INTRODUCTORY NOTE THE author of "Luke" related in that gospel the story of the life and teachings of Christ, culminating in his rejection and crucifixion by the Jews. In his continuation, "The Acts of the Apostles," the same writer narrates the establishment of the religion of Christ among both Jews and Gentiles, and the beginning of its conquest of the western world. The question of authorship has been touched on in the introductory note to "Luke." The date of composition of the "Acts" is later than that of the gospel, perhaps between 80 and 90 A. D. Though called "The Acts of the Apostles," this book describes in detail the careers of only two of the apostles, Peter and Paul. The first twelve chapters deal with the founding of the Church in Judæa, Samaria, and Syria, and the beginning of the evangelization of the Gentiles. The main figure in this part is Peter, but his career is not followed to its close. The second part is chiefly occupied with accounts of the missionary journeys of Paul, and the spread of Christianity in the Græco-Roman world. It closes with the establishment of his ministry in Rome. In chapters xvi, xx, xxi, and xxvii will be found passages in which the use of "we" seems to imply that the author was himself a member of Paul's party, and it is in this so-called "Diary" that the hand of Luke is most generally acknowledged, even by those critics who do not hold that Luke was the compiler of the gospel and the "Acts" as a whole. The interest of this book is not confined to the narrative of the travels and work of organization performed by the two apostles; it is enormously increased by the accounts of their preaching. In the reports of the addresses to believers and unbelievers of Peter, Stephen, and Paul, we have an invaluable picture of what the earliest Christian missionaries regarded as the essentials of the new religion, and of the form in which Christianity began its victorious contest with Judaism on the one hand, and paganism on the other. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES [1] T I HE former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, [2] until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen: [3] to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: [4] and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: [5] for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence. [6] They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? [7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority. [8] But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. [10] And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; [11] who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 1 Gr. first. 2 Gr. presented. 8 3 Or, eating with them. [12] Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey off. [13] And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. [14] These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. [15] And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty), [16] Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. [17] For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. [18] (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. [19] And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) [20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, and, Let his habitation be made desolate, His office" let another take. [21] Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among" us, [22] beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. [23] And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen, [25] to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas • Or, Jacob. Or, brother. See Jude I. 8 Or, with certain women. io Or, lot. Gr. names. See Rev. 3. 4. 11 Gr. overseership. 3; Or, over. fell away, that he might go to his own place. [26] And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. II [1] AND when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. [6] And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilæans? [8] And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, [10] in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, [11] Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. [12] And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this? [13] But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine. [14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. [15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of 18 Or, unto. 1 Gr. was being fulfilled. 2 Or, parting among them. Or, distributing themselves. |