Modern Literal Version
[Acts 1]
{Events from 30-63 AD are recorded including all the examples of Christian conversions. Tiberius Caesar, Emperor, 14-37 AD. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea. Herod Antipas, governor of Galilee.}
1:1 O Theophilus, I indeed made* the first account concerning all that Jesus began both to do* and to teach, 1:2 till the day in which he was received up, having commanded through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
{Luk 24:44-49 & Acts 1:3-8 & 1Co 15:7 Jerusalem.}
1:3 The apostles to whom, he also presented himself as living in many definite-proofs after he suffered on the cross, being seen by them throughout forty days and saying the things concerning the kingdom of God. 1:4 And, assembling together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to remain until the promise of the Father, Which, (he said) You* have heard from me; 1:5 because John indeed immersed* in water, but you* will be immersed* in the Holy Spirit after not these many days {i.e. a few days}.
{May 18, 30AD Mount of Olives.}
1:6 Therefore indeed, after they came together, they asked him, saying, Lord, should you not be restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?
1:7 Now he said to them, It is not yours* to know times or seasons, which the Father placed in his own authority. 1:8 But you* will be receiving power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you*, you* will be witnesses to me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the outermost parts of the earth.
{Mar 16:19-20 & Luk 24:50-53 & Acts 1:9-12 Olivet, between Jerusalem and Bethany.}
1:9 And having said these things, and while looking at him, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him away from their staring eyes. 1:10 And as they were staring while he is traveling on into heaven. And behold, two men stood beside them in white apparel; 1:11 who also said, Men, Galileans! Why are you* standing here, looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was received up from you* into heaven will be coming back thus in the manner you* saw him traveling on into heaven. {Acts 1:11 & Mat 24:27, 24:29-31 & Mar 13:24-37 & Luk 21:25-28 & 1Th 4:13-17 & 2Th 1:7-9 & 1Co 15:51-15:58 & Rev 1:7 Second Coming.}
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olives, which is near Jerusalem, holding a Sabbath's journey {i.e. less than a mile, what was permitted to travel on the Sabbath}. 1:13 And when they entered, they went-up into the upstairs-room; where they were remaining: both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James {Or: brother. See Jude.}. 1:14 All these men together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and together with his brethren were persevering, united in prayer and supplication.
1:15 And Peter stood up in these days in the midst of the disciples (and a crowd of names {i.e. people} were in the same place, approximately a hundred and twenty) and said, 1:16 Men, brethren, it was essential that this Scripture might be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit said beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who took Jesus, 1:17 because he was being numbered together with us and was allotted his inheritance in this service.
{Mat 27:3-10 & Acts 1:18-19.}
1:18 (Therefore indeed, this one procured a parcel of ground from the reward of his unrighteousness, and he happened to fall-flat and ruptured in the middle and all his bowels were poured out. 1:19 And it became known to all those who are dwelling in Jerusalem; so-then in their own language this place was called Akeldama, that is, The Place of Blood.) 1:20 For* it has been written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation become desolate and do not let there be one dwelling in it' {Psa 69:25} and, 'Let a different one take his overseership.' {Psa 109:8} 1:21 Therefore, it is essential of those men who went together with us all the time in which the Lord Jesus entered in and went out among us, 1:22 having begun from the immersion* of John, to the day from which he was received up from us, it is essential one of these is to become a witness together with us of his resurrection. 1:23 And they stood up two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus and Matthias. 1:24 And having prayed, they said, You Lord, knower of the hearts of all, show which one out of these two you have chosen for yourself 1:25 to receive the inheritance of this service and apostleship from which Judas transgressed, so as to travel on to his own place. 1:26 And they gave them their lots and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was enumerated together with the eleven apostles.
{NOTES: Acts 1:26-2:1- Chapter and verse divisions were added by man. In the original Acts 1:26 & Acts 2:1 are the same sentence. The 'they' has been disputed by many. Read both Acts 1:26 and Acts 2:1 together without punctuation and decide for yourself. See also Acts 1:5, 2:6.}
{Pentecost (always Sun.) May 28, 30AD Jerusalem. Pentecost is a transliterated word, G4005, which literal means '50th' as in the 50th day after Passover. The day the New Covenant (Testament) came into force (Heb 9:15-17.}
2:1 And while* the day of Pentecost was being fulfilled, they were all united in the same place. 2:2 And suddenly there became a noise from heaven just-like the bringing of a violent wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 2:3 And they were seen by them, divided tongues, like fire, and it sat upon each one of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, just-as the Spirit was giving to them to speak out. 2:5 Now Jews were dwelling in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 2:6 But after the {F} voice from this happened, the multitude came together and was confused, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language. 2:7 Now they were astonished and marveling, saying to one another, Behold, are these not all Galileans who are speaking? 2:8 And how are we hearing each one in our own language in which we were born? 2:9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those who are dwelling in Mesopotamia, in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, 2:10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene and the inhabiting Romans, both Jews and Jewish-converts, 2:11 Cretans and Arabs, we hear them speaking in our languages the magnificent things of God. 2:12 Now all were astonished and were perplexed, saying to one another, Whatever might this wish to be {i.e. mean}? 2:13 But others sneering, were saying, They are full of new-wine. {i.e. sarcasm; you can not get drunk on grape juice}
{Footnotes: Acts 2:6, this was a miraculous event, the crowd heard all this like a single voice from afar or figuratively like 'noisy or sounds.'}
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
2:14 But Peter, stood together with the eleven, and lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, saying, Men, Jews and all you* who are dwelling in Jerusalem, let this be known to you* and notice* my words. 2:15 For* these men are not drunken, as you* take it to be; for* it is only the third hour {i.e. 9:00 AM} of the day. 2:16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel, 2:17 God says, 'And it will be in the last days, I will pour out from My Spirit upon all flesh and your* sons and your* daughters will prophesy and your* young-men will see visions and your* elderly-men will dream dreams. 2:18 For-sure, I will pour from my Spirit upon my male bondservants and upon my female bondservants in those days, and they will prophesy. 2:19 And I will be giving you* wonders in the heaven above and signs upon the earth below; blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 2:20 The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and illustrious day of the Lord is to come. 2:21 And it will be, that everyone, whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.' {Joel 2:28-32}
2:22 Men, Israelites! Hear* these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man from God, having been shown to you* by miracles and wonders and signs which God did* through him in your* midst, just-as you* yourselves also know; 2:23 this one being given up by what had been determined by the plan and foreknowledge of God; you* assassinated him, having taken him and having fastened him to a cross through lawless hands; 2:24 whom God raised* up, having loosed the travails of death, insomuch as it was not possible for him to be held-fast by it. 2:25 For* David says in regard to him, 'I was seeing the Lord always before my face, in my sight, because he is at my right hand, in order that I might not be shaken. 2:26 Because of this, my heart was joyous and my tongue was glad. Now my flesh will also still reside in hope; 2:27 because you will not forsake my soul to Hades, neither will you give your Holy One to see decay. 2:28 You made known to me the ways of life. You will fill me with joy with your countenance.' {Psa 16:8-11} 2:29 Men, brethren, it is legal for me to speak publicly to you* concerning the patriarch David, that he both died* and was buried and his tomb is among us till this day. 2:30 Therefore being* a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that from the fruit of his loin, to raise* up the Christ according to the flesh to sit upon his throne. {Psa 89:3-4, 132:11} 2:31 Having foreseen this, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul was not left to Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. {Psa 16:10} 2:32 This Jesus, God raised* up, of whom we are all witnesses. 2:33 Therefore having been exalted by the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out this, which you* are seeing and hearing now. 2:34 For* David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 2:35 until I should place your enemies as the footstool of your feet.' {Psa 110:1} 2:36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with certainty, that God made* him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you* crucified.
2:37 Now after they heard this, they were pierced in their heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men, brethren, what will we do*?
2:38 Now Peter said to them, Repent* and let each one of you* be immersed* in the name of Jesus Christ into the forgiveness of your* sins, and you* will be receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. {F} 2:39 For* the promise is to you* and to your* children and to all those at afar off, as many as the Lord our God would call. 2:40 Now he was thoroughly testifying and encouraging them with many other words, saying, Save* yourselves from this crooked generation. 2:41 Therefore indeed, they, who gladly accepted his word, were immersed*, and approximately three thousand souls were added to them in that day. 2:42 Now they were persevering in the apostles' teaching and in fellowship and in the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.
{Acts 2:38 has been a constant 'revolving door' as: '*for,' 'into,' 'to/toward,' 'leading to,' 'leading toward,' 'to obtain' have all been used in the MLV and not everyone is ever satisfied. But they only complain about Acts 2:38 not the other four places this same Greek construction is in the Bible. People who are defending Acts 2:38 keep wanting something besides 'for.' Which was never the translation in the MLV; see list above. 'For' in English can mean 'because' but this word is 'eis' (G1519). No translation has ever used 'because' or 'because of' in Acts 2:38, including the ones made by the Baptist denomination (sadly though some had to put it in as a footnote, ironically some of their older translations used 'leading to/toward'). Thayer used "to obtain." This misunderstanding is also due to the fact the MLV is the only English translation that corrected all the 'for' words by translating them to their more accurate English word. Other than 'for*,' all 'for' words in the MLV which literally meant 'because' are translated as such.
The second part could possibly be translated 'you* will receive the Holy Spirit's gift.'
We are not sorry that the theologians need to learn the Bible!}
2:43 Now there became fear upon every soul and many wonders and signs were happening through the apostles. 2:44 But all who believe were in the same mind and had all things common. 2:45 They were selling* their properties and possessions and dividing them to all, if, insomuch as, anyone was having a need. 2:46 And persevering every day, united in the temple and breaking bread house to house, they were taking their nourishment in gladness and simplicity of heart, 2:47 praising God, and having favor toward the whole people. Now the Lord was adding to the congregation* of believers those who are saved every day.
{June 30, 30AD Temple at Jerusalem.}
3:1 Now Peter and John were going-up at the same time into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour {i.e. 3:00 PM}. 3:2 And a certain man, being* lame from his mother's womb, was being bore there, whom they were laying daily at the door of the temple which is called* Beautiful, to ask charity from those who travel into the temple. 3:3 Having seen Peter and John being about to go-into the temple, he asked them for charity. 3:4 But Peter, together with John, having stared toward him, said, Look toward us. 3:5 Now he was taking-heed of them, expecting to receive something from them. 3:6 But Peter said, Silver and gold is not possessed by me, but what I have, this thing, I am giving to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarenes, lift yourself up and walk! 3:7 And he clutched him by the right hand and lifted him up and instantly his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 3:8 And leaping up, he stood and was walking, and he entered together with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 3:10 And they were recognizing him, that this one was sitting to obtain charity at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what has befallen him.
3:11 Now the lame man who was healed, was holding-fast to Peter and John, then all the people ran together to them on the porch which is called Solomon's utterly amazed. 3:12 Now having seen them, Peter answered to the people, Men, Israelites! Why are you* marveling over this one? Or why are you* staring at us, as though by our own power or devoutness we have made* him able to walk? 3:13 The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his young-servant Jesus; whom you* indeed gave up and denied him in the face of Pilate, after he decided to release that man. 3:14 But you* denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a man, a murderer, to be granted to you*, 3:15 and killed the Author of life; whom God raised up from the dead; of whom we are witnesses. 3:16 And upon the faith of his name, this one whom you* are viewing and know, his name strengthened him. And the faith which is through him gave him this wholeness of body in front of all of you*.
3:17 And I know now brethren that you* did* it according to ignorance, just-like also did* your* rulers. 3:18 But what God proclaimed beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that the Christ was to suffer, he thus fulfilled.
3:19 Therefore, repent* and turn* again, *that* your* sins may be wiped-away, *that seasons of refreshment would come from the countenance of the Lord; 3:20 and that he may send Christ Jesus who has been assigned to you*; 3:21 whom it is indeed essential for the heaven to accept till the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke through the mouth of all his holy prophets from the age past. 3:22 For* Moses indeed said to the fathers, The Lord our God will rise* up for you* a prophet from among your* brethren, like me. You* will be listening to him according to all things, as many things as he would speak to you*. {Deu 18:18, 19} 3:23 And it will be, that every soul who, if it does not listen to that prophet, will be utterly destroyed from among the people. 3:24 But even all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed afterwards, as many as spoke, also proclaimed of these days. 3:25 You* are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant* which God covenanted* with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And all the families of the earth will be blessed in your seed.' {Gen 22:18, 26:4, 28:14} 3:26 God, having raised* up his young-servant Jesus, sent him to you* first, blessing you* in turning each of you* away from your* wickednesses.
4:1 Now while speaking to the people, the priests and the magistrate of the temple and the Sadducees stood by them, 4:2 being pained, because they teach the people and proclaim the resurrection of the dead in Jesus. 4:3 And they put hands on them and placed them in jail to the next-day; for* it was already dusk. 4:4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men happened to be approximately five thousand.
4:5 Now it happened upon the next-day, that their rulers and the elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 4:6 and Annas the high-priest was there and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and as many as were from the high-priestly race. 4:7 And having stood them in the middle, they were inquiring, In what power or in what name, did* you* do* this?
4:8 Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, You* rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 4:9 if we are examined today on the basis of a good* work done to a sick man and by what means this one has been cured. 4:10 Let it be known to you*all here and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarenes, whom you* crucified, whom God raised up from the dead; in him, this one who is standing in your* sight is healthy. 4:11 This one is, 'The stone that was scorned by you*, the builders, which became to you the head of the corner.'{Psa 118:22} 4:12 And salvation is not in any other; for* neither is there any other name under the heavens, that has been given among men, in which it is essential for us to be saved.
4:13 Now viewing the boldness of Peter and John, they were marveling, having comprehended that they are illiterate and unskilled men. And they recognized them, that they had been together with Jesus. 4:14 But seeing the man who had been healed, standing together with them, they had nothing to speak against it. 4:15 But having commanded them to go outside the council, they were pondering these things with one another, 4:16 saying, What will we do* to these men? For* that indeed a known sign has happened through them and apparent to all who are dwelling in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it. 4:17 But in order that it should not circulate on more-than this into the people, we will threaten them with more threatening, to no longer speak to any men in this name. 4:18 And they called them back and commanded them not to speak nor teach entirely upon the name of Jesus.
4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, Judge* for yourselves if it is righteous in God's sight to listen to you* rather than to God. 4:20 For* we are not able to speak, but the things which we saw and heard. 4:21 But having additionally threatened them, they released them, finding nothing as to how they will punish them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for what has happened. 4:22 For* the man was more-than forty years old, upon whom this sign of healing had happened.
4:23 Now having been released, they came to their own brethren and reported how-much the high-priests and the elders had said to them. 4:24 Now they, having heard it, lifted up their voice to God united and said, Master, you are the God who made* the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them; 4:25 who through the mouth of our father David your young-servant, said, 'Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples meditate on empty things? 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered in the same place, against the Lord and against his Christ.' {Psa 2:1-2} 4:27 For* against truth, against your holy young-servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together 4:28 to do* as many things as your hand and your council determined beforehand to happen. 4:29 And hereafter, Lord, look upon their threats and give to your bondservants to speak your word with all boldness, 4:30 for you to stretch out your hand *for healing, and signs and wonders to happen through the name of your holy young-servant Jesus. 4:31 And having besought the Lord, the place was shaken in which they were gathered together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they were speaking the word of God with boldness.
4:32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul and not one of them said that anything of his own possessions is for themselves, but they had all things common. 4:33 Now the apostles were giving their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power and great favor was upon them all. 4:34 For* neither anyone among them was* needy. For* as many as were* owners of parcels of ground or houses, were selling them and were bringing the prices of the things which were sold*, 4:35 and were laying them beside the apostles' feet and were being distributed to each, insomuch as if anyone was having a need.
4:36 Now Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas from the apostles, (which is, being translated, Son of Encouragement), a Levite from Cyprus by birth, 4:37 sold a field, possessed by him, and brought the money and placed it beside the apostles' feet.
{Late 30 AD - 36 AD Temple at Jerusalem.}
5:1 But a certain man, Ananias by name, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a property, 5:2 and pilfered part for themselves from the price, his wife also having been conscious of it, and brought a certain part, placed it beside the apostles' feet. 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has the Adversary filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and you to pilfer part for yourself from the price of the parcel of ground? 5:4 While it is remaining unsold, was it not remaining yours? And having been sold*, was* it not still in your authority? Why did you purpose this matter in your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God. 5:5 But Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and expired, and there became great fear upon all those who heard these things. 5:6 Now after the younger-men stood up, they enshrouded him and carried him out and buried him.
5:7 Now it happened after an interval of approximately three hours, his wife also entered, not knowing what has happened. 5:8 But Peter answered her, Tell me if you* were given so-much for the parcel of ground?
And she said, Yes, for so much.
5:9 But Peter said to her, Why is it that it was agreed together by you* to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door and they will be carrying you out. 5:10 Now she fell down instantly beside his feet and expired and the young-men entered and found her dead and they carried her out and buried her with her husband. 5:11 Now there became great fear upon the whole congregation* and upon all who are hearing these things.
5:12 Now through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were happening among the people, and they were all united at Solomon's porch. 5:13 But none of the rest were daring to be joined to them, but the people were extolling them; 5:14 and more believers, multitudes of both men and women, were added to the Lord. 5:15 So-then they started to carry out the sick in the streets, to lay them upon cots and pallets, in order that, while Peter comes by, if-only his shadow might overshadow anyone of them. 5:16 Now the multitude were also coming together from the cities in and around Jerusalem, carrying sick ones, and those being troubled by unclean spirits; and who were all being healed.
5:17 But the high-priest stood up and all those who were together with him (which is a sect of the Sadducees) and they were filled up from jealousy, 5:18 and they put their hands upon the apostles and placed them in the public jail. 5:19 But a messenger of the Lord through the night, opened the doors of the prison, and having led them out, said, 5:20 Travel*, and when you have stood up in the temple, speak* to the people all the words of this life. 5:21 Now having heard this, they entered the temple under the light of daybreak and were teaching.
But the high-priest came* and those who were together with him and called the Sanhedrin together and everyone of the Elderly-Council of the sons of Israel and sent to the prison to have them led out. 5:22 But the attendants who came* did not find them in the prison. Now having turned back, they reported, 5:23 saying, We indeed found the prison, having been locked with* all the security intact, and the guards standing before the doors. But having opened it, we found no one inside. 5:24 Now as both the magistrate of the temple and the priest and the high-priests heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them as to why this would have happened.
5:25 But someone came*, and reported to them, Behold, the men, whom you* placed in the prison yourselves, are in the temple standing and teaching the people. 5:26 Then the magistrate together with the attendants went away and led them, but without violence; for* they were fearing the people (that* they might not be stoned). 5:27 Now having led them, they stood them in front of the council. And the high-priest asked them, 5:28 saying, Did we command you* with a strict command to not teach in this name? And behold, you* have filled Jerusalem with your* teaching, and are planning to bring* this man's blood upon us.
5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, It is essential for us to obey God rather than men. 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you* yourselves exterminated, having hung him upon a tree. 5:31 This Jesus is the Author and Savior who God exalted to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 5:32 And we are witnesses of these words, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to those who obey him.
5:33 But hearing this, they were being infuriated and were planning to assassinate them. 5:34 But a certain one in the council stood up there, a Pharisee, Gamaliel by name, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and he commanded them to make* the apostles wait outside for a certain bit of time. 5:35 And he said to them, Men, Israelites! Take-heed* to yourselves what you* are about to do* against these men. 5:36 For* before these days rose* up Theudas, saying that he himself to be someone, who was assassinated; to whom a number of men were called, approximately four hundred; and all, as many as were obeying him were disbanded and came* to nothing. 5:37 After this one rose* up Judas, a Galilean, in the days of the census and a considerable number of people withdrew after him. He also perished, and all, as many as were obeying him, were scattered. 5:38 And hereafter I say to you*, Withdraw* from these men and permit* them to continue, because if the plan or this work is from men, it will be torn-down; 5:39 but if it is from God, you* will not be able to tear-down it; lest you* might be found even to be quarreling against God.
5:40 Now they were persuaded by him, and having called the apostles to them, they whipped them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 5:41 Therefore indeed, they were traveling away from the face of the council, rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name of Jesus. 5:42 And they were not ceasing, teaching and proclaiming the good-news of Jesus as the Christ every day both in the temple and in every house.
{Autumn 36 AD. Temple at Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate deposed.}
6:1 Now in these days, while the disciples are multiplying, there became a murmuring from the Grecian Jews aimed toward the Hebrews, because their widows were being left-unattended in the daily service. 6:2 Now the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, It is not pleasing to God for us to have left the word of God to serve tables. 6:3 Therefore brethren, elect* out of you* seven men, who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we might designate over this need. 6:4 But we will be persevering in prayer and in the service of the word. 6:5 And the speech pleased everyone of the multitude and they themselves chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolaus a Jewish-convert from Antioch; 6:6 whom they stood in the sight of the apostles and having prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
6:7 And the word of God was growing, and the number of the disciples were being extremely multiplied in Jerusalem, and a large crowd of the priests were obedient* to the faith.
6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing* great wonders and signs among the people. 6:9 But there stood up some of those who were of the synagogue called* the Synagogue of the Freedmen both those from Cyrene and from Alexandria, and those from Cilicia and Asia, debating together with Stephen. 6:10 And they were not strong-enough to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit by which he was speaking. 6:11 Then they instigated men, saying, We have heard him speak blasphemous declarations at Moses and God. 6:12 And they agitated the people and the elders and the scribes. And having stood up against him, they seized him and led him into the council.
6:13 And false witnesses stood up, saying, This man is not ceasing to speak blasphemous declarations against the holy place and the law. 6:14 For* we have heard him saying, that this Jesus the Nazarene will be tearing-down this place and will be changing the customs which Moses gave to us. 6:15 And all who are sitting in the council, having stared toward him, saw his face was like the face of a messenger of God.
7:1 Now the high-priest said, Tell me then if you hold these things so?
7:2 Now he said, Men, brethren and fathers, listen*: the God of glory was seen by our father Abraham, while being in Mesopotamia, before he was to dwell in Haran, 7:3 and said to him, Come out of your land and from your relatives and come-here into the land whatever I will be showing you. {Gen 12:1,2,4} 7:4 Then after he went out of the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Haran and after his father was dead, God exiled him from there into this land in which you* are now dwelling. {Gen 13:14-18} 7:5 And he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a step of his foot, and he promised to give it to him and to his seed after him *for his territory, even not being a child yet to him. {Gen 15:13, 14} 7:6 Now God spoke thus: That his seed will be a foreigner in an alien land, and they will enslave it and will be mistreating them four hundred years. 7:7 And God said, I will be judging the nation to which they would be enslaved, and they will be coming forth and will be giving-divine service to me in this place after these things. {Gen 17:10-14} 7:8 And he gave him the covenant* of circumcision and so he fathered Isaac and he circumcised him on the eighth day, and to Isaac was born Jacob and to Jacob the twelve patriarchs. {Gen 21:4, 25:20-26, 46:8-26} 7:9 And the patriarchs, having been jealous of Joseph, gave him into Egypt. And God was with him, 7:10 and liberated him from all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom in front of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who designated him leader over Egypt and his whole house. {Gen 37:23-25, 36} 7:11 Now there came a famine and great affliction upon the whole land of Egypt and Canaan and our fathers were finding no sustenances. {Gen 41:54-57} 7:12 But after Jacob heard of grain being in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. {Gen 42:1, 2} 7:13 And Joseph was recognized at the second meeting by his brethren, and Joseph's race became apparent to the Pharaoh. {Gen 43:2, 45:16} 7:14 But Joseph himself, having sent them, called Jacob, his father, and all the relatives, in souls, seventy-five. 7:15 Now Jacob went-down into Egypt and died*, he himself and our fathers; {Exodus 1:1-6} 7:16 and were transferred to Shechem and were placed in the tomb that Abraham purchased for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. {Jos 24:32} 7:17 Now just-as the time of the promise was drawing near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and were multiplied in Egypt, 7:18 till there rose* up a different king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. {Exodus 1:7, 8} 7:19 This one dealt craftily with our race and mistreated our fathers, to make* them place their babies outside in the elements, *that* they might not live. {Exo 2:2} 7:20 In which season, Moses was born and was handsome to God, and he was reared three months in his father's house. {Exodus 1:7, 8, 10-22, 2:1-10} 7:21 Now after he was placed outside in the elements, Pharaoh's daughter took him away for herself and reared him *for her own son.
7:22 Now Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and works. 7:23 Now as the time of forty years was being fulfilled to him, it came-up upon his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 7:24 And having seen a certain one of them being hurt, he retaliated and did* the avenging for the one who was subjugated, and struck the Egyptian; {Exo 2:11} 7:25 and he was supposing that his brethren understood that God is giving them salvation through his hand. But they did not understand. 7:26 And he was seen the next day by those who were quarreling and drove them to make peace, having said, Men, you* are brethren! Why are you* wronging one another? {Exo 2:13,14} 7:27 But he who hurt his neighbor shoved him away and said, Who designated you a ruler and a justice over us? 7:28 You do not wish to assassinate me in the manner you assassinated the Egyptian yesterday, do you?
7:29 But at this speech, Moses fled and became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons. {Exo 18:3} 7:30 Now after forty years were fulfilled, a messenger of the Lord was seen by him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire from a bush. {Exo 3:6} 7:31 But after Moses saw it, he was marveling at the vision of it. And while coming near to consider what it was, there came* a voice of the Lord to him, 7:32 I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. {Exo 3:6} And the trembling Moses came*, and was not daring to consider what it was. 7:33 Now the Lord said to him, Loose the shoes from your feet; for* the place in which you are standing is holy land. 7:34 Having seen, I saw the mistreatment of my people who were in Egypt and heard their groaning and I descended to liberate them. And now come-here, I will be sending you into Egypt. {Exo 3:1-10} 7:35 This Moses whom they denied, having said, Who designated you a ruler and a justice? God sent this one as a ruler and a redeemer by the hand of the messenger who was seen by him in the bush. {Exo 14:21, 12:41, 15:23, 16:1-36} 7:36 This one led them out, having done* wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 7:37 This is that Moses, who said to the sons of Israel, The Lord our God will raise* up to you* a prophet out of your* brethren, like me. {Deu 18:15} 7:38 This is he who came* to be in the congregation* in the wilderness with the messenger, the one speaking to him on Mount Sinai and from our fathers. This is he who accepted the living word to give to us; {Exo 19:3, 20:1-24:18} 7:39 to whom our fathers willed not to become obedient*, but shoved him away from themselves and turned themselves back toward Egypt in their heart, 7:40 having said to Aaron, Make* us gods that will travel before us. For* this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him. {Exo 32:1-6} 7:41 And they made* a calf in those days and brought* a sacrifice to the idol and were being joyous in the works of their hands. {Exo 32:19} 7:42 But God turned and gave them up to give-divine service to the army of heaven; just-as it has been written in the book of the prophets, 'You* did not offer slaughtered beasts and sacrifices to me for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel, did you*? 7:43 And you* took up the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of the god Remphan, the patterns which you* made* to worship them and I will be exiling you* past Babylon.' {Amos 5:25-27} 7:44 The tabernacle of the testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, just-as he, after he speaks with Moses, commanded him to make* it according to the pattern which he had seen. {Exo 25:9,40, 26:30} 7:45 Which also our fathers, having accepted in succession, brought* in with Joshua, in the territory of the nations, that God shoved out away from the face of our fathers, until the days of David. {Jos 3:14, 18:1} 7:46 David, who found favor in God's sight, asked to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. {2Sa 7:2, 2Ch 17:1-4} 7:47 But Solomon built him a house. {1Ki 8:1-66, 2Ch 5:1} 7:48 But the Highest is not dwelling in temples made* with hands; just-as the prophet says, 7:49 'The heaven is my throne and the earth the footstool of my feet. What sort of house will you* be building me? says the Lord. Or what is the place of my rest? 7:50 Did* my hand not make* all these things?' {Isa 66:1-2}
7:51 You* are stiff-necked and non-circumcised in heart and ears. You* are habitually defying the Holy Spirit, like your* fathers, like you* do also! 7:52 Which of the prophets did your* fathers not persecute? And they killed those who proclaimed beforehand God's message concerning the coming of the Righteous One; of whom you* have now become betrayers and murderers. 7:53 You* who received the law at the commandments from God's messengers and did not observe it. {Ex 20:1-7, Exo 25:2-31:18}
7:54 Now hearing these things, they were being infuriated in their hearts and they were gnashing their teeth at him. 7:55 But possessing the fullness of the Holy Spirit, he stared into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 7:56 and said, Behold, I am viewing the heavens that have been opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. 7:57 But having cried out with a loud voice, they held their ears, and united, rushed upon him. 7:58 And having cast him outside the city, they were stoning him. And the witnesses placed their garments beside the feet of a young-man called Saul. 7:59 And they were stoning Stephen, who was calling upon the Lord, saying, Lord Jesus, accept my spirit. 7:60 Now having placed his knees down, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not weigh this, their sin, to them. And having said this, he fell-asleep. [Acts 8] 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to the assassination of him.
Now there became a great persecution in that day upon the congregation* which was in Jerusalem, and they were all dispersed throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, other-than the apostles.
8:2 Now devout men entombed Stephen and made* a great lamentation over him.
8:3 Now Saul was devastating the congregation* of believers, traveling into all houses and dragging men and women away, he was giving them up to prison.
{37 AD. Samaria. Tiberius Caesar dies March 16. Caligula attempts to put his statue in the Temple.}
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
8:4 Therefore indeed, those who were dispersed went throughout the land, proclaiming the good-news of the word.
8:5 Now Philip went down to a city of Samaria and was preaching to them the Christ. 8:6 And the crowds united and were taking-heed to the things which were spoken by Philip, while* they were hearing and seeing the signs which he was doing*. 8:7 For* many of those who have unclean spirits, the spirits were coming out, crying with a loud voice. And many were healed who had been paralyzed and lame. 8:8 And there became great joy in that city.
8:9 But a certain man, Simon by name, was formerly in the city practicing-magic and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be someone great. 8:10 To whom they were taking-heed, from the little to the great, saying, This one is the power of God, the Great. 8:11 Now they were taking-heed to him because he has astonished them with his various magics for a considerable time. 8:12 But when they believed Philip proclaiming the good-news concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being immersed*, both men and women. 8:13 Now Simon himself also believed and was immersed*, and was persevering with Philip. And viewing signs and great miracles which were happening, he was being astonished.
8:14 Now after the apostles who were in Jerusalem heard that Samaria has accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them; 8:15 who came-down and prayed concerning them so *that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 8:16 For* he was not yet falling upon any of them, but they were* only being immersed* into the name of the Christ Jesus. 8:17 Then they were laying their hands upon them and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
8:18 But when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit is given, he offered them wealth, 8:19 saying, Give* to me also this authority, in order that I may lay my hands on whomever, and he may receive the Holy Spirit.
8:20 But Peter said to him, May your silver together with you be sent into destruction, because you supposed to procure the gift of God through monies! 8:21 You have neither part nor inheritance in this word, for* this heart of yours is not straight in God's sight. 8:22 Therefore repent from this, your malice, and beseech God; if, then, the deliberation of your heart will be forgiven to you. 8:23 For* I see you as being in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of unrighteousness.
8:24 But Simon answered and said, You*, beseech* on my behalf to the Lord, *that nothing which you* have spoken may come upon me.
8:25 Therefore indeed, having thoroughly testified and having spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem and proclaimed the good-news to many villages of the Samaritans.
{Summer 37 AD. Road from Jerusalem to Gaza.}
8:26 But a messenger of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Stand up and travel toward the midday sun to the road which is going-down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desolate road. 8:27 And he stood up and traveled away.
And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, (a sovereign under Candace, the queen of Ethiopia, who was in charge over all her treasure), who had come to Jerusalem (will worship there), 8:28 and who was returning and sitting in his chariot and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 8:29 Now the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and join yourself to this chariot.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
8:30 Now Philip having ran up to him, heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, Consequently*, do you know then what you are reading?
8:31 But he said, For* how am I able, if someone does not guide me? And he pleaded with Philip, after Philip had come-up to sit together with him. 8:32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this: 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb in front of the one who is shearing him is voiceless, thus he does not open his mouth. 8:33 His judgment was taken away in his humbleness. But who will be describing his generation? Because his life is taken from the earth.' {Isa 53:7, 8} 8:34 But having answered, the eunuch said to Philip, I am beseeching you, concerning whom is the prophet speaking about in this? Is he speaking concerning himself or concerning some other person?
8:35 Now Philip opened his mouth and having begun from this Scripture, proclaimed the good-news of Jesus to him. 8:36 Now as they were traveling down the road, they came upon some water, and the eunuch says, Behold, here is water; what is preventing me from being immersed*? {T} 8:37 Now Philip said, If you believe from all your heart, it is permitted.
But he answered and said I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God.
8:38 Now he commanded the chariot to stand still and they both went-down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed* him. 8:39 Now when they came-up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord seized Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, for* he was traveling on his way rejoicing.
8:40 But Philip was found in Azotus and going through, he was proclaiming the good-news to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
{Summer AD 37. Damascus. Saul is around 35 years old. Herod Antipas deposed. Herod Agrippa 1st king, 5th ruler of Galilee & Perea.}
9:1 But Saul, still breathing his words of threatening and of murder toward the disciples of the Lord, came near to the high-priest, 9:2 asked from him letters *for Damascus to the synagogues, *that if he found some who are of the Way, both men and women, having been bound, he might lead them to Jerusalem.
9:3 But it happened while* he traveled; when he drew near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, 9:4 and having fallen upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
9:5 But he said, Who are you, Lord?
But the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. {T} It is harsh for you to kick toward cattle-prods. {Act 26:14}
9:6 And trembling and being amazed, he said, What do you wish me to do*?
And the Lord said to him, But stand up and enter into the city and it will be spoken to you what it is essential for you to do*.
9:7 But the men traveling together with him stood speechless, indeed hearing the voice, but viewing no one. 9:8 Now Saul was raised from the earth, and after his eyes had been opened, he was seeing nothing. But leading him by the hand, they led him into Damascus. 9:9 And he was there three days not seeing and did not eat nor drink.
9:10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus, Ananias by name, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias.
And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
9:11 Now the Lord said to him, When you have stood up, travel to the lane which is called Straight, seek one from Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judas. For* behold, he is praying; 9:12 and he saw in a vision a man, Ananias by name, who entered and laid a hand on him, *that he might recover his sight.
9:13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man and how-much evil he did* to your holy-ones in Jerusalem, 9:14 and he has authority from the high-priests here to bind all who are calling upon your name.
9:15 But the Lord said to him, Travel on, because this one is a chosen vessel for me to bear my name in the sight of the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 9:16 for* I will be showing him how-much it is essential for him to suffer on behalf of my name.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
9:17 Now Ananias went away and entered into the house, and having laid his hands upon him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, whom was seen by you on the road on which you were coming, has sent me, *that you may recover your sight and may be filled with the Holy Spirit. 9:18 And immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he recovered his sight, and he stood up and was immersed*; 9:19 and he took nourishment and was strengthened.
Now Saul happened to be with the disciples who were in Damascus for some days. 9:20 And immediately in the synagogues he was preaching the Christ, that this one is the Son of God. 9:21 Now all who are hearing him were being astonished and were saying, Is this not the one who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who are calling upon this name? And he had come here *for this purpose, in order that he might lead them who have been bound in front of the high-priests. 9:22 But Saul was being empowered more and was confusing the Jews who are dwelling in Damascus, lecturing that this Jesus is the Christ.
9:23 Now as a considerable number of days were being fulfilled, the Jews planned together to assassinate him; 9:24 but their pact became known to Saul. And they were guarding the gates both day and night *that they might assassinate him. 9:25 But the disciples took him by night and dropped him down through the wall, having lowered him in a basket.
{37-39 AD. Arabia. Saul's retirement. Gal 1:17-18. AD dates vary due to many not putting this in the chronology.}
{Sept., 39 AD. Jerusalem. Paul's first visit there.}
9:26 Now after Saul came* into Jerusalem, he was attempting to be joined to the disciples, and all were fearing him, not believing that he is a disciple. 9:27 But Barnabas grabbed him and led him to the apostles, and described to them how he saw the Lord on the road and that he spoke to him and how in Damascus he spoke boldly in the name of Jesus. 9:28 And as he was traveling into Jerusalem with them, he was speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. 9:29 And he both was speaking and was debating together with the Grecian Jews, but they were undertaking the task to assassinate him.
{40-43 AD Paul in Tarsus & Cilicia.}
9:30 Now after the brethren fully knew it, they brought* him down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus.
9:31 Therefore indeed, all the congregations* throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace. They were being multiplied, being built up, and having conducted-themselves in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
{40 AD. Lydda & Joppa. Herod Antipas banished.}
9:32 Now Peter, going through all the regions, happened to also come down to the holy-ones, those who dwell at Lydda. 9:33 Now he found a certain paralyzed man there, Aeneas by name, who was laying in his pallet from eight years ago. 9:34 And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Stand up and spread your bed for yourself. And immediately he stood up. 9:35 And all who are dwelling at Lydda, and Sharon, saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
9:36 Now there was a certain disciple in Joppa, Tabitha by name, which by translation, is called* Dorcas. This one was full of good works and of various charities, which she was doing*. 9:37 Now she happened to die in those days, having been sick. Now having fully-washed her, they placed her in an upstairs-room. 9:38 Now Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter is in it, sent for him, encouraging him not to hesitate to come to them. 9:39 Now having stood up, Peter went together with them, those who came* to him, and they led him into the upstairs-room. And all the widows stood by him weeping and showing the tunics and garments; as many as Dorcas was making*, while being with them. 9:40 But after Peter had cast them all outside; having placed his knees down, he prayed. And having turned again toward the body, he said, Tabitha, rise* up. And she opened her eyes, and after she saw Peter, she sat up. 9:41 Now he gave her his hand and stood her up. And having summoned the holy-ones and widows, he presented her as living. 9:42 Now it became known throughout the whole of Joppa and many believed on the Lord. 9:43 Now he happened for him to remain a considerable number of days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.
{40 AD. Caesarea.}
10:1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what is called the Italian cohort {600 soldiers}, 10:2 a devout man, who fears God together with all his house and doing* many charities for the people and always beseeching God. 10:3 He saw openly in a vision, at approximately the ninth hour {i.e. 3:00 PM} of the day, a messenger of God who entered to him and said to him, Cornelius.
10:4 But having stared at him and having become fearful, said, What is it, Lord?
But he said to him, Your prayers and your many charities went-up *for a memorial in God's sight. 10:5 And now send men to Joppa and send for Simon, who is surnamed Peter. 10:6 This one is lodged with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea. {T} He will tell you something that is essential for you to do. 10:7 Now as the messenger, the one who had been speaking to Cornelius, went away, he summoned two of his domestic servants and a devout soldier of those who are persevering with him; 10:8 and having described all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
{40 AD. Joppa.}
10:9 Now on the next-day, while those men are traveling and drawing near to the city, Peter went-up upon the housetop to pray, around the sixth hour {i.e. Noon}. 10:10 Now he became very hungry and wished to eat, but while those men are preparing the food, a trance fell upon him. 10:11 And he views the heaven having opened and a certain vessel descending, like a great sheet having been bound and being dropped down by four edges upon the earth; 10:12 in which were* all kinds of four footed mammals and beasts and reptiles of the earth and birds of the heaven. 10:13 And there came* a voice to him, Sacrifice and eat after you have stood up Peter.
10:14 But Peter said, Not-so, Lord, because I never ate anything, common or unclean.
10:15 And a voice came to him again the second-time, What God cleansed, you, do not make common. 10:16 But this happened on three-times and again the vessel was received up into heaven.
10:17 Now as Peter was perplexed in himself whatever the vision which he saw might be meaning. And behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate, 10:18 and having summoned them, they were inquiring if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, is lodged here.
10:19 But while Peter is contemplating concerning the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, men are seeking you. 10:20 But after you have stood up, go-down and travel together with them, judging nothing, because I have sent them.
10:21 Now Peter went-down to the men {T} who were sent from Cornelius to him and said, Behold, I am he whom you* are seeking. What is the cause through which you* are here?
10:22 Now they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and fearing God, being well testified of by the whole nation of the Jews, was divinely-warned by a holy messenger to send for you to come to his house and to hear words from you. 10:23 Therefore he invited them in and lodged them.
{40 AD. Caesarea.}
Now on the next-day Peter came out and went together with them and some of the brethren from Joppa went together with him. 10:24 And on the next-day they entered into Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relatives and his intimate friends. 10:25 Now as Peter happened to enter in, Cornelius, having met with him, and having fallen down upon his feet, worshiped him.
10:26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I am also a man. 10:27 And while conversing together with him, he entered and finds many have come together. 10:28 And he said to them, You* yourselves know how it is an illegal thing for a man who is a Jew to be joined or to come to the heathen, and yet God showed to me to speak of no man as common or unclean. 10:29 Hence also, undeniably I came, having been sent for. Therefore I am inquiring, for what reason did you* send for me?
10:30 And Cornelius said, I was fasting and praying in the ninth hour {i.e. 3:00 PM} from the fourth day ago till this hour in my house, and behold, a man stood in my sight in bright apparel, 10:31 and says, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your charities are remembered in God's sight. 10:32 Therefore send to Joppa, and call Simon, who is surnamed Peter; this one is lodged in the house of Simon, a tanner, beside the sea. When he has come*; he will be speaking to you. 10:33 Therefore, promptly I sent for you, and when you came*, you did* well. Therefore, now we are all here in God's sight, to hear all things which have been commanded to you by God.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
10:34 Now Peter opened his mouth and said, In truth, I comprehend that God is not one who shows-favoritism 10:35 but in every nation, he who fears him and is working righteousness, is acceptable to him. 10:36 The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good-news of peace through Jesus Christ (this one is Lord of all). 10:37 You* know, the word concerning Jesus which happened throughout the whole of Judea, having began from Galilee, after the immersion* that John preached. 10:38 Jesus who was from Nazareth; how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went throughout the land working good* and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did* both in the region of the Jews and in Jerusalem– whom they also assassinated, having hung him upon a tree. 10:40 God raised this one up on the third day and gave him to become manifest, 10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses that have been assigned before by God, even to us, who ate and drank together with him after he rose* up from the dead. 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to thoroughly testify that he is the one who has been determined by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 10:43 To this one, all the prophets are testifying, that through his name everyone who believes in him will be receiving forgiveness of sins.
10:44 While Peter is still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who are hearing the word. 10:45 And the believing ones from the circumcision, were astonished, as many as came together with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit has also been poured out upon the Gentiles. 10:46 For* they were hearing them speak in foreign languages and extolling God.
Then Peter answered, 10:47 Is anyone able to forbid the water, that these people should not be immersed*, who received the Holy Spirit as well as we? 10:48 And he commanded them to be immersed* in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to remain some days.
11:1 Now the apostles and the brethren who are in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 11:2 And when Peter went-up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were arguing with him, 11:3 saying, You entered to men having uncircumcision and ate together with them.
11:4 But Peter began and was expounding the matter to them afterwards, saying, 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying and I saw a vision while in a trance, a certain vessel descending, like a great sheet being dropped down from heaven by the four edges, and it came up-to me. 11:6 Having stared into that sheet, I was considering, and I saw the four footed mammals of the earth and other beasts and reptiles and birds of the heaven.
11:7 Now I heard a voice saying to me, After you have stood up Peter; sacrifice and eat.
11:8 But I said, Not-so, Lord, because everything that is common or unclean has never entered into my mouth.
11:9 But a voice answered me the second-time from heaven, What God cleansed, you, do not make common. 11:10 Now this happened on three-times and all were pulled up again into heaven. 11:11 And behold, promptly three men stood at the house in which I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. 11:12 But the Spirit said for me to go together with them, making no distinction. Now these six brethren also came together with me, and we entered into the man's house. 11:13 And he reported to us how he had seen the messenger who stood in his house and said to him, Send men to Joppa and send for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; 11:14 who will be speaking the words to you in which you will be saved, you and all your house.
11:15 Now while* I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just-like upon us also at the beginning. 11:16 Now I was reminded of the declaration of the Lord, how he said, John indeed immersed* in water, but you* will be immersed* in the Holy Spirit.
11:17 Therefore, if God gave to them the equal gift like he also did to us after we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, now who was I, that I am able to forbid God? 11:18 But having heard these things, they were quiet and glorifying God, saying, Consequently*, God gave also repentance to the Gentiles into life.
{40-41 AD. Antioch, Phoenicia, Cyprus, etc. The Good-news extended to all the Gentiles. Jan., 41 AD Claudius becomes Emperor.}
11:19 Therefore indeed, those who were dispersed from the affliction which happened upon Stephen, went to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except only to the Jews. 11:20 Now there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, entered into Antioch, and were also speaking to the Grecian Jews, proclaiming the good-news of the Lord Jesus. 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
{42 AD. Jerusalem to Antioch. Herod Agrippa receives kingdom of Judea & Samaria.}
11:22 Now the word concerning them was heard in the ears of the congregation* which was in Jerusalem. And they sent Barnabas to go through the area to Antioch; 11:23 who came* and having seen the favor of God, rejoiced and was encouraging all with purpose of heart to remain in the Lord, 11:24 because he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a considerable crowd was added to the Lord.
{43-44 AD. Claudius goes to Britain.}
11:25 Now Barnabas went forth to Tarsus to seek Saul; 11:26 and having found him, he led him to Antioch. Now it happened a whole year for them to be gathered together with him in the congregation* and to teach a considerable crowd. And the disciples were first divinely-called Christians, in Antioch.
11:27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 11:28 Now there stood up one of them, Agabus by name, and he signified through the Spirit that a great famine is about to be upon the whole inhabited-earth; which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. {47 A.D.} 11:29 Now the disciples, just-as was anyone's prosperity, each of them determined to send a service of relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea; 11:30 which they also did*, having sent it to the elders through the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
{March 44 AD. Jerusalem.}
12:1 Now throughout that time, Herod the king put his hands upon some from the congregation* to mistreat them. 12:2 Now he assassinated James the brother of John with a sword. {April 44 AD.} 12:3 And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he also added Peter to take. (And these were the days of unleavened bread {i.e. Passover}.) 12:4 He also arrested him, and placed him in prison and gave him up to four Quarternions of soldiers {i.e. sixteen soldiers} to guard him; planning to lead him out to the people after the Passover. 12:5 Therefore indeed, Peter was being kept in the prison, but intense prayer was happening by the congregation* to God on his behalf. 12:6 But when Herod was about to lead him out, in that same night Peter, fallen-asleep between two soldiers, had been bound with two chains, and guards before the door were guarding the prison. 12:7 And behold, a messenger of the Lord stood by him and a light shined in the cell and having struck Peter on the rib-cage, he lifted him up, saying, Stand up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 12:8 And the messenger said to him, Gird yourself and tie on your sandals. Now he did* so. And he says to him, Put your garment around you and follow me. 12:9 And having gone out, he was following him, and he did not know if true what is happening through the messenger, but he was thinking to be seeing a vision. 12:10 Now having gone through the first and second prison, they came upon the iron gate that brings them into the city; which was opened by itself for them, and they went out and went forward one lane, and immediately the messenger withdrew from him.
12:11 And Peter, became awake in himself, and said, Now I truly know, that the Lord sent forth his messenger and liberated me out of the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12:12 And after he was conscious of it, he came upon the house of Mary the mother of John who is surnamed Mark, where a considerable number were accumulating together and were praying. 12:13 Now after Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maidservant, Rhoda by name, came near to listen to who was there. 12:14 And having recognized the voice of Peter, full from the joy, she did not open the gate. But having ran in, she reported Peter to be standing before the gate.
12:15 But they said to her, You are insane.
But she was stoutly affirming to have this so.
And they were saying, It is his messenger.
12:16 But Peter was remaining and kept knocking. Now having opened the door, they saw him and were astonished. 12:17 But he, having beckoned to them with the hand to be silent, described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. Now he said, Report* these things to James and to the brethren. And having gone out, he traveled to a different place. 12:18 Now when it became day, there was not just a small disturbance among the soldiers, as to what then had become of Peter. 12:19 Now Herod sought him and did not find him, having examined the guards, he commanded them to be led away for execution. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was staying there.
{Around May 44 AD. Caesarea. Herod Agrippa dies. Palestine reunited to Rome.}
12:20 Now Herod was quarreling furiously with those from Tyre and Sidon. But they were united here with him, and having persuaded Blastus, the one over the king's bedroom, they were asking for peace, because the nourishing of their region is from the king's region. 12:21 Now on an appointed day, Herod clothed himself in royal apparel, and having sat upon the judicial-seat, he was publicly addressing toward them. 12:22 Now the public was shouting out, saying, This is a voice of a god and not of a man! 12:23 But instantly a messenger of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory and he expired, and became maggot-eaten.
12:24 But the word of God was growing and being multiplied.
{Spring 44 AD. Antioch to Jerusalem back to Antioch (Acts 11:30), sending relief.}
12:25 Now Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service and having taken together with them also John, who was surnamed Mark.
{45-48 AD. Asia Minor. Paul's first missionary journey from Antioch to Perga, Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and back to Antioch in Syria.}
13:1 Now there were some prophets and teachers in the congregation* which is in Antioch: both Barnabas, and Symeon who was called Niger, and Lucius from Cyrene, and Manaen, a foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. 13:2 Now while ministering* to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate** Barnabas and Saul for me, *for the work to which I have called them. 13:3 Then having fasted and having prayed, they laid their hands on them and dismissed them.
13:4 Therefore indeed, these men, having been sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and sailed from there to Cyprus. 13:5 And after they came* in Salamis, they were proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John, an attendant.
13:6 Now having gone through the island up-to Paphos, they found a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Son-of-Joshua; 13:7 who was together with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This one sought to hear the word of God, having called to him Barnabas and Saul. 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for* so is his name by translation) was standing against them, seeking to pervert the proconsul away from the faith. 13:9 But Saul, also called Paul, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, stared toward him, 13:10 and said, O full of all treachery and all villainy, you son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and will not see the sun till the next season. Now instantly dimness and darkness fell upon him, and proceeding around, he was seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 13:12 Then the proconsul believed, having seen what had happened, being astounded upon the teaching of the Lord.
13:13 Now Paul, with those around him, having set-sail from Paphos, came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem.
13:14 But having gone through from Perga, they came* to Antioch of Pisidia {Asia Minor}, and having entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, they sat down. 13:15 Now after the public-reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent for them, saying, Men, brethren, if there is a word of encouragement to the people in you*, speak* it.
13:16 Now after Paul stood up and beckoned with the hand, he said,
Men, Israelites, and those who fear God, listen*: 13:17 The God of this people chose our fathers and exalted the people in their foreign residency, in the land of Egypt, and he led them forth out of it with a high arm. {Exo 12:37, Deu 5:15} 13:18 And he tolerated the mannerisms of them in the wilderness for approximately the time of forty years. {Deu 1:31, 7:1-6, Num 14:33, Psa 95:10} 13:19 And having demolished seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave to them their land for an inheritance. {Deu 7:1, Jos 14:2} 13:20 After these things for approximately four hundred and fifty years, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. {Jdg 2:16, 1Sa 3:20} 13:21 And from thereon, they asked for a king. And God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. {1Sa 8:5, 10:21} 13:22 And having removed him, he lifted up David to be king to them; to whom he also testified and said, I found David the son of Jesse, a man according to my own heart, who will be practicing all my various wills. {1Sa 13:14, 1Ch 10:14, 2Sa 6:21}
13:23 God brought* salvation to Israel from the seed of this man David, according to promise, 13:24 when John preached beforehand the immersion* of repentance to Israel, before his face and before his entrance. 13:25 Now as John was fulfilling his course, he was saying, Who do you* perceive that I am? I am not he. But behold, there is one coming after me, of whom I am not worthy to loosen the shoes from his feet. 13:26 Men, brethren, sons from the race of Abraham and those who fear God among you*, the word of this salvation was sent forth to you*. 13:27 For* those dwelling in Jerusalem and their rulers who were ignorant of this one, and they fulfilled the voices of the prophets, which are read on every Sabbath, by having judged him to death. 13:28 And though no one found a crime worthy of death in him, they still asked Pilate to assassinate him. 13:29 Now as they completed all things which have been written concerning him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. 13:30 But God raised him up from the dead; 13:31 and he was seen on many days by those who came-up together with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. 13:32 And we are proclaiming to you* the good-news of the promise which came* to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this for us, their children, in that he raised* up Jesus; 13:33 as it has also been written in the second Psalm, 'You are my Son; I have fathered you today.' {Psa 2:7} 13:34 Now that he raised* him up from the dead, no longer being about to return to decay, he has spoken thus, I will be giving you* the holy faithful things of David. {Isa 55:3} 13:35 Hence, he also says in a different psalm, 'You will not be giving your Holy One to see decay.' {Psa 16:10} 13:36 For* indeed David, having attended to the plan of God in his own generation, fell-asleep and was added to his fathers and saw decay; {1Ki 2:10} 13:37 but he whom God raised up saw no decay. 13:38 Therefore men, brethren, let it be known to you* that forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you* through this one; 13:39 and everyone who believes is made righteous in this one; you* were not able to be made righteous from all the things of which were in the Law of Moses. 13:40 Therefore beware*, that what has been spoken in the prophets might not come upon you*: 13:41 'You* despisers, behold* and marvel* and disappear*, because I am working a work in your* days, a work which you* should never believe, even if someone describes it to you*.' {Hab. 1:5}
13:42 But after the Jews went-out of the synagogue, the Gentiles were pleading with him that the declarations might be spoken to them at the ensuing Sabbath. 13:43 Now after the synagogue was dissolved, many of the Jews and the pious Jewish-converts followed Paul and Barnabas; who, while speaking, were persuading them to remain in the favor of God.
13:44 And the coming Sabbath, almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God. 13:45 But the Jews, having seen the crowds, were filled up from jealousy, and were contradicting the things being spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming him.
13:46 But Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you*. But since you* are shoving it away from yourselves and are judging yourselves not worthy of everlasting life. Behold, how we are turned to the Gentiles. 13:47 For* so the Lord has commanded to us, saying, 'I have placed you *for a light of the Gentiles, that you should be *for salvation to the outermost parts of the earth.' {Isa 42:6}
13:48 And while the Gentiles are hearing this, they were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and they believed as many as were appointing themselves toward everlasting life. 13:49 Now the word of the Lord was being carried through the whole region.
13:50 But the Jews spurred on the pious and prominent women and the foremost ones of the city, and awakened a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them away from their borders. 13:51 But they shook-off the dust of their feet against them and came to Iconium. 13:52 Now the disciples were being filled from joy and the Holy Spirit.
14:1 Now it happened in Iconium according to the same thing, for them to enter together into the synagogue of the Jews and to speak thus, so-then for a large multitude to believe, both from the Jews and Greeks. 14:2 But the disobedient Jews awakened and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brethren. 14:3 Therefore, they indeed stayed a considerable time there, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was testifying to the word of his favor, giving signs and wonders to happen through their hands. 14:4 But the multitude of the city was split-apart, and some were together with the Jews and those others together with the apostles. 14:5 Now as it became an impulse of both of the Gentiles and of the Jews, together with their rulers, to abuse them and to stone them, 14:6 after they were conscious of it, they fled for refuge to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region around them. 14:7 And they were proclaiming the good-news there.
14:8 And there was a certain man, who was sitting in Lystra, being* powerless in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 14:9 This one heard Paul speaking, who, having stared at him and having seen that he had faith to be cured, 14:10 said with a loud voice, Stand correctly upon your feet. And he was leaping up and walking.
14:11 Now after the crowds saw what Paul did*, they lifted up their voice, saying in Lycaonian, The gods, who were made similar to men, descended to us. 14:12 And indeed, they were calling Barnabas, Zeus; but Paul, Hermes, since he was the leader of the speech. 14:13 Now the priest of Zeus of the one being before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and were wishing to sacrifice them together with the crowds.
14:14 But after the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard it, they ripped their garments and dashed into the crowd, crying out 14:15 and saying, Men! Why are you* doing* these things? We are also human, of like-feelings with you* and are proclaiming the good-news to you*: to turn away from these futile things to the living God, who made* the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them; 14:16 who permitted all the nations in the generations which have gone-by, to conduct-themselves in their own ways. 14:17 Although he did not leave himself unwitnessed, by doing* good, giving rainfalls and fruitful seasons to you* from heaven, filling our hearts with nourishment and joy. 14:18 And saying these things, they made the crowds cease with difficulty– not to sacrifice to them.
14:19 But Jews came upon us there from Antioch and Iconium and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul, and were dragging him outside the city, having supposed him to have died. 14:20 But the disciples surrounded him. Having rose* up, he entered into the city, and went forth on the next-day together with Barnabas to Derbe. 14:21 And having proclaimed the good-news to that city, and having made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, 14:22 further strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith, and that it is essential for us through many afflictions to enter into the kingdom of God. 14:23 Now elders were assigned to them in every congregation*, they prayed with fasts, and they consigned them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
14:24 And having gone through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 14:25 And having spoken the word in Perga, they went-down to Attalia; 14:26 and they sailed from there to Antioch, from where they were giving themselves to the favor of God toward the work which they had fulfilled.
{48-50 AD. Antioch. April 5, 49 AD A skirmish between Roman troops & the Jews at the Passover.}
14:27 Now after they came* and gathered the congregation* together, they reported how-much God had done* with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 14:28 Now they were staying there together with the disciples a time; not just a few.
{50 AD. Jerusalem. Caractacus of Britain conquered and sent to Rome.}
15:1 And some, came down from Judea, and were teaching the brethren, saying, If you* are not circumcised after the custom of Moses, you* are unable to be saved. 15:2 Therefore, after it happened, (not just a small dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them), the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others out of them, to go-up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this debate.
15:3 Therefore indeed, having been sent onward by the congregation*, they were going through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the turning to God of the Gentiles, and they were producing great joy in all the brethren. 15:4 Now after they came* to Jerusalem, they were accepted by the congregation*, and the apostles and the elders, and they reported how-much God did* with them. 15:5 But there rose* up some from the sect of the Pharisees who have believed, saying, It is essential to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. {Gal. 2:1}
15:6 Now the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see concerning this word {I.e. matter. Or speech.}. 15:7 Now after much debate had happened, Peter stood up, and said to them, Men, brethren, you* know that from the days of old among us, God chose through my mouth, that the Gentiles were to hear the word of the good-news and to believe it. 15:8 And God, the knower of hearts, testified of them, having given them the Holy Spirit, just-as he did also to us; 15:9 and he made no distinction between us and them in the faith, having cleansed their hearts.
15:10 Therefore now, why are you* testing God, that is to place a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers, nor we were strong-enough to bear? 15:11 But we believe that we will be saved through the favor of the Lord Jesus, according to what is in the same manner as they are also.
15:12 Now all the multitude was silent, and they were hearing Barnabas and Paul describing how-much God did*, in signs and wonders, among the Gentiles through them.
15:13 Now after they were silent, James answered, saying, Men, brethren, hear* me. 15:14 Symeon described, just-as how God visited the nations first, to take out of them a people for his name. 15:15 And the words of the prophets agree together with this; just-as it has been written, 15:16 'I will turn back after these things, and I will build the tabernacle of David again, which has fallen. And I will build what has been ruined again. And I will straighten it, 15:17 *that the rest of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom my name has been called upon them, says the Lord, the one who is doing* all these things,' {Amos 9:11, 12} 15:18 (known to God are all his works from the age {Or world}.)
15:19 Hence, I am deciding not to trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles; 15:20 but to inform them by letter: to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. 15:21 For* Moses has those who preach him in every city, from ancient generations, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.
15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole congregation*, to send chosen men from themselves together with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, leading men among the brethren: Judas surnamed Barsabbas and Silas. {Gal. 2:13-15}
15:23 They wrote these things through their hand:
The apostles and the elders and brethren, to the brethren, those from the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Hail to you*!
15:24 Since we heard that some who went out from us have disturbed you* with words, upsetting your* souls; saying you* must be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we ordered no such thing; 15:25 it seemed good to us, after we became united and had chosen men together with our beloved Barnabas and Paul and send them to you*, 15:26 men who have given up their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also be reporting to you* the same things through their speech. 15:28 For* it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to place no more burden upon you* other-than these necessary things: 15:29 that you* abstain from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keeping yourselves away from these things; you* will be practicing well.
Good-bye.
{James' letter is written. The beginning of the New Testament letters. There is a very strong possibility the Book of Mark may have been written around this time too or even before and maybe the Book of Matthew, one Good-news account for a Roman audience, one for a Jewish audience.}
15:30 Therefore indeed, after they were dismissed, they came down to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude together, they gave them the letter. 15:31 Now having read it, they rejoiced upon the encouragement. 15:32 And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brethren through much speech also further strengthened them. 15:33 Now having spent some time there, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to the apostles. 15:34 {T} But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch with many others also, teaching and proclaiming the good-news of the word of the Lord.
{Early in 51 to 53 AD. Antioch into Asia Minor & Europe. Paul's second missionary journey. Felix was made governor of Judea. Famine at Rome. Jews expelled from Rome.}
15:36 Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas, After we have returned, we should visit our brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are holding up. 15:37 Now Barnabas also planned to take together with them John, the one called Mark. 15:38 But Paul was not deeming it worthy to take Mark together with them, this one who withdrew away from them from Pamphylia and did not go together with them to the work. 15:39 Therefore it happened: a sharp-disagreement, so-then they departed from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him to sail away to Cyprus; 15:40 but Paul went forth, having chosen Silas, having been given to the favor of God by the brethren. 15:41 Now he was going through Syria and Cilicia, further strengthening the congregations*.
{52 AD. Paul going toward Europe.}
16:1 Now he arrived in Derbe and Lystra, and behold, a certain disciple was there, Timothy by name, the son of a certain believing Jewess woman and a Greek father. 16:2 He was being testified of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. 16:3 This one, Paul wished to go forth together with him, and he took Timothy and circumcised him because of the Jews who are in those places; for* they all knew that his father was* Greek. 16:4 Now as they were traveling through the cities, they were giving them the decrees, to observe what had been decided by the apostles and the elders who were in Jerusalem. 16:5 Therefore indeed, the congregations* were being strengthened in the faith, and were abounding in number every day.
16:6 Now having gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 16:7 And after they came down to Mysia, they were attempting to travel to Bithyna, and the Spirit did not permit them. 16:8 And passing by Mysia, they went-down to Troas. 16:9 And a vision was seen by Paul through the night. There was a certain man, a Macedonian, standing, pleading with him and saying, After you have crossed over into Macedonia, help us! 16:10 Now as he saw the vision, we immediately sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord has called us to proclaim the good-news to them.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
16:11 Therefore having set-sail from Troas, we made a straight route to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis; 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, a Roman colony. Now we were staying in the same city for some days. 16:13 And on the Sabbath day, we went forth outside the city beside a river, where we supposed it to be a place of prayer. And having sat down and we were speaking to the women who came together. 16:14 And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira was hearing us and worshiping God, whose heart the Lord opened to take-heed to the things being spoken from Paul. 16:15 Now as she and her household were immersed*, she pleaded with us, saying, If you* have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, abide* here, having entered into my house. And she constrained us.
{52 AD. Philippi.}
16:16 Now it happened, while traveling to the place of prayer, that a certain maidservant came to encounter us, having a spirit of divination, who was providing her lords much business by fortune-telling. 16:17 This maidservant was crying out, having followed after Paul and us, saying, These men are bondservants of the Highest God, who are proclaiming to us the way of salvation. 16:18 Now she was doing* this for many days. But Paul, also was pained and having turned, said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come forth away from her. And it came out in the same hour.
16:19 But after her lords saw that the hope of their business was gone, after they grabbed Paul and Silas, they dragged them into the marketplace in front of the rulers. 16:20 Having led them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being* Jews, are disturbing our city, 16:21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not legal for us to accept, or to do*, being Romans. 16:22 And the crowd stood up together against them, and the magistrates, having ripped off their garments, were commanding the sergeants to lash them with rods. 16:23 And having laid many wounds on them, they cast them into prison, and commanded the jailer to securely guard them. 16:24 Having received such a command, he cast them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the wood stocks.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
16:25 But toward midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were their audience; 16:26 and suddenly there became a great earthquake, so-as for the foundations of the prison to be shaken, and instantly all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were laxed. 16:27 But the jailer, became awake and saw the doors of the prison had been opened, pulled his sword and was about to assassinate himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled. 16:28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, saying, Do* nothing evil to yourself; for* we are all here.
16:29 Now after he asked for lights, he dashed in and came* in trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. 16:30 And having led them outside, he said, Lords, what is essential for me to do* in order that I might be saved?
16:31 Now they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your house. 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, to all who were in his house. 16:33 And having taken them in that same hour of the night, he fully-washed dirt from their wounds, and he and all his household were instantly immersed*. 16:34 And he led them up into his house and placed a table before them, and was glad with all his household, all having believed in God.
16:35 But after it became day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Release those men.
16:36 Now the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent me forth in order that you* should be released. Therefore now after you have gone out, travel* in peace.
16:37 But Paul said to them, They whipped us in public, uncondemned men who are* Romans, and cast us into prison, and are they now casting us out secretly? For* no {i.e. No way,}, let* them lead but after having come themselves.
16:38 Now the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates and they feared, having heard that they are Romans. 16:39 And after they came, they pleaded with them, and having led them outside, they asked them to go out away from the city.
16:40 Now after they came out of the prison and they entered into the house of Lydia, and having seen the brethren, they encouraged them and went out.
{52 AD. Thessalonica, Berea. Preaching in Macedonia.}
17:1 Now having traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was the synagogue of the Jews. 17:2 Now according to his custom, Paul entered to them and upon three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 17:3 opening and placing before them that it was essential for the Christ to suffer and to rise* up from the dead, and that this Jesus, whom I am proclaiming to you*, is the Christ. 17:4 And some of them obeyed and had adhered to Paul and Silas and a large multitude of the pious Greeks, and not just a few of the foremost women.
17:5 But the disobedient Jews took for themselves some evil men from among the market-loafers, and having amassed a crowd, the city was in an uproar. And having stood up against the house of Jason, they were seeking to lead them into the public court. 17:6 Now after they did not find them, they were dragging Jason and some brethren in front of the city rulers, crying, These men who have unsettled the inhabited-earth are also presently here; 17:7 whom Jason has accepted and all these practice things adverse to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is a different king, a Jesus. 17:8 Now hearing these things, they disturbed the crowd and city rulers, 17:9 and having taken sufficient money from Jason and the rest, they released them.
17:10 Now the brethren immediately sent out both Paul and Silas through the night to Berea, who, after they came* there, went-forth into the synagogue of the Jews. 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica, those who accepted the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see if these things hold up so. 17:12 Therefore indeed, many out of them believed; also not just a few who were Greeks from the prominent women and men. 17:13 Now as the Jews from Thessalonica knew that the word of God was also proclaimed by Paul in Berea, they also went there, shaking up the crowds. 17:14 Now the brethren then immediately sent Paul forth to travel as far as to the sea, but both Silas and Timothy were remaining back there.
{52-53 AD. Paul at Athens, Greece.}
17:15 But those standing over Paul led him to Athens. And having taken a commandment to Silas and Timothy in order that they might come to him as quickly as possible, they went-out there.
17:16 Now while Paul is waiting for them in Athens, the spirit was being irritated in him, while viewing the idol ridden city. 17:17 Therefore indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the pious ones, and every day in the marketplace with those who chanced upon him. 17:18 Now also some of the Epicureans and Stoic philosophers were confronting him and some were saying, Whatever does this babbler wish to say?
Some said, He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons {i.e. gods to the Greeks}, because he is proclaiming the good-news of Jesus and the resurrection.
17:19 And they grabbed him and led him to the Areopagus, saying, Are we able to know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you? 17:20 For* you are bringing some surprising things to our ears. Therefore, we plan to know whatever these things might wish to be {i.e. mean}. 17:21 (Now all from Athens and the inhabiting strangers had leisure time *for nothing other than to tell and to hear something new.)
17:22 Now Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and was saying, Men of Athens, I view that you* are like religious according to all things. 17:23 For* while going through the city and reviewing your* worshiped objects, I also found an altar in which had been written, To An Unknown God. Therefore I am proclaiming to you*, who are ignorant, this one to whom you* are devout. 17:24 The God, who made* the world and all things in it, this one being* Lord of heaven and earth, is not dwelling in temples made* with hands; 17:25 nor is he assisted by men's hands, as if needy of anything, he is giving to all, life and breath in all things. 17:26 And he made* of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons and the borders of their residence; 17:27 that they are to seek the Lord, if then, they might yet grope after him and might find him, for-sure, he is* {Or: exists} not far from each one of us. 17:28 For* we live and are moved and are in him; as some poets also have said according to you*, For* we are also his offspring. {Possible reference to a Stoic poet, Aratus of Soli in Cilicia 270BC or Epimendes 600BC.} 17:29 Therefore being* the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the divine* is similar to gold or silver or stone, or a carved thing from a craft and the contemplation of man. 17:30 Therefore indeed, God overlooked the times of ignorance. Hereafter, he is commanding all men everywhere to repent; 17:31 because he has established a future day in which to judge the inhabited-earth in righteousness in the man whom he has determined beforehand; having provided the faith to all, by having raised* him from the dead. {Psa 96:13b, 98:9b}
17:32 Now having heard of the resurrection of the dead, some were sneering, but some said, We will be hearing you concerning this again. 17:33 And so Paul went out from the midst of them. 17:34 But some men believed, having joined themselves to him, among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman, Damaris by name, and others together with them.
{52-53 AD. Paul at Corinth in Greece.}
18:1 Now after these things, Paul, having departed from Athens, came to Corinth. 18:2 And he found a certain Jew, Aquila by name, and his wife Priscilla, a man of Pontus by race, who recently had come from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart out of Rome. He came to them 18:3 also because he is of the same craft. He was remaining and working beside them, for* they were tent makers, by the craft. 18:4 Now he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and was persuading Jews and Greeks.
18:5 Now as Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was being troubled in the spirit, thoroughly testifying to the Jews: the Christ Jesus. 18:6 Now while they were resisting us and blaspheming God, he shook-off his garments and said to them, Your* blood is upon your* own head. I am clean. I will be traveling to the Gentiles from hereafter. 18:7 And he went-away from there and went into the house of a certain man, Justus by name, one who worships God, whose house was adjoining to the synagogue.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
18:8 Now Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his whole house {1Co 1:14}.
And many of the Corinthians hearing, were believing and were being immersed*.
18:9 Now the Lord said to Paul through a vision in the night, Do not be afraid, but speak out and do not be silent, 18:10 because I am with you and no one will be laying a hand on you to mistreat you, because there are many people in this city believing in me. 18:11 And he stuck-around there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
{Paul's First & Second Letters to the Thessalonians are written.}
18:12 Now Gallio being proconsul of Achaia, the Jews stood up united against Paul and led him in front of the judicial-seat, 18:13 saying, This one is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law. 18:14 But Paul, being about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, Therefore if it was indeed some wrongdoing or evil villainy, O you* Jews, I might tolerate you* according to reason. 18:15 But if there is a debate concerning this speech and names and law which is according to you*, you* will see to it yourselves; for* I am not willing to be a judge of these things. 18:16 And he drove them away from the judicial-seat. 18:17 Now all the Greeks grabbed Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and were beating him before the judicial-seat. And Gallio was about to judge nothing of these things. 18:18 But Paul, still having remained a considerable number of days, bid farewell to the brethren.
{Sept., 54 AD. Paul leaves Europe toward Antioch. Claudius dies; Nero becomes Emperor at Rome in Oct.}
Now he sailed away to Syria, and together with him was Priscilla and Aquila; having sheared his head in Cenchreae; for* he had a vow. 18:19 Now they arrived in Ephesus and he left those there*. And having entered into the synagogue, he reasoned with the Jews. 18:20 Now they were requesting him to remain on for more time with them, he did not signal-agreement; 18:21 but he bid farewell to them and said, It is certainly essential for me to make* the coming feast in Jerusalem but I will revisit to you* again, God willing. He set-sail away from Ephesus.
18:22 And after he came down into Caesarea, he went-up and greeted the congregation* and went-down into Antioch.
{Late 54 AD. Paul's Third Missionary Journey. Josephus, age 16, starts his literary career.}
18:23 And having spent some time there, he came out and went through the region of Galatia and afterwards Phrygia, further strengthening all the disciples.
18:24 Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, from Alexandria by birth, an eloquent man, arrived in Ephesus, being mighty in the Scriptures. 18:25 This one was instructing people in the way of the Lord, and being zealous in his spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning the Lord, but only knowing the immersion* of John. 18:26 And this one began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But after Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him over to themselves and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. 18:27 Now while planning to go into Achaia, the brethren exhorted him and wrote to the disciples to accept him after he came*. He supported many who had believed through the favor of God; 18:28 for* he was thoroughly and intensely refuting the Jews in public, showing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
{May, 55 - May 58 AD. Ephesus. Paul's Letter to the Galatians is written.}
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
19:1 Now it happened, that while* Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, having gone through the upward parts of the region, came to Ephesus and found some disciples. 19:2 He said to them, Did you* receive the Holy Spirit when you* believed?
But they said to him, But, we did not hear if there is a Holy Spirit.
19:3 And he said to them, Therefore into what were you* immersed*?
But they said, Into the immersion* of John.
19:4 But Paul said, John indeed immersed* in the immersion* of repentance, saying to the people in order that they should believe in the one who is coming after him, that is, in the Christ Jesus. 19:5 Now having heard this, they were immersed* into the name of the Lord Jesus. 19:6 And after Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking in foreign languages and were prophesying. 19:7 Now they were in all approximately twelve men.
19:8 Now having entered into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. 19:9 But as some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way in the sight of the multitude, he withdrew away from them and separated* the disciples, reasoning every day in the school of a certain Tyrannus. 19:10 Now this happened over two years; so-then all the ones dwelling in Asia, Jews and Greeks, were able to hear the word of the Lord Jesus. 19:11 And God was doing* miracles (not obtainable from man) through the hands of Paul; 19:12 so-as even to bring handkerchiefs or aprons from the touch of his skin upon the ones being sick for them to be set-free their diseases and for evil spirits to go forth away from them.
19:13 But also, some exorcists from the strolling Jews undertook the task to name the name of the Lord Jesus upon those who have the evil spirits, saying, We implore you* on the Jesus whom Paul is preaching. 19:14 Now there were some (seven sons of Sceva) and a Jew, a high-priest, who were doing* this.
19:15 But the evil spirit having answered, said to them, I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you*? 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaping upon them and having mastered, prevailed against them, so-then they were to flee out of that house, naked and traumatized.
19:17 Now this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, dwelling in Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being extolled. 19:18 Many of those who had also believed were coming, confessing and proclaiming their practices. 19:19 Now a considerable number of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and were burning them in the sight of all, and they calculated the prices of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 19:20 So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing in dominion.
19:21 Now as these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the spirit to travel into Jerusalem, after having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, and said, After the coming* to there, it is essential for me to also see Rome. 19:22 Now having sent Timothy and Erastus, two of those serving him, into Macedonia, he held back in Asia for a short time.
{56-58 AD. Ephesus. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians is written.}
19:23 Now it happened according to this time, there was not just a small disturbance concerning the Way. 19:24 For* a certain man, Demetrius by name, (a silversmith making* miniature silver temples of Artemis), was providing not just a small business to the craftsmen; 19:25 whom he accumulated together the other workers concerning such things and said, Men, you* know our prosperity is from this business. 19:26 And you* view and hear, that not only from Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and seduced a considerable crowd, saying that they are not gods, those born through man's hands. 19:27 But not only is this part for us in peril and it is to go into disrepute but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis is to be counted as nothing and her majesty is about to be demolished, what the whole of Asia and inhabited-earth is worshiping.
19:28 Now after having heard this, they became full of fury, and were crying out, saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion and they rushed united into the theater, having seized Paul's fellow traveling-associates, Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Macedonians. 19:30 Now Paul was planning to enter into the public area, but the disciples were not permitting him. 19:31 But some also of those from Asia, being friends to him, and having sent for him, they were pleading with him not to give himself to the theater crowd. 19:32 Therefore some were crying something and others another thing; for* the assembly was confused, and most did not know because of what, they had come together. 19:33 But they pushed Alexander forward out of the crowd, after the Jews cast him forward. Now Alexander beckoned with the hand, and was wishing to make a defense to the public. 19:34 But after they recognized that he was a Jew, one voice became out of them all for approximately two hours, crying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 19:35 But having the composure of the crowd, the town scribe says, Men of Ephesus, for* what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great goddess Artemis and of the fallen image from Zeus? 19:36 Therefore these things being undeniable, it is essential for you* to possess composure and to do* nothing rash. 19:37 For* you* led these men here, who are neither temple looters nor are blaspheming your goddess. 19:38 Therefore indeed, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are together with him have an account toward anyone, lower-courts are to be led and proconsuls are here. Let* them accuse one another in them. 19:39 But if you* seek anything concerning different things, it will be interpreted in the lawful assembly. 19:40 For* we also are in peril to be accused concerning today's riot, no cause exists for it and concerning it, will we be able to give account of this conspiracy? 19:41 And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
{May 58 to March 59 AD. Games in honor of Artemis at Ephesus. 10 months in Europe (Macedonia & Greece). Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians is written.}
20:1 Now after the uproar had ceased, having called the disciples, Paul hugged them. Then he came out to travel into Macedonia.
20:2 Now having gone through those parts and having encouraged them with much speech, he came into Greece. 20:3 And he spent three months there. {AD 58, Paul's Letter to the Romans is written. Luke joins Paul.}
After it became known to him of a pact by the Jews, while being about to set-sail *for Syria, it became his intention to return through Macedonia. 20:4 Now Sopater from Berea, and the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia, were accompanying him up-to Asia. 20:5 But these having gone ahead, were remaining in Troas for us. 20:6 Now we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread {i.e. Passover}, and came to them in Troas till {i.e. within} five days, where we stayed seven days.
20:7 Now on the first day of the week, the disciples having been gathered together with us to break bread, Paul was reasoning many things with them, being about to go-forth on the next-day, and he was prolonging the speech {Or: sermon} till midnight. 20:8 Now a considerable number of lamps were in the upstairs-room where we had been gathered together with them. 20:9 But a certain young-man, Eutychus by name, while sitting in the window, having been carried away by deep sleep, while Paul is reasoning on even more, fell downward, having finally been carried away by his sleep, from the third story and was lifted up being dead. 20:10 Now Paul went-down and fell upon him, and having embraced him, said, Do* not be in an uproar, for* his life is in him.
20:11 Now having gone-up and broken the bread and eaten, and Paul conversed over a considerable time, till dawn, so he went away. 20:12 And they led the living boy Eutychus upstairs, and they were not just immeasurably comforted.
20:13 But having gone on the ship, we did set-sail to Assos, being about to take up Paul from there; for* so it was appointed, being about to go on foot himself. 20:14 Now as he confronted us in Assos, we took him up and went to Mitylene. 20:15 And having sailed from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios, and we put the ship in at Samos in another day. And having remained in Trogyllium, we came to Miletus on the next day. 20:16 For* Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus; for* he was hurrying, *that it might not happen to him to loiter in Asia; if it was possible for him to come* into Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
{Early 59 AD. Miletus.}
20:17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the congregation*. 20:18 Now as they came* to him, he said to them, You* know, from the first day of which I stepped into Asia, how I happened to be with you* all the time, 20:19 serving* the Lord with all humility and from many tears, and from tests which has befallen me among the pacts of the Jews; 20:20 how I did not retreat back in anything of what is advantageous for you*, to proclaim and to teach you* in public places and in houses, 20:21 thoroughly testifying both to Jews and to Greeks the repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 20:22 And now, behold, having been bound in the spirit, I travel to Jerusalem, not knowing the things in it which will be meeting with me there, 20:23 other-than, that the Holy Spirit is thoroughly testifying to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions are remaining for me. 20:24 But I make* myself no one in this account, nor am I holding my life as precious to myself, as I desire to complete my course with joy, and the service which I received from the Lord Jesus, to thoroughly testify the good-news of the favor of God. 20:25 And now, behold, I know that you* all, among whom I went through preaching the kingdom of God, will be seeing my face no more, 20:26 because I testify to you* on this very day, that I am clean from the blood of all men. 20:27 For* I did not retreat back from a chance to proclaim to you* all the plan of God. 20:28 Therefore, take-heed* to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit placed you* as overseers, to shepherd the congregation* of the Lord and God, which the Lord acquired through his own blood. 20:29 For* I know this: that after my goodbye, cruel wolves will be entering into you*, not sparing the flock; 20:30 and men will be standing up out of you yourselves, speaking perverse things, to pull away the disciples after themselves. 20:31 Hence watch*, remembering that for three years I ceased not from admonishing each one of you* night and day with tears. 20:32 And hereafter I consign you* brethren to God, and to the word of his favor, which is able to build you* up and to give you* an inheritance among all those who have been made holy. 20:33 I lusted after no one's silver or gold or garment. 20:34 You* yourselves know that these hands attended to my needs, and to the ones who are with me. 20:35 I showed to you* an example in all things, that so laboring, it is essential to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more fortunate to give than to receive.
20:36 And having said these things, he placed himself on his knees and prayed together with them all. 20:37 But there became considerable weeping from all, and having fallen upon Paul's neck, they were kissing him, 20:38 sorrowing especially upon the word which he had spoken, because they are about to view his face no more. Now they were sending him onward to the ship.
{Early 59 AD. Journey to Jerusalem.}
21:1 Now it happened for us to set-sail, as they pulled away from them, we made a straight route, and came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 21:2 And having found a ship, ferrying people over into Phoenicia, we stepped on and did set-sail. 21:3 Now after Cyprus appeared, having left it on the left, we were sailing to Syria and brought* the ship into Tyre; for* the ship was unloading her cargo there. 21:4 And we remained there* seven days, having found disciples who were saying to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go-up to Jerusalem. 21:5 Now when it happened for us to finish the days there, we came out and were traveling on, and they all, together with their wives and children, sending us onward until we were outside the city, and having placed the knees down upon the beach, we prayed, 21:6 and having hugged one another, we stepped onto the ship, but those others returned to their own.
21:7 Now having terminated the voyage from Tyre, we arrived in Ptolemais, and we greeted the brethren and remained with them for one day. 21:8 Now on the next-day, Paul and those around him having gone forth, they came to Caesarea. And having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, being one of the seven, we remained with him. 21:9 Now there were to this one four prophesying virgin daughters.
21:10 Now in our remaining even more days there, a certain prophet from Judea, Agabus by name, came down. 21:11 And he came to us and took Paul's belt, and having bound his own feet and hands, said, The Holy Spirit says these things, The Jews in Jerusalem will be binding the man thus whose belt this is, and will be giving him up into the hands of the Gentiles. 21:12 Now as we heard these things, both we and those locally were pleading with him not to go-up into Jerusalem.
21:13 And Paul answered, What are you* doing*, weeping and crushing my heart? For* I am not only ready to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem on behalf of the name of the Lord Jesus.
21:14 But not being persuaded, we were quiet, having said, Let the will of the Lord happen.
{End of Paul's Third Missionary Journey.}
21:15 Now after these days, we packed up our baggage and were going-up to Jerusalem. 21:16 But there also went together with us some of the disciples from Caesarea, leading us before someone named Mnason from Cyprus, an old disciple in the faith, with whom they said we should lodge.
21:17 Now after we came* to Jerusalem, the brethren gladly accepted us.
{May 23, 59 AD. Paul's fifth visit to Jerusalem.}
21:18 Now the next day, Paul was going-into it, together with us, to James, and all the elders came*. 21:19 And having greeted them, he was describing one by one each of the things God did* among the Gentiles through his service. 21:20 Now having heard it, they were glorifying the Lord, and said to him, You are now viewing brother, how-many tens of thousands there are of the Jews who have believed, and they are* all zealous ones of the law; 21:21 and they were instructed concerning you, that you are teaching among the nations apostasy from Moses to all the Jews, saying not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
21:22 Therefore what is this?
It is essential for the multitude to certainly come together; for* they will be hearing that you have come. 21:23 Therefore you do* this thing, what we say to you. There are four men in us who have a vow upon themselves. 21:24 Paul, after you have taken these and purified yourself together with them, and be spent for them, in order that they may shave the head and may know all the things of which they have been instructed concerning you are nothing, but you yourself also march accordingly, observing the law.
21:25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we decided and informed them by letter to observe no such thing, except to keep themselves from idol-sacrifice, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
21:26 Then Paul took the men and they were going-into the temple in the next day, having been purified together with them, thus thoroughly proclaiming the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered on behalf of each one of them.
21:27 Now as the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, after they saw him in the temple, were inciting all the crowd and put hands upon him, 21:28 crying out, Men, Israelites, help*! This one is the man who is teaching all people everywhere, against the Jewish people and the law and this place, and even more, he led Greeks into the temple and he has desecrated this holy place. 21:29 For* they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian together with him among the city, whom they were supposing that Paul had led into the temple.
21:30 Now the whole city was moved and there happened to be a running of the people together, and after they grabbed Paul, they were dragging him outside the temple and immediately the doors were locked.
21:31 But while seeking to kill him, information came-up to the commander of the cohort {600 soldiers}, that the whole Jerusalem has been incited to riot. 21:32 Who promptly, having taken soldiers and centurions, ran down upon them. And those who saw the commander and the soldiers, ceased beating Paul. 21:33 Now having drawn near, the commander grabbed him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired as to whoever he might be, and whatever he has done*. 21:34 But some in the crowd were crying one thing, some another thing, and not being able to know the certainty of who he was because of the uproar, he commanded him to be led into the encampment. 21:35 But when he came* upon the steps, it befell him to be bore by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 21:36 for* the multitude of the people was following after, crying out, Take him away.
21:37 But while Paul is about to be led into the encampment, he says to the commander, If it is not legal for me to speak to you, then?
And he said, Do you know Greek? 21:38 Are you not then the Egyptian who unsettled the city before these days, and led the four thousand men of the assassins out into the wilderness?
21:39 But Paul said, I am a Jew, indeed a man from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city, and I beseech of you, permit me to speak to the people. 21:40 Now having permitted him, Paul, standing upon the steps, beckoned with the hand to the people, and after there became much silence, he was shouting to them in the Hebrew language, saying, [Acts 22] 22:1 Men, brethren and fathers! Hear* my defense which I now make to you*. 22:2 But having heard that he was shouting to them in the Hebrew language, this provided even more quietness, and he says, 22:3 I Indeed am a man, a Jew, and having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been reared in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, having been educated according to the exactness of the Law of our forefathers, being* a zealous one of God, just-as you* all are today; 22:4 and I persecuted this Way till death, binding and giving into prisons both men and women. 22:5 As also the high-priest and all the eldership can testify of me; from whom I also accepted letters to the brethren, and I was traveling to Damascus. I will be leading also the ones there who were bound to Jerusalem in order that they might be punished.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
22:6 Now it happened to me, while traveling and drawing near to Damascus, around midday, a considerable light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 22:7 And I fell to the solid-ground and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
22:8 But I answered, Who are you, Lord?
And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.
22:9 But those who are together with me indeed saw the light and became fearful, but they did not hear with understanding the voice of the one speaking to me. 22:10 But I said, What should I do*, Lord?
But the Lord said to me, When you have stood up, travel into Damascus, and it will be spoken to you there concerning all things which have been appointed for you to do.
22:11 Now as I was not seeing anything apart from the glory of that light. I came into Damascus, being led by the hand by the ones being there together with me. 22:12 Now a certain one named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, being testified of by all the Jews dwelling there, 22:13 came to me, and having stood by me said to me, Brother Saul, recover your sight! And I looked up at him in the same hour. 22:14 Now he said, The God of our fathers assigned you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 22:15 Because you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 22:16 And now, why are you hesitating? When you have stood up, be immersed* and fully-wash away your sins, having called upon the name of the Lord.
22:17 Now it happened to me, having returned to Jerusalem, and in my praying in the temple, I came* to be in a trance, 22:18 and to see him saying to me, Hurry, and go forth quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not be accepting the testimony from you concerning me.
22:19 And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I was imprisoning and whipping them in each of the synagogues, those who believe on you; 22:20 and when the blood of Stephen, your witness, was being shed, I myself was also standing by and was consenting to the assassination, guarding the garments of those assassinating him.
22:21 And he said to me, Travel on, because I will be sending you forth to the Gentiles who are afar.
22:22 Now they were hearing him till this speech, and they lifted up their voice, saying, Take such a one away from the earth; for* it was not proper for him to live.
22:23 Now from them, crying out and tossing off their garments and casting dust into the air, 22:24 the commander commanded him to be led into the encampment, and said, He is to be interrogated by scourges, in order that he might fully know because of what crime they were shouting out against him so.
22:25 But as he stretched him out with the straps, Paul said to the centurion who is standing there, If it is legal for you* to scourge a Roman man and uncondemned?
22:26 But having heard it, the centurion went to the commander and reported to him, saying, Behold, what are you about to do*? For* this man is a Roman.
22:27 Now the commander came and said to him, Tell me if you are a Roman.
Now he said, Yes.
22:28 And the commander answered, I procured this citizenship of a large sum.
But Paul said, But I have even been born Roman.
22:29 Therefore those who are about to interrogate him immediately withdrew from him. The commander was also afraid, having fully know that he is a Roman, and because he has bound him.
22:30 But on the next-day, planning to know the certainty of why he is accused of something from the Jews, he loosed him from the bonds, and commanded the high-priests and their whole council to come and having led Paul there he stood him toward them.
23:1 Now Paul, having stared toward the council, said, Men, brethren, I have behaved-as a Jewish citizen toward God in all good conscience till this day.
23:2 But the high-priest Ananias commanded to those who are standing beside him to beat his mouth.
23:3 Then Paul said to him, God is about to beat you, you whitewashed wall. And you sit judging me according to the law, and yet violating the law, you are commanding me to be beaten.
23:4 But those who are standing beside him said, Are you reviling God's high-priest?
23:5 And Paul said, Brethren, I did not know that he was the high-priest; for* it has been written, 'You will not speak evilly of a ruler of your people.' {Exo 22:28} 23:6 But after Paul knew that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee. I am being judged concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead. 23:7 But after he spoke this, there became a dissension from the Pharisees and the multitude was split-apart. 23:8 (For* the Sadducees indeed say that there is no resurrection, neither messenger nor spirit, but the Pharisees are confessing both.)
23:9 Now there became a great outcry, and part of the scribes of the Pharisees stood up and were quarreling, saying, We are finding no evil in this man, but if a spirit or a messenger spoke to him, we should not quarrel against God. 23:10 Now after much dissension happened, the commander, was scared, lest Paul might be torn to shreds by them, and commanded the army to go-down and seize him from the midst of them, and lead him back into the encampment.
23:11 Now when the Lord stood by him the next night, he said, Paul, have courage; for* as you have thoroughly testified concerning me in Jerusalem, so it is essential for you to also testify in Rome.
23:12 Now after it became day, some of the Jews made* a conspiracy and they vowed for themselves, saying, they were neither to eat nor to drink until they should kill Paul. 23:13 Now they were more-than forty who had made* this gang; 23:14 who came near to the high-priests and the elders and said, We vowed that ourselves are to be accursed, to taste nothing until we should kill Paul. 23:15 Therefore now, you*, together with the council, disclose* it to the commander *that he should be led to you* the next-day, as if being about to investigate more accurately the things concerning him. Now we are ready to assassinate him before he draws near.
23:16 But Paul's sister's son, having heard of their murderous plot, came* and entered into the encampment and reported to Paul. 23:17 Now Paul, having called one of the centurions, said, Lead this young-man away to the commander; for* he has something to report to him.
23:18 Therefore indeed, he took him and led him to the commander and says, Paul the prisoner, having called me, asked me to lead this young-man to you, who has something to say to you.
23:19 Now the commander grabbed his hand and departed privately, and was inquiring, What is it that you have to report to me?
23:20 Now he said, The Jews themselves covenanted* together to ask you *that you should lead Paul into the Jewish council the next-day, as if being about to inquire more accurately something concerning him. 23:21 Therefore you, do not be persuaded by them; for* more-than forty men out of them are plotting against him, who vowed for themselves neither to eat nor to drink until they should assassinate him, and they are ready now, waiting for the promise from you.
23:22 Therefore indeed, the commander dismissed the young-man, having commanded him to tell no one that you disclosed these things to me.
{May 25, 59 AD. Paul is sent to the political capital at Caesarea.}
23:23 And having called to him a certain two of the centurions, he said, Prepare* at the third hour of the night {i.e. 9:00 PM} two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, *that they should travel to Caesarea, 23:24 and animals to be present, in order that after they mounted Paul upon one of them, they might save him for Felix the governor.
23:25 Now he wrote a letter in this pattern containing:
23:26 Claudius Lysias to the most-excellent governor Felix. Hail to you. 23:27 When this man was taken by the Jews and being about to be assassinated by them, I stood up together with the army and liberated him, having learned that he was a Roman. 23:28 But planning to know the accusation (because of which they were accusing him), I led him into their council; 23:29 whom I found to be accused concerning debates of their law, having nothing in way of an accusation worthy of death or of bonds. 23:30 But after it was divulged to me of a future pact by the Jews *for the man, I promptly sent him to you, having also commanded his accusers to speak the things to him in front of you. Good-bye.
23:31 Therefore indeed, the soldiers, according to what had been commanded to them, took Paul and led him through the night to Antipatris. 23:32 But on the next-day, having permitted the horsemen to travel together with him, they returned to the encampment, 23:33 who, having entered into Caesarea, and having given over the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. 23:34 Now the governor read the letter and having asked: What province is he from? And having inquired: he is from Cilicia. 23:35 He was saying, I will hear you fully whenever your accusers also come*. And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's palace.
{May 30, 59 AD. Paul before Felix, a prisoner two years at Caesarea. In 59 AD Festus becomes governor of Judea.}
24:1 Now after five days, the high-priest Ananias with the elders and an orator came-down, someone named Tertullus, who disclosed to the governor the charges against Paul. 24:2 Now he {i.e. Paul} was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, We are obtaining much peace through you and public-reforms are happening to this nation through your forethought. 24:3 We are accepting it both in all things and everywhere, with all thanksgiving, most-excellent Felix. 24:4 But in order that I may not hinder you on more-than this, I plead with you by your gentleness to hear us briefly. 24:5 For* we have found this man a plague, and he is moving this dissension to all the Jews throughout the inhabited-earth. And he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes; 24:6 who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also took-hold of. {T} And wished to be judged according to our law. 24:7 Now Lysias the commander passed by, with much violence, took Paul away out of our hands, 24:8 having commanded his accusers to come to you. From whom, you will be able, having examined him, to fully know concerning all these things of which we are accusing him. 24:9 But the Jews themselves banded together in the attack, thus claiming these things to hold truth.
24:10 Now after the governor signaled to him to speak, Paul answered, I know you are a judge to this nation out of many years experience. I am cheerfully making my defense of these things concerning myself. 24:11 You surely are able to know that it is not more-than twelve days to me from which time I went-up to Jerusalem (will worship there); 24:12 and they did not find me reasoning angrily with anyone, or making* a hostile gathering of the crowd in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city, 24:13 nor are they able to present things concerning me, of which they are now accusing me. 24:14 But I confess this thing to you, that thus I am giving-divine service to the God of our forefathers according to The Way, which they call* a sect, believing all things which are according to the law and which have been written in the prophets. 24:15 I have hope toward God, which these themselves also wait for, that there is about to be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and unrighteous. 24:16 But I apply myself in this, having a guilt-free conscience always toward God and men. 24:17 Now I came* through many years, (will do* charities and offerings to my nation); 24:18 in which they found me, having been purified in the temple, not with a crowd, nor with an uproar with some Jews from Asia. 24:19 It is essential for those to be here and to accuse me in front of you, if they have anything to accuse me. 24:20 Or let* these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood in front of the council, 24:21 or concerning this one voice of which I cried out, standing among them. I am being judged by you* today concerning the resurrection of the dead.
24:22 But Felix, having heard these things and knowing more accurately concerning The Way, postponed judging them, and said, Whenever Lysias the commander comes-down, I will be investigating the things against you*. 24:23 And he himself commanded the centurion to guard Paul and for him to have relief and to forbid no one from his own to attend or come near to him.
24:24 Now after some days, Felix came* together with Drusilla, his wife, being a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 24:25 But while he is reasoning concerning righteousness and self-control and the future judgment which is to be, Felix became fearful, and answered, Travel on, hereafter having time and having taken the opportunity, I myself will call you. 24:26 (While hoping at the same time that monies will be given to him by Paul, *that he might loose him.) Hence, he was conversing with him, sending for him frequently. 24:27 But after two years were fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and wishing to lay up favors for himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.
{July, 61 AD. Paul's appearance before Festus.}
25:1 Therefore after three days, having stepped into the province, Festus went-up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 25:2 Now the high-priest and the foremost ones of the Jews disclosed to him things against Paul, and they were pleading with him, 25:3 asking for a favor against him, *that he might send for him to come to Jerusalem; making* a plot to assassinate him on the road.
25:4 Therefore indeed, Festus answered that Paul is to be kept in Caesarea, but he himself is about to travel out there shortly. 25:5 Therefore he says, The mighty ones among you* have gone-down together with me if there is anything evil in this man, let* them accuse him.
25:6 Now having stayed among them more than ten days, he went-down to Caesarea. On the next-day having sat upon the judicial-seat, he commanded Paul to be led before him. 25:7 Now after he came*, the Jews who had come-down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and cruel accusations against Paul, which they were not strong-enough to show.
25:8 Then Paul, making his defense, said, Neither at the law of the Jews nor at the temple nor at Caesar, did I sin in anything.
25:9 But Festus, wishing to lay up a favor for himself with the Jews, answered and said to Paul, Are you willing, after having gone-up to Jerusalem, to be judged there concerning these things in front of me?
25:10 But Paul said, I am standing in front of Caesar's judicial-seat, where it is essential for me to be judged. I did not wrong the Jews, as you also fully well know. 25:11 For* if I indeed am wronging anyone, and have practiced anything worthy of death, I do not renounce to die, but if there is nothing of what these are accusing me; no one is able to grant me to them. I myself am appealing to Caesar. 25:12 Then Festus, having spoken together with the council, answered, You yourself have appealed to be in front of Caesar, then you will be traveling to Caesar.
25:13 Now after some days elapsed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and greeted Festus. 25:14 Now as he was staying there many days, Festus submitted to the King, the things according to Paul's case, saying, There is a certain man, a prisoner, who has been left behind by Felix; 25:15 concerning whom, I myself came* to Jerusalem, the high-priests and the elders of the Jews disclosed things to me, asking for a sentence against him. 25:16 To whom I answered, It is not a custom with Romans to grant as a favor any man to destruction, preferably before he who is accused, might have the accusers face to face, and might receive a chance for defense concerning the accusation.
25:17 Therefore, after they came together here, I did not make* a postponement of their meeting, but on the next day, having sat upon the judicial-seat, I commanded the man to be led there. 25:18 Concerning whom, after the accusers stood up, they were bringing no accusation of things as I was perceiving; 25:19 but they were having some debates with him concerning their own religion and concerning someone named Jesus, who had died, whom Paul was claiming him to be living. 25:20 But I, being perplexed as to the debate concerning this, was saying to him, if he plans to travel to Jerusalem and to be judged there concerning these things. 25:21 But after Paul himself appealed to be kept *for the decision of the Emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I should send him to Caesar. 25:22 But Agrippa said to Festus, I was also planning to hear from the man myself.
Now he says, You will hear him on the next-day.
25:23 Therefore on the next-day, Agrippa and Bernice came with much pomp, and entered into the auditorium together with both, the commanders and men according to prominence, who are from the city, and after Festus commanded, Paul was led before him. 25:24 And Festus says, King Agrippa, and all men who are here together with us, you* are viewing this one, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying that it is essential for him to live no longer. 25:25 But I comprehended for myself that he has done* nothing worthy of death, and I decided to send him, since this one himself had also appealed to the Emperor; 25:26 concerning whom, I do not have any certainty as what to write to my lord. Hence, I led him in front of you* and especially in front of you, King Agrippa, *that, after his examination has happened, I may have something to write. 25:27 For* it seems unreasonable to me to be sending a prisoner, and not to signify the accusations against him.
{Aug., AD 61. Paul before Agrippa.}
26:1 Now Agrippa said to Paul, It is permitted for you to speak on behalf of yourself. Then Paul stretched out his hand and was making his defense. 26:2 Concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I have deemed myself fortunate today, being about to make my defense in front of you; 26:3 especially because you are an expert of all things according to the things of the Jews, both customs and debates. Hence, I beseech of you to hear me patiently.
26:4 Therefore my lifestyle indeed which happened from my youth up, from the beginning in my own nation and in Jerusalem, all the Jews know this. 26:5 If they should wish to testify, (knowing me beforehand, from the start), that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 26:6 And now I am standing here, being judged against the hope of the promise which came* by God to the fathers; 26:7 to which our twelve tribes, intensely giving-divine service to God night and day, are hoping to achieve concerning which hope I am accused by the Jews, O king Agrippa!
26:8 Why is it judged as unbelievable with you*, if God is raising the dead?
26:9 Therefore I indeed thought in myself, it is essential to practice many things adverse to the name of Jesus of the Nazarenes. 26:10 I also did* this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the holy-ones in prisons, having received authority from the high-priests, and while being assassinated, I brought my voting-pebble {i.e. vote} against them. 26:11 And punishing them often throughout all the synagogues, I was urging them to blaspheme, and being exceptionally enraged with them, I was persecuting them, insofar as possible, even to the cities outside our nation.
{Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}
26:12 In which also, while traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission from the high-priests, 26:13 on the road in the middle of the day, O king, I saw a light from heaven beyond the brilliance of the sun, which shone around me and those who are traveling together with me. 26:14 Now after all of us fell down to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is harsh for you to kick toward cattle-prods.
26:15 But I said, Who are you, Lord?
But the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 26:16 But rise* and stand upon your feet; for* to this end, I was seen by you, to assign you to be an attendant and a witness both of the things which you saw, and of the things which will be seen by you. 26:17 I will be liberating you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 26:18 to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness, into light, and from the authority of the Adversary to God, in order for them to receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among those who have been made holy in faith, the faith in me.
26:19 Hence, O King Agrippa, I did not become disobedient to the heavenly vision. 26:20 But I was proclaiming first to them in Damascus, and in Jerusalem, and then to all the region of Judea and to the Gentiles, to repent and to turn to God, practicing works worthy of repentance. 26:21 Because of these things, the Jews took me in the temple and were attempting to exterminate me. 26:22 Therefore, having obtained the assistance which is from God, I am standing till this day, testifying both to the little and to the great, saying nothing outside of what both the prophets and Moses spoke that was about to happen. 26:23 If the Christ was ordained to suffer, if the Christ was first from the resurrection of the dead, then he is about to proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.
26:24 Now he made his defense with these things.
Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are insane; your many scholarships is turning you into the insane.
26:25 But Paul says, I am not insane, most-excellent Festus, but I am speaking out the words of truth and self-discipline. 26:26 For* the king knows concerning these things, with whom I am also speaking boldly; for* I am saying: I am persuaded that not any of these things were done* to elude him; for* this thing has not been done* in a corner. 26:27 King Agrippa, Do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.
26:28 But Agrippa said to Paul, Are you persuading me to become a Christian in few words?
26:29 But Paul said, I would pray to God, that both in a few words or in many words, not only you, but also all who hear me today, are to become such: what sort of person I am, except-for these bonds.
26:30 And after he said these things, the king and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting together with them stood up; 26:31 and having departed, they were speaking to one another, saying, This man is practicing nothing worthy of death or bonds.
26:32 But Agrippa said to Festus, This man was able to have been released, if he had not appealed to Caesar.
{Aug. 21 - Nov. 1, 61 AD. Mediterranean Sea. The voyage to Rome.}
27:1 Now as it was decided for us to sail toward Italy, and they were giving to a centurion, Julius by name, from the Emperor's cohort, Paul and some other prisoners. 27:2 Now having stepped on board, in an Adramyttium ship, which is about to sail throughout the places along Asia, we did set-sail, also being together with us was Aristarchus, a Macedonian, a Thessalonian. 27:3 And we brought* the ship into Sidon in another day and Julius treated Paul humanely and permitted him to obtain care, traveling to his friends. 27:4 And having set-sail to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were adverse. 27:5 And having sailed through the deep-sea against Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came down to Myra, a city of Lycia. 27:6 And the centurion found a ship from Alexandria there sailing to Italy, and he had us step onto it. 27:7 Now at a considerable number of days, we were voyaging slowly and happened to be against Cnidus with difficulty; the wind was not permitting us to land. We sailed under the lee of Crete against Salmone; 27:8 and coasting-along it with difficulty, we came to a certain place being called Good Harbors; which was near the city of Lasea.
27:9 Now after a considerable amount of time had elapsed and the voyage being already dangerous, because the fast {i.e., Yom Kippur} was to have already passed, Paul was advising them, 27:10 saying to them, Men, I view that the voyage is about to be with disaster and much damage, not only of the load and of the ship, but also of our lives. 27:11 But the centurion was being persuaded by the helmsman and by the ship-owner, rather than by the things being spoken by Paul. 27:12 But the harbor, being* unfit for a wintering, most of the council purposed to set-sail to sea from there, if somehow they might be able to winter, after they arrived in Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, while looking down the northwest and down the southwest. 27:13 Now after wind from the south blew softly, having thought to have taken-hold of their purpose, they lifted the anchor up and were coasting-along, closer to Crete. 27:14 But not long after, a typhoon wind, being called Euroclydon, was cast against her; 27:15 and after the ship was seized and it was not able to head-into the wind, having given her to the wind, we were being carried along. 27:16 Now having ran under the lee of a certain isle called Clauda, we were strong-enough to become skippers of the boat with difficulty; 27:17 and having lifted it up, they were using cables, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they might fall into the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the tackling and so we were being carried along. 27:18 But our ship was being extremely storm-tossed, the next day they were making* a jettison of the cargo; 27:19 and the third day they tossed out the tackling of the ship with their own hands. 27:20 But while neither sun nor stars are appearing upon most days and not just a small storm was laying down upon us, all hope for us to be saved was furthermore being taken away.
27:21 Now they are* without much food {i.e. almost starving}, then Paul, stood in the midst of them, said, O men, it was indeed essential to have obeyed me and to not set-sail away from Crete and then to gain this disaster and damage. 27:22 And hereafter, I am advising you* to be cheerful; for* there will be no termination of life from among you*, however of the ship, yes. 27:23 For* there stood beside me this night a messenger of the God, whose I am, to whom I also am giving-divine service to, 27:24 saying, Do not fear, Paul; it is essential for you to stand-before Caesar and behold, God has granted to you all those who are sailing with you. 27:25 Hence, be* cheerful, men; for* I believe God, that it will be so according to the manner it has been spoken to me. 27:26 But it is essential for us to fall onto a certain island.
27:27 Now as it became the fourteenth night, our being carried to and fro in the Adriatic Sea, in the middle of the night, the sailors were perceiving some region to be preceding them. 27:28 And having sounded, they found twenty fathoms, and after a little bit of an interval of time, having sounded again, they found fifteen fathoms. 27:29 And fearing lest we might fall into rough places, they tossed the four anchors from the stern and was praying for it to become day. 27:30 But the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship and having lowered the boat into the sea in pretext, as though they are about to heave out anchors from the prow, 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, If these sailors do not remain in the ship, you* are not able to be saved. 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat and permitted her to fall. 27:33 Now till it was about to become day, Paul was encouraging them all to take some nourishment, saying, Today is the fourteenth day that you* were expecting to arrive; you* are continuing without food, having taken nothing to eat for yourselves. 27:34 Hence I am encouraging you* to take some nourishment; for* this is* for your* salvation; for* not a hair will be falling from the head of any one of you. 27:35 Now having said these things and having taken bread, he gave-thanks to God in the sight of all, and he broke it and began to eat. 27:36 Now when all became cheerful, they themselves also took nourishment. 27:37 Now we were in the ship, all two hundred and seventy-six souls. 27:38 Now having been satisfied from the nourishment, they lightened the ship, casting the grain out into the sea.
{Nov. 1, 61 AD. Shipwreck on Malta.}
27:39 Now when it became day, they were not recognizing the land, but were considering a certain bay, having a beach and they planned if possible to drive the ship into it. 27:40 And having taken off the couplings to the anchors, they were permitting them to fall in the sea, having laxed the rudders' couplings at the same time. And having lifted up the foresail to the blowing wind, they were heading toward the beach. 27:41 But having fallen into a place at the intersection of two seas, they beached the cargo-ship, and indeed the prow stuck and remained unshakable, but the stern was being dissolved by the violence of the waves.
27:42 Now the soldiers' plan happened to be that* they should kill the prisoners, lest some, having swam out, should flee. 27:43 But the centurion, planning to save Paul, forbade them from their will, and commanded those who were able to swim, after they tossed themselves over first to go-out to land; 27:44 and the rest, some upon planks and any other things from the ship. And so it happened, all were to be saved upon the land.
{Nov. - Feb. 62 AD. Malta.}
28:1 And having been saved, then we recognized that the island is called Malta. 28:2 Now the barbarians were providing for us and we obtained not just kindliness; for* they lit a fire, and took us all in, because of the standing rainfall and because of the cold. 28:3 But after Paul twisted together a bunch of brush and laid it upon the fire, a viper attached to his hand, after it came out through the brush from the warmth. 28:4 Now as the barbarians saw the snake hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, justice did not permit him to live. 28:5 Therefore indeed, he shook-off the snake into the fire and suffered no evil. 28:6 But they were expecting that he is about to swell up or to suddenly fall down dead. But expecting it for a long time and viewing nothing improper happening to him, having a turnabout, they were saying that he was a god.
28:7 Now in the regions around that place, were* farms possessed by the foremost one of the island, Publius by name, who accepted us and lodged us courteously three days. 28:8 Now it happened, that the father of Publius lay sick, being troubled with fevers and dysentery; to whom Paul having entered and prayed and laid his hands on him, healed him. 28:9 Therefore, after this happened, the rest who have any sicknesses in the island were also coming near and were being healed, 28:10 who also honored us with many honors, and while setting-sail, they placed on the ship the things *for our need.
28:11 Now after three months, we were led to a ship from Alexandria with an insignia of The Twin Brothers which had wintered in the island.
{March, 62 - March 64. Rome.}
28:12 And having been led into Syracuse, we remained there three days. 28:13 From where, we went around and arrived at Rhegium and after one day a south wind came* upon us and on the second day we came to Puteoli; 28:14 where we found brethren and were encouraged to remain upon {i.e. with} them seven days and so we came to Rome. 28:15 And the brethren from there, after they heard things concerning us, came to the encounter with us up-to the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns; whom having seen, Paul gave-thanks to God and took courage.
28:16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion gave the prisoners to the camp-commander, but Paul was permitted to abide by himself together with the soldier guarding him.
28:17 Now after three days, Paul happened to call together the ones who are the foremost of the Jews and after they came together, he said to them, Men, brethren, I practiced nothing adverse to the Jewish people or the customs of our forefathers. I, a prisoner from Jerusalem, was given up into the hands of the Romans. 28:18 The Romans who, having examined me, were planning to release me, because no crime worthy of death was found to exist in me. 28:19 But the Jews were speaking against it, then I was urged to appeal to Caesar; not like I hold anything of which to accuse my nation. 28:20 Therefore, because of this accusation, I pleaded to see and to speak with you*; for* I am encompassed with this chain because of the hope of Israel.
28:21 But they said to him, We neither accepted writings from Judea concerning you, nor did anyone of the brethren come* here and report or speak anything evil concerning you. 28:22 But we deem it worthy to hear from you what things you are mindful of; for* indeed, concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.
28:23 Now having appointed him a day, they were coming to him, more into the lodging; to whom he was expounding the word, thoroughly testifying of the kingdom of God also persuading them with the things concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until dusk. 28:24 And some were obeying and some were disbelieving the things which were spoken. 28:25 But being in disagreement with one another, they were dismissing themselves after Paul said just one declaration, The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 28:26 saying, 'Travel to this people and say, In hearing you* will hear and yet should never understand, and in seeing you* will see and yet should never know; 28:27 for* the heart of this people became-callous and they have selectively heard with their ears and they closed their eyes. Lest, they should see with their eyes and should hear with their ears and should understand with their heart and should return and I will be healing them.' {Isa 6:9-10}
28:28 Therefore let it be known to you*, that this salvation from God is sent to the Gentiles and they will be hearing it. 28:29 And after he said these things of him, the Jews went away, having much debate among themselves.
28:30 Now Paul remained two whole years in his own rented-house and was accepting all who travel to him, 28:31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unforbidden by any.
{{ Introduction to the Christian Letters
After you know about who Jesus was in the first four books and have followed an example of how to become a Christian in Acts, then comes the remainder of the New Testament. A collection of letters written to Christians, helping them to know how to live their lives for Christ Jesus after they are saved from their sins. They were not arranged in chronological order so to read and learn from them as God intended, it is better to follow the order of the Simple Reading Schedule. This way each letter will build upon each other. You will also have some preparation before you read Romans, a very intense letter. Each letter deals with specific issues and problems that different groups of Christians were struggling with at the time of the writing. The most common problem was that Jewish false teachers were binding the Gentile Christians under the Law. However, up front, the Law, spoken of in the letters is in a very generalized way as "Law" vs. "the Law" most often. It is the old covenant of God, the Old Testament from Genesis through Malachi.
The first nine letters are written by the apostle Paul to specific congregations of the Lord's body in various cities and are named for the area in which those Christians lived. The next four letters are written by Paul to specific Christian individuals who were working with congregations.
The letter to the Hebrews was written to help Jewish Christians understand that the Old Testament had fulfilled its purpose in pointing people to something much better: Christ Jesus.
The letters of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude were all written to Christians in various areas, and the letters are named after the writer.
The book of Revelation is a combination of letters from Christ Jesus to specific congregations, and a prophecy given as a reminder to Christians to stay faithful even in persecution because God is the one ultimately in control.}}
{{ Introduction to Romans 58 AD
The Romans had their problems with Jewish Christian false teachers also. But he first addressed homosexuality which was a common practice in Rome at the time. Caesar Nero was a classic example. Paul puts it in blunt terms in 1 Cor. 6:9, 'they will not inherit the kingdom of God.' In the next few chapters, Paul deals with: various quotes of the O.T., why they are not the 'faith of Abraham,' and that Christ was the fulfilment of that promise to Abraham, long before the O.T. was written. In chapter 6, Paul gives us one more aspect about immersion, the death burial, and resurrection, same as our Lord. Chapter 7 shows the contrast of a married couple and remarriage, but the whole point is you cannot keep the Old Covenant of God and be married to the New Covenant of Jesus or else God calls you an adulteress. Paul speaks of his (and our) war between what we want to do vs. what we are to do in Christ and how nothing but ourselves can ever keep us the love of God. Chapter 9 goes back to the argument against the Jewish false teachers. In 10, the same problem with the Israel of then and many false religious groups of today, 'a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.' Then Paul speaks of the declarations/report from the apostles that brought them to Christ. In 11, Paul speaks that is was always God's plan to have the Gentiles and Jews under one covenant. In Chapters 12-14, instructions on how to live as a Christian, and governments in Chapter 13. In Chapter15 back to more about the Law of Moses vs. the Law of Christ. Ending with Paul's typical farewells.}}
Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1999, 2014 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
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