Saul Persecutes the Church

Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and (A)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and (B)made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, (C)he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Christ Is Preached in Samaria

Therefore (D)those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then (E)Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For (F)unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith

But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously (G)practiced [b]sorcery in the city and (H)astonished the [c]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [d]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things (I)concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

The Sorcerer’s Sin

14 Now when the (J)apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them (K)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For (L)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. (M)They had only been baptized in (N)the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (O)they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because (P)you thought that (Q)the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your (R)heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God (S)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (T)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said, (U)“Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian(V)

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to (W)Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [e]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, (X)a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and (Y)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

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

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

(Z)“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
(AA)So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His (AB)justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is (AC)taken from the earth.”

34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, (AD)and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. (AE)What hinders me from being baptized?”

37 [f]Then Philip said, (AF)“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, (AG)“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, (AH)the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at [g]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to (AI)Caesarea.

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(AJ)

Then (AK)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked (AL)letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

(AM)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (AN)why are you persecuting Me?”

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [h]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

And (AO)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (AP)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (AQ)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (AR)how much [i]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (AS)who call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (AT)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (AU)Gentiles, (AV)kings, and the (AW)children[j] of Israel. 16 For (AX)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (AY)name’s sake.”

17 (AZ)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (BA)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [k]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (BB)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. (BC)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

20 Immediately he preached [l]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, (BD)“Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, (BE)and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul Escapes Death

23 Now after many days were past, (BF)the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 (BG)But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and (BH)let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Saul at Jerusalem

26 And (BI)when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 (BJ)But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, (BK)and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So (BL)he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the (BM)Hellenists,[m] (BN)but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Church Prospers

31 (BO)Then the [n]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were (BP)edified.[o] And walking in the (BQ)fear of the Lord and in the (BR)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were (BS)multiplied.

Aeneas Healed

32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went (BT)through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (BU)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and (BV)Sharon saw him and (BW)turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [p]Tabitha, which is translated [q]Dorcas. This woman was full (BX)of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in (BY)an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (BZ)put them all out, and (CA)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he (CB)said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, (CC)and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with (CD)Simon, a tanner.

Cornelius Sends a Delegation

10 There was a certain man in (CE)Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [r]Regiment, (CF)a devout man and one who (CG)feared God with all his household, who gave [s]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About [t]the ninth hour of the day (CH)he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”

So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now (CI)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with (CJ)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (CK)He[u] will tell you what you must do.” And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, (CL)Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [v]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and (CM)saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! (CN)For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, (CO)“What God has [w]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Summoned to Caesarea

17 Now while Peter [x]wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

19 While Peter thought about the vision, (CP)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 (CQ)Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

21 Then Peter went down to the men [y]who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”

22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and (CR)has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them.

On the next day Peter went away with them, (CS)and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Meets Cornelius

24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (CT)“Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how (CU)unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But (CV)God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

30 So Cornelius said, [z]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, (CW)a man stood before me (CX)in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (CY)your prayer has been heard, and (CZ)your [aa]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [ab]When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Preaching to Cornelius’ Household

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: (DA)“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But (DB)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is (DC)accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [ac]children of Israel, (DD)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—(DE)He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and (DF)began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how (DG)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who (DH)went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, (DI)for God was with Him. 39 And we are (DJ)witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [ad]they (DK)killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him (DL)God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 (DM)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us (DN)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And (DO)He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify (DP)that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge (DQ)of the living and the dead. 43 (DR)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, (DS)whoever believes in Him will receive (DT)remission[ae] of sins.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (DU)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 (DV)And [af]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, (DW)because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit (DX)just as we have? 48 (DY)And he commanded them to be baptized (DZ)in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 8:5 Or a
  2. Acts 8:9 magic
  3. Acts 8:9 Or nation
  4. Acts 8:11 magic arts
  5. Acts 8:26 Or a deserted place
  6. Acts 8:37 NU, M omit v. 37. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
  7. Acts 8:40 Same as Heb. Ashdod
  8. Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
  9. Acts 9:13 bad things
  10. Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
  11. Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
  12. Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
  13. Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
  14. Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
  15. Acts 9:31 built up
  16. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
  17. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
  18. Acts 10:1 Cohort
  19. Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
  20. Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
  21. Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
  22. Acts 10:9 Noon
  23. Acts 10:15 Declared clean
  24. Acts 10:17 was perplexed
  25. Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
  26. Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
  27. Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
  28. Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
  29. Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
  30. Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
  31. Acts 10:43 forgiveness
  32. Acts 10:45 The Jews

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