Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.

Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),

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 arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.

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

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.

and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.

And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

Cornelius Calls for Peter

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.

Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’

“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’

He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,

and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

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

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”

Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.

When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.

However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island.

As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure,

Paul Ashore on Malta

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’