Month: December 2019

Healing the Lame Beggar

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at theninthhour,the hour of prayer.

2 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to begalms of those who were entering the temple.

3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, hebeganasking to receive alms.

4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”

5 And hebeganto give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”

7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.

8 With a leap he stood upright andbeganto walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God;

10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple tobegalms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter’s Second Sermon

11 While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement.

12 But when Peter sawthis,he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus,the onewhom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.

14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

15 but put to death the Prince of life,the onewhom God raised from the dead,a factto which we are witnesses.

16 And on the basis of faith in His name,it isthe name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith whichcomesthrough Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.

18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.

19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,

21 whom heaven must receive untiltheperiod of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

22 Moses said, ‘TheLordGod will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren;toHim you shall give heedto everything He says to you.

23 And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’

24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel andhissuccessors onward, also announced these days.

25 It is you who 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.’

26 For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every oneof youfrom your wicked ways.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/3-59671d8798ebe0c521c2453da7fa264f.mp3?version_id=100—

Peter and John Arrested

1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the templeguardand the Sadducees came up to them,

2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.

4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

6 and Annas the high priestwas there,and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.

7 When they had placed them in the center, theybegan toinquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people,

9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,

10 let it be known to all 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 thisnamethis man stands here before you in good health.

11 He is thestone which was rejectedby you,the builders,butwhich became the chief cornerstone.

12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, andbeganto recognize them as having been with Jesus.

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.

15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, theybeganto confer with one another,

16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”

18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;

20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

23 When they had been released, they went to their owncompanionsand reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 And when they heardthis,they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You whomade the heaven and the earth and the sea,and all that is in them,

25 who by the Holy Spirit,throughthe mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why did theGentiles rage,

And the peoples devise futile things?

26 The kings of the earth took their stand,

And the rulers were gathered together

Against theLord and againstHisChrist.’

27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit andbeganto speak the word of God with boldness.

Sharing among Believers

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not oneof themclaimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales

35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/4-4dc1f19a0514e2df3091f1888f6bde71.mp3?version_id=100—

Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

2 and kept backsomeof the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep backsomeof the price of the land?

4 While it remainedunsold,did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.

6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”

9 Then Petersaidto her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you outas well.”

10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.

14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added totheir number,

15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.

16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sickor afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Imprisonment and Release

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

20 “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.”

21 Upon hearingthis,they entered into the temple about daybreak andbeganto teach.

Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sentordersto the prison house for them to be brought.

22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,

23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.”

24 Now when the captain of the templeguardand the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this.

25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26 Then the captain went along with the officers andproceededto bring thembackwithout violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,

28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.

31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are witnessesof these things; andso isthe Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them.

34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.

35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.

36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.

37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew awaysomepeople after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.

38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown;

39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, andthenreleased them.

41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame forHisname.

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesusasthe Christ.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/5-f9a3d58b318f15ae1fe7ff1e6daf5d8c.mp3?version_id=100—

Choosing of the Seven

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasingin number,a complaint arose on the part of theHellenisticJewsagainst thenativeHebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily servingof food.

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, aproselyte from Antioch.

6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen,includingboth Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses andagainstGod.”

12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council.

13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law;

14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/6-d24b1bd0a8fa878f881305846fc01332.mp3?version_id=100—

Stephen’s Defense

1 The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

2 And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

3 and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives,and come into the land thatIwill show you.’

4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died,Godhad him move to this country in which you are now living.

5 But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, andyet,even when he had no child, He promised that He would give it to him as a possession,and to his descendants after him.

6 But God spoke to this effect, that hisdescendants would be aliens in a foreign land,and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.

7 ‘And whatever nation to which they will be in bondageI Myself will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out andserveMe in this place.’

8 And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and soAbrahambecame the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaacbecame the father ofJacob, and Jacobofthe twelve patriarchs.

9 “The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt.YetGod was with him,

10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

11 “Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great afflictionwith it,and our fathers could find no food.

12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fatherstherethe first time.

13 On the secondvisitJoseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh.

14 Then Joseph sentwordand invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five personsin all.

15 And Jacob went down to Egypt andtherehe and our fathers died.

16 From therethey were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

17 “But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,

18 untilthere arose another king overEgypt who knew nothing aboutJoseph.

19 It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive.

20 It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home.

21 And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son.

22 Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds.

23 But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

24 And when he saw oneof thembeing treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian.

25 And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.

26 On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’

27 But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?

28 You do not mean to kill me as you killed theEgyptian yesterday,do you?’

29 At this remark, Moses fled and became an alien in the land ofMidian, where he became the father of two sons.

30 “After forty years had passed,an angel appeared to him in the wilderness ofMountSinai,in the flame of a burning thorn bush.

31 When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to lookmoreclosely, there came the voice of the Lord:

32 ‘Iam theGod of your fathers,theGod ofAbraham andIsaac andJacob.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look.

33 But theLord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet,for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

34 Ihave certainly seen the oppression ofMy people inEgypt and have heard their groans,andIhave come down to rescue them;come now,andIwill send you toEgypt.’

35 “This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one whom God sentto beboth a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush.

36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.

37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren.’

38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, andwho waswith our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.

39 Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt,

40 saying toAaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us;for thisMoses who led us out of the land ofEgypt—we do not know what happened to him.’

41 At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

42 But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘It was not toMe that you offered victims and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness,was it, Ohouse ofIsrael?

43 You also took along the tabernacle ofMoloch and the star of the godRompha,the images which you made to worship. Ialso will remove you beyondBabylon.’

44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directedhimto make it according to the pattern which he had seen.

45 And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David.

46 Davidfound favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for theGod of Jacob.

47 But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.

48 However, the Most High does not dwell inhousesmade byhumanhands; as the prophet says:

49 ‘Heaven isMy throne,

And earth is the footstool ofMy feet;

What kind of house will you build forMe?’ says the Lord,

‘Or what place is there forMy repose?

50 Was it notMy hand which made all these things?’

51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

52 Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;

53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, andyetdid not keep it.”

Stephen Put to Death

54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and theybegangnashing their teeth at him.

55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;

56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse.

58 When they had driven him out of the city, theybeganstoninghim;and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called onthe Lordand said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”

60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/7-740521646bcc2f6c7a990a2f0de6b9ec.mp3?version_id=100—

Saul Persecutes the Church

1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 Somedevout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.

3 But Saulbeganravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria andbeganproclaiming Christ to them.

6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.

7 Forin the case ofmany who had unclean spirits, they were coming outof themshouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;

10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”

11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,

15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then theybeganlaying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

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

19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

21 You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

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

23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”

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

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

25 So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desertroad.)

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

28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

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

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

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

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

“He was led as a sheep to slaughter;

And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

SoHe does not openHis mouth.

33 In humiliationHis judgment was taken away;

Who will relateHis generation?

ForHis life is removed from the earth.”

34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Pleasetell me,of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?”

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.

36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

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

38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/8-b1212c51b92689448c4e39d42a614a16.mp3?version_id=100—

The Conversion of Saul

1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;

4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

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

6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”

7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

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

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

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

11 And the Lordsaidto him,“Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,

12 and he has seenin a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;

14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him,“Go, for he is a choseninstrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;

19 and he took food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus,

20 and immediately hebeganto proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, andwhohad come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”

22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that thisJesusis the Christ.

23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,

24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

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

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

29 And he was talking and arguing with the HellenisticJews;but they were attempting to put him to death.

30 But when the brethren learnedof it,they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling through allthose regions,he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

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

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

35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translatedin Greekis called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.

37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.

38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.”

39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all thetunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

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

41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tannernamedSimon.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/9-79ceb84146013017c6747f7b5a4b3dec.mp3?version_id=100—

Cornelius’s Vision

1 Nowthere wasa man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italiancohort,

2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave manyalms to theJewishpeople and prayed to God continually.

3 About theninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who hadjustcome in and said to him, “Cornelius!”

4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers andalms have ascended as a memorial before God.

5 Now dispatchsomemen to Joppa and send for a mannamedSimon, who is also called Peter;

6 he is staying with a tannernamedSimon, whose house is by the sea.”

7 When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,

8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about thesixth hour to pray.

10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance;

11 and he *saw the sky opened up, and anobject like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground,

12 and there were in it allkinds offour-footed animals andcrawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.

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

14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”

15 Again a voicecameto him a second time, “What God has cleansed, nolongerconsider unholy.”

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

17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate;

18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there.

19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.

20 But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.”

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

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, wasdivinelydirected by a holy angel to send for youto cometo his house and hear a message from you.”

23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Peter at Caesarea

And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

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

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshipedhim.

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

27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found many people assembled.

28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; andyetGod has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.

29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during theninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments,

31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

32 Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simonthetanner by the sea.’

33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Gentiles Hear Good News

34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“Imost certainly understandnowthat God is not one to show partiality,

35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.

36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—

37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed.

38 You know ofJesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, andhowHe went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.

40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible,

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

42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,

47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as wedid,can he?”

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

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/10-b4b4de4e6da43566627b9693f957a9b9.mp3?version_id=100—

Peter Reports at Jerusalem

1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him,

3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

4 But Peter beganspeakingandproceededto explain to them in orderly sequence, saying,

5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me,

6 and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and thecrawling creatures and the birds of the air.

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

8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9 But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’

10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky.

11 And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we werestaying,having been sent to me from Caesarea.

12 The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house.

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

14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just asHe didupon us at the beginning.

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

17 Therefore if God gave to them the same gift asHe gaveto us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentancethat leadsto life.”

The Church at Antioch

19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch andbeganspeaking to theGreeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.

23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced andbeganto encourage them all with resolute heart to remaintrueto the Lord;

24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

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

28 One of them named Agabus stood up andbeganto indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in thereignof Claudius.

29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to senda contributionfor the relief of the brethren living in Judea.

30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/11-05ca8edf65f12e5d71bc08af9582b002.mp3?version_id=100—

Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance

1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.

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

3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.

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

6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 And when he realizedthis,he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

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

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

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

16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had openedthe door,they saw him and were amazed.

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

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiersas towhat could have become of Peter.

19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led awayto execution.Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.

Death of Herod

20 Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one accord they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was fed by the king’s country.

21 On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum andbegandelivering an address to them.

22 The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along withthemJohn, who was also called Mark.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/80/32k/ACT/12-c4c804a732ad8f53aa9d73473f2e6588.mp3?version_id=100—