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away fromacceptingthe faith.

9 ButSaul, who was alsoknown asPaul, filled with the Holy Spiritandled by Him, looked steadily at Elymas,

10 and said, “You [Elymas] who are full of every [kind of] deceit, and every [kind of] fraud, you son of the devil, enemy of everything that is rightandgood, will you never stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord?

11 Now, watch! The hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, [so blind that you will be] unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he groped around, seeking people to lead him by the hand.

12 The proconsul believed [the message of salvation] when he saw what had happened, being astonished at the teaching concerning the Lord.

13 Now Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; butJohn [Mark] left them and went back to Jerusalem.

14 Now they went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.

15 After the reading of the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets, the officials of the synagogue sentwordto them, saying, “Brothers (kinsmen), if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, he said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen!

17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people greatandnumerous during their stay [as foreigners] in the land of Egypt, and then with anuplifted arm He led them out of there.

18 For a period of about forty years He put up with their behavior in the wilderness.

19 When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave their land [to our ancestors] as an inheritance–this took about four hundred and fifty years.

20 After this, He gavethemjudges until the prophet Samuel.

21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

22 And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king: of him He testified and said, ‘Ihave foundDavidthe son of Jesse,a man afterMy ownheart[conforming to My will and purposes], who will do all My will.’

23 From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior, [in the person of] Jesus, according to His promise.

24 BeforeHis coming John [the Baptist] had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John was finishing his course [of ministry], he kept saying, ‘Whatorwho do you think that I am? I am not He [the Christ]; but be aware, One is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie [even as His slave]!’

26 “Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation [obtained through faith in Jesus Christ].

27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, who failed to recognizeorunderstand both Jesus and the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled these [very prophecies] by condemning Him.

28 And though they found no causeorcharge deserving death, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

29 And when they had finished carrying out everything that was written [in Scripture] about Him, they took Him down from thecross and laid Him in a tomb.

30 But God raised Him from the dead;

31 and for many days (forty) He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.

32 And we are bringing you the good news of the promise made to our fathers (ancestors),

33 that God hascompletelyfulfilled thispromiseto our children by raising up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You areMySon;todayIhave begotten(fathered) You.’

34 And [as for the fact] that He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay [in the grave], He has spoken in this way: ‘Iwill give you the holy and sureblessingsofDavid[those blessings and mercies that were promised to him].’

35 For this reason He also says in anotherPsalm,‘You will not allowYourHolyOne to see decay.’

36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was buried among his fathers and experienced decay [in the grave];

37 but He whom God raised [to life] did not experience decay [in the grave].

38 So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you;

39 and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] isjustifiedanddeclared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justifiedandfreed of guilt through the Law of Moses.

40 Therefore be careful, so that the thing spoken of in the [writings of the] Prophets does not come upon you:

41 ‘Look,you mockers,and marvel,and perishandvanish away;

ForIam doing a work in your days,

Awork which you will never believe, evenif someone describes it to you[telling you about it in detail].’”

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving [the synagogue], the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath.

43 When the congregation of the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, talking to them were urging them to continue in the grace of God.

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

44 On the next Sabbath almost the entirecity gathered together to hear the word of the Lord [about salvation through faith in Christ].

45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy andbegancontradicting the things said by Paul, and were slandering him.

46 And [at the same time] Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldlyandconfidently, saying, “It was necessary that God’s message [of salvation through faith in Christ] be spoken to you [Jews] first. Since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, now we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For that is what the Lord has commanded us, saying,

‘Ihave placedYou as alight for theGentiles,

So thatYou may bring[the message of eternal]salvation to the end of the earth.’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, theybeganrejoicing and glorifying [praising and giving thanks for] the word of the Lord; and all those who had been appointed (designated, ordained) to eternal life [by God] believed [in Jesus as the Christ and their Savior].

49 And so the word of the Lord [regarding salvation] was being spread through the entire region.

50 But the Jews incited the devout, prominent women and the leading men of the city, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them forcibly out of their district.

51 Butthey shook its dust from their feetin protestagainst them and went to Iconium.

52 And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their hearts and souls] with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acceptance and Opposition

1 Now in Iconium Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way [with such power and boldness] that a large number of Jews as well as Greeks believed [and confidently accepted Jesus as Savior];

2 but the unbelieving Jews [who rejected Jesus as Messiah] stirred up and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against thebelievers.

3 So Paul and Barnabas stayed for a long time, speaking boldlyandconfidently for the Lord, who continued to testify to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders (attesting miracles) be done by them.

4 But the people of the city were divided; some weresidingwith the Jews, and some with the apostles.

5 When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to shamefully mistreat and to stone them,

6 they, aware of the situation, escaped to Lystra and Derbe, [taking refuge in the] cities of Lycaonia, and the neighboring region;

7 and there they continued to preach the good news.

8 Now at Lystra a man sat who was unable to use his feet, for he was crippled from birth and had never walked.

9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, and Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed,

10 and said with a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet.” And he jumped up andbeganto walk.

11 And the crowds, when they saw what Paul had done, raised their voices, shouting in theLycaonian language, “The gods have come down to usin human form!”

12 They began calling Barnabas, Zeus [chief of the Greek gods], and Paul, Hermes [messenger of the Greek gods], since he took the lead in speaking.

13 The priest of Zeus, whosetemplewas at the entrance of the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, and wanted to offer sacrifices with the crowds.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, theytore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,

15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are only men of the same nature as you, bringing the good news to you, so that you turn from these uselessandmeaningless things to the living God,who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them.

16 In generations past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;

17 yet He did not leave Himself without some witness [as evidence of Himself], in that He kept constantly doing good thingsandshowing you kindness, and giving you rains from heaven and productive seasons, filling your hearts with food and happiness.”

18 Even saying these words, with difficulty they prevented the people from offering sacrifices to them.

19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

20 But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back into the city; and the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 They preached the good news to that city and made many disciples, then they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

22 strengtheningandestablishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulationsandhardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

25 When they had spoken the word [of salvation through faith in Christ] in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From there they sailed back toAntioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for thework which they had now completed.

27 Arrivingthere,they gathered the church together andbeganto report [in great detail] everything that God had done with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior].

28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

The Council at Jerusalem

1 Some men came down from Judea andbeganteaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

2 Paul and Barnabas disagreed greatly and debated with them, so it was determined that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others from their group would go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders [and confer with them] concerning this issue.

3 So, after being suppliedandsent on their way by the church, they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all thebelievers.

4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received warmly by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported to them all the things that God had accomplished through them.

5 But some from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed [in Jesus as the Messiah] stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentile converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter.

7 After a long debate, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe.

8 And God, who knowsandunderstands the heart, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith [in Jesus].

10 Now then, why are you testing God by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to endure?

11 But we believe that we are saved through the [precious, undeserved] grace of the Lord Jesus [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life], in just the same way as they are.”

12 All the people remained silent, and they listened [attentively] to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the signs and wonders (attesting miracles) that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James’ Judgment

13 When they had finished speaking,James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

14 Simeon (Simon Peter) has described how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name [to honor Him and be identified with Him].

15 The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written [in Scripture],

16 ‘After these thingsI will return,

AndIwill rebuild the tent ofDavidwhich has fallen;

Iwill rebuild its ruins,

AndIwill restore it,

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek theLord,

And all theGentiles uponwhomMy name has been invoked,’

18 Says theLord,

Who has beenmaking these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not troubleandmake it difficult for those who are turning to God among the Gentiles [by putting obstacles in their way],

20 but that we write to them that they are to abstain fromanything that has been contaminated by [being offered to] idols and from sexual impurity and from [eating the meat of] what has been strangled and from [the consumption of]blood.

21 For from ancient generations [the writing of] Moses has been preached in every city, sincehe is readaloudin the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, decided to select some of their men to go to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas–Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas [also called Silvanus, both], leading men among the brothers.

23 With them they sent the following letter:

“The apostles and the brothers who are the elders, to the brothers and sisters who are from the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, Greetings.

24

Since we have heard that some of our men have troubled you withtheirteachings, causing distressandconfusion–men to whom we gave nosuchordersorinstructions–

25

it has been decided by us, having met together, to select men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26

men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27

So we have sent Judas and Silas, who will report by word of mouth the same things [that we decided in our meeting].

28

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials:

29

that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from [consuming] blood, and from [eating the meat of] things that have been strangled, and from sexual impurity. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and after assembling the congregation, they delivered the letter.

31 And when they had read it, the people rejoiced greatly at the encouragementandcomfort [it brought them].

32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (divinely inspired spokesmen), encouraged and strengthened thebelievers with many words.

33 After spending some time there, they were sent back by the brothers with [the greeting of] peace to those who had sent them.

34 [However, Silas decided to stay there.]

35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and with many others also continued teaching and proclaiming the good news, the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ].

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers and sisters (believers) in every city where we preached the message of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”

37 Now Barnabas wanted to take [his cousin] John, who was called Mark, along with them.

38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take along with them the one who had quitanddeserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

39 And it became such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took [John] Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 But Paul chose Silas [who was again in Antioch] and set out [on his second journey], commended by the brothers to the graceandfavor of the Lord.

41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

The Macedonian Vision

1 Now Paul traveled to Derbe and also to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer [in Christ], however, his father was a Greek.

2 Timothy was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters who were in Lystra and Iconium.

3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him [as a missionary]; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek.

4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decrees decided on by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for the churches to observe.

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and theycontinuallyincreased in number day after day.

6 Now they passed through the territory of Phrygia and Galatia, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor];

7 and after they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;

8 so passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

9 Then a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from [the Roman province of]Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

10 And when he had seen the vision,we (including Luke) tried to go on into Macedonia at once, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 So setting sail from Troas, we ran a direct course to Samothrace, and the next day [went on] to Neapolis;

12 and from there [we came] to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, aRomancolony. We stayed on in this city for several days;

13 and on the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the bank of the [Gangites] river, where we thought there would be aplace of prayer, and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had come there.

First Convert in Europe

14 A woman namedLydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer inpurple fabrics who was [already] a worshiper of God, listened to us; and the Lord opened her heart to pay attentionandto respond to the things said by Paul.

15 And when she was baptized, along with her household, she pleaded with us, saying, “If you have judged meanddecided that I am faithful to the Lord [a true believer], come to my house and stay.” And she persuaded us.

16 It happened that as we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave-girl who hada spirit of divination [that is, a demonic spirit claiming to foretell the future and discover hidden knowledge], and she brought her owners a good profit by fortune-telling.

17 She followed after Paul and us and kept screamingandshouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

18 She continued doing this for several days. Then Paul, being greatly annoyedandworn out, turned and said to the spirit [inside her], “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ [as His representative] to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the market place [where trials were held],

20 and when they had brought them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men, who are Jews, are throwing our city into confusionandcausing trouble.

21 They are publicly teaching customs which are unlawful for us, as Romans, to accept or observe.”

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

22 The crowd also joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and ordered that Paul and Silas be beaten with rods.

23 After striking them many times [with the rods], they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely.

24 He, having received such a [strict] command, threw them into the inner prison (dungeon) and fastened their feet in the stocks [in an agonizing position].

25 But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

26 suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.

27 When the jailer, shaken out of sleep, saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped.

28 But Paul shouted, saying, “Do not hurt yourself, we are all here!”

29 Then the jailer called for torches and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 and after he brought them out [of the inner prison], he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

The Jailer Converted

31 And they answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus [as your personal Savior and entrust yourself to Him] and you will be saved, you and your household [if they also believe].”

32 And they spoke the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] to him and to all who were in his house.

33 And he took them thatveryhour of the night and washed theirbloodywounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all hishousehold.

34 Then he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, since he had believed in God with his entire family [accepting with joy what had been made known to them about the Christ].

35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their officers, saying, “Release those men.”

36 And the jailer repeated the words to Paul,saying,“The chief magistrates have sentwordto release you; so come out now and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us in public without a trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now they are sending us out secretly? No! Let them come here themselves and bring us out!”

38 The officers reported this message to the chief magistrates, andwhen they heard that the prisoners were Romans, they were frightened;

39 so they came [to the prison] and appealed to them [with apologies], and when they brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city.

40 So they left the prison and went to Lydia’shouse;and when they had seen the brothers and sisters, they encouragedandcomforted them, and left.