Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge (A)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and (B)laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (C)Satan filled your heart to lie (D)to the Holy Spirit and (E)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but (F)to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he (G)fell down and breathed his last. And (H)great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and (I)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (J)to test (K)the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (L)great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Many Signs and Wonders Done

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people (M)by the hands of the apostles. And they were all (N)together in (O)Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but (P)the people held them in high esteem. 14 And (Q)more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 (R)so that they even (S)carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by (T)at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, (U)bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of (V)the Sadducees), and filled with (W)jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and (X)put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night (Y)an angel of the Lord (Z)opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all (AA)the words of (AB)this (AC)Life.” 21 And when they heard this, (AD)they entered the temple (AE)at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (AF)the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison (AG)are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then (AH)the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for (AI)they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, (AJ)“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you (AK)intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, (AL)“We must obey God rather than men. 30 (AM)The God of our fathers (AN)raised Jesus, (AO)whom you killed by hanging him on (AP)a tree. 31 God exalted (AQ)him at his right hand as (AR)Leader and (AS)Savior, (AT)to give (AU)repentance to Israel and (AV)forgiveness of sins. 32 And (AW)we are witnesses to these things, and (AX)so is the Holy Spirit, (AY)whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they (AZ)were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named (BA)Gamaliel, (BB)a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For (BC)before these days Theudas rose up, (BD)claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of (BE)the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for (BF)if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but (BG)if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You (BH)might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and (BI)when they had called in the apostles, (BJ)they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, (BK)rejoicing that they were counted worthy (BL)to suffer dishonor for (BM)the name. 42 And every day, (BN)in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and (BO)preaching (BP)that the Christ is Jesus.

Seven Chosen to Serve

Now in these days (BQ)when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[b] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in (BR)the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (BS)Therefore, brothers,[c] pick out from among you seven men (BT)of good repute, (BU)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But (BV)we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, (BW)a man full of faith and (BX)of the Holy Spirit, and (BY)Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, (BZ)a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and (CA)they prayed and (CB)laid their hands on them.

And (CC)the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests (CD)became obedient to (CE)the faith.

Stephen Is Seized

And Stephen, full of grace and (CF)power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But (CG)they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then (CH)they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they (CI)set up false (CJ)witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against (CK)this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth (CL)will destroy this place and will (CM)change (CN)the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face (CO)was like the face of an angel.

Stephen's Speech

And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And Stephen said:

(CP)“Brothers and fathers, hear me. (CQ)The God (CR)of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, (CS)before he lived in Haran, and said to him, (CT)‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ (CU)Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And (CV)after his father died, (CW)God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised (CX)to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, (CY)though he had no child. And God spoke to this effect—that (CZ)his offspring would (DA)be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them (DB)four hundred years. ‘But (DC)I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out (DD)and worship me in this place.’ And (DE)he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And (DF)so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and (DG)circumcised him on the eighth day, and (DH)Isaac became the father of Jacob, and (DI)Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

“And the patriarchs, (DJ)jealous of Joseph, (DK)sold him into Egypt; but (DL)God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and (DM)gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, (DN)who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now (DO)there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 (DP)But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And (DQ)on the second visit (DR)Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and (DS)Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And (DT)Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, (DU)seventy-five persons in all. 15 And (DV)Jacob went down into Egypt, and (DW)he died, he (DX)and our fathers, 16 and (DY)they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that (DZ)Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

17 “But (EA)as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, (EB)the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king (EC)who did not know Joseph. 19 (ED)He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, (EE)so that they would not be kept alive. 20 (EF)At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, 21 and (EG)when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses (EH)was instructed in (EI)all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was (EJ)mighty in his words and deeds.

23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart (EK)to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 (EL)And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, (EM)‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort (EN)Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, (EO)where he became the father of two sons.

30 “Now when forty years had passed, (EP)an angel appeared to him (EQ)in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 (ER)‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 Then the Lord said to him, (ES)‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 (ET)I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and (EU)have heard their groaning, and (EV)I have come down to deliver them. (EW)And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, (EX)saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer (EY)by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 (EZ)This man led them out, performing (FA)wonders and signs (FB)in Egypt and (FC)at the Red Sea and (FD)in the wilderness for (FE)forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you (FF)a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one (FG)who was in the congregation in the wilderness with (FH)the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. (FI)He received (FJ)living (FK)oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and (FL)in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, (FM)‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And (FN)they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and (FO)were rejoicing in (FP)the works of their hands. 42 But (FQ)God turned away and (FR)gave them over to worship (FS)the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:

(FT)“‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
    (FU)during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You took up the tent of (FV)Moloch
    and the star of your god Rephan,
    the images that you made to worship;
and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

44 “Our fathers had (FW)the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses (FX)directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn (FY)brought it in with Joshua when they (FZ)dispossessed the nations (GA)that God drove out before our fathers. So it was (GB)until the days of David, 46 (GC)who found favor in the sight of God and (GD)asked to find a dwelling place for (GE)the God of Jacob.[d] 47 But it was (GF)Solomon who built a house for him. 48 (GG)Yet the Most High does not dwell (GH)in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,

49 (GI)“‘Heaven is my throne,
    (GJ)and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
    or what is the place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

51 (GK)“You stiff-necked people, (GL)uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. (GM)As your fathers did, so do you. 52 (GN)Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of (GO)the Righteous One, (GP)whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law (GQ)as delivered by angels and (GR)did not keep it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

54 Now when they heard these things (GS)they were enraged, and they (GT)ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, (GU)full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw (GV)the glory of God, and Jesus standing (GW)at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see (GX)the heavens opened, and (GY)the Son of Man standing (GZ)at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together[e] at him. 58 Then (HA)they cast him out of the city and (HB)stoned him. And (HC)the witnesses laid down their garments (HD)at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, (HE)he called out, “Lord Jesus, (HF)receive my spirit.” 60 And (HG)falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, (HH)“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, (HI)he fell asleep.

Saul Ravages the Church

And (HJ)Saul (HK)approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and (HL)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But (HM)Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he (HN)dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

Now (HO)those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (HP)Philip went down to the city[f] of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. (HQ)And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him (HR)and saw the signs that he did. For (HS)unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So (HT)there was much joy in that city.

Simon the Magician Believes

But there was a man named Simon, (HU)who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, (HV)saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, (HW)“This man is the power of God that is called (HX)Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had (HY)amazed them with his magic. 12 But when (HZ)they believed Philip as he preached good news (IA)about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, (IB)they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And (IC)seeing signs and (ID)great miracles[g] performed, (IE)he was amazed.

14 Now when (IF)the apostles at Jerusalem heard that (IG)Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them (IH)that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for (II)he had not yet (IJ)fallen on any of them, but (IK)they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (IL)they laid their hands on them and (IM)they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, (IN)“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God (IO)with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for (IP)your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, (IQ)if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in (IR)the gall[h] of bitterness and in (IS)the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, (IT)“Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, (IU)preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26 Now (IV)an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[i] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an (IW)Ethiopian, a (IX)eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, (IY)who was in charge of all her treasure. (IZ)He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, (JA)“How can I, unless someone (JB)guides me?” And (JC)he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

(JD)“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his (JE)humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and (JF)beginning with this Scripture (JG)he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! (JH)What prevents me from being baptized?”[j] 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, (JI)the Spirit of the Lord (JJ)carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:8 The Greek for you is plural here
  2. Acts 6:1 That is, Greek-speaking Jews
  3. Acts 6:3 Or brothers and sisters
  4. Acts 7:46 Some manuscripts for the house of Jacob
  5. Acts 7:57 Or rushed with one mind
  6. Acts 8:5 Some manuscripts a city
  7. Acts 8:13 Greek works of power
  8. Acts 8:23 That is, a bitter fluid secreted by the liver; bile
  9. Acts 8:26 Or go at about noon
  10. Acts 8:36 Some manuscripts add all or most of verse 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(A) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(B)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(C) has so filled your heart(D) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(E) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(F) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(G) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(H)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(I) And great fear(J) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(K) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(L)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(M) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(N) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(O) 11 Great fear(P) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(Q) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(R) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(S) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(T) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(U) 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.(V) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(W)

The Apostles Persecuted

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(X) of the Sadducees,(Y) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(Z) 19 But during the night an angel(AA) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(AB) and brought them out.(AC) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(AD)

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates(AE) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(AF)—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.(AG) So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests(AH) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people(AI) would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(AJ) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(AK) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(AL)

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(AM) 30 The God of our ancestors(AN) raised Jesus from the dead(AO)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(AP) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(AQ) as Prince and Savior(AR) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(AS) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(AT) and so is the Holy Spirit,(AU) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious(AV) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(AW) a teacher of the law,(AX) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census(AY) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.(AZ) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(BA)

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(BB) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(BC) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(BD) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(BE) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(BF) that Jesus is the Messiah.(BG)

The Choosing of the Seven

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,(BH) the Hellenistic Jews[a](BI) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows(BJ) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.(BK) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples(BL) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God(BM) in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters,(BN) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(BO) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(BP) and will give our attention to prayer(BQ) and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(BR) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(BS) also Philip,(BT) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(BU) and laid their hands on them.(BV)

So the word of God spread.(BW) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,(BX) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(BY) among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(BZ) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(CA) and Asia(CB)—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.(CC)

11 Then they secretly(CD) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”(CE)

12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.(CF) 13 They produced false witnesses,(CG) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(CH) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(CI) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(CJ)

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin(CK) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers,(CL) listen to me! The God of glory(CM) appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.(CN) ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’[b](CO)

“So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.(CP) He gave him no inheritance here,(CQ) not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land,(CR) even though at that time Abraham had no child. God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated.(CS) But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’[c](CT) Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision.(CU) And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth.(CV) Later Isaac became the father of Jacob,(CW) and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.(CX)

“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,(CY) they sold him as a slave into Egypt.(CZ) But God was with him(DA) 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.(DB)

11 “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food.(DC) 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit.(DD) 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was,(DE) and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family.(DF) 14 After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family,(DG) seventy-five in all.(DH) 15 Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died.(DI) 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.(DJ)

17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.(DK) 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’[d](DL) 19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.(DM)

20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child.[e] For three months he was cared for by his family.(DN) 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.(DO) 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians(DP) and was powerful in speech and action.

23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

27 “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?(DQ) 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’[f] 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.(DR)

30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:(DS) 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers,(DT) the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’[g] Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.(DU)

33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.(DV) 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’[h](DW)

35 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’(DX) He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of Egypt(DY) and performed wonders and signs(DZ) in Egypt, at the Red Sea(EA) and for forty years in the wilderness.(EB)

37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’[i](EC) 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel(ED) who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors;(EE) and he received living words(EF) to pass on to us.(EG)

39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.(EH) 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’[j](EI) 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.(EJ) 42 But God turned away from them(EK) and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.(EL) This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:

“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
    forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek
    and the star of your god Rephan,
    the idols you made to worship.
Therefore I will send you into exile’[k](EM) beyond Babylon.

44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law(EN) with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.(EO) 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them.(EP) It remained in the land until the time of David,(EQ) 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.[l](ER) 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.(ES)

48 “However, the Most High(ET) does not live in houses made by human hands.(EU) As the prophet says:

49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.(EV)
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[m](EW)

51 “You stiff-necked people!(EX) Your hearts(EY) and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?(EZ) They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him(FA) 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels(FB) but have not obeyed it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious(FC) and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,(FD) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.(FE) 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open(FF) and the Son of Man(FG) standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city(FH) and began to stone him.(FI) Meanwhile, the witnesses(FJ) laid their coats(FK) at the feet of a young man named Saul.(FL)

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(FM) 60 Then he fell on his knees(FN) and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”(FO) When he had said this, he fell asleep.(FP)

And Saul(FQ) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered(FR) throughout Judea and Samaria.(FS) Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul(FT) began to destroy the church.(FU) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

Those who had been scattered(FV) preached the word wherever they went.(FW) Philip(FX) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many,(FY) and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.(FZ) So there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Sorcerer

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery(GA) in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,(GB) 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”(GC) 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God(GD) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,(GE) both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles(GF) he saw.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria(GG) had accepted the word of God,(GH) they sent Peter and John(GI) to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,(GJ) 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them;(GK) they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(GL) 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them,(GM) and they received the Holy Spirit.(GN)

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!(GO) 21 You have no part or share(GP) in this ministry, because your heart is not right(GQ) before God. 22 Repent(GR) of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me(GS) so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord(GT) and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.(GU)

Philip and the Ethiopian

26 Now an angel(GV) of the Lord said to Philip,(GW) “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[n](GX) eunuch,(GY) an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,(GZ) 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told(HA) Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.”[o](HB)

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began(HC) with that very passage of Scripture(HD) and told him the good news(HE) about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”(HF) [37] [p] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away,(HG) and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns(HH) until he reached Caesarea.(HI)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
  2. Acts 7:3 Gen. 12:1
  3. Acts 7:7 Gen. 15:13,14
  4. Acts 7:18 Exodus 1:8
  5. Acts 7:20 Or was fair in the sight of God
  6. Acts 7:28 Exodus 2:14
  7. Acts 7:32 Exodus 3:6
  8. Acts 7:34 Exodus 3:5,7,8,10
  9. Acts 7:37 Deut. 18:15
  10. Acts 7:40 Exodus 32:1
  11. Acts 7:43 Amos 5:25-27 (see Septuagint)
  12. Acts 7:46 Some early manuscripts the house of Jacob
  13. Acts 7:50 Isaiah 66:1,2
  14. Acts 8:27 That is, from the southern Nile region
  15. Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8 (see Septuagint)
  16. Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include here Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”