Acts ( Book 44 )
Acts 8
- 1
- And Saul was consenting unto 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 havock of the church, entering into every
house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
- 4
- Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where
preaching the word.
- 5
- Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached
Christ unto them.
- 6
- And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he
did.
- 7
- For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many
that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies,
and that were lame, were healed.
- 8
- And there was great joy in that city.
- 9
- But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in
the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of
Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
- 10
- To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest,
saying, This man is the great power of God.
- 11
- And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had
bewitched them with sorceries.
- 12
- But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning
the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women.
- 13
- Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he
continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles
and signs which were done.
- 14
- Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them
Peter and John:
- 15
- Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they
might receive the Holy Ghost:
- 16
- (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
- 17
- Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Ghost.
- 18
- And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles'
hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
- 19
- Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay
hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
- 20
- But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because
thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with
money.
- 21
- Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart
is not right in the sight of God.
- 22
- Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
- 23
- For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in
the bond of iniquity.
- 24
- Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me,
that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
- 25
- And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many
villages of the Samaritans.
- 26
- And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise,
and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from
Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
- 27
- And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an
eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the
Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had
come to Jerusalem for to worship,
- 28
- Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the
prophet.
- 29
- Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to
this chariot.
- 30
- And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
- 31
- And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And
he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
- 32
- The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led
as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his
shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
- 33
- In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall
declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
- 34
- And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom
speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
- 35
- Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture,
and preached unto him Jesus.
- 36
- And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me
to be baptized?
- 37
- And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ
is the Son of God.
- 38
- And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went
down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him.
- 39
- And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and
he went on his way rejoicing.
- 40
- But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he
preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Acts 9
- 1
- And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went unto 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 unto Jerusalem.
- 3
- And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there
shined round about him a light from heaven:
- 4
- And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
- 5
- And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the
pricks.
- 6
- And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into
the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
- 7
- And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing
a voice, but seeing no man.
- 8
- And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened,
he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him
into Damascus.
- 9
- And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor
drink.
- 10
- And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias;
and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said,
Behold, I am here, Lord.
- 11
- And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas
for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
- 12
- And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and
putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
- 13
- Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man,
how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
- 14
- And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all
that call on thy name.
- 15
- But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and
kings, and the children of Israel:
- 16
- For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my
name's sake.
- 17
- And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and
putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even
Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath
sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled
with the Holy Ghost.
- 18
- And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been
scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was
baptized.
- 19
- And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was
Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
- 20
- And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he
is the Son of God.
- 21
- But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he
that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem,
and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them
bound unto the chief priests?
- 22
- But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the
Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very
Christ.
- 23
- And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel
to kill him:
- 24
- But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the
gates day and night to kill him.
- 25
- Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the
wall in a basket.
- 26
- And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join
himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and
believed not that he was a disciple.
- 27
- But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and
declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and
that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at
Damascus in the name of Jesus.
- 28
- And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
- 29
- And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay
him.
- 30
- Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to
Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
- 31
- Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee
and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the
Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
- 32
- And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters,
he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
- 33
- And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept
his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
- 34
- And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee
whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
- 35
- And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to
the Lord.
- 36
- Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which
by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of
good works and almsdeeds which she did.
- 37
- And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and
died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper
chamber.
- 38
- And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples
had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men,
desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
- 39
- Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they
brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood
by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which
Dorcas made, while she was with them.
- 40
- But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed;
and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she
opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
- 41
- And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had
called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
- 42
- And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in
the Lord.
- 43
- And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with
one Simon a tanner.
Acts 10
- 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 alway.
- 3
- He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day
an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him,
Cornelius.
- 4
- And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is
it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are
come up for a memorial before God.
- 5
- And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose
surname is Peter:
- 6
- He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea
side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
- 7
- And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he
called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of
them that waited on him continually;
- 8
- And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent
them to Joppa.
- 9
- On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh
unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about
the sixth hour:
- 10
- And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while
they made ready, he fell into a trance,
- 11
- And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon
him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners,
and let down to the earth:
- 12
- Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and
wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
- 13
- And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
- 14
- But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing
that is common or unclean.
- 15
- And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God
hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
- 16
- This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again
into heaven.
- 17
- Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he
had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from
Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before
the gate,
- 18
- And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter,
were lodged there.
- 19
- While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him,
Behold, three men seek thee.
- 20
- Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing: for I have sent them.
- 21
- Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the
cause wherefore ye are come?
- 22
- And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one
that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of
the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for
thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
- 23
- Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow
Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa
accompanied him.
- 24
- And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius
waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and
near friends.
- 25
- And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down
at his feet, and worshipped him.
- 26
- But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a
man.
- 27
- And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that
were come together.
- 28
- And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful
thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto
one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should
not call any man common or unclean.
- 29
- Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was
sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
- 30
- And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this
hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold,
a man stood before me in bright clothing,
- 31
- And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God.
- 32
- Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname
is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by
the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
- 33
- Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done
that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present
before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
- 34
- Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive
that God is no respecter of persons:
- 35
- But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him.
- 36
- The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching
peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
- 37
- That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all
Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John
preached;
- 38
- How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and
with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that
were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
- 39
- And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the
land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged
on a tree:
- 40
- Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
- 41
- Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God,
even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from
the dead.
- 42
- And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify
that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of
quick and dead.
- 43
- To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
- 44
- While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all
them which heard the word.
- 45
- And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished,
as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- 46
- For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then
answered Peter,
- 47
- Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
- 48
- And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11
- 1
- And the apostles and brethren 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, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat
with them.
- 4
- But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and
expounded it by order unto them, saying,
- 5
- I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a
vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great
sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even
to me:
- 6
- Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered,
and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and
creeping things, and fowls of the air.
- 7
- And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and
eat.
- 8
- But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath
at any time entered into my mouth.
- 9
- But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
- 10
- And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again
into heaven.
- 11
- And, behold, immediately there were three men already come
unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
- 12
- And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting.
Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered
into the man's house:
- 13
- And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which
stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for
Simon, whose surname is Peter;
- 14
- Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house
shall be saved.
- 15
- And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us
at the beginning.
- 16
- Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John
indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost.
- 17
- Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto
us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I
could withstand God?
- 18
- When they heard these things, they held their peace, and
glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life.
- 19
- Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that
arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus,
and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews
only.
- 20
- And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when
they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching
the LORD Jesus.
- 21
- And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number
believed, and turned unto the Lord.
- 22
- Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church
which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he
should go as far as Antioch.
- 23
- Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad,
and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord.
- 24
- For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of
faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
- 25
- Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
- 26
- And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it
came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with
the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were
called Christians first in Antioch.
- 27
- And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
- 28
- And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by
the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all
the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
- 29
- Then the disciples, every man according to his ability,
determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in
Judaea:
- 30
- Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of
Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 12
- 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.)
- 4
- And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him;
intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
- 5
- Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made
without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
- 6
- And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two
chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
- 7
- And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light
shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and
raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell
off from his hands.
- 8
- And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy
garment about thee, and follow me.
- 9
- And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was
true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
- 10
- When they were past the first and the second ward, they came
unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to
them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on
through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
- 11
- And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a
surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered
me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of
the people of the Jews.
- 12
- And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of
Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many
were gathered together praying.
- 13
- And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to
hearken, named Rhoda.
- 14
- And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for
gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the
gate.
- 15
- And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly
affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
- 16
- But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the
door, and saw him, they were astonished.
- 17
- But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,
declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the
prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to
the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
- 18
- Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter.
- 19
- And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he
examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to
death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there
abode.
- 20
- And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon:
but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus
the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because
their country was nourished by the king's country.
- 21
- And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon
his throne, and made an oration unto them.
- 22
- And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god,
and not of a man.
- 23
- And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he
gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up
the ghost.
- 24
- But the word of God grew and multiplied.
- 25
- And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had
fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose
surname was Mark.
Acts 13
- 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 whereunto I
have called them.
- 3
- And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on
them, they sent them away.
- 4
- So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto
Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
- 5
- And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God
in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their
minister.
- 6
- And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they
found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name
was Barjesus:
- 7
- Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a
prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to
hear the word of God.
- 8
- But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation)
withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the
faith.
- 9
- Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy
Ghost, set his eyes on him.
- 10
- And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child
of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not
cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- 11
- And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou
shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And
immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he
went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
- 12
- Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
- 13
- Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to
Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to
Jerusalem.
- 14
- But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in
Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and
sat down.
- 15
- And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers
of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren,
if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
- 16
- Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of
Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
- 17
- The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and
exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of
Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
- 18
- And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in
the wilderness.
- 19
- And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of
Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
- 20
- And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of
four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
- 21
- And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul
the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space
of forty years.
- 22
- And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to
be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said,
I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own
heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
- 23
- Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised
unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
- 24
- When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of
repentance to all the people of Israel.
- 25
- And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that
I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me,
whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
- 26
- Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and
whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this
salvation sent.
- 27
- For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because
they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which
are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in
condemning him.
- 28
- And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired
they Pilate that he should be slain.
- 29
- And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they
took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
- 30
- But God raised him from the dead:
- 31
- And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from
Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
- 32
- And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise
which was made unto the fathers,
- 33
- God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he
hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the
second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
- 34
- And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no
more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will
give you the sure mercies of David.
- 35
- Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
- 36
- For David, after he had served his own generation by the will
of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw
corruption:
- 37
- But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
- 38
- Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through
this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
- 39
- And by him all that believe are justified from all things,
from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
- 40
- Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of
in the prophets;
- 41
- Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a
work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe,
though a man declare it unto you.
- 42
- And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles
besought that these words might be preached to them the next
sabbath.
- 43
- Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and
religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking
to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
- 44
- And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together
to hear the word of God.
- 45
- But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with
envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by
Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
- 46
- Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary
that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but
seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
- 47
- For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to
be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for
salvation unto the ends of the earth.
- 48
- And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained
to eternal life believed.
- 49
- And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the
region.
- 50
- But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and
the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul
and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
- 51
- But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and
came unto Iconium.
- 52
- And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy
Ghost.
Acts 14
- 1
- And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together
into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, 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 brethren.
- 3
- Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord,
which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted
signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
- 4
- But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with
the Jews, and part with the apostles.
- 5
- And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and
also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully,
and to stone them,
- 6
- They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities
of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
- 7
- And there they preached the gospel.
- 8
- And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet,
being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
- 9
- The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and
perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
- 10
- Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he
leaped and walked.
- 11
- And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up
their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are
come down to us in the likeness of men.
- 12
- And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius,
because he was the chief speaker.
- 13
- Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,
brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done
sacrifice with the people.
- 14
- Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they
rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
- 15
- And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of
like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should
turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are
therein:
- 16
- Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own
ways.
- 17
- Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he
did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,
filling our hearts with food and gladness.
- 18
- And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that
they had not done sacrifice unto them.
- 19
- And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium,
who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out
of the city, supposing he had been dead.
- 20
- Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up,
and came into the city: and the next day he departed with
Barnabas to Derbe.
- 21
- And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had
taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium,
and Antioch,
- 22
- Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
- 23
- And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and
had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on
whom they believed.
- 24
- And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to
Pamphylia.
- 25
- And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down
into Attalia:
- 26
- And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been
recommended to the grace of God for the work which they
fulfilled.
- 27
- And when they were come, and had gathered the church together,
they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had
opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
- 28
- And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Acts 15
- 1
- And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the
brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner
of Moses, ye 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 unto 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 unto all the brethren.
- 4
- And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of
the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared
all things that God had done with them.
- 5
- But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which
believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and
to command them to keep the law of Moses.
- 6
- And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of
this matter.
- 7
- And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and
said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good
while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my
mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
- 8
- And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving
them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
- 9
- And put no difference between us and them, purifying their
hearts by faith.
- 10
- Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of
the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to
bear?
- 11
- But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ
we shall be saved, even as they.
- 12
- Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to
Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had
wrought among the Gentiles by them.
- 13
- And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying,
Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
- 14
- Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
- 15
- And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
- 16
- After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle
of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the
ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
- 17
- That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the
Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who
doeth all these things.
- 18
- Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the
world.
- 19
- Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from
among the Gentiles are turned to God:
- 20
- But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions
of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and
from blood.
- 21
- For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him,
being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
- 22
- Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church,
to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul
and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief
men among the brethren:
- 23
- And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles
and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which
are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
- 24
- Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from
us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls,
saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we
gave no such commandment:
- 25
- It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to
send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
- 26
- Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
- 27
- We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell
you the same things by mouth.
- 28
- For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon
you no greater burden than these necessary things;
- 29
- That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood,
and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if
ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
- 30
- So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when
they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the
epistle:
- 31
- Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
- 32
- And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted
the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
- 33
- And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in
peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
- 34
- Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
- 35
- Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and
preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
- 36
- And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again
and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached
the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
- 37
- And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname
was Mark.
- 38
- But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed
from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
- 39
- And the contention was so sharp between them, that they
departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took
Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
- 40
- And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the
brethren unto the grace of God.
- 41
- And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the
churches.
Acts 16
- 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 brethren 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.
- 4
- And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the
decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and
elders which were at Jerusalem.
- 5
- And so were the churches established in the faith, and
increased in number daily.
- 6
- Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of
Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the
word in Asia,
- 7
- After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into
Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
- 8
- And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
- 9
- And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man
of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into
Macedonia, and help us.
- 10
- And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured
to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had
called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
- 11
- Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course
to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
- 12
- And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that
part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city
abiding certain days.
- 13
- And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side,
where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake
unto the women which resorted thither.
- 14
- And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the
city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart
the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were
spoken of Paul.
- 15
- And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us,
saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come
into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
- 16
- And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought
her masters much gain by soothsaying:
- 17
- The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men
are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the
way of salvation.
- 18
- And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned
and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus
Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
- 19
- And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was
gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the
marketplace unto the rulers,
- 20
- And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being
Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
- 21
- And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive,
neither to observe, being Romans.
- 22
- And the multitude rose up together against them: and the
magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat
them.
- 23
- And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them
into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
- 24
- Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner
prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
- 25
- And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto
God: and the prisoners heard them.
- 26
- And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the
doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
- 27
- And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and
seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would
have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been
fled.
- 28
- But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm:
for we are all here.
- 29
- Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling,
and fell down before Paul and Silas,
- 30
- And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be
saved?
- 31
- And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved, and thy house.
- 32
- And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that
were in his house.
- 33
- And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
- 34
- And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat
before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his
house.
- 35
- And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants,
saying, Let those men go.
- 36
- And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The
magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and
go in peace.
- 37
- But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly
uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and
now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them
come themselves and fetch us out.
- 38
- And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and
they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
- 39
- And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and
desired them to depart out of the city.
- 40
- And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of
Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted
them, and departed.
Acts 17
- 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 unto 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 unto you, is Christ.
- 4
- And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas;
and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief
women not a few.
- 5
- But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto
them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a
company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the
house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
- 6
- And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain
brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have
turned the world upside down are come hither also;
- 7
- Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the
decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one
Jesus.
- 8
- And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when
they heard these things.
- 9
- And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other,
they let them go.
- 10
- And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night
unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the
Jews.
- 11
- These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
- 12
- Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women
which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
- 13
- But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word
of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also,
and stirred up the people.
- 14
- And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it
were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
- 15
- And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and
receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come
to him with all speed, they departed.
- 16
- Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was
stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
- 17
- Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with
the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met
with him.
- 18
- Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the
Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this
babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of
strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the
resurrection.
- 19
- And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May
we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
- 20
- For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would
know therefore what these things mean.
- 21
- (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent
their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear
some new thing.)
- 22
- Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men
of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious.
- 23
- For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an
altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom
therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
- 24
- God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he
is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with
hands;
- 25
- Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed
any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things;
- 26
- And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on
all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times
before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
- 27
- That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after
him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
- 28
- For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain
also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring.
- 29
- Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to
think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone,
graven by art and man's device.
- 30
- And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent:
- 31
- Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge
the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead.
- 32
- And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some
mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this
matter.
- 33
- So Paul departed from among them.
- 34
- Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the
which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris,
and others with them.
Acts 18
- 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
unto them.
- 3
- And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and
wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
- 4
- And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded
the Jews and the Greeks.
- 5
- And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul
was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that
Jesus was Christ.
- 6
- And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his
raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own
heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the
Gentiles.
- 7
- And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's
house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house
joined hard to the synagogue.
- 8
- And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the
Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing
believed, and were baptized.
- 9
- Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not
afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
- 10
- For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee:
for I have much people in this city.
- 11
- And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the
word of God among them.
- 12
- And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made
insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to
the judgment seat,
- 13
- Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to
the law.
- 14
- And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said
unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked
lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
- 15
- But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law,
look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
- 16
- And he drave them from the judgment seat.
- 17
- Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the
synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio
cared for none of those things.
- 18
- And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then
took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria,
and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in
Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
- 19
- And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself
entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
- 20
- When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he
consented not;
- 21
- But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this
feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto
you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
- 22
- And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted
the church, he went down to Antioch.
- 23
- And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went
over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order,
strengthening all the disciples.
- 24
- And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an
eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
- 25
- This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being
fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the
things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
- 26
- And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when
Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and
expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
- 27
- And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren
wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he
was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
- 28
- For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly,
shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Acts 19
- 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 unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye
believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Ghost.
- 3
- And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And
they said, Unto John's baptism.
- 4
- Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of
repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe
on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
- 5
- When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus.
- 6
- And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost
came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
- 7
- And all the men were about twelve.
- 8
- And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space
of three months, disputing and persuading the things
concerning the kingdom of God.
- 9
- But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake
evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them,
and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of
one Tyrannus.
- 10
- And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they
which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both
Jews and Greeks.
- 11
- And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
- 12
- So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs
or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil
spirits went out of them.
- 13
- Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them
to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD
Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
- 14
- And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of
the priests, which did so.
- 15
- And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul
I know; but who are ye?
- 16
- And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and
overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled
out of that house naked and wounded.
- 17
- And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at
Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord
Jesus was magnified.
- 18
- And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their
deeds.
- 19
- Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books
together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the
price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
- 20
- So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
- 21
- After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit,
when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to
Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see
Rome.
- 22
- So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto
him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for
a season.
- 23
- And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
- 24
- For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made
silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the
craftsmen;
- 25
- Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation,
and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
- 26
- Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but
almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and
turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which
are made with hands:
- 27
- So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at
nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana
should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed,
whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
- 28
- And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath,
and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
- 29
- And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having
caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's
companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the
theatre.
- 30
- And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the
disciples suffered him not.
- 31
- And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent
unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself
into the theatre.
- 32
- Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the
assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore
they were come together.
- 33
- And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting
him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would
have made his defence unto the people.
- 34
- But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about
the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the
Ephesians.
- 35
- And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye
men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that
the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess
Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
- 36
- Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye
ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
- 37
- For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither
robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
- 38
- Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him,
have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are
deputies: let them implead one another.
- 39
- But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall
be determined in a lawful assembly.
- 40
- For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's
uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of
this concourse.
- 41
- And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 20
- 1
- And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto 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 abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for
him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return
through Macedonia.
- 4
- And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of
the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of
Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
- 5
- These going before tarried for us at Troas.
- 6
- And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened
bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we
abode seven days.
- 7
- And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came
together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to
depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
- 8
- And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they
were gathered together.
- 9
- And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus,
being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long
preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the
third loft, and was taken up dead.
- 10
- And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said,
Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
- 11
- When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and
eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he
departed.
- 12
- And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little
comforted.
- 13
- And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there
intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding
himself to go afoot.
- 14
- And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to
Mitylene.
- 15
- And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against
Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at
Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
- 16
- For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would
not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible
for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
- 17
- And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of
the church.
- 18
- And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know,
from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I
have been with you at all seasons,
- 19
- Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many
tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait
of the Jews:
- 20
- And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but
have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house
to house,
- 21
- Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 22
- And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that shall befall me there:
- 23
- Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that
bonds and afflictions abide me.
- 24
- But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and
the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to
testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- 25
- And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
- 26
- Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from
the blood of all men.
- 27
- For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of
God.
- 28
- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- 29
- For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
- 30
- Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.
- 31
- Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
- 32
- And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of
his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
- 33
- I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
- 34
- Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto
my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- 35
- I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought
to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive.
- 36
- And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with
them all.
- 37
- And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed
him,
- 38
- Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they
should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the
ship.