⁴⁷ praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.^(A)

⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.^(A)

¹³ None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem.^{(A) 14} Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women,

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

¹⁸ For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.^(A)

⁴¹ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

³⁹ For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”^(A)

¹⁸ The one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and has human approval.^(A)

²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.^(A)

⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,^{(A) 5} he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water^[a] of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.^(B)

⁴⁸ When the gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord, and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.