The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to
do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through
the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had
chosen: To whom also he shewed 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: And, being assembled together with them,
commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for
the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John
truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost
not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked
of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the
seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had
spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud
received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward
heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto
Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath
day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper
room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and
Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord
in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus,
and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the
number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and
brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost
by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to
them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of
this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and
falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed
out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that
field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of
blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate,
and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore
of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus
went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that
same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a
witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called
Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and
said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these
two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship,
from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And
they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord
in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at
Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when
this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded,
because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they
were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all
these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own
tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the
dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and
strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear
them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all
amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto
them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto
you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose,
seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by
the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will
pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall
dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out
in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders
in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour
of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to
pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye
men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God
among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the
midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by
wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having
loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be
holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always
before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my
flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither
wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to
me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men
and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is
both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore
being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that
of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit
on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that
his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus
hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the
right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of
the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For
David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said
unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that
same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all
that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many
other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this
untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued
stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs
were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all
things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to
all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in
the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer,
being the ninth hour. 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; Who seeing Peter
and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his
eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them,
expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have
I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up
stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising
God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of
the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which
had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter
and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called
Solomon's, greatly wondering.
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why
marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own
power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and
of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus;
whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he
was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and
desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life,
whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his
name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see
and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through
ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God
before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should
suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,
when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And
he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the
heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For
Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things
whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul,
which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many
as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of
the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying
unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in
turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple,
and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the
people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And
they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was
now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and
the number of the men was about five thousand.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as
many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at
Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what
power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy
Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this
day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what
means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of
Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom
God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you
whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is
become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must
be saved.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they
were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge
of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was
healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they
had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among
themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable
miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in
Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the
people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in
this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all
nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto
them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than
unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen
and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go,
finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all
men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty
years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the
chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they
lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God,
which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who
by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and
the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the
rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of
a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod,
and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered
together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before
to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth
thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of
thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that
believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that
ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any
among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses
sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them
down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man
according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed
Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and
of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and
laid it at the apostles' feet.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
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. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath
Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the
price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was
sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in
thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing
these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all
them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and
carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours
after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter
answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she
said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have
agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them
which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the
young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her
by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many
as heard these things.
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified
them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of
men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets,
and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter
passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out
of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which
were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the
sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands
on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the
Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go,
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And
when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and
taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the
council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the
prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them
not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we
shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but
when we had opened, we found no man within. Now when the high priest
and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they
doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them,
saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple,
and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and
brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should
have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before
the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly
command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have
filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon
us.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God
rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and
hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and
a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are
his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath
given to them that obey him.
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay
them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a
doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded
to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel,
take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For
before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to
whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was
slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew
away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as
obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these
men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will
come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be
found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had
called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not
speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in
every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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. Then the twelve called the
multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should
leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out
among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man
full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,
and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set
before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on
them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders
and miracles among the people.
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of
the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of
Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom
and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We
have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came
upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false
witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words
against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this
Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs
which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on
him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Then said the high priest, Are these things so? And he said, Men, brethren,
and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,
when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto
him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the
land which I shall shew thee. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans,
and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he
removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. And he gave him none
inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he
would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet
he had no child. And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in
a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat
them evil four hundred years. And the nation to whom they shall be in
bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve
me in this place. And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so
Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat
Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with
envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of
all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh
king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now
there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great
affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that
there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time
Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made
known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him,
and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. So Jacob went down into
Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, And were carried over into Sychem, and
laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of
Emmor the father of Sychem. But when the time of the promise drew nigh,
which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. The same dealt subtilly with
our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young
children, to the end they might not live. In which time Moses was born, and
was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: And
when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him
for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,
and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old,
it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing
one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was
oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would
have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they
understood not. And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they
strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren;
why do ye wrong one to another? But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust
him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill
me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? Then fled Moses at this saying,
and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. And
when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of
mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw
it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the
Lord came unto him, Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst
not behold. Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the
place where thou standest is holy ground. I have seen, I have seen the
affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and
am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge?
the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel
which appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after that he had
shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in
the wilderness forty years.
This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the
Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye
hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which
spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively
oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him
from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto
Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us
out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And they made a
calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the
works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship
the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of
Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty
years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the
star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will
carry you away beyond Babylon. Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in
the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should
make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Which also our fathers
that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles,
whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God
of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth
not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne,
and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or
what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the
Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not
your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of
the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and
murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have
not kept it.
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed
on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up
stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the
right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son
of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud
voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast
him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes
at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen,
calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled
down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And
when he had said this, he fell asleep.
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. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 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. And there was great joy in that city. 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: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 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. 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. 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, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 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. 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: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 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? 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. 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. 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. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.