All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said,

“Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus,

The First Converts

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

“And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task,

And Stephen replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh.

The next day he came to some of them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?’

When the brothers and sisters learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

The Healing of Aeneas

Now as Peter went here and there among all the brothers and sisters, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda.

So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brothers and sisters from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter’s Report to the Church at Jerusalem

Now the apostles and the brothers and sisters who were in Judea heard that the gentiles had also accepted the word of God.

The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

The disciples determined that, according to their ability, each would send relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea;

He motioned to them with his hand to be silent and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the brothers and sisters.” Then he left and went to another place.

After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.”

“Brothers and sisters, you descendants of Abraham’s family and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you;

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

The Council at Jerusalem

Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.

After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers.

After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me.

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers,