When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.

Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

The Church’s Growth

So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.

They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.”

but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said, “Fellow Israelites, and you who fear God, listen!

“Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the word of this salvation has been sent.

But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district.

A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.

Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.

After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along.

Then, fearing we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come.