³ I, too, decided, as one having a grasp of everything from the start,^[a] to write a well-ordered account for you, most excellent Theophilus,^(A)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach^(A)

²⁵ But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth.^(A)

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.^(A)

³ In every way and everywhere we welcome this with utmost gratitude.^(A)

⁴ Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying,

²⁸ For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials:

²⁵ we have decided unanimously to choose men and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

¹⁹ “Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those gentiles who are turning to God,

Dedication to Theophilus

1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,