Doctor Luke Reveals The Beginning Acts of Jesus’ Kingdom, as It was Established Upon the Earth, (A.D. 30-62) Beginning in Jerusalem, & ending on Earth when Time stops.
Introduction:
This Reading is Dr. Luke’s contemporary history in his 2nd Treatise completed about AD 63, concerning the Kingdom Jesus ruled. This Treatise provides historical details regarding Its beginning, which began through the “12” (disciples from the first contemporary Treatise) and Its spread, until the release of Doctor Paul from house arrest in Rome during Nero’s reign as Caesar of the Roman Empire (Dr. Paul was an Apostle of that Kingdom & served Its King). He (for 30+ years) evangelized His Good News over a vast area in much difficulty. This Treatise ends its details in the winter of AD 62, when Dr. Paul was released from Roman house arrest. Dr. Luke has revealed the work and the direction of the Holy Spirit with certain Apostles and Prophets (along with various local folks in various communities that had become ‘citizens’ of It), who all were instrumental in establishing His Kingdom, illustrating His design and uniqueness of It. The consistency of the Teaching’s of Jesus are inherent in all congregation. The leadership’s were alike and in accord with the Holy Spirit’s directives. The spread was complete in their world and constant for generations. And all was with the Grace of God constantly active with them. The fact that only a small number of Apostles and Prophets were followed in the Treatise, are to the student or reader, evidence of the typical work of ‘all’ Jesus’ chosen and loyal disciples. They all went, ultimately, to various parts of the known world (as secular history reports), and worked accurately, as did the revealed workers in Dr. Luke’s contemporary history of the early years of Jesus’ Kingdom and Its development. This Treatise is not just ‘history’, It is the foundation for the expectations of each new generation of Jesus’ Kingdom. It is the guide to see that Jesus’ Teaching is perpetuated from generation to generation, until He returns, to end time. Each of the written Letters of other contemporary historians, through John’s last five (completed in around A.D.96), fill in the various reforms and important parts of information concerning the King and His Kingdom. The efforts and Teaching remained constant, consistent, unique, and equal in every place, such that, Jesus’ Kingdom can clearly be seen to be one unified Body, with one unique Father and Lord, having one unique Faith, teaching one unique Way, consistent from when one enters Jesus’ Kingdom; and one unique method of living and worshiping, all to God’s pleasure, and in accord with His ”Plan”, designed in eternity. It was not only a magnificent feat in a difficult time, it was a perfect new Way. No one has ever offered a greater reward for doing their bidding than Jesus, nor has proved that He can deliver it, which Jesus did at His resurrection.
Note: * follows the Apostles in the first few divisions of ‘Thoughts’ by noting all the pronouns referring to them. Thus, there is no confusion about whether the mentioned 120 received the immersion of the Holy Spirit. It was only the “12”.
Date: A.D. 63
Dr. Luke’s 2nd Treatise:
(1st) I wrote the previous Book Theophilus, concerning all the things which Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day that He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to His chosen Apostles*, to whom* He presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, being seen by them* for forty days, and speaking the things about God’s Kingdom. He assembled with them*, and commanded them* not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise, “which you all* heard from Me, that John indeed immersed in water, but in a few days you all* will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.”
Those* who gathered with Him asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring Israel’s kingdom at this time?” He said to them*, “It is not for you* to know the times or seasons which the Father has placed in His own authority, but when the Holy Spirit comes upon you all*, you* will receive power, and you* will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the Earth.” He said these things, and while they* were looking, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him up, out of their* sight. As they* were staring into heaven, while He was going away, behold! Two men in white clothing stood by them*, and said, “Men of Galilee, why are you* standing and peering into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you* into heaven, will come in the same way that you* saw Him go into heaven.” Then, they* returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. They* came in, and went to the upstairs room, where they* were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. All these* were devoting themselves unitedly in prayer with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
And in those days Peter stood up among the brothers (about one hundred and twenty), and said, “Men, brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David predicted about Judas (who was the leader for those who seized Jesus), because he was numbered among us*, and received a place in this service. He acquired a field with the wages of wrongdoing, and falling headfirst, he burst open in the middle, and all his entrails were poured out. (This has become known to all who live in Jerusalem, and that field is called in their language Akeldama, that is, “The Field of Blood.”) It is written in the book of Psalms {69:25, 109:8}, ‘Let his house be empty, and let no one live in it,’ and ‘Let another take his overseership.’ It is therefore necessary to choose one of those who have accompanied us* all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us* (beginning from the immersion of John until the day that He was taken up from us*), to become a witness with us* of His resurrection. They put two forward, Joseph (called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus) and Matthias. Then they* prayed, and said, “You, Lord, knower of all hearts, show clearly of these two the one whom You have chosen to take the place in this service and apostleship from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” They* gave lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven Apostles. {1:26}
(2nd) The day of Pentecost came, and they* were all together at the same place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven as of a rushing, violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they* were sitting. Divided tongues as of fire appeared to them* and rested on each one of them*. All were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit was inspiring them*. {2:4}
Now Jews were dwelling in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. This sound was heard, and the multitude came together, and was bewildered, because each one heard them* speaking in his own language. They were amazed and were wondering, saying, “Behold! Are not all these* men who* are speaking Galileans? How do we hear, each one of us in his own language, in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those who live in Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, and in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and portions of Libya about Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and Proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them* speaking in our languages the mighty acts of God!” They were all amazed and greatly perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others were sneering, saying, “They* are full of new wine.” {2:13}
Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and declared to them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, this must be understood by you all, so you must give an ear to my words: these men* are not drunk as you imagine, for it is nine o’clock; but this is what has been spoken through Joel the Prophet [Joel 2:28], ‘It shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see appearances, and your older men shall have visions in dreams. In those days I will pour out of My Spirit on my bondservants and on my bondmaidens.’ (And they will prophesy.) I will give wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. Everyone who calls on the Lord’s name shall be saved.’” {2:21}
“Men of Israel, it is imperative that you all hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene has been attested by God through miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him among you, as you yourselves know. The One Who was delivered up by God’s fixed ‘Plan’ and foreknowledge, you have nailed to the cross and killed by the hands of lawless men. God brought the pains of His death to an end, and raised Him up, because death could not hold Him. David spoke about Him [Ps.16:8-11] ‘I foresaw the Lord always before Me, because He is at My right hand, that I should not be moved.’ ‘My heart rejoiced, and My tongue was glad; and My flesh also will yet live in hope, for You will not abandon My corpse in a grave, neither will you allow your Holy One to experience decay. You have made known to Me the ways of life; You will fill Me with joy with Your presence.’ {2:26}
Men, brothers, it is necessary to speak boldly to you of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. He was a prophet, and he knew that God had sworn to him to set One of his descendants on his throne. He foresaw Christ’s resurrection and spoke of it, that He was not left in the grave, neither did His flesh experience decay. God raised up Jesus, of Whom we* all are witnesses. He has been exalted to God’s right hand and has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, and He has poured out what you see and hear. David did not go to heaven, but he himself said [Ps.110:1], ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’ Therefore, it is imperative that all the house of Israel understand that God has made this Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” {2:36}
They heard this, and were stabbed in their heart, and cried out to Peter and the other Apostles, “Men*, brothers, what should we do?” [displaying genuine repentance] Peter said to them, “All of you must willingly reform in mind and life, and each one of you must allow yourself to be immersed in the Name of Jesus Christ, ‘so that your sins may be forgiven’ {1973 NIV}. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God may call.” {2:39}
Then he testified and exhorted them with many other words, saying, “You all must be saved from this crooked generation.” The ones who gladly accepted his Message were immersed, and about three thousand souls were added in that day. {2:41}
They were holding fast to: The teaching of the Apostles and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles. {2:43}
All the believers were together and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, as anyone needed. They spent much time everyday in the Temple with one mind, and broke bread from house to house, sharing food in gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. The Lord was adding together daily the ones who were being saved. {2:47}
(3rd) Now at the three o’clock hour of prayer, Peter and John were going up to the Temple. A certain man who was lame from birth was being carried, whom they were placing daily at the Temple gate called Beautiful, to ask a gift from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John were about to enter the Temple, he started begging them for a gift. Peter, with John, looked at him intently, and said, “Look at us!” He was giving close attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but I give you what I have: in the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, you must get up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him, and instantly his feet and ankles were strengthened. He jumped and stood and started walking, and entered the Temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized that it was he who had been sitting for a gift at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he was holding to Peter and John, all the people ran to them on Solomon’s porch and were utterly astonished. Peter saw the people, and said to them, “Men, Israelites, why are you marveling at this, or why are you looking intently at us, as if by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, Whom you delivered up and denied before Pontius Pilate, when he wanted to release Him! You denied the Holy and Righteous One, and you asked that a murderer be granted to you! You killed the Prince of Life, Whom God raised from the dead, of Whom we are witnesses! Because of ‘the Faith’ in His Name, His Name has made this man strong whom you see and know. ‘Yes!’, ‘the Faith’ which is through His Name [only] has given him this soundness before all of you. And now, brothers, I know that you and your rulers did this without understanding, and in this way, God fulfilled the things which He announced long ago by the mouth of all the Prophets, that His Christ should suffer. Therefore, all of you must willingly reform and turn, so that your sins may be wiped away, that seasons of refreshment may come from the face of the Lord, and that He may send to you the One who has been appointed for you, Christ Jesus, Whom heaven must hold until the times of the restoration of all things, of which God spoke from the beginning through the mouth of His holy prophets. Moses indeed said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to whatever He says to you. And every soul who does not listen to that Prophet shall be destroyed from the People.” [Deut. 18:15-16] All the prophets who have spoken – from Samuel and his successors – proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the Covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your Seed all the families of the Earth shall be blessed.’ [Gen. 22:18] God first raised up His Servant for you, and sent Him to you, blessing each one of you who turns from your evils.” While they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the Temple guard and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They laid hands on them, and put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the Message were persuaded, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. On the next day, their rulers and the elders and the scribes assembled in Jerusalem, and the high priest Annas, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and those of the family of the high priest. They set them in their midst, and were asking, “By whose power or by whose name have you done this?” Then Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, answered, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we today are being examined about an act of kindness for this helpless man, by what means he has been made whole, then it must be understood to everyone of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the NAME of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, by HIM, this man stands before you healthy. THIS is ‘the Stone which has been counted as nothing by you builders, which has become the Keystone’[Ps.118:22], and salvation is in no other, for neither is there any other NAME under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!” They observed the boldness of Peter and John, and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, and marveled, recognizing that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man standing with them who had been healed, they had nothing to say. Then they ordered them to go outside of the Council, and conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do to these men? The extraordinary sign done by them is known to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But that it be not spread more among the people, let us warn them not to speak anymore in this Name to anyone.” They called them, and commanded that under no condition were they to teach or to speak in Jesus’ Name. Peter and John replied, “You must decide if it is right before God to listen to you rather than God, for we can only speak what we have seen and heard.” Again, they warned them, and released them, since they did not find a way to punish them on account of the people, for everyone was praising God because of what had happened. The man on whom this miraculous healing had been done was more than forty years old. They were released, and went to their own, and told what the chief priests and the elders had said. When they heard this, with one mind they lifted their voice to God, and prayed, “Master, Who made heaven and earth and the sea and all things in them, Who said (through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David, our father and your servant), ‘Why have the nations become furious, and the peoples plotted senseless things? The kings of the Earth have appeared, and the rulers have come together, against the Lord and His Christ.’ [Ps.2:1-2] Indeed, they have come together in this city against Your holy Servant Jesus, Whom You anointed, even Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the nations and the peoples of Israel, to do the things that Your hand and Will determined beforehand would happen. And now, Lord, You must look on their threats, and must grant to Your slaves to speak Your Message with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healings and signs and wonders through the Name of your holy Servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; all were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke God’s Message boldly. {4:31}
(4th) Now, those who believed were united in heart and soul, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but all things were common to them. The Apostles continued to testify with great power concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant Grace was on all of them. No one among them lacked anything, for whoever owned lands or houses sold them, and brought the money for the things sold, and laid it at the Apostles’ feet. Then the money was distributed to each one according to his need. Joseph, whom the Apostles called Barnabas (by interpretation, “The Son of Exhortation”), a Levite and a Cyprian by race, had a field, and sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Apostles’ feet. A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property, and kept back part of the price (his wife also was aware of it), and brought a certain part, and laid it at the Apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the land? Before you sold it, was it not yours? After you sold it, was it not at your disposal? Why have you contrived this scheme in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” Ananias heard these words, and fell down and died, and great fear came on all who heard about it. The young men arose, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife walked in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, were you paid this much for the land?” She replied, “Yes, this much.” Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to put the Lord’s Spirit to the test? Behold! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” She instantly fell down at his feet and died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came on all the called-out people, and on everyone who heard these things. Many signs and wonders were done through the hands of the Apostles among the people. They were all together in Solomon’s porch. None of the others dared to unite with them, but the people esteemed them highly. {5:13}
Now, the number of those who were persuaded continued to grow, with multitudes both of men and women being added. The sick were being carried into the streets on small beds and stretchers, so that Peter’s shadow might fall on anyone of them when he passed by. A multitude was gathering from the cities around Jerusalem, carrying the sick and those who were troubled with unclean spirits, and they were all being cured. Then, the high priest stood up, and all those with him (who were of the sect of the Sadducees), and were filled with jealousy. They arrested the Apostles and put them into the public prison. However, during the night, the Lord’s angel opened the prison doors, led them out, and said to them, “You must go and stand and must speak in the Temple to the people all the words of this Life.” After they heard this, they entered the Temple at daybreak, and began teaching. Then the high priest and those with him came, and called together the Council, that is, all the Council of the elders of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. But the officers who went did not find them in the prison; they returned and reported, saying, “We found the prison absolutely secure, and the guards were standing at the doors; but when we opened the doors, we found no one inside.” As they heard these words, both the captain of the Temple guard and the chief priests were extremely perplexed about what this might mean. Then a certain one arrived, and announced to them, “Guess what! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!” The captain then left with the officers, and began leading them, but not with force, for they were afraid that the people might stone them. They brought them and made them to stand before the Council, and the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this Name? But behold! You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you wish to bring this man’s blood upon us!” Peter and the Apostles replied, [1] “It is necessary to obey God rather than men. [2] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus [3] Whom you murdered, [4] having hanged Him on a tree! [5] God exalted Him, [6] the Prince and Savior, [7]to His right hand, [8] to exhibit reform to Israel, [9] and forgiveness of sins. [10 And we are witnesses of these sayings, [11] and so is the Holy Spirit, [12] Whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Those who heard these things were furious and decided to kill them. A certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, who was highly respected by all the people, stood up in the Council, and commanded that the men be put outside briefly. Then he said to them, “Men, Israelites, you must be careful about what you are going to do to these men, for before these days, Theudas stood up, saying that he was somebody, to whom about four hundred men joined themselves. He was killed, and all, as many as were obeying him, were dispersed, and they came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean stood up in the days of the census and incited his followers to revolt. He also died, and all of the ones who had obeyed him were scattered. I now tell you, you must stay away from these men, and dismiss them, because if this movement or undertaking is of human origin, it will come to nothing. But! If it is from God, you cannot stop them, lest you be found fighting God.” He persuaded them, and they summoned and flogged the Apostles, and commanded them not to speak in Jesus’ Name, and then released them. They rejoiced as they went away from the presence of the Council, because they had been counted worthy to suffer for the sake of the Name. Every day in the Temple, and from house to house, they kept on teaching and evangelizing that Jesus is the Christ. {5:42}
(5th) In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews complained to the Hebrews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The Twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples, and said, “It is not right for us to forsake the Message of God to serve tables. Brothers, you must choose from yourselves seven reputable men who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will set over this need; and we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the Message.” {6:4}
The proposal pleased all the multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch. They set these before the Apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. God’s Message continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplying, and a large crowd of the priests was obedient to ‘the Faith’. {6:7}
Now Stephen, who was full of Grace and power, was doing wonders and great signs among the people. However, certain ones stood up and started arguing with Stephen (they were of the synagogue called Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and from Asia), but they could not stand against his wisdom and the Spirit by Whom he was speaking.
Then, they bribed men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They aroused the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him before the Council. They set up false witnesses, saying, “This man unceasingly speaks against this holy place and the Law, for we have heard him saying that this Jesus, the Nazarene, will destroy this place and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
All those sitting in the Council looked at him intently and saw his face as the face of an angel. The high priest asked, “Are these things so?” He replied, “Men, brothers and fathers, you must listen. The glorious God appeared to our father Abraham in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘You must go out from your land, and from your relatives, and come into the land which I will show you.’ [Gen. 12:1] Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. From there, God made him move – after his father’s death – to this land where you now live. However, He gave him no inheritance in it (not even enough space for a foot); but promised to give it to him (even when he had no child) and to his offspring after him. God spoke in this manner, ‘His offspring will be foreigners in a strange land, and they will enslave them, and mistreat them for four hundred years. I will judge the nation that enslaves them,’ [Gen.15:13-14] God said, ‘and after these things, they will come out and serve Me in this place.’ God gave him a Covenant of circumcision, and Abraham fathered Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. When the patriarchs became jealous, they sold Joseph into Egypt; but God was with him, and delivered him from all his sufferings, and gave him grace and wisdom before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, who set him to rule over Egypt and all his house. A famine and intense suffering came on the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was food in Egypt, he first sent our fathers. Joseph was made known to his brothers on their second trip, and Joseph’s race became known to Pharaoh. Joseph sent an invitation to Jacob his father, and all his relatives, seventy-five people. Jacob went to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. They were taken back to Shechem and placed in the tomb which Jacob [Josh.24:32] bought with silver from Hamor’s sons in Shechem. As the time of the promise which God had declared to Abraham approached, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until a king arose who did not know Joseph. He took advantage of our race by trickery, and cruelly forced our fathers to throw out their infants, so that they might not live. Moses was born at that time, and he was well-pleasing to God. He was nourished in his father’s house for three months, and when he had been placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in his words and deeds. When he was about forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. He saw a certain one being treated unjustly, and he retaliated and brought justice to the one being mistreated, striking the Egyptian. He was thinking that his brothers would understand that God was giving deliverance to them by his hand, but they had not understood this. The next day, when he saw two fighting, he tried to make peace between them, and said, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you doing wrong to each other?’ But the wrongdoer pushed him away, saying, ‘Who appointed you a ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ At this answer, Moses ran away, and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons. After forty years, the Lord’s angel appeared to him in a flaming thorn-bush in the desert of mount Sinai. Moses looked and marveled at the sight. As he came near to observe, the Lord spoke to him, ‘I AM, The [only] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.’ [Ex3:6,15] Moses trembled, and did not dare look. The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy. I have certainly seen the cruel suffering of My people in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and I have come to deliver them. And now come! I will send you to Egypt.’ By the hand of the angel who appeared in the thorn-bush, God sent this Moses, whom they had refused, saying, “Who appointed you a ruler and judge?”, both as a ruler and a redeemer. This one led them out and did wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the desert for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘From your brothers God will raise up for you a Prophet like me.’ [Deut.18:15] This is he who was among the called-out people in the desert, with the angel, who spoke to him in mount Sinai, and our fathers, who received living Oracles to give to us. Our fathers did not want to obey; they rejected him and turned back to Egypt in their hearts; and they said to Aaron, “You must make gods for us who will go before us, because as to this Moses, we do not know what has happened to him.” {Ex.32:1,23} They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in their handiwork. So, God turned away and gave them up to worship the stars of heaven, as it is written in the ‘book of the prophets’: “Did you offer slain animals and sacrifices to me forty years in the desert, house of Israel? You received the shrine of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, images which you crafted for them to worship, and I will remove you beyond Babylon.” {Amos5:25f} The ‘Tabernacle of the Testimony’ with our fathers in the desert was to be made according to the pattern which the One who spoke to Moses commanded. Our fathers brought It with Joshua into the possession of the nations, which God drove out in front of our fathers until the days of David. He found favor with God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. Now Solomon built a house for Him, but the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands, as the prophet said, ‘Heaven is My throne, and the Earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me?’{Is.66:1-2}, says the Lord, or ‘What is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?’ Stubborn and insensitive in hearts and ears! You all always fight the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you! Which of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? And you killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One, of Whom you have now become the betrayers and murderers. You received the Law ordained by angels, but you did not keep it!” After they heard these things, they became infuriated, and began to gnash against him with their teeth. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven, and saw God’s splendor and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. He loudly exclaimed, “Behold! I see heaven opened! And [see] the ^Son of man^ standing at God’s right hand!” They shrieked loudly, stopped their ears, and rushed on him with one mind. They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. Witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he was saying, “Lord Jesus, You must receive my spirit.” He bowed on his knees, and loudly cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” After he said this, he fell asleep. {7:60}
(6th) Now Saul approved of his murder. On that day a great persecution came on the called-out people in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. Godly men buried Stephen and made intense lamentation over him. {8:2}
Now Saul was trying to destroy the called-out people, entering every house, dragging out both men and women, and committing them to jail. Those, therefore, who were scattered went about evangelizing His Message. {8:4}
Now Philip went down to the city of Samaria and was proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds were united in giving careful attention to the things Philip said, and in watching the signs he was doing: Unclean spirits were crying loudly, and going out of many people, and large numbers of paralytics and cripples were healed, and there was great rejoicing in that city. Now a certain man named Simon had been practicing magic in the city, and had amazed the Samaritan nation, saying that he himself was great. All of the people, from the least to the greatest, were following him, saying, “This man is God’s power called GREAT.” They were all following him, because he had amazed them for a long time with his magical arts. But when they believed Philip, as he evangelized about God’s Kingdom, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were immersed, both men and women. Simon himself also was persuaded, and was immersed, and continued to keep close company with Philip. As he observed the signs and great miracles that were being done, he was amazed. The Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received God’s Message, and they sent Peter and John to them. They went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had, though, been immersed into the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then they placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon saw that the Spirit was given by the laying on of the Apostles’ hands, and he brought money to them, saying, “You must give to me also this power, that the one on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter replied to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you have supposed that you could obtain God’s gift with money. You have neither a portion nor a share in this matter, for your heart is not right with God. Therefore, you must reform your mind and life in regard to this wickedness of yours, and must pray to the Lord [confessing his sin], in the hope that the intent of your heart shall be forgiven you, for I see that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Simon pleaded, “You pray to the Lord for me, that none of what you have said happens to me.” They testified and spoke the Lord’s Message, and returned to Jerusalem, and evangelized in many Samaritan villages. {8:25}
The Lord’s angel spoke to Philip, saying, “You must arise and go southward on the road which goes from Jerusalem to the abandoned Gaza.” He arose and went and behold! An important Ethiopian officer (the treasurer for Candace, Ethiopia’s queen), who had been to Jerusalem to worship, was returning, and, while sitting in his chariot, was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “You must go and join this chariot.” Philip ran and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He answered, “Indeed, how can I, unless some one shall guide me?” Then he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb before His shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. In His humble situation His justice was taken away. Who will describe His posterity? Because His life was taken from the Earth.” [Is.53:7-8] The officer asked Philip, “I beg you, of whom is the Prophet saying this: of himself, or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture, to him evangelized about Jesus. And as they were going down the road, they came to a certain water, and the officer exclaimed, “Look! Water! What hinders my being immersed?” Philip replied, “If you believe with all your heart, you should.” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son.” He ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the officer, and he immersed him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the officer saw him no more, but he joyfully continued his journey. Then Philip was found at Azotus, and as he passed through, he evangelized in all of the cities, until he came into Caesarea. {8:40}
(7th) Saul, still breathing threatening and murder against the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest, and asked from him letters for the Damascus synagogues, in order that, if he found any who were of the Way (either men or women), he might lead them bound to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus, all of a sudden, a light from heaven shined around him. He fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” He answered, “I AM”, “Jesus, Whom you are persecuting!” “But more so, you must arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men accompanying him stood speechless, indeed hearing the Voice, but seeing no one. Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but he could not see. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus, where he remained sightless for three days, and neither ate nor drank. A certain disciple named Ananias was in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Behold! I am here, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “You must arise and go to the street called Straight and ask for Saul of Tarsus in Judah’s house. Behold! He is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming and laying hands on him, that he may see.” Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard about this man from many people, what cruel things he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to bind all those who call on your Name.” The Lord said to him, “You must go, because this one is a chosen instrument to Me to carry My Name both to nations and to kings and to the children of Israel. I will show him what he must suffer for the sake of My Name.” Ananias departed, entered the house, laid his hands on him, and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me that you might see again, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Some things like scales immediately fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He arose and was immersed. After he received food, he was strengthened. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for some days and was immediately preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is God’s Son. All those who heard were confounded, and were asking, “Is not this the man who destroyed those in Jerusalem who were calling on this Name? And has he not come here to lead them bound to the chief priests?” Saul became stronger and stronger, and bewildered the Jews in Damascus, proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days, the Jews conspired to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were closely watching even the gates, both day and night, that they might kill him. But the disciples took him during the night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. He went to Jerusalem and tried to unite with the disciples. However, they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him to the Apostles and related to them that while on the road he had seen the Lord, who had talked to him, and that in Damascus he had spoken boldly in Jesus’ Name. While he was with them, he was going in and out of Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the Lord’s Name. He talked and reasoned with the Grecian Jews who were attempting to kill him. The brothers learned this, and escorted him down to Caesarea, and sent him to Tarsus. {9:31}
(8th) The called-out people throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and were built up. They walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit and continued to multiply.
As Peter was going through all the area, he went down to the saints living in Lydda. He found there a certain man named Aeneas, paralyzed and bedfast for eight years. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ is healing you. You must arise and make your bed.” He immediately stood up. All of those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. {9:35}
In Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which means “Dorcas”), a woman who did many good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died; they bathed her and placed her in an upper room. Now Lydda was near Joppa, and after the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men who implored, “Do not delay to come to us.” Peter arose and went with them; when he arrived, they took him to the upper room, where all the widows were weeping and showing coats and garments, which Dorcas had made. Peter asked everyone to leave, kneeled and prayed, turned to the body, and said, “Tabitha, you must arise!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and raised her up; he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known in all of Joppa, and many were persuaded upon the Lord. Then he stayed in Joppa for many days with a tanner named Simon. {9:43}
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a captain of the regiment of soldiers from Italy. He was a devout and God-fearing man, with all his family; he did many deeds of charity for the people and prayed to God constantly. About three o’clock in the afternoon he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, who said, “Cornelius.” He looked straight at him, was afraid, and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your deeds of charity have ascended as a memorial before God. You must send men now to Joppa and must summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is beside the sea.”
The angel who spoke to him departed, and he called two house servants and a devout soldier from those who were his personal attendants. He related all things to them and sent them to Joppa. The next day, as they were going along the road and were approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof about noon to pray. He became hungry and was wishing to eat. While they were preparing the meal, he had a vision: he saw heaven opened, and something like a large sheet was being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In this object were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and birds of heaven. A voice commanded him, “Arise! Peter, kill and eat!” But Peter replied, “By no means, Lord, because at no time have I eaten anything common and unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “You must not call common what God has cleansed.”
After this happened three times, the object was quickly received into heaven. While Peter was deeply confused about the meaning of the vision, behold! The men whom Cornelius sent had inquired about Simon’s house and were standing at the gate. They called and asked if Simon Peter was staying there. While Peter was trying to understand the vision, the Spirit spoke to him, “Behold! Three men are looking for you. Arise, you must go down, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.” Peter went down to the men, and said, “Howdy! I am the one you are seeking. Why are you here?” They replied, “Captain Cornelius, an upright and God-fearing man, who is highly regarded by the entire Jewish nation, was instructed by a holy angel to bring you to his house, and to hear words from you.” He invited them in and lodged them.
The next day Peter arose and went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. On the following day, when they arrived in Caesarea, Cornelius was expecting them, and had invited his relatives and close friends. As Peter was entering, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, “You must stand up, for I myself am also a man.” While he was talking with him, he entered, and found many people gathered, and he said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to approach one of a different nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any human being common or unclean. So, I came without hesitation when I was summoned. Therefore, I ask, why have you sent for me?” Cornelius replied, “Four days ago, at this very hour, three o’clock, I was praying in my house, and behold! A man in bright clothing stood before me, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your deeds of charity have been remembered before God. You must send to Joppa and ask for Simon Peter. He is staying in the house of Simon a tanner beside the sea.’ I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind to come. Now, therefore, we are all present before God to hear all of the things commanded you by the Lord.” Then, Peter opened his mouth and said, “I indeed realize that God is not partial; in every nation he who reveres Him and works righteousness is welcomed by Him. The Message which He sent to the children of Israel, evangelizing peace through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, you know that Message, which spread throughout all of Judea, beginning from Galilee after the immersion which John preached, the Message about Jesus from Nazareth: that God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. We are witnesses of all of the things He did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, who killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. God raised Him on the third day, and made Him visible, not to all of the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen before by God; to us, who ate and drank with Him after He was raised from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that this One was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. All of the prophets testify to this One, that everyone who believes unto Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name.”
While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit descended upon all of those listening to the Message. The believing brothers of the circumcision who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles; they were hearing them as they spoke in languages and praised God. Then, Peter spoke, “Can anybody forbid the water, that these should not be immersed, who also like us have received the Holy Spirit?” And he commanded them to be immersed in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for certain days. {10:48}
Then, the Apostles and the Judean brothers heard that the Gentiles had received God’s Message. After Peter returned to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!” Peter began an orderly explanation of what had happened, saying, “I was praying in the city of Joppa, and in a trance, I saw something like a large sheet coming down, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came to me. I looked carefully at it and saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the reptiles and the birds of heaven. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Arise, Peter, you must kill and eat.’ I replied, ‘By no means, Lord, because nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ The voice from heaven spoke a second time, ‘Do not call common the things God has cleansed.’ This happened three times, and everything was again drawn up into heaven. And behold! Immediately three men stood before the house where we were, who had been sent from Caesarea for me. The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us that he had seen the angel standing in his house, who said, ‘You must send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter, who will speak words to you by which you and all your house will be saved.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning, and I remembered the Lord’s statement, ‘John indeed immersed in water, but you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them a gift equal to the one that He gave to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to withstand God?” They heard these things, and were quiet, and praised God, saying, “Then God has given reform into life also to the Gentiles.” {11:18}
(9th) Those who had been scattered – in the suffering which came at the time of Stephen’s murder – went as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, declaring the Message to no one except the Jews. However, some people of Cyprus and Cyrene, who had gone to Antioch, were speaking also to the Greeks, evangelizing about the Lord Jesus. And the Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number of those were persuaded and turned to the Lord. This report came to the ears of the called-out people in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch, who, when he arrived, and saw God’s Grace, rejoiced and exhorted everyone to abide in the Lord with purpose of heart. (He was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.) A large number was added to the Lord.
Then, he went to Tarsus to look for Saul. He found him, and brought him to Antioch, where they [1] met with the called-out people for a full year and [2] taught a large number. [3] Also, first in Antioch, by divine revelation, they called the disciples “christians”. {11:26}
Now in those days, Prophets from Jerusalem came down to Antioch. One of them, by the name of Agabus, arose and signified by the Spirit that a great famine was about to come on all the world (which came in the days of Claudius). Then, the disciples – each as he was prospered- determined to help the brothers in Judea, which they did, and sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. {11:30}
At that time King Herod arrested certain ones among the called-out people in-order-to mistreat them. He killed James, John’s brother, with a sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter (during the days of unleavened bread), whom he seized and imprisoned, and assigned four squads of soldiers to guard him, planning to bring him before the people after the Passover. Peter was being kept in prison, and while he was there, the called-out group prayed to God constantly for him. {12:7}
Now on the night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound by two chains, while guards at the door were keeping the prison secure. Behold! The Lord’s angel appeared and shined a light in the cell. He touched Peter’s side, and aroused him, saying, “You must stand up quickly!” The chains fell from his hands, and the angel said to him, “You must fasten your belt, and put on your sandals.” He did this, and the angel said, “Put on your coat, and you must follow me.” He went out and followed him, but he did not know that it was an angel who was doing this; he thought that he was having a vision. They went beyond the first and second guards and came to an iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out and passed along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
After Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I indeed know that the Lord sent his angel to deliver me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Jews.” After he considered the situation, he went to the home of Mary (the mother of John who is called Mark), where many were gathered, and were praying. He knocked on the gate’s door, and a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. She recognized Peter’s voice and was so overjoyed that she did not open the door but ran and announced that Peter was standing before the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she continued to insist that it was so. They were saying, “It is his angel.” Meanwhile, Peter kept on knocking. Then, they opened the door and saw him and were amazed. He urged them with his hand to be quiet, told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and said, “You must tell these things to James and the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. {12:17}
When day came, there was no little stir among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. Herod searched for him unsuccessfully, examined the guards, and commanded that they be put to death. Then, he departed from Judea and spent some time in Caesarea. Now, Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him as a group (having persuaded Blastus, the king’s butler), and were asking for peace, since their food came from the king’s country. Now on the appointed day, Herod was royally clad and sat on the place of judgment and delivered a speech to them. The people were crying out, “This is the voice of god, not of a man.” The Lord’s angel instantly struck him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he became worm-eaten, and died. [AD 44] {12:23}
(10) The Lord’s Message continued to increase and multiply. After Barnabas and Saul had finished their service, they returned from Jerusalem to Antioch, and took with them John, who is called Mark. Now among the called-out people in Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Symeon (who was called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who was a foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they had fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away. {13:3}
They, having been sent by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there sailed to Cyprus. In Salamis they proclaimed God’s Message in the synagogues of the Jews, and John was their assistant. They passed through the whole island to Paphos, and found a Jew named Bar-jesus, who was a sorcerer and a false prophet. He was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding, who summoned Barnabas and Saul, because he wanted to hear God’s Message. And the sorcerer (Elymas, by interpretation) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from ‘the Faith’. Then, Saul (who is also Paul) was filled with the Holy Spirit, and stared at him, and said, “You son of the devil, full of all treachery and wickedness, you enemy of all that is right, will you not stop perverting the Lord’s right Ways? And now, you must pay attention! The Lord’s hand is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” Immediately, mistiness and darkness fell on him, and he went around trying to find someone to lead him by his hand. After the proconsul saw what happened, then he was persuaded, being amazed at the Lord’s Teaching. {13:12}
Then, Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and landed at Perga of Pamphylia. However, John left them and returned to Jerusalem. They passed on from Perga to Antioch of Pisidia, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men, brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, speak.” Then Paul arose, motioned with his hand, and said, “Men, Israelites, and those who revere God, you ought to listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and raised up the people during their sojourn in Egypt and led them out with a strong arm. He tenderly carried them in the desert as a nursing father for about forty years. He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan and gave them the land. And after these things he gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul – Kish’s son, a Benjaminite – for forty years. After God removed him, He raised up as a king for them David, of whom He spoke and testified, ‘I have found David, Jesse’s son, a man after My heart, who will do all of My wishes.’ According to promise, He has brought a Savior to Israel from this man’s offspring: Jesus! Before the coming of this One, John preached, beforehand, the immersion of reform of mind and life to all the people of Israel. And as John was completing his work, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He, but behold! One comes after me whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’ {13:25}
Men, brothers, children of Abraham’s family, and those among you who revere God, the Message of this salvation has been sent to us. Since the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their Rulers understood neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, they have fulfilled the [words of the] prophets in condemning Him. Though they found no cause of death in Him, they still asked Pilate that He be killed. When they had fulfilled everything that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree, and placed Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead, and He was seen for many days by those who walked with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who now are His witnesses to the people. And we are evangelizing the promise given to the fathers, which God has fulfilled to us, their children, when He raised Jesus up, as it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my Son. I have begotten You today.’ Since He raised Him from the dead (and He is no longer subject to decay), He has spoken in this manner, ‘I will give to you the sure mercies of David.’ {Isaiah 55:3} He also said in another place, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’ {Psalms 16:10} David indeed died, after he had served God’s Will in his own generation, and was gathered to his fathers, and saw decay; but the One Whom God raised did not see decay. Therefore, men and brothers, it is imperative you all understand that forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you through this One, and from all things from which you could not be justified by Moses’ Law, by this One everyone who is persuaded is justified. You all must be careful, so that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you: ‘Behold, despisers! You must wonder and perish! I perform a work in your days, a work you will by no means be persuaded, though it be declared to you all [Is.29:14].’” As they were leaving, they were requesting that these words be spoken to them the next Sabbath. {13:42}
After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke with them, persuading them to continue in the Grace of God. On the next Sabbath, nearly all the city was gathered to hear the Lord’s Message. But the Jews saw the crowds and were filled with jealousy; they spoke contemptuously and contradicted the things Paul was saying. However, Paul and Barnabas announced boldly, “It was necessary that God’s Message be spoken first to you, but since you thrust it away, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, Guess What! We turn to the Gentiles. The Lord therefore has commanded us, ‘I have placed you as a light of the Gentiles, so that you might be for salvation to the end of the Earth.’” [Is.49:6] {13:47}
Then, the Gentiles who were listening began to rejoice and praise the Lord’s Message, and as many as were disposed for eternal life were persuaded. The Lord’s Message continued to spread throughout the whole country. But the Jews stirred up devout, reputable women and the city’s prominent men, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. However, they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and went to Iconium, yet the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. {13:52}
In Iconium they went together to the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large multitude of both Jews and Greeks were persuaded. But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. They stayed for a long time, speaking boldly about the Lord, who was testifying to the Message of His Grace, and granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. The people of the city were divided, some were with the Jews, some with the sent-out group. Both the Gentiles and the Jews, and their rulers, planned to molest and stone them. They were aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region, where they continued to evangelize. {14:7}
In Lystra a certain crippled man was sitting; he was lame from birth and had never walked. Paul looked intently at the man who was listening to him speak, and saw that he had faith to be healed, and spoke loudly, “Stand up straight! On your feet!” And he leaped up and began to walk. The crowds saw what Paul had done and lifted their voice and said in the Lycaonian language, saying, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” And they called Barnabas “Zeus,” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the principal speaker. The priest of Zeus (whose temple was in front of the city) brought bulls and wreaths to the gates, wanting with the multitudes to offer sacrifices. The sent-out, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, and tore their clothes, and leaped into the crowd, crying out, and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human beings like you in every way. We are here evangelizing among you, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them; who in past generations allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet He did not leave Himself without a witness, for He continued to do good, sending rain and fruitful seasons from heaven, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” Though they said these things, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.
Then, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and turned the crowds against them. They stoned Paul, and dragged him outside the city, certain he had died. The disciples encircled him, and he stood up and went into the city, and on the next day he went with Barnabas to Derbe.
They were evangelizing in that city, and made many disciples, and returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in “the Faith”, saying, “We must undergo many troubles having entered God’s Kingdom.” With prayer and fasting they appointed among them elders in every called-out group, and committed them to the Lord, in Whom they had believed. They passed through Pisidia and arrived in Pamphylia. They spoke the Word in Perga and went down to Attalia; and from there they sailed to Antioch, where God’s Grace had entrusted to them the work which they accomplished. After they arrived, they called the congregation together, and reported the things God had done with them, and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed a good while with the disciples. {14:28}
(11th) Now certain ones who came down from Judea were teaching the brothers, saying, “If you are not circumcised according to Moses’ custom, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disputed and debated with them at length, and they appointed Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them to go up to the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this question. The congregation helped them on their way, and they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring fully the conversion of the Gentiles, and bringing great joy to all the brothers.
They arrived in Jerusalem and were welcomed by the congregation and the Apostles and the elders, and related the things that God had done with them. But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep Moses’ Law.” {15:5}
Then, the Apostles and the elders came together to consider this problem. After much discussion, Peter arose, and said to them, “Men, brothers, you know that long ago, God made a choice among you, that the Gentiles would hear the Message of the Good News through my mouth and believe. And God, who knows hearts, has testified by giving to them the Holy Spirit, even as He did to us; and He made no difference between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you testing God by laying a yoke on the disciples’ neck, which neither our fathers nor we could carry? But more so, we believe that we shall be saved through the Grace of the Lord Jesus, even as they.”
All of the people kept silent and continued to listen as Barnabas and Paul told of the signs and wonders which God did through them among the Gentiles. After they finished, James replied, saying, “Men, brothers, you must hear me. Symeon has told how God first visited the Gentiles, to receive from them a people for His Name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written, ‘After these things I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David, and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, so that the rest of the human family might seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles, on whom My Name has been called, says the Lord who does these things, things known of old.’ {Amos 9:11-12} So, my judgment is that we should not trouble the ones from the Gentiles who have turned to God, but that we should write them a letter to abstain from the defilements of idols, and from fornication, and from that which is strangled, and from blood. Moses has those who preach him in every city from generations of old, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” {15:21}
Then it seemed good to the Apostles and the elders – with the whole congregation – to select some of the men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas (the one called Barsabbas) and Silas, leading men among the brothers; and with them this Letter: “The Apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings! Since we have heard that certain ones went out from us and disturbed you with words, unsettling your souls, to whom we gave no commandment, it seemed good to us, when we came to one mind, to select men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the sake of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We therefore have also sent Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things by word of mouth. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: to abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things which are strangled, and from fornication; from which, if you keep yourselves, you will do well. Farewell.” {15:29}
They were sent away, and came down to Antioch, and gathered the multitude together, and delivered the Letter. They read it and rejoiced at the encouragement. And both Judas and Silas, who themselves were also prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. After some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brothers to those who had sent them. But it seemed good to Silas to stay there. Then, Paul and Barnabas stayed awhile in Antioch, teaching the Lord’s Message, and evangelizing, along with many others. {15:35}
(12th) After certain days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Lord’s Message, to see how they are.” Barnabas wanted to take along John (the one called Mark), but Paul did not think it was good to take the one who had left them in Pamphylia and did not go with them to the work. Then, there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus; while Paul chose Silas, and departed, after he had been commended by the brothers to the Grace of the Lord. {15:40}
He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations. Now, he came to Derbe and Lystra and behold! A certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, and of a Greek father, who was well reported of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted him to travel with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews in those places, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. As they were passing through the cities, they delivered the decrees that the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem had decided that they should keep. The congregations continued to be strengthened in ‘the Faith’ and were daily increasing in number. {16:5}
They passed through the country of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the Message in Asia. They went by Mysia, and attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. They passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night, a vision appeared to Paul: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and begging him, and saying, “Cross over into Macedonia! Help us!” Because he saw the vision, we immediately tried to enter Macedonia, deciding that God had called us to evangelize them. Then we sailed from Troas, and made a straight journey to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the main city of the district of Macedonia and is a Colony. We stayed in that city certain days. Now on the Sabbath, we went outside the gate beside a river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer. We sat down and began speaking to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a merchant of purple cloth, of the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart, as she gave close attention to the things being spoken by Paul. She was immersed, and her household, and she invited us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and you ought to stay at my house,” and she urged us. {16:15}
As we were going to the place of prayer, a servant-girl who was a medium met us. She had brought her masters considerable gain by her fortune telling. She was following Paul and us, and continued to cry out, “These men who proclaim to you a way of salvation are slaves of the Most High God!” She continued to do this for many days, and Paul became annoyed, and turned to the spirit, and said, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her,” and it came out of her in that very hour. Her masters saw that their hope of gain was gone, and they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. They led them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, are stirring up trouble in our city, proclaiming customs not lawful for us to receive or practice, since we are Romans.” The crowd stood together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes, and commanded them to be flogged with rods. Many blows were laid on them, and they put them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Because he received this order, he put them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in stocks. {16:24}
Paul and Silas were praying at midnight, and singing praises to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken, and at once all the doors were opened, and the chains of all the prisoners were unfastened. When the jailer awoke and saw the doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” He asked for a light, rushed in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. {16:29}
Then, he led them outside, and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your household will be saved.” They spoke the Lord’s Message to him, and to everyone in his household. He took them at that hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately immersed. Then he brought them into his house and served them a meal; and he and all of his household, having been persuaded, rejoiced in God. {16:34}
When day came the magistrates sent policemen, saying, “You must now release those men.” The jailer reported these words to Paul, “The magistrates have ordered your release. Now come out and you must go peaceably.” But Paul answered them, “They have beaten us publicly, men who are Romans, and have put us in prison. Will they now secretly release us? No! But let them come themselves and lead us out.” The policemen reported these words to the magistrates, who became afraid when they heard that they were Romans. They came to them and apologized, and led them out, and asked them to leave the city. They went from the prison to Lydia, saw the brothers, encouraged them, and departed. {16:40}
(13th) They went through Amphipolis and Apollonia, and came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. According to his custom, Paul (A) went to them, and (B) reasoned with them from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths, (C) explaining and demonstrating that (1) it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and (2) to be raised from the dead, and (3) that, “this Jesus, whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ.” Some of them were persuaded, and joined company with Paul and Silas, and, also, a large number of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the prominent women. However, the jealous Jews took some of the crowd which loafed around the marketplace, gathered a mob, and began to incite an uproar in the city. They attacked Jason’s house, trying to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the officials of the city, crying, “These men, who have unsettled the world, have come here, whom Jason has received. They all are acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that Jesus is another king.” They disturbed the crowd and the rulers as they were listening to these things. They took a peace bond from Jason and the rest and let them go. {17:9}
During the night the brothers with no delay sent Paul and Silas to Berea, where they went to the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more high-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they willingly received the Message, and examined the Scriptures daily, to see whether or not these things were true. Many of them were persuaded, and of the prominent Greek women and men, quite a few. The Thessalonian Jews learned that God’s Message had also been proclaimed in Berea by Paul, and they came there also, and agitated and troubled the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away as far as the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. Those who were accompanying Paul went as far as Athens; and when they received a command for Silas and Timothy to come right away, they returned. {17:15}
While Paul waited in Athens for their arrival, his spirit was greatly stirred within him, because he observed that the city was full of idols. He continued to reason (1) in the synagogue with the Jews and (2) those who worshipped God, and (3) every day in the marketplace with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were debating with him, and asked, “What does this carrier of tidbits wish to announce?” Others were saying, “He appears to be a proclaimer of strange gods,” because he was evangelizing about Jesus and the resurrection. They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, and were asking, “Can we understand this new teaching which is being spoken by you? You are bringing certain strange things to our ears. We wish to know more about what these things are.” All the Athenians and the foreign visitors spent their time in nothing else but to tell or hear the latest thing. {17:21}
Then, Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, (I) “Men! Athenians! I see that you are very religious in all things. As I was walking about, noticing your places of worship, I found an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. (II) I introduce to you this ONE Whom you worship with complete ignorance. (III) GOD! (A) The ONE (1) Who made the ordered universe and (2) everything in it. (B) Who is the LORD (1) of heaven and (2) Earth, (C) HE does not live in temples made with hands; (D) neither is HE served by human hands, as though HE needed anything. (E) He Himself gives to everyone (1) life and (2) breath and (3) all things. (a) From one HE has made every nation of people: to dwell on all the face of the Earth, (b) having set appointed times, and (c) the boundaries of their dwelling-places; (F) to seek GOD, (1) if perhaps they might touch Him, and (2) find Him, (3) though HE is not far from each one of us. (4) We live and move and exist in Him, (5) as certain ones of your poets have said, ‘we are also His offspring.’ (IV) Since we are the offspring of GOD, (A) we ought not to think that the “Divine Nature” is like something fashioned (A) by the skill and thought of man, (B) an image in gold or silver or stone. (V) GOD (A) has overlooked the times of ignorance, (B) but now HE orders all men everywhere to reform their mind & lives, (C) since HE has appointed a Day in which HE will righteously judge the world (1) by that Man Whom HE has appointed; and (2) HE has given assurance to everyone by raising Him from the dead!”
When they heard of the resurrection from the dead, some were sneering, but others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So, Paul left them. However, certain men joined themselves to him, and were persuaded, among whom were Dionysius the judge, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. {17:34}
(14th) After these things, he left Athens and went to Corinth. He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and Priscilla his wife, who had recently come from Italy, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. [AD49ish] He went to them, and, because he was of the same trade (sail making), he stayed with them, and began working. He continued to reason in the synagogue every Sabbath, and to persuade both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was wholly absorbed by the Word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. While they were disputing and reviling him, he shook his coat, and said to them, “Your blood is on your head. I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” He left there and entered the house of a certain one named Titias Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, with all his house; and many of the listening Corinthians were persuaded and were immersed. {18:8}
During the night, the Lord spoke in a vision to Paul, “You must not be afraid, but must speak, and do not be silent, for I AM with you! No one will attack you to harm you, for many people in this city are mine.” {18:10}
He stayed there a year and six months, teaching God’s Message among them. {18:11}
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia [ in AD52], the Jews united and stood against Paul, and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, “This man is persuading the people to worship God contrary to the Law.” When Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If indeed it was a specific crime or serious wrongdoing, O you Jews, I would bear with you. But if there are questions about a word and names and your own Law, see to it yourselves; I will not judge these matters.” Then he drove them away from the judgment seat. They all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and were beating him in front of the judgment seat, but none of these things was a concern to Gallio. {18:17}
After Paul had stayed yet many days, he said goodbye to the brothers, and began sailing towards Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut in Cenchrea, for he was under a vow. They arrived in Ephesus, where he left them, but he himself went to the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. They asked him to stay longer, but he did not consent. He said good-bye, and promised, “I will again come to you, God willing,” and sailed from Ephesus, and landed at Caesarea. He went up and greeted the congregation and went down to Antioch. After he had spent a certain time there, he left, and went through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, going from one place to another, strengthening all the disciples. Then, an Alexandrian Jew named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man who was well versed in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Lord’s Way, and – being zealous in spirit – spoke and taught accurately the things about Jesus, though he only understood John’s immersion. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila heard him, and took him aside, and explained God’s Way to him more accurately. He was planning to go to Achaia, and the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. He arrived and was of much service to those who had become persuaded through the Grace. He continued vigorously to debate publicly with the Jews, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. {18:28}
Now while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul went through the inland country to Ephesus, where he found certain disciples. He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit after you believed?” They replied, “We did not hear that there is a Holy Spirit.” He inquired, “Into what were you immersed?” They answered, “Into John’s immersion.” Paul said, “John’s immersion was of reform, saying to the people that they should believe on the One coming after him, that is, on Jesus.” After they heard this, they were immersed into the Name of the Lord Jesus. Paul placed his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them, and they were speaking in languages and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. {19:7}
He entered the synagogue, and continued to speak boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of God’s Kingdom. Because certain ones were stubborn and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, Paul left them, separated the disciples, and reasoned daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. He did this for two years, so that everyone who lived in Asia heard the Lord’s Message, both Jews and Greeks. {19:10}
God continued to do powerful signs by Paul’s hands. Handkerchiefs and aprons were being taken from his body to those who were sick, and their illnesses were leaving them, and the evil spirits were going out.
Certain itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to use the ‘name’ of the Lord Jesus over the ones who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus whom Paul is proclaiming.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. The evil spirit replied, “I understand Jesus, and I understand Paul, but who are you?” The man possessed by the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered and conquered all of them, so that they ran out of the house, naked and wounded. This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and they became afraid, and the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. {19:17}
Many of those who were persuaded came, confessing, and telling of their practices. A large number who had practiced magic brought their books (valued at ten thousand dollars) and burned them publicly. So, according to the power of the Lord, the Message was growing and becoming strong.
When these things were finished, Paul determined in his spirit, after passing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, but he himself stayed awhile in Asia. {19:22}
Then, no little disturbance arose about the Way. A certain silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing much business to the craftsmen. He brought together these men and the workmen of the same trade, and said, “Men, you understand that we have our prosperity by this trade. You are seeing and hearing that, not only in Ephesus, but in nearly all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and misled many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. Not only is there a danger that this trade of ours may come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis is accounted as nothing; and her majesty, which all Asia and the world worship, has been brought low.
They heard this, became angry, and were shouting, saying, “Artemis of the Ephesians is great!” The city was filled with commotion; they united and rushed into the theater, and seized Gaius and Aristarchus of Macedonia, Paul’s traveling companions. Paul was wanting to go among the mob, but the disciples would not allow him. Some of the leaders of Asia who were his friends sent to him and begged him not to go into the theater.
Some were shouting one thing, some another, for the gathering had become confused; and most of them did not know why they had ‘come together’. Some of the crowd told Alexander (whom the Jews put forward) who motioned with his hand and was wanting to make a defense to the people. But after they realized that he was a Jew, an outcry came from everyone continually for about two hours, shouting, “Artemis of the Ephesians is great!”
After the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men! Ephesians! Who among men does not understand that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, and of the image fallen from heaven? Since these things are not disputed, you must keep quiet and do nothing reckless. You have brought these men who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen indeed have a charge against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them sue one another. If you are seeking anything further, it will be decided in a lawful ‘assembly’ [ekklesia]. We are in danger of being charged with riot concerning this day, for there is no excuse we can give to account for this uproar.” After he said these things, he dismissed the ‘gathering’ [ekklesia]. The disturbance stopped, and Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them, and said good-bye, and departed for Macedonia. {20:2}
(15th) He went through those parts, encouraged them with many words, and went to Greece, where he stayed three months. Because of a Jewish plot against him, as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. Sopater, a son of Pyrrhus, a Berean, was traveling with him as far as Asia; and Aristarchus and Secundus, of the Thessalonians; and Gaius, of Derbe; and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus, of Asia. They went ahead of us and were waiting for us at Troas. After the days of unleavened bread, we sailed from Philippi, and came to them in five days at Troas, where we stayed seven days. {20:6}
On the first day of the week we assembled to break [the] loaf, and Paul conducted a discussion with them, intending to leave the next day, and he extended his Message until midnight. Now, there were many lamps in the upper room where we had gathered. While Paul continued to speak, a certain young man, named Eutychus, who was sitting in a window, was being overcome by a deep sleep. He was overcome, and fell down from the third floor, and was taken up dead. Paul went down, fell upon him, and embraced him, and said to the disciples, “Do not be worried, for he is alive!” Then, he went up, broke the loaf, and ate, and talked for a long while, until daybreak, and left. They took the young man away alive and were greatly comforted. {20:12}
We went ahead to the ship, and sailed from there to Assos, where we intended to take Paul aboard; he had arranged this, since he intended to travel by land. He met us at Assos, and we took him aboard, and went to Mitylene. We sailed from there, and on the next day we were opposite Chios, and the following day we arrived at Samos, and on the morrow at Miletus. Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not lose time in Asia, for he was hurrying, so that he might be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, if at all possible. {20:16}
He sent from Miletus to Ephesus to invite the elders of the ‘called-out people’. They came, and he said, [I.] “You understand [A] how I was with you all the time, from my first day after I arrived in Asia. [B] I served the Lord with all [1] humility, with [2] tears, and with [3] trials which came on me by the schemes of the Jews. [C] I kept silent about none of those things that were profitable, in order to [1] proclaim to you and [2] to teach you [a] in public and [b] from house to house, [D] declaring – both to Jews and Greeks – reform of mind & life toward God, and faith toward Jesus our Lord.
[II.] Now, listen carefully! I am compelled in my spirit to go to Jerusalem, though I do not know what will happen to me, except that the Holy Spirit is declaring in every city that bonds and distresses await me. I consider my life of no account, of no value to me, as I complete my course, and the ministry, which I received from the Lord Jesus: to declare the Good News of God’s Grace.
[III.] Now, listen carefully! I know that none of you – among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom – will see my face anymore. Therefore, I declare to you this very day that I am pure from the blood of all. I have not kept silent about anything, in order to evangelize “all of God’s Plan” to you all.
It is imperative that you all guard yourselves, and all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the Lord’s ‘called-out people’, whom He bought with HIS own blood! I know that, after I depart, fierce wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock; and that men will arise from among you yourselves, and will speak depraved things, in order to lead disciples away after them. {20:31}
You must watch, therefore, remembering that for three years, night and day, I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. Now, I commit you to God, and to the Message of His Grace, which can build you up, and give you an inheritance among all who are set apart to His service. I coveted no man’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves understand that these hands supplied the things that were necessary for me, and for those with me. In everything I have shown you that you must help the weak by working in this manner, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” He said these things, kneeled down, and prayed with them all. Then they all began to weep loudly, and they fell on Paul’s neck, and they were kissing him tenderly. They were deeply distressed, especially by his word that they were not going to see his face again, and they accompanied him to the ship. {20:58}
We parted from them, set sail, and made a straight course to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia; we boarded and sailed. Then, we came in sight of Cyprus, and left it behind on the left, and sailed toward Syria, and landed at Tyre, for the ship was unloading its cargo there. We found the disciples and stayed there seven days. They were urging Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. When our time was up, we went out, and were going along, and all the people – including the women and children – were accompanying us out of the city; and we kneeled on the beach and prayed. We said good-bye to one another, and boarded the ship, and they returned to their homes. We completed the voyage from Tyre, and arrived at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed one day.
On the next day, we departed and sailed to Caesarea, where we entered the home of Philip the Evangelist (one of the seven) and stayed with him. Now Philip had four virgin daughters who were prophesying. While we were remaining for some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘The Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt in this manner, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'” When we heard these things, both we and those of Caesarea were pleading with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the Name of the Lord Jesus.” He was not persuaded, and we became quiet, and said, “The Lord’s Will must be done.”
After these days, we made preparations and went up to Jerusalem. Some disciples of Caesarea went with us, bringing Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay. When we came to Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. {21:17}
The next day Paul was going in with us to James, and all the elders came. He greeted them and related in order the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. They heard these things, and were praising God, and then said to Paul, “Brother, you are aware that many thousands of the Jews have been persuaded, and that everyone is zealous for the Law. They have been told about you, that you are teaching rebellion against Moses to the Jews who live among the Gentiles, telling them neither to circumcise their children, nor to keep the customs. What should be done? They will surely hear that you have come. You ought to do what we tell you: there are four men with us who are under a vow; take them and be purified with them, and you ought to pay their expenses, so that they might shave their heads. Then everyone will understand that what they have been told about you is nothing, and that you yourself walk orderly, keeping the Law. We wrote a Letter about the Gentiles who have believed, that they abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood, and from that which is strangled, and from fornication. {21:25}
The next day Paul took the men, and was purified with them, and entered the Temple, to give notice of the completion of the days of the purification, until the sacrifice was brought for each one of them. When the seven days were almost completed, some Asian Jews who had seen him in the Temple stirred up all the people, seized him, and were shouting, “Men! Israelites! Help! This is the man who is teaching all men everywhere against the people and the Law and this place. Besides, he has brought Greeks into the Temple, defiling this holy place!” They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city and were surmising that Paul had taken him into the Temple. The whole city was shaken, and the people rushed together and grabbed Paul, and were dragging him out of the Temple, and the doors were immediately shut. As they were seeking to kill him, word reached the chief captain of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down upon them; and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
Then, the chief captain approached him, and took hold of him, and ordered that he be bound with two chains; then he began asking who he was and what he had done. Some were shouting one thing, some another; and when he could not understand the reason because of the uproar, he commanded that Paul be brought into the barracks. When he was on the steps, he was lifted up by the soldiers, because of the violence of the crowd; the multitude of the people was following, crying, “Kill him!” {21:36}
As he was about to be led into the barracks, Paul asked the chief captain, “May I speak with you?” He replied, “Do you understand Greek? Are you not the Egyptian who previously incited a riot, and led four thousand assassins into the desert?” Paul answered, “I am a Jew, a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, an important city. I beg you, you ought to permit me to speak to the people.” {21:39}
Permission was granted, and Paul stood on the steps, and beckoned with his hand to the people. When silence prevailed, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying, “Men, brothers, and fathers, you all must hear now my defense before you.” They noticed that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, and they became very quiet. He continued, “I am a Jew, having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, and brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been instructed according to the strictness of our fathers’ Law, being a zealot for God, as all of you are today. I persecuted the Way to death, binding and delivering to jail both men and women, as also the high priest can testify about me, and all of the Council of the elders. I received letters from them, and I went to the brothers in Damascus to lead the ones there bound to Jerusalem for punishment. As I was approaching Damascus about noon, a great light unexpectedly flashed around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice speaking to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ He said to me, ‘I AM, Jesus the Nazarene, Whom you are persecuting.’ Those with me saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of the One talking to me. I asked, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The Lord replied to me, ‘Arise! You must go into Damascus, and there you will be told about all of the things which have been appointed for you to do.’
Since I could not see, because of the glory of that light, I was led by the hand of those with me, and I came to Damascus. A certain Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, who had a good reputation among all of the Jews living there, came to me, stood by me, and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, look up!’ In that same hour I could see!
He said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you [1] to understand His Will, and [2] to see the Righteous One, and [3] to hear the voice from His mouth, because you will be a witness for Him to all people of the things you have seen and heard. Now, why do you delay? Arise, having called upon [2s,x;mid.,pt,nom] the Lord’s Name, you yourself must be immersed [x], and must wash away [x] your sins.’ {22:16}
When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the Temple, I went into a trance. I saw Him as He was speaking to me, ‘You must leave Jerusalem as soon as possible, for they will not receive your testimony about Me.’ I replied, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that I was jailing and beating those in every synagogue who believe on You. Also, when the blood of Stephen your martyr was being poured out, I myself was standing by and applauding and holding the coats of those who were killing him.’ He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ They continued to listen to his speech up to this point, but then they lifted their voice, shouting, “Away with such a fellow from the Earth! He should not live!” While they were shouting, and throwing off their coats, and pitching dust into the air, the chief captain ordered him to be brought into the barracks, having said that he would torture him with whips, so that he might understand why they were shouting against him in this manner.
As they stretched him out for the straps, Paul asked a centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to whip an un-convicted Roman?” After the centurion heard this, he went to the chief captain, and informed him, saying, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman!” The chief captain came to him and said, “Tell me! Are you a Roman?” He replied, “Yes.” The chief captain answered, “I obtained this citizenship with a large sum of money.” Paul replied, “I was Roman born.” Those who were about to flog him quickly backed away, and the chief captain was afraid when he learned that Paul was a Roman, and that he had bound him. {22:29}
On the next day, since the chief captain wanted to understand why he was being accused by the Jews, he released him, and ordered the chief priests and all of the council to assemble, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. Paul looked straight at the council, and said, “Men! Brothers! I have lived before God, in all good conscience until this day.” The high priest Ananias ordered those standing by to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you white-washed wall! Do you sit and judge me according to the Law, and command me to be struck, contrary to the Law?” Those standing by said, “Do you speak evil of God’s high priest?” Paul replied, “Brothers, I was not aware that he is the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil against the ruler of your people.’” [Ex.22:28]
When Paul became aware that one part was Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being judged for the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided: the Sadducees indeed say there is neither a resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, while the Pharisees profess all of them. A loud cry arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees were contending sharply, saying, “We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” After prolonged argument, the chief captain was afraid that Paul might be torn apart by them, and he ordered the soldiers to go down and take him away from their midst, and to bring him into the barracks. {23:10}
During the next night, the Lord spoke to him, “Be courageous! For as you have declared the things about Me in Jerusalem, so must you also testify in Rome.”
When day came, the Jews made a plot and placed themselves under a curse, that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priest and to the elders, and said, “We have placed ourselves under a curse to taste of nothing until we have killed Paul. Now you must inform the chief captain and the council that you are going to bring him down to them, as if to determine more exactly the things about him; and before he comes near, we are ready to kill him.”
The son of Paul’s sister heard of the ambush, went to the barracks, and told Paul. Then Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, “You must take this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to report to him.” He brought him to the chief captain, and said, “Paul the prisoner summoned me and asked me to bring to you this young man who has something to tell you.” The chief captain took hold of his hand, took him aside privately, and inquired, “What do you have to tell me?” He answered, “The Jews have conspired to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though you are going to inquire more exactly about him. Do not be persuaded by them, because more than forty of them are lying in wait, having placed themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor drink, until they have killed him; and they are now ready, expecting your promise.”
So, the chief captain dismissed the lad, after commanding, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported these things to me.” Then he summoned two of the centurions, and said, “You must prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred bowmen, for nine o’clock tonight. Provide also some horses for Paul to ride on, so that they might deliver him safely to Felix the governor. He wrote a letter in this manner, “Claudius Lysias to the most noble governor Felix, greeting. This man had been seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came up with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman. Since I wanted to completely understand why they were bringing accusations against him, I brought him down to their Council. I found that he was being charged about questions of their Law but accused of nothing deserving imprisonment or death. However, when a plot against him was made known to me, I immediately sent him to you, having commanded his accusers to bring their charges against him before you.”
The soldiers, as they had been ordered, took Paul and brought him to Antipatris during the night. The next day they let the horsemen accompany him, and they returned to their barracks. The horsemen entered Caesarea, delivered the letter to the governor, and also brought Paul to him. He read the letter and asked his province. When he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will hear you when your accusers come.” Then he commanded him to be kept under guard in Herod’s residence. {23:35}
After five days the high priest Ananias came down, with some of the elders, and a certain Tertullus, a lawyer who brought charges against Paul to the governor. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have received much peace through you, and reforms have come to this nation through your foresight, which we receive in every way and everywhere, most noble Felix, with all thanksgiving. But that I might not detain you further, I beg you in your graciousness to hear us briefly. We have found this man to be a troublemaker who creates dissension among all the Jews in the whole world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. When he tried to desecrate the Temple, we arrested him, and you yourself can fully learn of all these things by questioning him about the matters of which we are accusing him.” The Jews also joined in the attack, claiming that these things were so. {24:9}
After the governor had nodded to him, Paul replied, saying, “Since I am aware that you have judged this nation for many years, I cheerfully defend myself about these things. You can ascertain that I went up to Jerusalem to worship not more than twelve days ago. They neither found me debating anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in any city; and they cannot prove for you the things of which they are now accusing me. However, I acknowledge this to you: I serve the God of our fathers in the Way which they call a sect; I believe all the things that are in harmony with the Law, and which are written in the Prophets; and I have a hope in God that there is going to be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust, a hope which these men themselves also share. I always do my best in this to have a clear conscience before God and man.
After some years’ absence I came and brought gifts and offerings to my nation. When they found me, I was purified in the Temple, and there was no crowd and no disturbance. But certain Asian Jews ought to be here before you with their accusation, if they had anything against me. Or let these men specify what wrong they found when I stood before the Council, except concerning this one declaration which I have made while standing among them, “I am being judged before you today about the resurrection from the dead!” Since Felix knew quite accurately the things about the Way, he postponed them, saying, “When Lysias the chief captain comes down, I will decide your matters.” Then he ordered the centurion to hold him, but to give him some liberty, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him. {24:23}
After some days Felix and Drusilla, his Jewish wife, summoned Paul, and heard him concerning ‘the Faith’ unto Christ Jesus. While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became fearful and said, “You must leave for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” At the same time, he was hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. Very frequently he was summoning him and was talking with him. {24:26}
After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and since he wished to keep the gratitude of the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. Three days after Festus came into the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. The high priests and the Jewish leaders brought charges against Paul, and were appealing to Festus, requesting a favor against Paul, that Festus would summon him to Jerusalem. Their plot was to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being held in Caesarea, and that he himself was going there soon. He answered, “Let those among you who have power accompany me, and make charges against him, if there is any wrong in this man.” He spent not more than eight or ten days among them, and then went down to Caesarea, where he sat on the judgment seat the next day, and commanded that Paul be brought in.
When he came in, the Jews, who had come down from Jerusalem, stood around him, and were making many serious charges, which they could not prove. Paul defended himself, saying, “Neither against the Jewish Law, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar, have I done any wrong.” But since Festus wished to favor the Jews, he asked, “Do you want to go up to Jerusalem to be judged there by me about these things?” Paul answered, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. I have not wronged the Jews in any way, as you well know. If therefore I am doing wrong, or have done anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the things of which they accuse me are nothing, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, having conferred with his advisers, replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. You shall go to Caesar.” {25:12}
After certain days, king Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea to visit Festus. During their stay of several days, Festus set before the king the matters against Paul, saying, “A certain man has been left prisoner by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the Jewish elders informed me of him and asked a sentence against him. I told them it is not customary for Romans to hand over any man, until the one being charged faces his accusers, and has an opportunity to defend himself against the charge. Therefore, when they came, I did not delay, but sat on the judgment seat the next day, and ordered the man to be brought in. The accusers did not charge him with evil deeds, as I was expecting, but certain questions about their own religion, and about a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul was claiming to be alive. I was at a loss about these things, and I asked if he might be willing to go to Jerusalem, and to be judged there about these things. However, when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him to be held until I could send him up to Caesar.”
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I myself was wishing to hear the man.” He replied, “You shall hear him tomorrow.” The next day, when Agrippa and Bernice came, they entered the auditorium with elaborate pageantry, accompanied by chief captains and prominent citizens of the city. {25:23}
When Festus gave the order, Paul was led in. Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men present with us, look at this man, against whom all of the multitude of the Jews has brought complaints, both in Jerusalem and here, crying that he must not live any longer. I did not find that he had done anything deserving death, but since he had appealed to the Emperor, I determined to send him. I do not have anything definite to write to my lord about him; so, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that – after a preliminary hearing – I might have something to write. It seems unreasonable to me not to indicate the charges against a prisoner when you send him.” {25:27}
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and began to defend himself, “Concerning all things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to make a defense before you, especially since you are acquainted with all the customs, and also the controversies, among the Jews. So, I beg you to hear me patiently. All the Jews indeed know my way of life from my youth, which has been from the beginning among my nation in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
And now, I stand here being judged for the hope of the promise which God made to our fathers, which our twelve tribes hope to obtain by earnestly serving God night and day, concerning which hope I am accused by the Jews, O King! If God raises the dead, why is it judged among you to be unbelievable? I indeed thought that I ought to do many things against the Name of Jesus, the Nazarene, which I did in Jerusalem, and also imprisoned many devout ones, after I received authority from the chief priests; and when they were condemned to death, I voted against them. I continued to punish them often in all the synagogues, forcing them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I continued to persecute them, even to foreign cities. As I was doing these things, I went to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests.
While I was on the way at midday, O King, I saw a heavenly light, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. After we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I AM, Jesus Whom you are persecuting. But get up, and stand on your feet, because this is the reason I have appeared to you: to appoint you a servant and a witness, both of the things which you have seen, and of those in which I will appear to you, rescuing you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you. You are to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are dedicated by faith in Me.’
King Agrippa, I did not disobey the heavenly vision, but more so, I began calling upon those in Damascus first, then those in Jerusalem and all Judea, and among the Gentiles: [1] to reform their mind & lives and [2] to turn to God, [a] doing deeds [b] in keeping with reform.
Because of these things, after the Jews arrested me in the Temple, they were trying to kill me. But I received help from God, and I stand until this day and testify both to the small and to the great, saying only those things which both the Prophets and Moses said were going to happen: that Christ must suffer, and that He would be the first to proclaim light, by the resurrection from the dead, both to the people and to the Gentiles…”
While he was speaking these things in his defense, Festus spoke with a loud voice, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Much learning is driving you insane.” Paul replied, “I am not insane, most noble Festus, as I am declaring true and sensible words. The King is completely aware about these things, to whom I speak boldly, because I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, are you persuaded by the Prophets? I know that you believe.” Agrippa said, “In a short time are you persuading me to become a christian?” Paul replied, “I could wish to God that – whether in a short or a long time – not only you, but also everyone who hears me today would become as I am, except these bonds.”
The king stood up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those sitting with them. After they left, they were talking with one another, saying, “This man has done nothing deserving death or bonds.” Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been released, if he had not appealed to Caesar.” {26:32}
(16th) It was decided that we should sail to Italy, and they handed over Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Emperor’s regiment. We boarded a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to ports of Asia, and we set sail; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius extended kindness to Paul by letting him go to the Friends to receive care. From there we lifted anchor and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. We sailed across the open sea bordering Cilicia and Pamphylia and landed at Myra of Lycia.
There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship headed to Italy, and he put us aboard. We continued to sail slowly for many days, and came opposite Cnidus with great difficulty, because the wind would not allow us to get there. So, we sailed under the shelter of Crete opposite Salmone. {27:7}
We were sailing along the coast with difficulty, and arrived at a certain place called Fair Havens, which was near the city of Lasea. After much time had elapsed, and sailing had become dangerous (the Fast had already passed), Paul advised, saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage is going to be with extensive damage and loss, not only of the cargo, but also of the ship and our lives.” However, the centurion was persuaded more by the captain and the owner of the ship than by the things being said by Paul. Since the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority advised to depart, if in some way they could reach Phoenix to spend the winter there, where was a Cretan harbor that faced southwest and northwest. When a south wind blew gently, they thought that they had achieved their purpose; they lifted anchor and coasted along as close as possible to Crete. {27:13}
After a little time, a typhoon called “The Northeaster” swept down, and the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind. We gave way and were being driven. We ran under the shelter of a small island called Cauda, and with difficulty kept control of the ship’s boat. They hoisted it aboard and used the ropes to help brace the ship. They feared that they might run aground on the sandbanks of Syrtis, so they lowered the sail, and were being driven along. The next day, while we were being tossed violently by the storm, they were throwing things overboard, and on the third day, they threw away the gear of the ship with their own hands. Neither the sun nor the stars appeared for many days, and we continued to have rainy and stormy weather. All hope that we would be saved was gradually abandoned. {27:20}
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among them and said, “Men, indeed you should have listened to me, and should not have sailed from Crete, to avoid this damage and loss. But now I urge you to take courage; there will be no loss of life among you, only of the ship; for this night, an angel of God (to whom I belong, and whom I serve) stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And behold! God has given you all those sailing with you.’ Men take courage, for I trust God, that it will be as it has been told me. But we must run aground on a certain island.”
On the fourteenth night, while we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors were suspecting that a certain land was near to them. They took a sounding and found one hundred and twenty feet. They sailed a little farther and took another sounding, finding ninety feet. Because we were afraid that we might run aground somewhere on a rocky coast, they let down four anchors from the stern, and were longing for day to come. While the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat of the ship into the sea (in a pretense that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow), Paul warned the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat, and let it fall away. While day was dawning, Paul encouraged everyone to receive food, saying, “This is the fourteenth day that you have been keeping watch, and have refused to eat. I beg you to receive food; for this is for your health, and not a hair will be lost from anyone’s head.” He said these things, took bread, thanked God before them all, and broke it, and began to eat. They all were encouraged and received food. (In all, two hundred and seventy-six men were aboard.) After they were satisfied, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
When dawn came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a certain bay that had a beach, where they were planning to run the ship aground if possible. They cut away the anchors, and let them go into the sea, and at the same time loosened the ropes of the rudders, and hoisted the foresail into the wind, and headed for the beach. They fell into crosscurrents and ran the ship aground. The bow stuck fast, and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken by the violence of the waves. The counsel of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them could swim away and escape. But the centurion wanted to rescue Paul, and prohibited their plan, and ordered those who could swim to jump overboard, and first get to the land, and then the rest, some on planks, and some on things from the ship. In this way they all escaped to the land. After we escaped, we learned that the island is called Melita [Malta].
The natives extended extraordinary kindness to us: they kindled a fire, and welcomed us all, because of the rain which was setting in, and because of the cold. Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and placed it on the fire, and a snake came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. The natives saw the animal hanging on his hand, and were saying to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer, whom Justice does not permit to live, even though he was delivered from the sea.” However, when he had shaken the animal from his hand and into the fire, he suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up, or suddenly to fall down dead; but after a long time, while they continued to wait and watch, when nothing happened to him, they changed their minds, and were saying that he was a god. {28:6}
Around that place were lands belonging to Publius, the chief [First Man-Roman title] of the island. He welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius was bedfast, suffering with fever and dysentery. Paul visited with him, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him. After this was done, the rest of the island’s sick were also coming and were being healed. They greatly honored us, and before we sailed, they put supplies on board. {28:10}
After three months, we sailed in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island, a ship that was marked with the figurehead of the twin sons of Zeus. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we made a circuit and arrived in Rhegium. After one day, a south wind arose, and on the second day we entered Puteoli. There we found brothers, who invited us to stay seven days; and so, we came to Rome. {28:14}
As soon as the brothers there heard the news about us, they came to meet us at the Forum of Appius, and the Three Taverns; when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. We entered Rome, and Paul was allowed to stay alone with the soldier who was guarding him. {28:16}
After three days, he summoned the leaders of the Jews to him. When they came, he began to speak to them, “Men, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was handed over from Jerusalem as a prisoner into Roman hands. After they had examined me, they were planning to release me, for there was no cause of death in me; but when the Jews continued to object, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, though I had no accusation against my nation. I have therefore asked to see you and to speak with you, because for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.”
They replied to him, “We have neither received letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come to charge you, nor to speak evil of you. But we want to hear from you what you are thinking, for indeed, as concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” They set a day with him, and many came to the place where he was living. He was explaining God’s Kingdom to them, testifying and persuading them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, from morning till evening. Some were persuaded by the things being spoken, while others continued in their disbelief.
As they were leaving, they disagreed with one another, and Paul made one comment, saying, “The Holy Spirit has rightly spoken to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “In hearing, you will hear, but you will not at all perceive. The heart of this people has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they may not see with their eyes, or hear with their ears, or understand with their heart, and should turn around, and I will heal them.'” [Is.6:9-10] It must, therefore, be known to you that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen.” {28:28}
Paul stayed in his own rented dwelling for two whole years, and received everyone who came to him, proclaiming God’s Kingdom, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, unhindered and with all boldness.