And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

A Vital Church Grows

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power in the Church

And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

Saul Persecutes the Church

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

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

The Church Prospers

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Herod’s Violence to the Church

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

Peter Freed from Prison

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Paul and Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

The Jerusalem Decree

Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Sister Phoebe Commended

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,