Acts 17:1-15 - Jon B

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Acts 17:1–15 (ESV)
Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 
Acts 17:2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 
Acts 17:3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 
Acts 17:4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 
Acts 17:5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 
Acts 17:6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 
Acts 17:7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 
Acts 17:8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 
Acts 17:9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 
Acts 17:10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 
Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 
Acts 17:12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 
Acts 17:13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 
Acts 17:14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 
Acts 17:15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

 

Acts 16:25-40 - Jon B

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Acts 16:25–40 (ESV)
Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 
Acts 16:26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 
Acts 16:27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 
Acts 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 
Acts 16:29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 
Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 
Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 
Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 
Acts 16:34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. 
Acts 16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 
Acts 16:36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 
Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 
Acts 16:38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 
Acts 16:39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 
Acts 16:40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

 

 

Acts 16:16-24 - Dan Harper

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Acts 16:16–24 (ESV)
Acts 16:16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 
Acts 16:17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 
Acts 16:18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. 
Acts 16:19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 
Acts 16:20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 
Acts 16:21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 
Acts 16:22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 
Acts 16:23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 
Acts 16:24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

 

Acts 16:1-15 - Jon B

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Acts 16:1–15 (ESV)
Acts 16:1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 
Acts 16:2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 
Acts 16:3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 
Acts 16:4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 
Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 
Acts 16:6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 
Acts 16:7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 
Acts 16:8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 
Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 
Acts 16:10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 
Acts 16:11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 
Acts 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 
Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 
Acts 16:14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 
Acts 16:15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

 

Acts 15:36-40 - Jon B

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Acts 15:36–40 (ESV)
Acts 15:36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 
Acts 15:37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 
Acts 15:38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 
Acts 15:39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 
Acts 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

 

Acts 15:22-35 - Jon B

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Acts 15:22–35 (ESV)
Acts 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 
Acts 15:23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 
Acts 15:24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 
Acts 15:25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 
Acts 15:26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Acts 15:27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 
Acts 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 
Acts 15:29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” 
Acts 15:30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 
Acts 15:31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 
Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 
Acts 15:33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 
Acts 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

 

Acts 15:1-21 - Jon B

Acts 15:1–21 (ESV)
Acts 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Acts 15:2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
Acts 15:4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Acts 15:5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
Acts 15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Acts 15:7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Acts 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,
Acts 15:9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Acts 15:11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Acts 15:12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Acts 15:13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
Acts 15:14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
Acts 15:15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
Acts 15:16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
Acts 15:17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things
Acts 15:18 known from of old.’
Acts 15:19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
Acts 15:20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Acts 14:18-28 - Jon B

Acts 14:8–18 (ESV)
Acts 14:8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.
Acts 14:9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
Acts 14:10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.
Acts 14:11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
Acts 14:12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 14:13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to t
Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
Acts 14:15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
Acts 14:16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
Acts 14:17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
14:18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Acts 14:8-18 - Jon B

Acts 14:8–18 (ESV)
Acts 14:8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.
Acts 14:9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
Acts 14:10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.
Acts 14:11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
Acts 14:12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 14:13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
Acts 14:15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
Acts 14:16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
Acts 14:17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
Acts 14:18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to
hem.

Acts 13:42-14:7 - Jon B

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Acts 13:42–14:7 (ESV)
Acts 13:42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 
Acts 13:43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 
Acts 13:44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 
Acts 13:46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 
Acts 13:47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” 
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 
Acts 13:49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 
Acts 13:50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 
Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. 
Acts 14:1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 
Acts 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 
Acts 14:3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 
Acts 14:4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 
Acts 14:5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 
Acts 14:6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 
Acts 14:7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

 

Acts 13:13-41 - Jon B

Acts 13:13–41 (ESV)

Acts 13:13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,
Acts 13:14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.
Acts 13:15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”
Acts 13:16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.
Acts 13:17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Acts 13:18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
Acts 13:19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.
Acts 13:20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
Acts 13:21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
Acts 13:23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
Acts 13:24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 13:25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
Acts 13:26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
Acts 13:27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
Acts 13:28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
Acts 13:29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
Acts 13:30 But God raised him from the dead,
Acts 13:31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
Acts 13:32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,
Acts 13:33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
Acts 13:34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
Acts 13:35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, “ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption,
Acts 13:37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.
Acts 13:38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
Acts 13:39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
Acts 13:40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
Acts 13:41 “ ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ”

Acts 13:4-12 - Jon B

Acts 13:4–12 (ESV)

Acts 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
Acts 13:5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
Acts 13:6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
Acts 13:7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Acts 13:9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
Acts 13:10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
Acts 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Acts 13:1-3 - Dan Harper

Acts 13:1–3 (ESV)

Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13:2 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.”
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 12:20-25 - Jon B

Acts 12:20–25 (ESV)

Acts 12:20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.
Acts 12:21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
Acts 12:22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
Acts 12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Acts 12:24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Acts 12:1-19 - Jon B

Acts 12:1–19 (ESV)

Acts 12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. Acts 12:2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
Acts 12:3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
Acts 12:4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Acts 12:6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.
Acts 12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.
Acts 12:8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
Acts 12:9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
Acts 12:10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
Acts 12:11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Acts 12:12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Acts 12:13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
Acts 12:14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.
Acts 12:15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”
Acts 12:16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
Acts 12:17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
Acts 12:18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
Acts 12:19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Acts 11:19-30 - Jon B

Acts 11:19–30 (ESV)

Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
Acts 11:20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Acts 11:23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
Acts 11:24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Acts 11:28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
Acts 11:29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
Acts 11:30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11:1-18 - Dan Harper

Acts 11:1–18 (ESV)

Acts 11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
Acts 11:2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,
Acts 11:3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Acts 11:4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order:
Acts 11:5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.
Acts 11:6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.
Acts 11:7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
Acts 11:8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
Acts 11:9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’
Acts 11:10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.
Acts 11:11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.
Acts 11:12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
Acts 11:13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;
Acts 11:14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’
Acts 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Acts 11:17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Acts 10:34-48 - Jon B

Acts 10:34–48 (ESV)

Acts 10:34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
Acts 10:35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts 10:36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
Acts 10:37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,
Acts 10:40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,
Acts 10:41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
Acts 10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
Acts 10:47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 10:1-33 - Jon B

Acts 10:1–33 (ESV)

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,
Acts 10:2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”
Acts 10:4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
Acts 10:5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.
Acts 10:6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
Acts 10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,
Acts 10:8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
Acts 10:10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance
Acts 10:11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.
Acts 10:12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.
Acts 10:13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
Acts 10:14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Acts 10:15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”
Acts 10:16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
Acts 10:17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate
Acts 10:18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.
Acts 10:19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.
Acts 10:20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
Acts 10:21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”
Acts 10:22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”
Acts 10:23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Acts 10:24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 10:25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
Acts 10:26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
Acts 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
Acts 10:28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Acts 10:29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing
Acts 10:31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
Acts 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’
Acts 10:33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”