1 To Theophilus. The first book I wrote was about everything Jesus began to do and teach2 until the day he was taken up into heaven. Before this, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus told the apostles he had chosen what they should do.3 After his death, he showed himself to them and proved in many ways that he was alive. The apostles saw Jesus during the forty days after he was raised from the dead, and he spoke to them about the kingdom of God. 4 Once when he was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, "Wait here to receive the promise from the Father which I told you about. 5 John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 When the apostles were all together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, are you now going to give the kingdom back to Israel?" 7 Jesus said to them, "The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know. 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world." 9 After he said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10 As he was going, they were looking into the sky. Suddenly, two men wearing white clothes stood beside them.11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? Jesus, whom you saw taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go." 12 Then they went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. (This mountain is about half a mile from Jerusalem.)13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (known as the Zealot), and Judas son of James were there.14 They all continued praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus' brothers. 15 During this time there was a meeting of the believers (about one hundred twenty of them). Peter stood up and said, 16-17 "Brothers and sisters, in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David something that must happen involving Judas. He was one of our own group and served together with us. He led those who arrested Jesus." 18 (Judas bought a field with the money he got for his evil act. But he fell to his death, his body burst open, and all his intestines poured out.19 Everyone in Jerusalem learned about this so they named this place Akeldama. In their language Akeldama means "Field of Blood.") 20 "In the Book of Psalms," Peter said, "this is written:
'May his place be empty;
leave no one to live in it.' — Psalm 69:25
And it is also written:
'Let another man replace him as leader.' — Psalm 109:8 21-22 "So now a man must become a witness with us of Jesus' being raised from the dead. He must be one of the men who were part of our group during all the time the Lord Jesus was among us—from the time John was baptizing people until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven." 23 They put the names of two men before the group. One was Joseph Barsabbas, who was also called Justus. The other was Matthias.24-25 The apostles prayed, "Lord, you know the thoughts of everyone. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to do this work. Show us who should be an apostle in place of Judas, who turned away and went where he belongs."26 Then they used lots to choose between them, and the lots showed that Matthias was the one. So he became an apostle with the other eleven.
Acts 2 - New Century
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there.4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages by the power the Holy Spirit was giving them. 5 There were some religious Jews staying in Jerusalem who were from every country in the world.6 When they heard this noise, a crowd came together. They were all surprised, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.7 They were completely amazed at this. They said, "Look! Aren't all these people that we hear speaking from Galilee?8 Then how is it possible that we each hear them in our own languages? We are from different places:9 Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near Cyrene, Rome11 (both Jews and those who had become Jews), Crete, and Arabia. But we hear them telling in our own languages about the great things God has done!"12 They were all amazed and confused, asking each other, "What does this mean?" 13 But others were making fun of them, saying, "They have had too much wine." 14 But Peter stood up with the eleven apostles, and in a loud voice he spoke to the crowd: "My fellow Jews, and all of you who are in Jerusalem, listen to me. Pay attention to what I have to say.15 These people are not drunk, as you think; it is only nine o'clock in the morning!16 But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today:
17 'God says: In the last days
I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 At that time I will pour out my Spirit
also on my male slaves and female slaves,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show miracles
in the sky and on the earth:
blood, fire, and thick smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
the moon red as blood,
before the overwhelming and glorious day of the Lord will come.
21 Then anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.' — Joel 2:28–32 22 "People of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth was a very special man. God clearly showed this to you by the miracles, wonders, and signs he did through Jesus. You all know this, because it happened right here among you.23 Jesus was given to you, and with the help of those who don't know the law, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But this was God's plan which he had made long ago; he knew all this would happen.24 God raised Jesus from the dead and set him free from the pain of death, because death could not hold him.25 For David said this about him:
'I keep the Lord before me always.
Because he is close by my side,
I will not be hurt.
26 So I am glad, and I rejoice.
Even my body has hope,
27 because you will not leave me in the grave.
You will not let your Holy One rot.
28 You will teach me how to live a holy life.
Being with you will fill me with joy.' — Psalm 16:8–11 29 "Brothers and sisters, I can tell you truly that David, our ancestor, died and was buried. His grave is still here with us today.30 He was a prophet and knew God had promised him that he would make a person from David's family a king just as he was.
Acts 3 - New Century
1 One day Peter and John went to the Temple at three o'clock, the time set each day for the afternoon prayer service.2 There, at the Temple gate called Beautiful Gate, was a man who had been crippled all his life. Every day he was carried to this gate to beg for money from the people going into the Temple.3 The man saw Peter and John going into the Temple and asked them for money.4 Peter and John looked straight at him and said, "Look at us!"5 The man looked at them, thinking they were going to give him some money.6 But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, stand up and walk!"7 Then Peter took the man's right hand and lifted him up. Immediately the man's feet and ankles became strong.8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. He went into the Temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.9-10 All the people recognized him as the crippled man who always sat by the Beautiful Gate begging for money. Now they saw this same man walking and praising God, and they were amazed. They wondered how this could happen. 11 While the man was holding on to Peter and John, all the people were amazed and ran to them at Solomon's Porch.12 When Peter saw this, he said to them, "People of Israel, why are you surprised? You are looking at us as if it were our own power or goodness that made this man walk.13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, gave glory to Jesus, his servant. But you handed him over to be killed. Pilate decided to let him go free, but you told Pilate you did not want Jesus.14 You did not want the One who is holy and good but asked Pilate to give you a murderer instead.15 And so you killed the One who gives life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses to this.16 It was faith in Jesus that made this crippled man well. You can see this man, and you know him. He was made completely well because of trust in Jesus, and you all saw it happen! 17 "Brothers and sisters, I know you did those things to Jesus because neither you nor your leaders understood what you were doing.18 God said through the prophets that his Christ would suffer and die. And now God has made these things come true in this way.19 So you must change your hearts and lives! Come back to God, and he will forgive your sins. Then the Lord will send the time of rest.20 And he will send Jesus, the One he chose to be the Christ.21 But Jesus must stay in heaven until the time comes when all things will be made right again. God told about this time long ago when he spoke through his holy prophets.22 Moses said, 'The Lord your God will give you a prophet like me, who is one of your own people. You must listen to everything he tells you.23 Anyone who does not listen to that prophet will die, cut off from God's people.'24 Samuel, and all the other prophets who spoke for God after Samuel, told about this time now.25 You are descendants of the prophets. You have received the agreement God made with your ancestors. He said to your father Abraham, 'Through your descendants all the nations on the earth will be blessed.'26 God has raised up his servant Jesus and sent him to you first to bless you by turning each of you away from doing evil."
Acts 4 - New Century
1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and Sadducees came up to them.2 They were upset because the two apostles were teaching the people and were preaching that people will rise from the dead through the power of Jesus.3 The older leaders grabbed Peter and John and put them in jail. Since it was already night, they kept them in jail until the next day.4 But many of those who had heard Peter and John preach believed the things they said. There were now about five thousand in the group of believers. 5 The next day the rulers, the elders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there, as well as everyone from the high priest's family.7 They made Peter and John stand before them and then asked them, "By what power or authority did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and you elders, 9 are you questioning us about a good thing that was done to a crippled man? Are you asking us who made him well?10 We want all of you and all the people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified him, but God raised him from the dead. This man was crippled, but he is now well and able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus. 11 Jesus is
'the stone that you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.' — Psalm 118:22
12 Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us." 13 The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus.14 Because they saw the healed man standing there beside the two apostles, they could say nothing against them.15 After the leaders ordered them to leave the meeting, they began to talk to each other.16 They said, "What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows they have done a great miracle, and we cannot say it is not true.17 But to keep it from spreading among the people, we must warn them not to talk to people anymore using that name." 18 So they called Peter and John in again and told them not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John answered them, "You decide what God would want. Should we obey you or God?20 We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard."21 The leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had been done.22 The man who received the miracle of healing was more than forty years old. 23 After Peter and John left the meeting of leaders, they went to their own group and told them everything the leading priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When the believers heard this, they prayed to God together, "Lord, you are the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.25 By the Holy Spirit, through our father David your servant, you said:
'Why are the nations so angry?
Why are the people making useless plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepare to fight,
and their leaders make plans together
against the Lord
and his Christ.' — Psalm 2:1–2
27 These things really happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, and some Jews and non-Jews all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. Jesus is your holy servant, the One you made to be the Christ. 28 These people made your plan happen because of your power and your will.29 And now, Lord, listen to their threats. Lord, help us, your servants, to speak your word without fear. 30 Show us your power to heal. Give proofs and make miracles happen by the power of Jesus, your holy servant."
Acts 5 - New Century
1 But a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some land.2 He kept back part of the money for himself; his wife knew about this and agreed to it. But he brought the rest of the money and gave it to the apostles.3 Peter said, "Ananias, why did you let Satan rule your thoughts to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep for yourself part of the money you received for the land?4 Before you sold the land, it belonged to you. And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this? You lied to God, not to us!"5-6 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Some young men came in, wrapped up his body, carried it out, and buried it. And everyone who heard about this was filled with fear. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, but she did not know what had happened.8 Peter said to her, "Tell me, was the money you got for your field this much?" Sapphira answered, "Yes, that was the price." 9 Peter said to her, "Why did you and your husband agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."10 At that moment Sapphira fell down by his feet and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.11 The whole church and all the others who heard about these things were filled with fear. 12 The apostles did many signs and miracles among the people. And they would all meet together on Solomon's Porch.13 None of the others dared to join them, but all the people respected them.14 More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to the group of believers.15 The people placed their sick on beds and mats in the streets, hoping that when Peter passed by at least his shadow might fall on them.16 Crowds came from all the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those who were bothered by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. 17 The high priest and all his friends (a group called the Sadducees) became very jealous.18 They took the apostles and put them in jail.19 But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and led the apostles outside. The angel said,20 "Go stand in the Temple and tell the people everything about this new life." 21 When the apostles heard this, they obeyed and went into the Temple early in the morning and continued teaching. When the high priest and his friends arrived, they called a meeting of the leaders and all the important elders. They sent some men to the jail to bring the apostles to them. 22 But, upon arriving, the officers could not find the apostles. So they went back and reported to the leaders.23 They said, "The jail was closed and locked, and the guards were standing at the doors. But when we opened the doors, the jail was empty!"24 Hearing this, the captain of the Temple guards and the leading priests were confused and wondered what was happening. 25 Then someone came and told them, "Listen! The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple teaching the people."26 Then the captain and his men went out and brought the apostles back. But the soldiers did not use force, because they were afraid the people would stone them to death. 27 The soldiers brought the apostles to the meeting and made them stand before the leaders. The high priest questioned them,28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in that name. But look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying to make us responsible for this man's death." 29 Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God, not human authority!30 You killed Jesus by hanging him on a cross. But God, the God of our ancestors, raised Jesus up from the dead!
Acts 6 - New Century
1 The number of followers was growing. But during this same time, the Greek-speaking followers had an argument with the other followers. The Greek-speaking widows were not getting their share of the food that was given out every day.2 The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, "It is not right for us to stop our work of teaching God's word in order to serve tables.3 So, brothers and sisters, choose seven of your own men who are good, full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. We will put them in charge of this work.4 Then we can continue to pray and to teach the word of God." 5 The whole group liked the idea, so they chose these seven men: Stephen (a man with great faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a man from Antioch who had become a follower of the Jewish religion).6 Then they put these men before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God was continuing to spread. The group of followers in Jerusalem increased, and a great number of the Jewish priests believed and obeyed. 8 Stephen was richly blessed by God who gave him the power to do great miracles and signs among the people.9 But some people were against him. They belonged to the synagogue of Free Men (as it was called), which included people from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. They all came and argued with Stephen. 10 But the Spirit was helping him to speak with wisdom, and his words were so strong that they could not argue with him.11 So they secretly urged some men to say, "We heard Stephen speak against Moses and against God." 12 This upset the people, the elders, and the teachers of the law. They came and grabbed Stephen and brought him to a meeting of the leaders. 13 They brought in some people to tell lies about Stephen, saying, "This man is always speaking against this holy place and the law of Moses.14 We heard him say that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and that Jesus will change the customs Moses gave us."15 All the people in the meeting were watching Stephen closely and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
Acts 7 - New Century
1 The high priest said to Stephen, "Are these things true?" 2 Stephen answered, "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to Abraham, our ancestor, in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran.3 God said to Abraham, 'Leave your country and your relatives, and go to the land I will show you.'4 So Abraham left the country of Chaldea and went to live in Haran. After Abraham's father died, God sent him to this place where you now live.5 God did not give Abraham any of this land, not even a foot of it. But God promised that he would give this land to him and his descendants, even before Abraham had a child.6 This is what God said to him: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a land they don't own. The people there will make them slaves and will mistreat them for four hundred years. 7 But I will punish the nation where they are slaves. Then your descendants will leave that land and will worship me in this place.' 8 God made an agreement with Abraham, the sign of which was circumcision. And so when Abraham had his son Isaac, Abraham circumcised him when he was eight days old. Isaac also circumcised his son Jacob, and Jacob did the same for his sons, the twelve ancestors of our people. 9 "Jacob's sons became jealous of Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him10 and saved him from all his troubles. The king of Egypt liked Joseph and respected him because of the wisdom God gave him. The king made him governor of Egypt and put him in charge of all the people in his palace. 11 "Then all the land of Egypt and Canaan became so dry that nothing would grow, and the people suffered very much. Jacob's sons, our ancestors, could not find anything to eat.12 But when Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons there. This was their first trip to Egypt.13 When they went there a second time, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and the king learned about Joseph's family.14 Then Joseph sent messengers to invite Jacob, his father, to come to Egypt along with all his relatives (seventy-five persons altogether).15 So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and his sons died.16 Later their bodies were moved to Shechem and put in a grave there. (It was the same grave Abraham had bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.) 17 "The promise God made to Abraham was soon to come true, and the number of people in Egypt grew large.18 Then a new king, who did not know who Joseph was, began to rule Egypt.19 This king tricked our people and was cruel to our ancestors, forcing them to leave their babies outside to die.20 At this time Moses was born, and he was very beautiful. For three months Moses was cared for in his father's house.21 When they put Moses outside, the king's daughter adopted him and raised him as if he were her own son.22 The Egyptians taught Moses everything they knew, and he was a powerful man in what he said and did. 23 "When Moses was about forty years old, he thought it would be good to visit his own people, the people of Israel.24 Moses saw an Egyptian mistreating one of his people, so he defended the Israelite and punished the Egyptian by killing him.25 Moses thought his own people would understand that God was using him to save them, but they did not.26 The next day when Moses saw two men of Israel fighting, he tried to make peace between them. He said, 'Men, you are brothers. Why are you hurting each other?'27 The man who was hurting the other pushed Moses away and said, 'Who made you our ruler and judge?28 Are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'29 When Moses heard him say this, he left Egypt and went to live in the land of Midian where he was a stranger. While Moses lived in Midian, he had two sons. 30 "Forty years later an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush as he was in the desert near Mount Sinai.
Acts 8 - New Century
1 Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was good. On that day the church of Jerusalem began to be persecuted, and all the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 And some religious people buried Stephen and cried loudly for him.3 Saul was also trying to destroy the church, going from house to house, dragging out men and women and putting them in jail.4 And wherever they were scattered, they told people the Good News. 5 Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached about the Christ.6 When the people there heard Philip and saw the miracles he was doing, they all listened carefully to what he said.7 Many of these people had evil spirits in them, but Philip made the evil spirits leave. The spirits made a loud noise when they came out. Philip also healed many weak and crippled people there.8 So the people in that city were very happy. 9 But there was a man named Simon in that city. Before Philip came there, Simon had practiced magic and amazed all the people of Samaria. He bragged and called himself a great man.10 All the people—the least important and the most important—paid attention to Simon, saying, "This man has the power of God, called 'the Great Power'!"11 Simon had amazed them with his magic so long that the people became his followers.12 But when Philip told them the Good News about the kingdom of God and the power of Jesus Christ, men and women believed Philip and were baptized.13 Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed very close to Philip. When he saw the miracles and the powerful things Philip did, Simon was amazed. 14 When the apostles who were still in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.15 When Peter and John arrived, they prayed that the Samaritan believers might receive the Holy Spirit.16 These people had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, but the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them.17 Then, when the two apostles began laying their hands on the people, they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Simon saw that the Spirit was given to people when the apostles laid their hands on them. So he offered the apostles money,19 saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands will receive the Holy Spirit." 20 Peter said to him, "You and your money should both be destroyed, because you thought you could buy God's gift with money.21 You cannot share with us in this work since your heart is not right before God.22 Change your heart! Turn away from this evil thing you have done, and pray to the Lord. Maybe he will forgive you for thinking this.23 I see that you are full of bitter jealousy and ruled by sin." 24 Simon answered, "Both of you pray for me to the Lord so the things you have said will not happen to me." 25 After Peter and John told the people what they had seen Jesus do and after they had spoken the message of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem. On the way, they went through many Samaritan towns and preached the Good News to the people. 26 An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get ready and go south to the road that leads down to Gaza from Jerusalem—the desert road."27 So Philip got ready and went. On the road he saw a man from Ethiopia, a eunuch. He was an important officer in the service of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians; he was responsible for taking care of all her money. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship.28 Now, as he was on his way home, he was sitting in his chariot reading from the Book of Isaiah, the prophet.29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 So when Philip ran toward the chariot, he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
Acts 9 - New Century
1 In Jerusalem Saul was still threatening the followers of the Lord by saying he would kill them. So he went to the high priest2 and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus. Then if Saul found any followers of Christ's Way, men or women, he would arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem. 3 So Saul headed toward Damascus. As he came near the city, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" 5 Saul said, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up now and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do." 7 The people traveling with Saul stood there but said nothing. They heard the voice, but they saw no one.8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So those with Saul took his hand and led him into Damascus.9 For three days Saul could not see and did not eat or drink. 10 There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision, "Ananias!" Ananias answered, "Here I am, Lord." 11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to Straight Street. Find the house of Judas, and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. 12 Saul has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias comes to him and lays his hands on him. Then he is able to see again." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, many people have told me about this man and the terrible things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem.14 Now he has come here to Damascus, and the leading priests have given him the power to arrest everyone who worships you." 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to those who are not Jews, to kings, and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." 17 So Ananias went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road on your way here. He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."18 Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was able to see again! Then Saul got up and was baptized.19 After he ate some food, his strength returned. Saul stayed with the followers of Jesus in Damascus for a few days.20 Soon he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "Jesus is the Son of God." 21 All the people who heard him were amazed. They said, "This is the man who was in Jerusalem trying to destroy those who trust in this name! He came here to arrest the followers of Jesus and take them back to the leading priests." 22 But Saul grew more powerful. His proofs that Jesus is the Christ were so strong that his own people in Damascus could not argue with him. 23 After many days, they made plans to kill Saul.24 They were watching the city gates day and night, but Saul learned about their plan.25 One night some followers of Saul helped him leave the city by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. 26 When Saul went to Jerusalem, he tried to join the group of followers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he was really a follower.27 But Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles. Barnabas explained to them that Saul had seen the Lord on the road and the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how boldly Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. 28 And so Saul stayed with the followers, going everywhere in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.29 He would often talk and argue with the Jewish people who spoke Greek, but they were trying to kill him.30 When the followers learned about this, they took Saul to Caesarea and from there sent him to Tarsus.
Acts 10 - New Century
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, an officer in the Italian group of the Roman army.2 Cornelius was a religious man. He and all the other people who lived in his house worshiped the true God. He gave much of his money to the poor and prayed to God often.3 One afternoon about three o'clock, Cornelius clearly saw a vision. An angel of God came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at the angel. He became afraid and said, "What do you want, Lord?" The angel said, "God has heard your prayers. He has seen that you give to the poor, and he remembers you.5 Send some men now to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is also called Peter.6 He is staying with a man, also named Simon, who is a tanner and has a house beside the sea."7 When the angel who spoke to Cornelius left, Cornelius called two of his servants and a soldier, a religious man who worked for him.8 Cornelius explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa. 9 About noon the next day as they came near Joppa, Peter was going up to the roof to pray.10 He was hungry and wanted to eat, but while the food was being prepared, he had a vision.11 He saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a big sheet being lowered to earth by its four corners.12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds.13 Then a voice said to Peter, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean." 15 But the voice said to him again, "God has made these things clean, so don't call them 'unholy'!" 16 This happened three times, and at once the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering what this vision meant, the men Cornelius sent had found Simon's house and were standing at the gate.18 They asked, "Is Simon Peter staying here?" 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Listen, three men are looking for you.20 Get up and go downstairs. Go with them without doubting, because I have sent them to you." 21 So Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. Why did you come here?" 22 They said, "A holy angel spoke to Cornelius, an army officer and a good man; he worships God. All the people respect him. The angel told Cornelius to ask you to come to his house so that he can hear what you have to say."23 So Peter asked the men to come in and spend the night. The next day Peter got ready and went with them, and some of the followers from Joppa joined him.24 On the following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.26 But Peter helped him up, saying, "Stand up. I too am only a human."27 As he talked with Cornelius, Peter went inside where he saw many people gathered.28 He said, "You people understand that it is against our law for Jewish people to associate with or visit anyone who is not Jewish. But God has shown me that I should not call any person 'unholy' or 'unclean.'29 That is why I did not argue when I was asked to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me." 30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was praying in my house at this same time—three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, there was a man standing before me wearing shining clothes.
Acts 11 - New Century
1 The apostles and the believers in Judea heard that some who were not Jewish had accepted God's teaching too.2 But when Peter came to Jerusalem, some people argued with him.3 They said, "You went into the homes of people who are not circumcised and ate with them!" 4 So Peter explained the whole story to them.5 He said, "I was in the city of Joppa, and while I was praying, I had a vision. I saw something that looked like a big sheet being lowered from heaven by its four corners. It came very close to me.6 I looked inside it and saw animals, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds.7 I heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'8 But I said, 'No, Lord! I have never eaten anything that is unholy or unclean.'9 But the voice from heaven spoke again, 'God has made these things clean, so don't call them unholy.'10 This happened three times. Then the whole thing was taken back to heaven.11 Right then three men who were sent to me from Caesarea came to the house where I was staying.12 The Spirit told me to go with them without doubting. These six believers here also went with me, and we entered the house of Cornelius.13 He told us about the angel he saw standing in his house. The angel said to him, 'Send some men to Joppa and invite Simon Peter to come.14 By the words he will say to you, you and all your family will be saved.'15 When I began my speech, the Holy Spirit came on them just as he came on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the words of the Lord. He said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 Since God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I stop the work of God?" 18 When the believers heard this, they stopped arguing. They praised God and said, "So God is allowing even other nations to turn to him and live." 19 Many of the believers were scattered when they were persecuted after Stephen was killed. Some of them went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch telling the message to others, but only to Jews. 20 Some of these believers were people from Cyprus and Cyrene. When they came to Antioch, they spoke also to Greeks, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord was helping the believers, and a large group of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 The church in Jerusalem heard about all of this, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23-24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith. When he reached Antioch and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad. He encouraged all the believers in Antioch always to obey the Lord with all their hearts, and many people became followers of the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to the city of Tarsus to look for Saul,26 and when he found Saul, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year Saul and Barnabas met with the church and taught many people there. In Antioch the followers were called Christians for the first time. 27 About that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and spoke with the help of the Holy Spirit. He said, "A very hard time is coming to the whole world. There will be no food to eat." (This happened when Claudius ruled.) 29 The followers all decided to help the believers who lived in Judea, as much as each one could. 30 They gathered the money and gave it to Barnabas and Saul, who brought it to the elders in Judea.
Acts 12 - New Century
1 During that same time King Herod began to mistreat some who belonged to the church.2 He ordered James, the brother of John, to be killed by the sword.3 Herod saw that some of the people liked this, so he decided to arrest Peter, too. (This happened during the time of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.) 4 After Herod arrested Peter, he put him in jail and handed him over to be guarded by sixteen soldiers. Herod planned to bring Peter before the people for trial after the Passover Feast.5 So Peter was kept in jail, but the church prayed earnestly to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Other soldiers were guarding the door of the jail.7 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood there, and a light shined in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Hurry! Get up!" the angel said. And the chains fell off Peter's hands.8 Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And Peter did. Then the angel said, "Put on your coat and follow me."9 So Peter followed him out, but he did not know if what the angel was doing was real; he thought he might be seeing a vision.10 They went past the first and second guards and came to the iron gate that separated them from the city. The gate opened by itself for them, and they went through it. When they had walked down one street, the angel suddenly left him. 11 Then Peter realized what had happened. He thought, "Now I know that the Lord really sent his angel to me. He rescued me from Herod and from all the things the people thought would happen." 12 When he considered this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark. Many people were gathered there, praying.13 Peter knocked on the outside door, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so happy she forgot to open the door. Instead, she ran inside and told the group, "Peter is at the door!" 15 They said to her, "You are crazy!" But she kept on saying it was true, so they said, "It must be Peter's angel." 16 Peter continued to knock, and when they opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.17 Peter made a sign with his hand to tell them to be quiet. He explained how the Lord led him out of the jail, and he said, "Tell James and the other believers what happened." Then he left to go to another place. 18 The next day the soldiers were very upset and wondered what had happened to Peter.19 Herod looked everywhere for him but could not find him. So he questioned the guards and ordered that they be killed. Later Herod moved from Judea and went to the city of Caesarea, where he stayed.20 Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, but the people of those cities all came in a group to him. After convincing Blastus, the king's personal servant, to be on their side, they asked Herod for peace, because their country got its food from his country. 21 On a chosen day Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to the people.22 They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not a human!"23 Because Herod did not give the glory to God, an angel of the Lord immediately caused him to become sick, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 God's message continued to spread and reach people. 25 After Barnabas and Saul finished their task in Jerusalem, they returned to Antioch, taking John Mark with them.
Acts 13 - New Century
1 In the church at Antioch there were these prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (also called Niger), Lucius (from the city of Cyrene), Manaen (who had grown up with Herod, the ruler), and Saul. 2 They were all worshiping the Lord and fasting for a certain time. During this time the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do a special work for which I have chosen them." 3 So after they fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them out. 4 Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went to the city of Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus.5 When they came to Salamis, they preached the Good News of God in the synagogues. John Mark was with them to help. 6 They went across the whole island to Paphos where they met a magician named Bar-Jesus. He was a false prophet7 who always stayed close to Sergius Paulus, the governor and a smart man. He asked Barnabas and Saul to come to him, because he wanted to hear the message of God.8 But Elymas, the magician, was against them. (Elymas is the name for Bar-Jesus in the Greek language.) He tried to stop the governor from believing in Jesus.9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked straight at Elymas10 and said, "You son of the devil! You are an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of evil tricks and lies, always trying to change the Lord's truths into lies.11 Now the Lord will touch you, and you will be blind. For a time you will not be able to see anything—not even the light from the sun." Then everything became dark for Elymas, and he walked around, trying to find someone to lead him by the hand.12 When the governor saw this, he believed because he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. 13 Paul and those with him sailed from Paphos and came to Perga, in Pamphylia. There John Mark left them to return to Jerusalem.14 They continued their trip from Perga and went to Antioch, a city in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.15 After the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets were read, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to Paul and Barnabas: "Brothers, if you have any message that will encourage the people, please speak." 16 Paul stood up, raised his hand, and said, "You Israelites and you who worship God, please listen!17 The God of the Israelites chose our ancestors. He made the people great during the time they lived in Egypt, and he brought them out of that country with great power. 18 And he was patient with them for forty years in the desert. 19 God destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan and gave the land to his people.20 All this happened in about four hundred fifty years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.21 Then the people asked for a king, so God gave them Saul son of Kish. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and was king for forty years.22 After God took him away, God made David their king. God said about him: 'I have found in David son of Jesse the kind of man I want. He will do all I want him to do.'23 So God has brought Jesus, one of David's descendants, to Israel to be its Savior, as he promised.24 Before Jesus came, John preached to all the people of Israel about a baptism of changed hearts and lives.25 When he was finishing his work, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not the Christ. He is coming later, and I am not worthy to untie his sandals.' 26 "Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and others who worship God, listen! The news about this salvation has been sent to us.27 Those who live in Jerusalem and their leaders did not realize that Jesus was the Savior. They did not understand the words that the prophets wrote, which are read every Sabbath day. But they made them come true when they said Jesus was guilty.28 They could not find any real reason for Jesus to be put to death, but they asked Pilate to have him killed.29 When they had done to him all that the Scriptures had said, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.30 But God raised him up from the dead!
Acts 14 - New Century
1 In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual to the synagogue. They spoke so well that a great many Jews and Greeks believed.2 But some people who did not believe excited the others and turned them against the believers.3 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium a long time and spoke bravely for the Lord. He showed that their message about his grace was true by giving them the power to work miracles and signs.4 But the city was divided. Some of the people agreed with the Jews, and others believed the apostles. 5 Some who were not Jews, some Jews, and some of their rulers wanted to mistreat Paul and Barnabas and to stone them to death.6 When Paul and Barnabas learned about this, they ran away to Lystra and Derbe, cities in Lycaonia, and to the areas around those cities.7 They announced the Good News there, too. 8 In Lystra there sat a man who had been born crippled; he had never walked.9 As this man was listening to Paul speak, Paul looked straight at him and saw that he believed God could heal him.10 So he cried out, "Stand up on your feet!" The man jumped up and began walking around.11 When the crowds saw what Paul did, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like humans and have come down to us!"12 Then the people began to call Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes," because he was the main speaker.13 The priest in the temple of Zeus, which was near the city, brought some bulls and flowers to the city gates. He and the people wanted to offer a sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard about it, they tore their clothes. They ran in among the people, shouting,15 "Friends, why are you doing these things? We are only human beings like you. We are bringing you the Good News and are telling you to turn away from these worthless things and turn to the living God. He is the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.16 In the past, God let all the nations do what they wanted.17 Yet he proved he is real by showing kindness, by giving you rain from heaven and crops at the right times, by giving you food and filling your hearts with joy."18 Even with these words, they were barely able to keep the crowd from offering sacrifices to them. 19 Then some evil people came from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the people to turn against Paul. So they threw stones at him and dragged him out of town, thinking they had killed him.20 But the followers gathered around him, and he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas left and went to the city of Derbe. 21 Paul and Barnabas told the Good News in Derbe, and many became followers. Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,22 making the followers of Jesus stronger and helping them stay in the faith. They said, "We must suffer many things to enter God's kingdom." 23 They chose elders for each church, by praying and fasting for a certain time. These elders had trusted the Lord, so Paul and Barnabas put them in the Lord's care. 24 Then they went through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.25 When they had preached the message in Perga, they went down to Attalia.26 And from there they sailed away to Antioch where the believers had put them into God's care and had sent them out to do this work. Now they had finished. 27 When they arrived in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas gathered the church together. They told the church all about what God had done with them and how God had made it possible for those who were not Jewish to believe.28 And they stayed there a long time with the followers.
Acts 15 - New Century
1 Then some people came to Antioch from Judea and began teaching the non-Jewish believers: "You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us."2 Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching and argued with them about it. So the church decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some others to Jerusalem where they could talk more about this with the apostles and elders. 3 The church helped them leave on the trip, and they went through the countries of Phoenicia and Samaria, telling all about how the other nations had turned to God. This made all the believers very happy.4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the apostles, the elders, and the church. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about everything God had done with them.5 But some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee group came forward and said, "The non-Jewish believers must be circumcised. They must be told to obey the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this problem.7 After a long debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the nations. They heard the Good News from me, and they believed.8 God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, accepted them. He showed this to us by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.9 To God, those people are not different from us. When they believed, he made their hearts pure.10 So now why are you testing God by putting a heavy load around the necks of the non-Jewish believers? It is a load that neither we nor our ancestors were able to carry.11 But we believe that we and they too will be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus." 12 Then the whole group became quiet. They listened to Paul and Barnabas tell about all the miracles and signs that God did through them among the people.13 After they finished speaking, James said, "Brothers, listen to me.14 Simon has told us how God showed his love for those people. For the first time he is accepting from among them a people to be his own.15 The words of the prophets agree with this too:
16 'After these things I will return.
The kingdom of David is like a fallen tent.
But I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will set it up.
17 Then those people who are left alive may ask the Lord for help,
and the other nations that belong to me,
says the Lord,
who will make it happen.
18 And these things have been known for a long time.' — Amos 9:11–12 19 "So I think we should not bother the other people who are turning to God.20 Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood.21 They should do these things, because for a long time in every city the law of Moses has been taught. And it is still read in the synagogue every Sabbath day." 22 The apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to send some of their men with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, who were respected by the believers. 23 They sent the following letter with them:
From the apostles and elders, your brothers.
To all the non-Jewish believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings!
24 We have heard that some of our group have come to you and said things that trouble and upset you. But we did not tell them to do this. 25 We have all agreed to choose some messengers and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—26 people who have given their lives to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.27 So we are sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things.28 It has pleased the Holy Spirit that you should not have a heavy load to carry, and we agree. You need to do only these things: 29 Stay away from any food that has been offered to idols, eating any animals that have been strangled, and blood, and any kind of sexual sin. If you stay away from these things, you will do well.
Good-bye.
30 So they left Jerusalem and went to Antioch where they gathered the church and gave them the letter.
Acts 16 - New Century
1 Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, where a follower named Timothy lived. Timothy's mother was Jewish and a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 The believers in Lystra and Iconium respected Timothy and said good things about him.3 Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, but all the people living in that area knew that Timothy's father was Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy to please his mother's people.4 Paul and those with him traveled from town to town and gave the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.5 So the churches became stronger in the faith and grew larger every day. 6 Paul and those with him went through the areas of Phrygia and Galatia since the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the Good News in Asia. 7 When they came near the country of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not let them.8 So they passed by Mysia and went to Troas.9 That night Paul saw in a vision a man from Macedonia. The man stood and begged, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."10 After Paul had seen the vision, we immediately prepared to leave for Macedonia, understanding that God had called us to tell the Good News to those people. 11 We left Troas and sailed straight to the island of Samothrace. The next day we sailed to Neapolis.12 Then we went by land to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city in that part of Macedonia. We stayed there for several days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the river where we thought we would find a special place for prayer. Some women had gathered there, so we sat down and talked with them.14 One of the listeners was a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira whose job was selling purple cloth. She worshiped God, and he opened her mind to pay attention to what Paul was saying.15 She and all the people in her house were baptized. Then she invited us to her home, saying, "If you think I am truly a believer in the Lord, then come stay in my house." And she persuaded us to stay with her. 16 Once, while we were going to the place for prayer, a servant girl met us. She had a special spirit in her, and she earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes.17 This girl followed Paul and us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God. They are telling you how you can be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. This bothered Paul, so he turned and said to the spirit, "By the power of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!" Immediately, the spirit came out. 19 When the owners of the servant girl saw this, they knew that now they could not use her to make money. So they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the city rulers in the marketplace.20 They brought Paul and Silas to the Roman rulers and said, "These men are Jews and are making trouble in our city.21 They are teaching things that are not right for us as Romans to do." 22 The crowd joined the attack against them. The Roman officers tore the clothes of Paul and Silas and had them beaten with rods.23 Then Paul and Silas were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to guard them carefully.24 When he heard this order, he put them far inside the jail and pinned their feet down between large blocks of wood. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened.26 Suddenly, there was a strong earthquake that shook the foundation of the jail. Then all the doors of the jail broke open, and all the prisoners were freed from their chains.27 The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. Thinking that the prisoners had already escaped, he got his sword and was about to kill himself.28 But Paul shouted, "Don't hurt yourself! We are all here." 29 The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down before Paul and Silas.30 He brought them outside and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
Acts 17 - New Century
1 Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue.2 Paul went into the synagogue as he always did, and on each Sabbath day for three weeks, he talked with his fellow Jews about the Scriptures.3 He explained and proved that the Christ must die and then rise from the dead. He said, "This Jesus I am telling you about is the Christ."4 Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, along with many of the Greeks who worshiped God and many of the important women. 5 But some others became jealous. So they got some evil men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot. They ran to Jason's house, looking for Paul and Silas, wanting to bring them out to the people.6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers to the leaders of the city. The people were yelling, "These people have made trouble everywhere in the world, and now they have come here too!7 Jason is keeping them in his house. All of them do things against the laws of Caesar, saying there is another king, called Jesus." 8 When the people and the leaders of the city heard these things, they became very upset.9 They made Jason and the others put up a sum of money. Then they let the believers go free. 10 That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went to the synagogue.11 These people were more willing to listen than the people in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.12 So, many of them believed, as well as many important Greek women and men.13 But the people in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, too. So they came there, upsetting the people and making trouble.14 The believers quickly sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.15 The people leading Paul went with him to Athens. Then they carried a message from Paul back to Silas and Timothy for them to come to him as soon as they could. 16 While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was troubled because he saw that the city was full of idols.17 In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him, saying, "This man doesn't know what he is talking about. What is he trying to say?" Others said, "He seems to be telling us about some other gods," because Paul was telling them about Jesus and his rising from the dead.19 They got Paul and took him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said, "Please explain to us this new idea you have been teaching.20 The things you are saying are new to us, and we want to know what this teaching means."21 (All the people of Athens and those from other countries who lived there always used their time to talk about the newest ideas.) 22 Then Paul stood before the meeting of the Areopagus and said, "People of Athens, I can see you are very religious in all things.23 As I was going through your city, I saw the objects you worship. I found an altar that had these words written on it: TO A GOD WHO IS NOT KNOWN. You worship a god that you don't know, and this is the God I am telling you about!24 The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands.25 This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; he has everything he needs.26 God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world. God decided exactly when and where they must live.27 God wanted them to look for him and perhaps search all around for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us: 28 'By his power we live and move and exist.' Some of your own poets have said: 'For we are his children.' 29 Since we are God's children, you must not think that God is like something that people imagine or make from gold, silver, or rock.30 In the past, people did not understand God, and he ignored this. But now, God tells all people in the world to change their hearts and lives.
Acts 18 - New Century
1 Later Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 Here he met a Jew named Aquila who had been born in the country of Pontus. But Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, had recently moved to Corinth from Italy, because Claudius commanded that all Jews must leave Rome. Paul went to visit Aquila and Priscilla. 3 Because they were tentmakers, just as he was, he stayed with them and worked with them.4 Every Sabbath day he talked with the Jews and Greeks in the synagogue, trying to persuade them to believe in Jesus. 5 Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia and joined Paul in Corinth. After this, Paul spent all his time telling people the Good News, showing them that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But they would not accept Paul's teaching and said some evil things. So he shook off the dust from his clothes and said to them, "If you are not saved, it will be your own fault! I have done all I can do! After this, I will go to other nations." 7 Paul left the synagogue and moved into the home of Titius Justus, next to the synagogue. This man worshiped God.8 Crispus was the leader of that synagogue, and he and all the people living in his house believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also listened to Paul and believed and were baptized. 9 During the night, the Lord told Paul in a vision: "Don't be afraid. Continue talking to people and don't be quiet. 10 I am with you, and no one will hurt you because many of my people are in this city." 11 Paul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching God's word to the people. 12 When Gallio was the governor of the country of Southern Greece, some people came together against Paul and took him to the court.13 They said, "This man is teaching people to worship God in a way that is against our law." 14 Paul was about to say something, but Gallio spoke, saying, "I would listen to you if you were complaining about a crime or some wrong.15 But the things you are saying are only questions about words and names—arguments about your own law. So you must solve this problem yourselves. I don't want to be a judge of these things."16 And Gallio made them leave the court. 17 Then they all grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him there before the court. But this did not bother Gallio. 18 Paul stayed with the believers for many more days. Then he left and sailed for Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchrea Paul cut off his hair, because he had made a promise to God.19 Then they went to Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. While Paul was there, he went into the synagogue and talked with the people.20 When they asked him to stay with them longer, he refused.21 But as he left, he said, "I will come back to you again if God wants me to." And so he sailed away from Ephesus. 22 When Paul landed at Caesarea, he went and gave greetings to the church in Jerusalem. After that, Paul went to Antioch.23 He stayed there for a while and then left and went through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia. He traveled from town to town in these regions, giving strength to all the followers. 24 A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was born in the city of Alexandria and was a good speaker who knew the Scriptures well.25 He had been taught about the way of the Lord and was always very excited when he spoke and taught the truth about Jesus. But the only baptism Apollos knew about was the baptism that John taught.26 Apollos began to speak very boldly in the synagogue, and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him to their home and helped him better understand the way of God.27 Now Apollos wanted to go to the country of Southern Greece. So the believers helped him and wrote a letter to the followers there, asking them to accept him. These followers had believed in Jesus because of God's grace, and when Apollos arrived, he helped them very much.28 He argued very strongly with the Jews before all the people, clearly proving with the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 19 - New Century
1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul was visiting some places on the way to Ephesus. There he found some followers2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They said, "We have never even heard of a Holy Spirit." 3 So he asked, "What kind of baptism did you have?" They said, "It was the baptism that John taught." 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of changed hearts and lives. He told people to believe in the one who would come after him, and that one is Jesus." 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6 Then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. They began speaking different languages and prophesying.7 There were about twelve people in this group. 8 Paul went into the synagogue and spoke out boldly for three months. He talked with the people and persuaded them to accept the things he said about the kingdom of God.9 But some of them became stubborn. They refused to believe and said evil things about the Way of Jesus before all the people. So Paul left them, and taking the followers with him, he went to the school of a man named Tyrannus. There Paul talked with people every day 10 for two years. Because of his work, every Jew and Greek in Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God used Paul to do some very special miracles.12 Some people took handkerchiefs and clothes that Paul had used and put them on the sick. When they did this, the sick were healed and evil spirits left them. 13 But some people also were traveling around and making evil spirits go out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force the evil spirits out. They would say, "By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!"14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time an evil spirit said to them, "I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them. Because he was so much stronger than all of them, they ran away from the house naked and hurt.17 All the people in Ephesus—Jews and Greeks—learned about this and were filled with fear and gave great honor to the Lord Jesus.18 Many of the believers began to confess openly and tell all the evil things they had done.19 Some of them who had used magic brought their magic books and burned them before everyone. Those books were worth about fifty thousand silver coins. 20 So in a powerful way the word of the Lord kept spreading and growing. 21 After these things, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, planning to go through the countries of Macedonia and Southern Greece and then on to Jerusalem. He said, "After I have been to Jerusalem, I must also visit Rome."22 Paul sent Timothy and Erastus, two of his helpers, ahead to Macedonia, but he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23 And during that time, there was some serious trouble in Ephesus about the Way of Jesus.24 A man named Demetrius, who worked with silver, made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. Those who did this work made much money.25 Demetrius had a meeting with them and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, "Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business.26 But look at what this man Paul is doing. He has convinced and turned away many people in Ephesus and in almost all of Asia! He says the gods made by human hands are not real.27 There is a danger that our business will lose its good name, but there is also another danger: People will begin to think that the temple of the great goddess Artemis is not important. Her greatness will be destroyed, and Artemis is the goddess that everyone in Asia and the whole world worships." 28 When the others heard this, they became very angry and shouted, "Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus, is great!"29 The whole city became confused. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, who were from Macedonia and were traveling with Paul, and ran to the theater.30 Paul wanted to go in and talk to the crowd, but the followers did not let him.
Acts 20 - New Century
1 When the trouble stopped, Paul sent for the followers to come to him. After he encouraged them and then told them good-bye, he left and went to the country of Macedonia. 2 He said many things to strengthen the followers in the different places on his way through Macedonia. Then he went to Greece,3 where he stayed for three months. He was ready to sail for Syria, but some evil people were planning something against him. So Paul decided to go back through Macedonia to Syria. 4 The men who went with him were Sopater son of Pyrrhus, from the city of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, from the city of Thessalonica; Gaius, from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus, two men from Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.6 We sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Five days later we met them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days. 7 On the first day of the week, we all met together to break bread, and Paul spoke to the group. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. 8 We were all together in a room upstairs, and there were many lamps in the room.9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. As Paul continued talking, Eutychus was falling into a deep sleep. Finally, he went sound asleep and fell to the ground from the third floor. When they picked him up, he was dead.10 Paul went down to Eutychus, knelt down, and put his arms around him. He said, "Don't worry. He is alive now."11 Then Paul went upstairs again, broke bread, and ate. He spoke to them a long time, until it was early morning, and then he left.12 They took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. 13 We went on ahead of Paul and sailed for the city of Assos, where he wanted to join us on the ship. Paul planned it this way because he wanted to go to Assos by land.14 When he met us there, we took him aboard and went to Mitylene.15 We sailed from Mitylene and the next day came to a place near Kios. The following day we sailed to Samos, and the next day we reached Miletus. 16 Paul had already decided not to stop at Ephesus, because he did not want to stay too long in Asia. He was hurrying to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, if that were possible. 17 Now from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.18 When they came to him, he said, "You know about my life from the first day I came to Asia. You know the way I lived all the time I was with you.19 The evil people made plans against me, which troubled me very much. But you know I always served the Lord unselfishly, and I often cried.20 You know I preached to you and did not hold back anything that would help you. You know that I taught you in public and in your homes.21 I warned both Jews and Greeks to change their lives and turn to God and believe in our Lord Jesus.22 But now I must obey the Holy Spirit and go to Jerusalem. I don't know what will happen to me there.23 I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me.24 I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace. 25 "And now, I know that none of you among whom I was preaching the kingdom of God will ever see me again.26 So today I tell you that if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible,27 because I have told you everything God wants you to know. 28 Be careful for yourselves and for all the people the Holy Spirit has given to you to oversee. You must be like shepherds to the church of God, which he bought with the death of his own Son. 29 I know that after I leave, some people will come like wild wolves and try to destroy the flock.30 Also, some from your own group will rise up and twist the truth and will lead away followers after them.
Acts 21 - New Century
1 After we all said good-bye to them, we sailed straight to the island of Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes, and from there we went to Patara.2 There we found a ship going to Phoenicia, so we went aboard and sailed away.3 We sailed near the island of Cyprus, seeing it to the north, but we sailed on to Syria. We stopped at Tyre because the ship needed to unload its cargo there.4 We found some followers in Tyre and stayed with them for seven days. Through the Holy Spirit they warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem.5 When we finished our visit, we left and continued our trip. All the followers, even the women and children, came outside the city with us. After we all knelt on the beach and prayed,6 we said good-bye and got on the ship, and the followers went back home. 7 We continued our trip from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais, where we greeted the believers and stayed with them for a day. 8 The next day we left Ptolemais and went to the city of Caesarea. There we went into the home of Philip the preacher, one of the seven helpers, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophesying.10 After we had been there for some time, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea.11 He came to us and borrowed Paul's belt and used it to tie his own hands and feet. He said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'This is how evil people in Jerusalem will tie up the man who wears this belt. Then they will give him to the older leaders.' " 12 When we all heard this, we and the people there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.13 But he said, "Why are you crying and making me so sad? I am not only ready to be tied up in Jerusalem, I am ready to die for the Lord Jesus!" 14 We could not persuade him to stay away from Jerusalem. So we stopped begging him and said, "We pray that what the Lord wants will be done." 15 After this, we got ready and started on our way to Jerusalem.16 Some of the followers from Caesarea went with us and took us to the home of Mnason, where we would stay. He was from Cyprus and was one of the first followers. 17 In Jerusalem the believers were glad to see us.18 The next day Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were there.19 Paul greeted them and told them everything God had done among the other nations through him.20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul, "Brother, you can see that many thousands of our people have become believers. And they think it is very important to obey the law of Moses.21 They have heard about your teaching, that you tell our people who live among the nations to leave the law of Moses. They have heard that you tell them not to circumcise their children and not to obey customs.22 What should we do? They will learn that you have come.23 So we will tell you what to do: Four of our men have made a promise to God.24 Take these men with you and share in their cleansing ceremony. Pay their expenses so they can shave their heads. Then it will prove to everyone that what they have heard about you is not true and that you follow the law of Moses in your own life.25 We have already sent a letter to the non-Jewish believers. The letter said: 'Do not eat food that has been offered to idols, or blood, or animals that have been strangled. Do not take part in sexual sin.' " 26 The next day Paul took the four men and shared in the cleansing ceremony with them. Then he went to the Temple and announced the time when the days of the cleansing ceremony would be finished. On the last day an offering would be given for each of the men. 27 When the seven days were almost over, some of his people from Asia saw Paul at the Temple. They caused all the people to be upset and grabbed Paul.28 They shouted, "People of Israel, help us! This is the man who goes everywhere teaching against the law of Moses, against our people, and against this Temple. Now he has brought some Greeks into the Temple and has made this holy place unclean!"29 (They said this because they had seen Trophimus, a man from Ephesus, with Paul in Jerusalem. They thought that Paul had brought him into the Temple.) 30 All the people in Jerusalem became upset. Together they ran, took Paul, and dragged him out of the Temple. The Temple doors were closed immediately.
Acts 22 - New Century
1 Paul said, "Brothers and fathers, listen to my defense to you." 2 When they heard him speaking the Hebrew language, they became very quiet. Paul said, 3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in the country of Cilicia, but I grew up in this city. I was a student of Gamaliel, who carefully taught me everything about the law of our ancestors. I was very serious about serving God, just as are all of you here today.4 I persecuted the people who followed the Way of Jesus, and some of them were even killed. I arrested men and women and put them in jail. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can tell you this is true. They gave me letters to the brothers in Damascus. So I was going there to arrest these people and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 "About noon when I came near Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed all around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 8 I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The voice said, 'I am Jesus from Nazareth whom you are persecuting.' 9 Those who were with me did not understand the voice, but they saw the light. 10 I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord answered, 'Get up and go to Damascus. There you will be told about all the things I have planned for you to do.' 11 I could not see, because the bright light had made me blind. So my companions led me into Damascus. 12 "There a man named Ananias came to me. He was a religious man; he obeyed the law of Moses, and all the Jews who lived there respected him.13 He stood by me and said, 'Brother Saul, see again!' Immediately I was able to see him.14 He said, 'The God of our ancestors chose you long ago to know his plan, to see the Righteous One, and to hear words from him.15 You will be his witness to all people, telling them about what you have seen and heard.16 Now, why wait any longer? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, trusting in him to save you.' 17 "Later, when I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple, and I saw a vision. 18 I saw the Lord saying to me, 'Hurry! Leave Jerusalem now! The people here will not accept the truth about me.' 19 But I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I put the believers in jail and beat them.20 They also know I was there when Stephen, your witness, was killed. I stood there agreeing and holding the coats of those who were killing him!' 21 But the Lord said to me, 'Leave now. I will send you far away to the other nations.' " 22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they began shouting, "Get rid of him! He doesn't deserve to live!" 23 They shouted, threw off their coats, and threw dust into the air. 24 Then the commander ordered the soldiers to take Paul into the army building and beat him. He wanted to make Paul tell why the people were shouting against him like this.25 But as the soldiers were tying him up, preparing to beat him, Paul said to an officer nearby, "Do you have the right to beat a Roman citizen who has not been proven guilty?" 26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. The officer said, "Do you know what you are doing? This man is a Roman citizen." 27 The commander came to Paul and said, "Tell me, are you really a Roman citizen?" He answered, "Yes." 28 The commander said, "I paid a lot of money to become a Roman citizen." But Paul said, "I was born a citizen." 29 The men who were preparing to question Paul moved away from him immediately. The commander was frightened because he had already tied Paul, and Paul was a Roman citizen. 30 The next day the commander decided to learn why the Jews were accusing Paul. So he ordered the leading priests and the council to meet. The commander took Paul's chains off. Then he brought Paul out and stood him before their meeting.
Acts 23 - New Century
1 Paul looked at the council and said, "Brothers, I have lived my life without guilt feelings before God up to this day."2 Ananias, the high priest, heard this and told the men who were standing near Paul to hit him on the mouth.3 Paul said to Ananias, "God will hit you, too! You are like a wall that has been painted white. You sit there and judge me, using the law of Moses, but you are telling them to hit me, and that is against the law." 4 The men standing near Paul said to him, "You cannot insult God's high priest like that!" 5 Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know this man was the high priest. It is written in the Scriptures, 'You must not curse a leader of your people.' " 6 Some of the men in the meeting were Sadducees, and others were Pharisees. Knowing this, Paul shouted to them, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, and my father was a Pharisee. I am on trial here because I believe that people will rise from the dead." 7 When Paul said this, there was an argument between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the group was divided.8 (The Sadducees do not believe in angels or spirits or that people will rise from the dead. But the Pharisees believe in them all.)9 So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of the law, who were Pharisees, stood up and argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Maybe an angel or a spirit did speak to him." 10 The argument was beginning to turn into such a fight that the commander was afraid some evil people would tear Paul to pieces. So he told the soldiers to go down and take Paul away and put him in the army building. 11 The next night the Lord came and stood by Paul. He said, "Be brave! You have told people in Jerusalem about me. You must do the same in Rome." 12 In the morning some evil people made a plan to kill Paul, and they took an oath not to eat or drink anything until they had killed him.13 There were more than forty men who made this plan. 14 They went to the leading priests and the elders and said, "We have taken an oath not to eat or drink until we have killed Paul. 15 So this is what we want you to do: Send a message to the commander to bring Paul out to you as though you want to ask him more questions. We will be waiting to kill him while he is on the way here." 16 But Paul's nephew heard about this plan and went to the army building and told Paul.17 Then Paul called one of the officers and said, "Take this young man to the commander. He has a message for him." 18 So the officer brought Paul's nephew to the commander and said, "The prisoner, Paul, asked me to bring this young man to you. He wants to tell you something." 19 The commander took the young man's hand and led him to a place where they could be alone. He asked, "What do you want to tell me?" 20 The young man said, "The Jews have decided to ask you to bring Paul down to their council meeting tomorrow. They want you to think they are going to ask him more questions.21 But don't believe them! More than forty men are hiding and waiting to kill Paul. They have all taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are waiting for you to agree." 22 The commander sent the young man away, ordering him, "Don't tell anyone that you have told me about their plan." 23 Then the commander called two officers and said, "I need some men to go to Caesarea. Get two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred men with spears ready to leave at nine o'clock tonight.24 Get some horses for Paul to ride so he can be taken to Governor Felix safely."25 And he wrote a letter that said:
26 From Claudius Lysias.
To the Most Excellent Governor Felix:
Greetings.
27 Some of the Jews had taken this man and planned to kill him. But I learned that he is a Roman citizen, so I went with my soldiers and saved him. 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him before their council meeting.29 I learned that these people said Paul did some things that were wrong by their own laws, but no charge was worthy of jail or death.30 When I was told that some of them were planning to kill Paul, I sent him to you at once. I also told them to tell you what they have against him.
Acts 24 - New Century
1 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, went to the city of Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They had come to make charges against Paul before the governor. 2 Paul was called into the meeting, and Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Most Excellent Felix! Our people enjoy much peace because of you, and many wrong things in our country are being made right through your wise help.3 We accept these things always and in every place, and we are thankful for them.4 But not wanting to take any more of your time, I beg you to be kind and listen to our few words.5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up his people everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group. 6 Also, he was trying to make the Temple unclean, but we stopped him. [And we wanted to judge him by our own law. 7 But the officer Lysias came and used much force to take him from us. 8 And Lysias commanded those who wanted to accuse Paul to come to you.] By asking him questions yourself, you can decide if all these things are true." 9 The others agreed and said that all of this was true. 10 When the governor made a sign for Paul to speak, Paul said, "Governor Felix, I know you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you.11 You can learn for yourself that I went to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago.12 Those who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple or stirring up the people in the synagogues or in the city.13 They cannot prove the things they are saying against me now.14 But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way of Jesus. The others say that the Way of Jesus is not the right way. But I believe everything that is taught in the law of Moses and that is written in the books of the Prophets.15 I have the same hope in God that they have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will surely be raised from the dead.16 This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and people. 17 "After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I went back to bring money to my people and to offer sacrifices.18 I was doing this when they found me in the Temple. I had finished the cleansing ceremony and had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me. 19 But there were some people from Asia who should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, they are the ones who should accuse me. 20 Or ask these people here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the council in Jerusalem.21 But I did shout one thing when I stood before them: 'You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from the dead!' " 22 Felix already understood much about the Way of Jesus. He stopped the trial and said, "When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide your case."23 Felix told the officer to keep Paul guarded but to give him some freedom and to let his friends bring what he needed. 24 After some days Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, and asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus.25 But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about living right, self-control, and the time when God will judge the world. He said, "Go away now. When I have more time, I will call for you."26 At the same time Felix hoped that Paul would give him some money, so he often sent for Paul and talked with him. 27 But after two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus as governor. But Felix had left Paul in prison to please the Jews.
Acts 25 - New Century
1 Three days after Festus became governor, he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem.2 There the leading priests and the important leaders made charges against Paul before Festus.3 They asked Festus to do them a favor. They wanted him to send Paul back to Jerusalem, because they had a plan to kill him on the way.4 But Festus answered that Paul would be kept in Caesarea and that he himself was returning there soon.5 He said, "Some of your leaders should go with me. They can accuse the man there in Caesarea, if he has really done something wrong." 6 Festus stayed in Jerusalem another eight or ten days and then went back to Caesarea. The next day he told the soldiers to bring Paul before him. Festus was seated on the judge's seat7 when Paul came into the room. The people who had come from Jerusalem stood around him, making serious charges against him, which they could not prove.8 This is what Paul said to defend himself: "I have done nothing wrong against the law, against the Temple, or against Caesar." 9 But Festus wanted to please the people. So he asked Paul, "Do you want to go to Jerusalem for me to judge you there on these charges?" 10 Paul said, "I am standing at Caesar's judgment seat now, where I should be judged. I have done nothing wrong to them; you know this is true.11 If I have done something wrong and the law says I must die, I do not ask to be saved from death. But if these charges are not true, then no one can give me to them. I want Caesar to hear my case!" 12 Festus talked about this with his advisers. Then he said, "You have asked to see Caesar, so you will go to Caesar!" 13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus.14 They stayed there for some time, and Festus told the king about Paul's case. Festus said, "There is a man that Felix left in prison. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the leading priests and the elders there made charges against him, asking me to sentence him to death. 16 But I answered, 'When a man is accused of a crime, Romans do not hand him over until he has been allowed to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.'17 So when these people came here to Caesarea for the trial, I did not waste time. The next day I sat on the judge's seat and commanded that the man be brought in.18 They stood up and accused him, but not of any serious crime as I thought they would.19 The things they said were about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who died. But Paul said that he is still alive.20 Not knowing how to find out about these questions, I asked Paul, 'Do you want to go to Jerusalem and be judged there?'21 But he asked to be kept in Caesarea. He wants a decision from the emperor. So I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar." 22 Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear this man myself." Festus said, "Tomorrow you will hear him." 23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice appeared with great show, acting like very important people. They went into the judgment room with the army leaders and the important men of Caesarea. Then Festus ordered the soldiers to bring Paul in.24 Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are gathered here with us, you see this man. All the people, here and in Jerusalem, have complained to me about him, shouting that he should not live any longer.25 When I judged him, I found no reason to order his death. But since he asked to be judged by Caesar, I decided to send him.26 But I have nothing definite to write the emperor about him. So I have brought him before all of you—especially you, King Agrippa. I hope you can question him and give me something to write.27 I think it is foolish to send a prisoner to Caesar without telling what charges are against him."
Acts 26 - New Century
1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You may now speak to defend yourself." Then Paul raised his hand and began to speak. 2 He said, "King Agrippa, I am very blessed to stand before you and will answer all the charges the evil people make against me. 3 You know so much about all the customs and the things they argue about, so please listen to me patiently. 4 "All my people know about my whole life, how I lived from the beginning in my own country and later in Jerusalem.5 They have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of my tradition more carefully than any other group.6 Now I am on trial because I hope for the promise that God made to our ancestors.7 This is the promise that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive as they serve God day and night. My king, they have accused me because I hope for this same promise!8 Why do any of you people think it is impossible for God to raise people from the dead? 9 "I, too, thought I ought to do many things against Jesus from Nazareth.10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem. The leading priests gave me the power to put many of God's people in jail, and when they were being killed, I agreed it was a good thing.11 In every synagogue, I often punished them and tried to make them speak against Jesus. I was so angry against them I even went to other cities to find them and punish them. 12 "One time the leading priests gave me permission and the power to go to Damascus.13 On the way there, at noon, I saw a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun and flashed all around me and those who were traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself by fighting me.' 15 I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' The Lord said, 'I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Stand up! I have chosen you to be my servant and my witness—you will tell people the things that you have seen and the things that I will show you. This is why I have come to you today.17 I will keep you safe from your own people and also from the others. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn away from darkness to the light, away from the power of Satan and to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they can have a place with those people who have been made holy by believing in me.' 19 "King Agrippa, after I had this vision from heaven, I obeyed it.20 I began telling people that they should change their hearts and lives and turn to God and do things to show they really had changed. I told this first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, and in every part of Judea, and also to the other people.21 This is why the Jews took me and were trying to kill me in the Temple.22 But God has helped me, and so I stand here today, telling all people, small and great, what I have seen. But I am saying only what Moses and the prophets said would happen—23 that the Christ would die, and as the first to rise from the dead, he would bring light to all people." 24 While Paul was saying these things to defend himself, Festus said loudly, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Too much study has driven you crazy!" 25 Paul said, "Most excellent Festus, I am not crazy. My words are true and sensible.26 King Agrippa knows about these things, and I can speak freely to him. I know he has heard about all of these things, because they did not happen off in a corner.27 King Agrippa, do you believe what the prophets wrote? I know you believe." 28 King Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian in such a short time?" 29 Paul said, "Whether it is a short or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but every person listening to me today would be saved and be like me—except for these chains I have." 30 Then King Agrippa, Governor Festus, Bernice, and all the people sitting with them stood up.
Acts 27 - New Century
1 It was decided that we would sail for Italy. An officer named Julius, who served in the emperor's army, guarded Paul and some other prisoners. 2 We got on a ship that was from the city of Adramyttium and was about to sail to different ports in Asia. Aristarchus, a man from the city of Thessalonica in Macedonia, went with us. 3 The next day we came to Sidon. Julius was very good to Paul and gave him freedom to go visit his friends, who took care of his needs.4 We left Sidon and sailed close to the island of Cyprus, because the wind was blowing against us.5 We went across the sea by Cilicia and Pamphylia and landed at the city of Myra, in Lycia.6 There the officer found a ship from Alexandria that was going to Italy, so he put us on it. 7 We sailed slowly for many days. We had a hard time reaching Cnidus because the wind was blowing against us, and we could not go any farther. So we sailed by the south side of the island of Crete near Salmone.8 Sailing past it was hard. Then we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. 9 We had lost much time, and it was now dangerous to sail, because it was already after the Day of Cleansing. So Paul warned them,10 "Men, I can see there will be a lot of trouble on this trip. The ship, the cargo, and even our lives may be lost."11 But the captain and the owner of the ship did not agree with Paul, and the officer believed what the captain and owner of the ship said.12 Since that harbor was not a good place for the ship to stay for the winter, most of the men decided that the ship should leave. They hoped we could go to Phoenix and stay there for the winter. Phoenix, a city on the island of Crete, had a harbor which faced southwest and northwest. 13 When a good wind began to blow from the south, the men on the ship thought, "This is the wind we wanted, and now we have it." So they pulled up the anchor, and we sailed very close to the island of Crete.14 But then a very strong wind named the "northeaster" came from the island.15 The ship was caught in it and could not sail against it. So we stopped trying and let the wind carry us.16 When we went below a small island named Cauda, we were barely able to bring in the lifeboat.17 After the men took the lifeboat in, they tied ropes around the ship to hold it together. The men were afraid that the ship would hit the sandbanks of Syrtis, so they lowered the sail and let the wind carry the ship.18 The next day the storm was blowing us so hard that the men threw out some of the cargo.19 A day later with their own hands they threw out the ship's equipment.20 When we could not see the sun or the stars for many days, and the storm was very bad, we lost all hope of being saved. 21 After the men had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood up before them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me. You should not have sailed from Crete. Then you would not have all this trouble and loss.22 But now I tell you to cheer up because none of you will die. Only the ship will be lost.23 Last night an angel came to me from the God I belong to and worship.24 The angel said, 'Paul, do not be afraid. You must stand before Caesar. And God has promised you that he will save the lives of everyone sailing with you.'25 So men, have courage. I trust in God that everything will happen as his angel told me.26 But we will crash on an island." 27 On the fourteenth night we were still being carried around in the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors thought we were close to land,28 so they lowered a rope with a weight on the end of it into the water. They found that the water was one hundred twenty feet deep. They went a little farther and lowered the rope again. It was ninety feet deep.29 The sailors were afraid that we would hit the rocks, so they threw four anchors into the water and prayed for daylight to come.30 Some of the sailors wanted to leave the ship, and they lowered the lifeboat, pretending they were throwing more anchors from the front of the ship.
Acts 28 - New Century
1 When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta.2 The people who lived there were very good to us. Because it was raining and very cold, they made a fire and welcomed all of us.3 Paul gathered a pile of sticks and was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand.4 The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand and said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice does not want him to live."5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt.6 The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, "He is a god!" 7 There were some fields around there owned by Publius, an important man on the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us for three days.8 Publius' father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and put his hands on the man and healed him.9 After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too.10-11 The people on the island gave us many honors. When we were ready to leave, three months later, they gave us the things we needed. We got on a ship from Alexandria that had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods.12 We stopped at Syracuse for three days.13 From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the south, and a day later we came to Puteoli.14 We found some believers there who asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome.15 The believers in Rome heard that we were there and came out as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God. 16 When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone, with the soldier who guarded him. 17 Three days later Paul sent for the leaders there. When they came together, he said, "Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans.18 After they asked me many questions, they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free,19 but the evil people there argued against that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people.20 That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel." 21 They answered Paul, "We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news or told us anything bad about you.22 But we want to hear your ideas, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group." 23 Paul and the people chose a day for a meeting and on that day many more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. He spoke to them all day long. Using the law of Moses and the prophets' writings, he explained the kingdom of God, and he tried to persuade them to believe these things about Jesus.24 Some believed what Paul said, but others did not.25 So they argued and began leaving after Paul said one more thing to them: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
26 'Go to this people and say:
You will listen and listen, but you will not understand.
You will look and look, but you will not learn,
27 because these people have become stubborn.
They don't hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, they might really understand
what they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears.
They might really understand in their minds
and come back to me and be healed.' — Isaiah 6:9–10 28 "I want you to know that God has also sent his salvation to all nations, and they will listen!" [ 29 After Paul said this, the Jews left. They were arguing very much with each other.] 30 Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all people who came to visit him.
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