6:8-8:3
 Stephen who was full of grace and power did great signs and wonders amongst the people. But there was a group in the synagogue who were called Freedmen. They were Cyrenians and Alexandrians and people from Cilicia and Asia. They were disputing with Stephen but were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated men to say "We have heard him speaking blasphemy against Moses and God." They stirred up the people and the elders and scribes. Coming at him they seized him and led him to the council. False witnesses stood there saying "This man does not stop speaking against this holy place and the law. We have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." Looking at him all those sitting in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 7:1 The high priest said "Have you done these things?" He
said. "Brethren and fathers listen. The God of glory
appeared to our father Abraham who was living in Mesopotamia before he lived in Charran. God said to him "Go out of your land and your kindred and go to the land that I show you." Then going out of the land of the Chaldaeans he lived in Charran. And after that his father died and God moved him on into this land where you now live. Yet he did not give him an inheritance in it - not a foot's space. (Rather) he promised to allow himself and his descendants to live in it, even though he had no child. God told him that his seed would live in a land (c/f Egypt) that belonged to others. These others would enslave (his descendants) and would ill-treat them for four hundred years. God said "in whichever nation they will serve I will judge it. (Then) after these things they will come forth and will worship me in this place." He (God) gave (Abraham) a covenant of circumcision. And so he fathered Isaac and circumcised
him when he was eight days old. Isaac fathered Jacob and Jacob fathered the twelve patriarchs. The patriarchs (when they were young men became jealous sold Joseph into Egypt. God was with him and rescued him from all his afflictions and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The latter appointed (Joseph) governor over Egypt and all his household. But a famine came over all of Egypt and Canaan with great affliction. Our fathers had nothing to eat. But Jacob heard there was corn in Egypt. He sent our fathers first. The second time Joseph made himself known to his brothers and the race of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. Sending, Joseph called his father Jacob and all his family of seventy-five people. Jacob went down to Egypt and died there with our
fathers. He was transferred to Sychem and was put in the tomb which Abraham had bought for a price of silver from the sons of Enmor in Schem. As the time drew near for the promise which God had made to Abraham, the people multiplied in number in Egypt. (This happened) until another king rose up over Egypt who did not know Joseph. This man was dealing craftily with our race and ill-treated the fathers so as to expose their babies so that they would die. It was at that time Moses was born and he was fair in the eyes of God. He was reared for three months in his father's house. When he was exposed Pharaoh's daughter picked him up and reared him as her own son. So Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was powerful both in his words and works. But when he was forty years old the time came in his heart to visit his brothers and the sons of Israel. On seeing one of these being injured he defended him. He wrought vengeance for them and struck the Egyptian. Now he supposed that his brothers would understand that God would give them salvation through his hand. But they did not understand. On the next day he appeared they were fighting. He attempted to reconcile them into peace saying "You are brethren. Why do you injure each other?" But the one who was injuring his neighbour
pushed him away saying "Who appointed you ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me in the same way as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" So Moses fled at this word and became a dweller in the land of Midian where he fathered two sons. And when forty years were fulfilled an angel appeared to him in the desert of mount Sinai in the flame of a burning thorn bush. Moses marvelled on seeing the vision. As he approached to take a better look there was a voice of the Lord. "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob". But Moses was trembling and dared not take notice. The Lord said to him "Loosen your sandal from your feet for the ground on which you are standing is holy. I have been seeing the ill-treatment of my people in Egypt and I have heard their groan. I have come down to rescue them. So come and I will send you to Egypt." (Stephen continued in his address). "It was this Moses whom (someone amongst his people) denied saying "Who appointed you a ruler and judge?" It was this man that God sent, both as a ruler and as a redeemer with the hand of the angel that had appeared to him in the bush. It was this man who led them (God's people) out and (afterwards) did signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, in the Red Sea and in the desert over forty years. It was this Moses who was saying to the sons of Israel "God will
raise up a prophet from amongst you as he has raised me." This is the one (Moses) who was raised up in the congregation in the desert. The angel spoke to (Moses) in Mount Sinai (with the giving of the commandments) and (also spoke) with our fathers. They received living oracles (commandments) to give to you. But our fathers did not wish to become obedient. They thrust (Moses) away and turned in their hearts (back) to Egypt. They said to Aaron (Moses' brother) "Make gods for us which will go before us. We do not know what has happened to this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt." (because he was still up on Mt Sinai). And so they made the model of a calf in those days and brought up a sacrifice to this idol and worshipped what they had made. And so God turned and delivered them to worship the host of heaven (instead of himself ) as it has been written in the roll of the prophets." "You did not offer victims and sacrifices to me in the forty years (you spent) in the desert O house of Israel. (Rather) did you not take up the tent of Moloch and the star of the god Rompha and the idols that you made in order to worship them?"
(After they turned back to the Lord) Our fathers had the tent of witness in the desert. Moses directed the one who made this to do so according to the model which he had seen. Having received (the
tent) our fathers brought it (into the land) with Joshua when he took possession of the land from the nations (who had been here beforehand ). And so (the tent) was, until the days of David. David found favour before God and wanted to build a place of dwelling (rather than a tent) for the house of Jacob. It was Solomon (his son) who built a house for (God.)"
(Stephen continued) "But the Most High (God) does not dwell in places made by hand. As the prophet says "Heaven is a throne for me and the earth is a footstool for my feet". The Lord says "What house can you build for me? Or what place of rest? Did not my hand make all of these things? and uncircumcised in the heart and ears as you are you always oppose the Holy Spirit."
(Stephen then spoke directly to the council.) "Hard-necked as your fathers also. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who were announcing beforehand about the coming of the righteous one (Jesus). You became betrayers and murderers (of him). You received the law given by angels and did not keep it."
On hearing these things they (members of the council) were cut to their hearts and raged at (Stephen). But being full of the Holy Spirit he gazed into the heavens. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said "Look I see the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." Crying out with a great voice they closed over their ears. They rushed with one mind upon him. Casting him
outside the city they stoned him. The witnesses took off their garments and put them at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they stoned him Stephen called upon God saying "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Kneeling down he cried out with a great voice "Lord do not place the blame of this sin upon them." And so saying he fell asleep. Saul approved of the killing of him. 8:1-3 That day there was a great persecution started against the church in Jerusalem. (Its members) all scattered throughout the countries of Judea and Samaria except for the apostles. Devout men recovered the body of Stephen and mourned greatly for him. But Saul ravaged the church. He went (around) house by house, entering in and dragging both men and women out to be delivered to prison.
8:4-25 Those who had been scattered (out of Jerusalem) went around preaching the word. Phillip was going down to the city of Samaria to proclaim the Christ to them. The crowd heeded the things being said by Philip with one mind. They also saw the signs he was working. Many of those who had unclean spirits came out crying with a loud voice. Many who were paralysed and the lame were healed. There was much joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon who previously practised magic
in the city
and who astonished all of Samaria. They thought he was someone great and all of them, from the greatest to the
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least heeded him. (They said) "This man is great in the power of God" They heeded him because he had astonished them with his magic for a considerable time. But when they believed Phillip who was preaching about the kingdom of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Now Simon himself also believed. And having been baptized he was attaching himself to Philip. On seeing the signs and the great and powerful deeds happening he was amazed. Meanwhile in Jerusalem the apostles heard that Samaria had received the word of God. They sent Peter and
John to them. On going down they prayed for them so they (the Samaritans) might receive the Holy Spirit. For he (the Holy Spirit) had not fallen on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they (Peter and John) laid hands on them (the Samaritans) and they received the Holy Spirit. On seeing (all this) Simon saw that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles the Spirit was given. He (therefore) offered them money saying "Give me this authority as well so that on whomever I lay my hands he may also received the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him. "May your silver be to your perdition because you have supposed that you could obtain the gift of God through money. You have no right in this matter for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent from this wickedness and ask the Lord if perhaps he will forgive you the thought of your heart. For I see in you a gall of bitterness and a bond of iniquity." And answering Simon said "You ask the Lord for me so that none of the things you have spoken about will come upon me." They (Peter and John) therefore gave solemn witness and on speaking the word of the Lord they returned to Jerusalem. Many of the villages of the Samaritans were evangelized.
8:26-40 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying. "Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." Now this is desert. Rising up he went. And behold he came across an Ethiopian man who was a eunuch and a courtier of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. He was in charge of all her treasure and had come to Jerusalem to worship. He was returning (home) and sitting in his chariot reading the prophet
Isaiah.The Spirit said to Philip "Go up to him and keep company with him in his chariot." So running up Philip heard him reading Isaiah the prophet. He said "Do you know what you are reading?" He said "How indeed am I able to unless someone guides me? " And he asked Philip to get up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this "As a sheep to slaughter he was led.
As a lamb before the shearer he is dumb and does not open his mouth. In the humiliation of judgment he was taken away. Who can describe his generation because it has taken away his life from the earth."
And answering the eunuch Philip said. "I ask you. Who is the prophet talking about when he said this, about himself or about someone else?" And opening his mouth and beginning from this section of Scripture he told him about Jesus. As they were going along the way they came upon
some water. The eunuch said "Look there's some water" What's stopping me from being baptized now?" He ordered the chariot to stop and both of them went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch. And he baptized him. When they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord seized Philip and the Eunuch did not see him any more. He went on his way happy.
But Philip was found to be in Azotus. Passing through here he evangelized all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
9:1-31 (In the meantime) Saul was still threatening murder against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest and asked him for letters of reference for the synagogue at Damascus. This was so that if he found any of those in "the way", either men or women he could take them prisoner and bring them to Jerusalem. Now as he drew near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round him a light out of heaven. On falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said "Who are you Lord?" He answered "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city. You will be told what to do (there)." Now the men who were journeying with him stood by speechless. They heard indeed the sound but saw nobody. Saul was lifted from the ground but he could see nothing. Leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus. He was there three days unable to see and he neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus called Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision "Ananias" He answered "Here I am Lord." The Lord said to him. "Get up and go to the street called Straight. Ask in the house of Judas for Saul, a Tarsian by name. He is praying." Ananias (then) saw in a vision a man coming n and putting his hands on him (Saul) so he could see again. Ananias answered "Lord I have heard from many about this man, and how many evil things he did to your saints in Jerusalem. Here he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all those who call upon your name." But the Lord said to him. "Go because this man is a vessel chosen by myself to carry my name before both the kings of the nations (Gentiles) and the sons of Israel. I will show him how many things he will have to suffer for the sake of my name. Ananias went away and entered into the house. He put his hands on him (Saul) and said "Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me. This is Jesus who
appeared to you on the road where you were traveling. (He sent me) so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately the scales fell away from (Saul's) eyes and he saw again. On getting up he was baptized and was strengthened by eating.
Now he was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. Then immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying that this one is the Son of God. All those hearing were amazed and said "Was this not the one who destroyed those in Jerusalem who invoked this name. Now he has come here to arrest them and bring them before the chief priests? But Saul was filled (even) more with power and confounded the Jews who were living in Damascus, proving that it is this one (Jesus) who is the Christ. When a considerable number of days had passed the Jews consulted together and decided to kill him. But their plot was made known to Saul. They carefully watched the gates both day and night so as to destroy him. But the disciples took him by night through the wall and then lowered him down in a basket. On arriving at Jerusalem (Saul) tried to join the disciples. (But) all feared him, not believing that he was a (real) disciple.
But Barnabas took hold of him and led him to the apostles. He narrated to them how he (Saul) saw the Lord and that he (the Lord) spoke to him. (Then Barnabas) said how in Damascus (Saul) spoke boldly in the name of Jesus. He was with them (Barnabas & co) going in and out to Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He (Saul) both addressed and was in discussion with the Hellenists who attempted to kill him. But knowing (what was happening) the brothers brought (Saul) down to Caesarea and (then) sent him on to Tarsus.
(After this) the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace. It (the church) was built up in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Membership was multiplied.
9:32-34 Now it happened that Peter was passing through here and there and he came down to the saints who were living in Lydda. He found a certain man there called Aeneas who had been lying on a mattress for eight years
because he was paralysed. Peter said to him "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Get up and dress yourself. Immediately he rose up. (When) all those who lived in Lydda and Saron saw him, (all of them) turned to the Lord.
9:35-43 Now in Joppa there was a
certain disciple who was called Tabitha. This is being translated here as Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of charity. It happened that at time she was ill and died. Having washed her they put her in an upstairs room. Now Lydda was near to Joppa. The disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him asking "Come to us straight away." Peter went with them. On their arrival they led him up into the upper room. All the widows stood beside him
weeping and showing (him) tunics and garments that Dorcas had made with them. Putting them all outside Peter knelt down and turning to the body he said "Tabitha. Get up." She opened her eyes and seeing Peter she sat up. He gave her a hand and raised her up. (Then) calling the saints and the widows he presented her to them alive. (This) became known throughout all of Joppa. Many believed in the Lord. (Peter) remained many days in Joppa staying with a tanner called Simon.
10:1-48 There was a certain man in Caesarea whose name was Cornelius.
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He was a centurion of what was called an Italian cohort. He was a devout man and feared God along with all his household. He gave many donations to the people and petitioned God continually. (One day) at about the ninth hour (c/f 3 p.m.) an angel of God entered him and said to him "Cornelius." He looked at him (the angel) and becoming terrified he said "What is it Lord?" He said to him. "Your prayers and your alms have gone as a memorial before God. And now send to Joppa and ask for Simon, the one who is surnamed Peter. This man is lodged with a tanner named Simon. He has a house by the sea." As the angel who was speaking to him went away he called two of the household slaves and a devout soldier who were in attendance. He explained all this to them and sent them to Joppa. On the next day as they journeyed and drew near to the city Peter went up onto the roof to pray at about the sixth hour (midday). He became hungry and wanted t
o eat. While they prepared (the meal) an ecstasy came upon him. He saw heaven being opened and a certain vessel, like a great sheet held by four corners` appeared to be let down onto the earth. In it were all the quadrupeds and reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then there came a voice to him saying "Get up Peter. Kill and
eat." But Peter said " Not at all Lord. I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean." Again a second time a voice came to him "What things God has cleansed, you cannot treat as being unclean." This happened on three occasions. (Then) immediately the vessel was taken up into heaven. Now Peter was doubting within himself what the vision that he saw actually meant. Then the men who had been sent by Cornelius (arrived) asking for the house where Simon was. (Peter was) standing at the porch. Calling out to him they asked if Simon, surnamed Peter was living here. Peter was there pondering about the vision. The spirit said "Look at the two men who are looking for you. Get up and go down with them. Doubt nothing because I have sent them." (And so) going down Peter said to the men "Look, I am the one you are looking for. Why are you here?" They said "Cornelius, a centurion who is a just man and fears God and who respected by all of the Jews, was told by a holy angel to summon you to his house so that he can hear from you." Therefore he invited the men in to stay there. The next day, getting up he went off with them. Some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. The day after that he (Peter) went into Caesaria. Cornelius was waiting for him. He had called together his relatives and close friends. Now when Peter
entered Cornelius came to meet him. Falling at his feet he worshipped him. But Peter raised him up saying "Stand up I am only a man." And so talking with him he came in and found that there were many people together there. He said to them "You understand that it is not lawful for a Jew to belong with or to approach an outsider. (But) God has shown me not to call anything common or unclean , including people. And so I came when asked (by you) without question. I am therefore asking why you summoned me?" Cornelius told him "Four days ago at about this time I was praying at the ninth hour and lo and behold a man stood before me in bright clothing. He said "Cornelius your prayer and your alms have been remembered before God. Therefore send to Joppa and ask for Simon who is surnamed Peter. This man is lodged in the house of Simon, a tanner and it is by the sea." Therefore at once I sent messengers to you and you have done well in arriving. Now therefore all of us are present here to hear what has been commanded to you by the Lord." And so Peter opening his mouth said "In truth I perceive that God is not a respector of person. But in every nation there are people fearing him and doing works that are acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the sons of Israel preaching peace through Jesus Christ. It is this one which is Lord of all.
You know what took place throughout all Judea starting from Galilee After John’s proclamation of baptism. (You know) how Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power and he went about doing good and curing all the people oppressed by the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and Jerusalem. (But) they killed him by hanging him on a tree. This same person was raised by God on the third day
afterwards and God made him visible, not to all the people, but to us, witnesses previously appointed by God. We ate and drank with him after he rose again from the dead. He commanded us to proclaim to the people and give solemn witness that this man is the one designated by God to be judge of the living and of the dead. It is to this man that all the prophets give witness so that forgiveness of sin is to be received though his name by everyone believing in him. While Peter was still speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell on those who
heard him. And those in favour of circumcision who accompanied Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on people of ‘the nations’ as well. They heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered. “Nobody can forbid the water of baptism to these people who have received the Holy Spirit in the same way as ourselves.” He commanded that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then the people asked him to remain with them for some days longer.
11:1-18 Now the apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the non-Jewish people ('the nations') also received the word of God. When Peter went up to Jerusalem. Those people who stressed the need for circumcision disputed with him. They were saying. "You went into the houses of people who were uncircumcised and ate with them." Peter began to explain why he did this saying "I was in the city of Joppa praying. And I saw in an ecstasy a vision. It was coming down as a kind of vessel in the shape of a great sheet. The four corners were as though they were being let down out of heaven. It came up to me. Looking into it I perceived the quadrupeds of the earth and the wild beasts and the reptiles and the birds of heaven. I also heard a voice saying to me. "Get up Peter. Kill and eat." I said "Not at all Lord because a common or unclean thing has never gone into my mouth." A second time a voice out of heaven answered. "What God has cleaned, you are not to regard as common." This took place on three occasions and again all the things were
pulled back up to heaven. And behold at once there were three men who stood at the house in which I was staying. They had been sent down from Caesarea to me. The Spirit told me to go with them and doubt nothing. Also there were six brothers who came with me. We entered into the house of the man. He reported to us how he saw the angel in his house standing there and saying. "Send to Joppa and summon Simon who is surnamed Peter. He will speak words to you by which you and all your household may be saved." As I began to speak the Holy Spirit descended on them just as it did onto us at the beginning (of our ministry). Then I remembered the word of the Lord and how he said "John indeed baptized you with water. But you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit." If therefore God gave them a gift equal to what was given to us on believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who I was I to be able to hinder God?" And so on hearing these things they (the ones supporting circumcision) kept silence. They glorified God saying "Then God has also given to non-Jews his repentance into life?"
11:19-29 The people who had been scattered (from Jerusalem) because of the persecution occurring over Stephen, passed through to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. They did not speak 'the word' to anyone except to Jews. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene who came to Antioch. They also spoke to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus to them. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. An account of this reached the church in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. On arriving and seeing the grace of God he rejoiced and exhorted all to remain with the Lord with purpose of heart. He (Barnabas) was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. A considerable crowd was added to the Lord. He
(then) went forth to Tarsus to seek Saul. On finding him he brought him to Antioch. It happened that for a whole year they assembled in the church to teach a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
In these days some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus rose up and signified through the spirit that a great famine was about to come over all the inhabited world. This happened in the time of (Emperor) Claudius. And so any of the disciples who were prosperous decided that each of them would send something from their ministry to the brothers dwelling in Judea. They indeed did this sand sent something to the elders through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
(Note: Text is mainly a paraphrase of the Literal translation in the RSV Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, 1988)
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