¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter,^[a](A) and on this rock I will build my church,^(B) and the gates of Hades^[b] will not overcome it.

¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;^(A) and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.^(B)

⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(A) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(B) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(C) and to prayer.^{(D) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(E) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(F) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(G) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(H) They broke bread^(I) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(J) And the Lord added to their number^(K) daily those who were being saved.

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria^(A) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.^(B)

²² News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas^(A) to Antioch.

⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.^(A)

²³ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders^[a](A) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,^(B) committed them to the Lord,^(C) in whom they had put their trust.

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then the apostles and elders,^(A) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch^(B) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,^(C) men who were leaders among the believers.

²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock^(A) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.^(B) Be shepherds of the church of God,^[a](C) which he bought^(D) with his own blood.^[b](E)