The Book of Acts chronicles the early church's formation and expansion after Jesus' ascension. It highlights the work of the Holy Spirit, the apostles' missionary journeys, and the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the Gentile world. Key figures like Peter and Paul face persecution but persist in their mission. Acts emphasizes unity, community, and the transformative power of faith, showcasing the church's growth despite challenges and the importance of witnessing and spreading the Christian message.
1. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:3. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
1. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3. And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them.
1. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.2. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;3. Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
1. And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came on them,2. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold to the next day: for it was now eventide.
1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,2. And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.3. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
1. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.3. Why, brothers, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
1. Then said the high priest, Are these things so?2. And he said, Men, brothers, and fathers, listen; The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelled in Charran,3. And said to him, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you.
1. And Saul was consenting to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.3. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
1. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
1. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him, Cornelius.
1. And the apostles and brothers that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,3. Saying, You went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them.
1. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.2. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.3. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
1. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.3. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. ¶
1. And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brothers.3. Long time therefore stayed they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
1. And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brothers, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brothers.
1. Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:2. Which was well reported of by the brothers that were at Lystra and Iconium.3. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
1. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.
1. After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;2. And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them.3. And because he was of the same craft, he stayed with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
1. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,2. He said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.3. And he said to them, To what then were you baptized? And they said, To John’s baptism.
1. And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called to him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.2. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,3. And there stayed three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
1. And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from there to Patara:2. And finding a ship sailing over to Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.3. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
1. Men, brothers, and fathers, hear you my defense which I make now to you.2. (And when they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he says,)3. I am truly a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day.
1. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.2. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.3. Then said Paul to him, God shall smite you, you white washed wall: for sit you to judge me after the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?
1. And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.2. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by you we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your providence,3. We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
1. Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.2. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and sought him,3. And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
1. Then Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:2. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:3. Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: why I beseech you to hear me patiently.
1. And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.2. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.3. And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.
1. And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.2. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.3. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
