until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

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.

Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

The Fellowship of the Believers

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all

and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

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

sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

The Apostles Heal Many

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

The Apostles Persecuted

Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

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.

At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

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.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

And Saul approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money