(dramatic music)
(men shout)
- Watch out the ropes
are going to break.
(girl screams)
- Help!
Get it.
Get it off.
- Get the doctor!
(door knocking)
- There's been an accident.
- [Narrator] Luke
was one of the first
non Jewish converts
to Christianity.
A valued and loyal companion
of the Apostle Paul,
he traveled extensively with him
throughout the Middle
East and Europe.
(peaceful music)
- In my former book, Theophilus,
I wrote about all that Jesus
began to do and to teach
until the day he was
taken up to Heaven.
After giving instructions
through the Holy Spirit
to the Apostles he had chosen.
After his suffering he
showed himself to these men
and gave many convincing
proofs that he was alive.
He appeared to them
over a period of 40 days
and spoke about
the kingdom of God.
On one occasion while
he was eating with them
he gave them this command.
- Do not leave Jerusalem
but wait for the gift
my Father promised
which you have heard
me speak about.
For John baptized with
water but in a few days
he will be baptized
with the Holy Spirit.
- [Luke] So when they met
together they asked him
- Lord are you at this time
going to restore the
Kingdom to Israel?
- [Luke] He said to them.
- It is not for you to
know the times or dates
the Father has set
by his own authority,
but you will receive power
when the Holy
Spirit comes on you.
And you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea and Samaria
and to the ends of the Earth.
- [Luke] After he said
this he was taken up
before their very eyes.
(uplifting mystical music)
And a cloud hid him
from their side.
They were looking intently up
into the sky as he was going,
when suddenly two men dressed
in white stood beside them.
- [Man In White] Men of Galilee.
- [Luke] They said.
- Why do you stand here
looking into the sky?
- This same Jesus who has been
taken from you into Heaven
will come back in the same way
you have seen him
go into Heaven.
- [Luke] Then they
returned to Jerusalem
from the hill called
the Mount of Olives,
a Sabbath day's
walk from the city.
When they arrived they
went upstairs to the room
where they were staying.
Those present were Peter,
John, James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas,
Bartholomew and Matthew.
James son of Alphaeus
and Simon the zealot
and Judas son of James.
They all joined together
constantly in prayer
along with the women and
Mary the mother of Jesus
and with his brothers.
In those days Peter stood
up among the believers
a group numbering
about 120 and said.
- Brothers, the scripture
had to be fulfilled
which the Holy Spirit
spoke long ago.
Through the mouth of
David, concerning Judas
who served as guide for
those who arrested Jesus.
He was one of our number
and shared in his ministry.
- [Luke] With the reward
he got for his wickedness
Judas bought a field.
There he fell headlong,
his body burst open
and all his intestines
spilled out.
Everyone in Jerusalem
heard about this,
so they called that field
in their language Akeldama,
that is field of blood.
For said Peter.
- It is written in
the Book of Psalms,
may his place be deserted,
let there be no
one to dwell in it
and may another take
his place of leadership.
Therefore it is necessary
to choose one of the men
who have been with
us the whole time
the Lord Jesus went
in and out among us.
Beginning from John's
baptism to the time
when Jesus was taken up from us.
For one of these must
become a witness with us
of his resurrection.
- [Luke] So they
proposed two men.
Joseph called Barsabbas,
also known as Justus,
and Matthias.
Then they prayed.
- Lord you know
everyone's heart.
Show us which of these
two you have chosen
to take over this
apostolic ministry
which Judas left to
go where he belongs.
- [Luke] Then they cast lots
and the lot fell to Matthias,
so he was added to
the 11 Apostles.
When the day of Pentecost came
they were all
together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the
blowing of a violent wind
came from Heaven and
filled the whole house
where they were sitting.
(uplifting mystical music)
They saw what seemed
to be tongues of fire
that separated and came
to rest on each of them.
(people cheer)
All of them were filled
with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other
tongues as the spirit enabled.
(people cheer and laugh)
Now they were
staying in Jerusalem,
God-fearing Jews from
every nation under Heaven,
when they heard this sound
a crowd came together
in bewilderment,
because each one heard them
speaking in his own language.
Utterly amazed they asked.
- Are not all these men
who are speaking Galileens?
Then how is it that
each of us hears them
in his own native language?
- Parthians, Medes and Elamites,
residents of Mesopotamia.
- Judea and Cappadocia.
Pontus and Asia,
Phrygia and Pamphylia.
Egypt and the parts
of Libya near Cyrene.
- Visitors from Rome, both
Jews and converts to Judaism.
Cretans and Arabs.
- We hear them declaring
the oneness of God
in our own tongues.
- [Luke] Amazed and perplexed
they ask one another
- What does this mean?
- [Luke] Some however
made fun of them and said
- They have had too much wine.
(people laughing)
- [Luke] Then Peter
stood up with the 11,
raised his voice and
addressed the crowd.
- Fellow Jews,
and all of you who
live in Jerusalem.
Let me explain this to you.
Listen carefully to what I say.
These men are not
drunk, as you suppose,
it's only nine in the morning.
No, this is what was
spoken by the prophet Joel.
"In the last days" God says,
"I will pour out my
spirit on all people,
"your sons and
daughters will prophesy.
"Your young men
will see visions.
"Your old men will dream dreams.
"Even on my servants
both men and women
"I will pour out my
spirit in those days,
"and they will prophesy.
"I will show wonders
in the Heaven above
"and signs on the Earth below.
"Blood and fire and
billows of smoke.
"The Sun will be turned to
darkness and the moon to blood
"before the coming of
"the great and glorious
day of the Lord.
"And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord
"will be saved."
Men of Israel, listen to this
Jesus of Nazareth was
a man accredited by God
to you by miracles
wonders and signs.
Which God did among you through
him as you yourselves know.
This man was handed over
to you by God set purpose
and foreknowledge,
and you with the help of
wicked men put him to death
by nailing him to the cross.
But God raised
him from the dead.
Freeing him from
the agony of death
because it was impossible for
death to keep its hold on him.
David said about him
"I saw the Lord always before me
"because he is at my right hand.
"I will not be shaken,
"therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices.
"My body also will live in hope
"because you will not
abandon me to the grave,
"nor will you let your
Holy One see decay.
"You have made known to
be the paths of life.
"You will fill me with
joy in your presence."
Brothers I can tell
you confidently
that the patriarch David
d*ed and was buried
and his tomb is
here to this day.
But he was a prophet
and knew that God had
promised him on oath
that he would place one of
his descendants on his throne.
Seeing what was ahead
he spoke of the
resurrection of the Christ.
That he was not
abandoned to the grave,
nor did his body see decay.
God has raised
this Jesus to life
and we are all
witnesses of the fact.
Exalted to the
right hand of God,
his receive from the Father
the promised Holy Spirit
and has poured out what
you now see and hear.
For David did not ascend
to Heaven and yet he said
"the Lord said to my
lord sit at my right hand
"until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."
Therefore let all Israel
be assured of this.
God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ.
- [Luke] When the
people heard this
they were cut to the
heart and said to Peter
and the other Apostles
- Brothers.
What shall we do?
- [Luke] Peter replied
- Repent and be baptized.
Every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ.
For the forgiveness
of your sins.
And you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit.
The promise is for
you and your children
and for all who are far off.
For all whom the Lord
our God looks upon.
- With many other
words he warned them
and he pleaded with
them save yourselves
from this corrupt generation.
Those who accepted his
message were baptized
and about 3,000 were added
to their number that day.
They devoted themselves
to the Apostles teaching
and to the fellowship,
to the breaking of
bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with
awe and many wonders
and miraculous signs were
done by the Apostles.
All the believers were together
and had everything in common.
Selling their
possessions and goods
they gave to anyone
as he had need.
Every day they continued
to meet together
in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their
homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts.
Praising God and enjoying
the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to
their number daily,
those who were being saved.
One day, Peter and John
were going up to the temple
at the time of prayer, at
three in the afternoon.
Now a man crippled 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.
When he saw Peter and
John about to enter
he asked them for money.
Peter looked straight at him,
as did John, then Peter said
- Look at us.
- [Luke] So the man
gave them his attention,
expecting to get
something from them.
Then Peter said
- Silver or gold I do not have.
But what I have I give you
in the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, walk.
(uplifting music)
- [Luke] Taking him by the
right hand he helped him up
and instantly the man's feet
and ankles became strong.
He jumped to his feet
and began to walk.
(man laughs)
Then he went with them
into the temple courts.
Walking and jumping
and praising God.
When all the people saw him
walking and praising God,
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.
While the beggar held
on to Peter and John,
all the people were astonished
and came running to them
in the place called
Solomon's Colonnade.
When Peter saw this
he said to them
- Men of Israel, why
does this surprise you?
Why do you stare at us
as if by our own power
or Godliness we had
made this man walk?
The God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.
The God of Our Fathers has
glorified his servant Jesus.
You handed him over to be k*lled
and you disowned
him before Pilate.
Though he had decided
to let him go.
You disowned the holy
and righteous one
and asked that a m*rder*r
be released to you.
You k*lled the author of life.
But God raised him from the
dead, we are witnesses of this
by faith in the name of Jesus,
this man whom you see
and know was made strong.
It is Jesus name and the
faith that comes through him
that has given this
complete healing to him
as you can all see.
Now brothers I know that
you acted in ignorance,
as did your leaders,
but this is how God fulfilled
what he had foretold
through all the prophets
saying that his
Christ would suffer.
Repent then and turn to God,
so that your sins
may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing
may come from the Lord
and that he may send the Christ
who has been appointed for you.
Even Jesus, he must remain in
Heaven until the time comes
for God to restore everything,
as he promised long ago
through his Holy Prophets.
For Moses said "the Lord your
God will raise up for you
"a prophet like me, from
among your own people."
You must listen to
everything he tells you,
anyone who does not listen to
him will be completely cut off
from among his people.
Indeed all the prophets
from Samuel on,
as many as have spoken,
have foretold these days
and you are heirs
of the prophets
and of the Covenant God
made with your fathers.
He said to Abraham
"through your offspring
"all peoples on Earth
will be blessed."
When God raised up his servant,
he sent him first to you,
to bless you by turning each
of you from your wicked ways.
- [Luke] The priests and the
captain of the temple guard
and the Sadducees came
up to Peter and John
while they were
speaking to the people.
They were greatly disturbed
because the Apostles
were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the
resurrection of the Dead.
They seized Peter and John
and because it was evening
they put them in jail
until the next day.
But many who heard
the message believed
and the number of men
grew to about 5,000.
The next day the rulers,
elders and teachers of the law
met in Jerusalem.
Annas, the high priest was there
and so were Caiaphas,
John, Alexander
and the other men of
the high priests family.
They had Peter and John
brought before them
and began to question them.
- By what power or what
name did you do this?
- [Luke] Then Peter filled with
the Holy Spirit said to them
- Rulers and elders
of the people,
if we are being called
to account today
for an act of kindness
shown to a cr*pple
and are asked how he was healed,
then know this.
You and all the
people of Israel,
it is by the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom you crucified but whom
God raised from the dead
that this man stands
before you healed.
He is the stone you
builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.
Salvation is found
in no one else,
for there is no other
name under Heaven
given to men by which
we must be saved.
- [Luke] When they saw the
courage of Peter and John
and realized that they were
unschooled ordinary men,
they were astonished
and they took note that these
men had been with Jesus.
But since they could see
the man who had been healed
standing there with them,
there was nothing
they could say.
So they ordered them to
withdraw from the Sanhedrin
and then conferred together.
- What are we going
to do with these men?
- [Luke] They asked.
- Everybody living in Jerusalem
knows they have done
an outstanding miracle
and we cannot deny it.
But, to stop this thing
from spreading any further
among the people we must warn
these men to speak no longer
to anyone in this name.
(dramatic music)
- [Luke] Then they
called them in again
and commanded them not
to speak or teach at all
in the name of Jesus.
When Peter and John replied
- Judge for yourselves whether
it is right to God's sight
to obey you, rather than God.
- For we cannot
help speaking about
what we have seen and heard.
- [Luke] After further
threats they let them go.
They could not decide
how to punish them
because all the people
were praising God
for what had happened.
For the man who was
miraculously healed
was over 40 years old.
On their release,
Peter and John went
back to their own people
and reported all that the
chief priests and elders
had said to them.
When they heard this
they raised their voices
together in prayer to God.
- Sovereign Lord.
- [Luke] They said
- You made the Heaven
and the Earth and the sea
and everything in them.
- You spoke by the Holy Spirit
through the mouth of your
servant, our Father David.
Why did the nation's rage?
And the people's plot in vain?
The Kings of the
Earth take their stand
and the rulers gathered
together against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
- Indeed, Herod and
Pontius Pilate met together
with the Gentiles and the
people of Israel in this city
to conspire against
your holy servant Jesus,
whom you anointed.
- They did what
your power and will
had decided beforehand
should happen.
- Now Lord, consider
their threats
and enable your servants
to speak your word
with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand to heal
and perform miraculous
signs and wonders
through the name of
your holy servant Jesus.
- [Luke] After they prayed
the place where they
were meeting was shaken.
And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit
and spoke the Word
of God boldly.
All the believers were
one in heart and mind.
No one claimed that any of
his possessions was his own
but they shared
everything they had.
With great power the
Apostles continued to testify
to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus.
And much grace
was upon them all.
There were no needy
persons among them.
For from time to time
those who owned lands
or houses sold them,
brought the money from the sales
and put it at the Apostles feet
and it was distributed
to anyone as he 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.
Now a man named Ananias,
together with his wife Sapphire
also sold a piece of property.
With his wife's full knowledge
he kept back part of
the money for himself
but brought the rest and put
it at the Apostle's feet.
Then Peter said
"Ananias how is it that Satan
has so filled your heart
"that you have lied
to the Holy Spirit?
"And have kept for
yourself some of the money
"you received for the land?
"Didn't it belong to
you before it was sold?
"And after it was sold, wasn't
the money at your disposal?
"What made you think
of doing such a thing?
"You have not lied
to man, but to God."
When Ananias heard this,
he fell down and d*ed.
Great fear seized all who
heard what had happened.
Then the young men came
forward wrapped up his body
and carried him
out and buried him.
About three hours
later his wife came in
not knowing what had happened.
Peter asked her "tell
me is this the price
"you and Ananias
got for the land?"
"Yes" she said
"that is the price."
Peter said to her
"how could you agree
"to test the Spirit of the Lord?
"Look the feet of the men
who buried your husband
"are at the door and they
will carry you out also."
At that moment she fell
down at his feet and d*ed.
Then the young men came
in and finding her dead
carried her out and buried
her beside her husband.
Great fear seized
the whole Church
and all who heard
about these events.
The Apostles performed
many miraculous signs
and wonders among the
people and all the believers
used to be together in
Solomon's colonnade.
No one else dared joined them,
even though they were highly
regarded by the people.
Nevertheless more and
more men and women
believed in the Lord, were
added to their number.
(people chatter)
As a result people brought
the sick into the streets
laid them on beds and mats
so that at least Peter's shadow
might fall on some of them
as he passed by.
(uplifting music)
Crowds gathered also from
the towns around Jerusalem,
bringing their sick and those
tormented by evil spirits
and all of them were healed.
Then the high priest
and all his associates
who were members of
the party the Sadducees
were filled with jealousy.
They arrested the Apostles and
put them in the public jail.
But during the night
an Angel of the Lord
opened the doors of the
jail and brought the out.
(mystical music)
- Go stand in the temple courts.
- [Luke] He said.
- And tell the people the
full message of this new life.
- [Luke] At daybreak they
entered the temple courts
as they had been told and
began to teach to 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.
But on arriving at the jail
the officers did
not find them there.
So they went back and reported.
- We found the jail
securely locked
with the guard
standing at the doors.
But when we opened them
we found no one inside.
- [Luke] On hearing this report,
the captain of the temple guard
and the chief
priests were puzzled.
Wondering what
would come of this.
Yhen someone came and said
- Look the men you put in jail
are standing in the temple
courts, teaching the people.
- [Luke] At that, the captain
went with his officers
and brought the Apostles.
They did not use the force
because they feared that
the people would stone them.
Having brought the Apostles,
they made them appear
before the Sanhedrin
to be questioned
by the high priest.
- We gave you strict orders
not to teach in this name.
- [Luke] He said.
- Yet you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching.
And are determined to make us
guilty of this man's blood.
- [Luke] Peter and the
other Apostles replied
- We must obey God
rather than men.
The God of Our Fathers
raised Jesus from the dead,
whom you had k*lled by
hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him to his own
right hand as Prince and Savior,
that he might give repentance
and forgiveness
of sins to Israel.
(men shout)
- We are witnesses of these
things and so is the Holy Spirit
whom God has given to
those who obey him.
- [Luke] When they heard
this they were furious
and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,
a teacher of the law,
who was honored
by all the people,
stood up in the Sanhedrin
and ordered that the men be
put outside for a little while.
(dramatic music)
Then he addressed them.
- Men of Israel,
consider carefully what you
intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared,
claiming to be somebody
and about 400 men
rallied to him.
He was k*lled.
All his followers were dispersed
and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the
Galilean appeared,
in the days of the census
and led a band of
people in revolt.
He too was k*lled and all
his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case,
I advise you leave
these men alone.
Let them go.
(dramatic music)
For if their purpose or
activity is of human origin,
it will fail.
But if it is from God,
you will not be able
to stop these men.
You will only find yourselves
fighting against God.
- 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.
Day after day in the temple
courts and from house to house
they never stopped teaching
and proclaiming the good news,
that Jesus is the Christ.
In those days when the number
of disciples was increasing,
the Grecians youths among them
complained against
the Hebraic Jews
because their widows
were being overlooked
in the daily
distribution of food.
So the 12 gathered all
the disciples together
and said "it would
not be right for us
"to neglect the Ministry
of the Word of God
"in order to wait on tables.
"Brothers choose seven
men from among you
"who are known to be full
of the Spirit and wisdom.
"We will turn this
responsibility over to them.
"We'll give our
attention to prayer
"and the Ministry of the Word."
This proposal pleased
the whole group.
They chose Stephen,
a man full of faith
and of the Holy Spirit.
Also Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas and Nicolaus from
Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these
men to the Apostles,
who prayed and laid
their hands on them.
So the Word of God spread.
The number of disciples in
Jerusalem increased rapidly
and a large number of priests
became obedient to the faith.
Now Stephen, a man full
of God's grace and power,
did great wonders and miraculous
signs among the people.
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 Silesia and Asia.
These men began to
argue with Stephen
but they could not stand
up against his wisdom
or the spirit by whom he spoke.
Then they secretly
persuaded some men to say
"we have heard Stephens
speak words of blasphemy
"against Moses and against God."
So they stirred up the
people and the elders
and the teachers of the law.
They seized Stephen and brought
him before the Sanhedrin.
They produced false
witnesses who testified
- This fellow never
stopped speaking
against this Holy place
and against the law.
- For we have heard him say
that this Jesus of Nazareth
will destroy this place
and change the customs
Moses handed down to us.
- [Luke] All who were
sitting in the Sanhedrin
looked intently at Stephen
and they saw that his face
was like the face of an Angel.
Then the high priest asked him
- Are these charges true?
- [Luke] To this he replied
- Brothers and
fathers, listen to me.
The God of Glory appeared
to our Father Abraham
while he was still
in Mesopotamia,
before he lived in Haran.
"Leave your country and
your people" God said
"and go to the land
I will show you."
So he left the land of the
Chaldeans and settled in Iran.
After the death of his Father,
God sent him to this land
where you are now living.
He gave him no inheritance here,
not even a foot of ground.
But God promised him
he and his descendants after
him would possess the land.
Even though at that time
Abraham had no child.
God spoke to him in this way.
Your descendants
will be strangers
in a country not their own.
And they will be enslaved
and mistreated for 400 years.
"But I will punish the
nation they serve as slaves."
God said "and afterward they
will come out of that country
"and worship me in this place."
Then he gave Abraham the
Covenant of Circumcision
and Abraham became
the father of Isaac
and circumcised him eight
days after his birth.
Later Isaac became
the father of Jacob
and Jacob became the
father to 12 patriarchs.
Because the patriarchs
were jealous of Joseph
they sold him as a
sl*ve into Egypt,
but God was with him and rescued
him from all his troubles.
He gave Joseph wisdom
and enabled him to
gain the good will
of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
So he made him ruler over
Egypt and all his palace,
then a famine struck
all Egypt and Canaan,
bringing great suffering.
And our Fathers
could not find food.
When Jacob heard that
there was grain in Egypt,
he sent our Fathers
on their first visit.
On their second visit Joseph
told his brothers who he was
and Pharaoh learned
about Joseph's family.
After this Joseph sent
for his father Jacob
and his whole family, 75 in all,
then Jacob went down to Egypt
where he and our fathers d*ed.
Their bodies were
brought back to Shechem
and placed in a tomb
that Abraham had bought
from the sons of
Hamor at Shechem
for a certain sum of money.
As the time drew near
for God to fulfill his
promise to Abraham,
the number of our people
in Egypt greatly increased.
Then another King who
knew nothing about Joseph
became ruler of Egypt.
He dealt treacherously
with our people
and oppressed our foreFathers
by forcing them to throw out
their newborn babies,
so that they would die.
At that time Moses was born
and he was no ordinary child.
For three months he was cared
for in his Father's house,
when he was placed outside,
Pharaoh's daughter took him
and brought him
up as her own son.
Moses was educated in all
the wisdom of the Egyptians
and most powerful in
speech and action.
When Moses was 40 years old
he decided to visit
his fellow Israelites.
He saw one of them being
mistreated by an Egyptian
so he went to his defense
and avenged him by
k*lling the Egyptian.
Moses thought that his
own people would realize
that God was using him to
rescue them, but they did not.
The next day Moses came
upon two Israelites
who were fighting.
He tried to reconcile
them by saying
"men you are brothers.
"Why do you want to
hurt each other?"
But the man who was
mistreating the other,
pushed Moses aside and said
"who made you ruler
and judge over us?
"Do you want to k*ll me
"as you k*lled the
Egyptian yesterday?"
When Moses heard this
he fled to Midian,
where he settled as a
foreigner and had two sons.
After 40 years had passed,
an Angel appeared to Moses in
the flames of a burning bush
in the desert near Mount Sinai.
When he saw this he was
amazed at the sight.
As he went over to
look more closely,
he heard the Lord's voice.
"I am the God of your Father's.
"The God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob."
Moses trembled with fear
and did not dare to look.
Then the Lord said to him
"take off your sandals.
"The place where you are
standing is holy ground.
"I have indeed seen
the oppression of
my people in Egypt.
"I have heard their groaning
"and have come down
to set them free.
"Now come, I will send
you back to Egypt."
This is the same Moses
whom they had rejected
with the words "who made
you ruler and judge?"
He was sent to be their ruler
and deliverer by God himself
through the Angel who
appeared to him in the bush.
He led them out of Egypt
and did wonders and
miraculous signs
in Egypt at the Red Sea,
for 40 years in the desert.
This is that Moses who
told the Israelites
"God will send you a prophet
like me from your own people."
He was in the
Assembly in the desert
with the Angel who spoke
to him on Mount Sinai
and with our fathers
and he received living
words to pass on to us.
But our Fathers
refused to obey him.
Instead they rejected
him and in their hearts
turned back to Egypt.
They told Aaron "make us
Gods who will go before us.
"As for this fellow Moses
who led us out of Egypt,
"we don't know what
has happened to him."
That was the time they made
an idol in the form of a calf.
They brought sacrifices to
it and held a celebration
in honor of what
their hands had made.
But God turned away
and gave them over to the
worship of the Heavenly bodies.
This agrees with what is written
in the book of the Prophets.
"Did you bring me sacrifices
"and offerings 40 years in the
desert oh house of Israel?"
"You have lifted up
the shrine of Moloch
"and the star of
your God Rephan,
"the idols you made the worship.
"Therefore I will send you
into exile beyond Babylon."
Our forefathers had the
tabernacle of the testimony
with them in the desert.
It had been made as
God directed Moses
according to the
pattern he had seen.
Having received the tabernacle,
our Fathers under Joshua
brought it with them
when they took the
land from the nation's
God drove out before them.
It remained in the land
until the time of David
who enjoyed God's favor and
asked that he might provide
a dwelling place for
the God of Jacob.
But it was Solomon who
built the house for him.
However the most high does not
live in houses made by men.
As the prophet says
"Heaven is my throne and
the Earth is my footstool."
"What kind of house
will you build for me?"
says the Lord.
"Oh where will my
resting place be?
"Has not my hand made
all these things?"
You stiff-necked people with
uncircumcised hearts and ears.
You're just like your father's,
you always resist
the Holy Spirit.
Was there ever a prophet your
fathers did not persecute?
They even k*lled
those who predicted
the coming of the righteous one
and now you have betrayed
and m*rder*d him.
You, who have received the law
that was put into
effect through Angels
but have not obeyed it.
(men shout)
- [Luke] When they heard
this, they were furious
and gnashed their teeth at him.
But Stephen, full of the Holy
Spirit looked up to Heaven
and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at
the right hand of God.
- Look.
- [Luke] He said.
- I see Heaven opened
and the Son of man standing
at the right hand of God.
(men shouting)
- [Luke] As they
covered their ears,
yelling at the top
of their voices,
they all rushed in.
(dramatic music)
Dragged him out of the city
and began to stone him.
Meanwhile the witnesses
laid their clothes
at the feet of a
young man named Saul.
While they were stoning
him, Stephen prayed.
- Oh Jesus, receive my spirit.
- [Luke] And then he
fell on his knees.
He cried out.
- Lord do not hold
this sin against them.
- [Luke] When he said
this, he fell asleep.
(men shouting)
And Saul was there, giving
approval to his death.
(woman shouting)
On that day a great persecution
broke out against the
Church in Jerusalem.
All except the
Apostles were scattered
throughout Judea and Samaria.
Godly men buried Stephen
and mourned deeply for him,
but Saul began to
destroy the Church.
Going from house to house
he dragged off men and women
and put them in prison.
(people shouting)
(dramatic music)
Those who had been
scattered preached the Word
wherever they went.
Philip went down to
a city in Samaria
and proclaimed the Christ there.
When the crowds heard Philip
and saw the miraculous
signs he did,
they all paid close
attention to what he said.
With shrieks, evil
spirits came out of many.
And many paralytics and
cripples were healed.
So there was great
joy in that city.
Now for some time a man named
Simon had practiced sorcery
in the city and amazed
all the people of Samaria.
(mystical music)
He boasted that he
was someone great
and all the people
both high and low
gave him their
attention and exclaimed
- This man has the Divine
power and has the great power.
- [Luke] They followed him
because he had amazed them
for a long time with his magic.
(Simon laughs)
(man screams)
- But when they believed
Philip as he preached
the good news of
the Kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized
both men and women.
Simon himself believed
and was baptized
and he followed
Philip everywhere,
astonished by the great
signs and miracles he saw.
- When the Apostles in Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had
accepted the Word of God,
they sent Peter
and John to them.
When they arrived,
they prayed for them that they
might receive the Holy Spirit
because the Holy Spirit had
not yet come upon any of them.
They had simply been baptized
into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then Peter and John
placed their hands on them
and they received
the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit
was given at the laying
on of the Apostles hands,
he offered them money and said
"give me also this ability,
"so that everyone on
whom I lay my hands
"may receive the Holy Spirit."
Peter answered
- May your money perish with
you, because you thought
you could buy the gift
of God with money.
You have no part or
share in this Ministry,
because your heart is
not right before God.
Repent of this wickedness
and pray to the Lord.
Perhaps he will forgive you
for having such a
thought in your heart.
For I see that you
are full of bitterness
and c*ptive to sin.
- [Luke] Then Simon answered
- Pray to the Lord for me.
So that nothing you have
said may happen to me.
- [Luke] When they had testified
and proclaimed the
Word of the Lord,
Peter and John
returned to Jerusalem,
preaching the gospel in
many Samaritan villages.
(peaceful music)
Now an Angel of the
Lord said to Philip
- [Angel] Go south to the road.
The desert road that goes
down from Jerusalem to Gaza.
- [Luke] So he started out.
And on his way he met
an Ethiopian eunuch,
an important official in
charge of all the Treasury
of Candace, Queen
of the Ethiopians.
This man had gone to
Jerusalem to worship
and on his way home was
sitting in his chariot
reading The Book of
Isaiah the Prophet.
The Spirit told Philip.
- [Spirit] Go to that
chariot and stay near it.
- Then Philip ran
up to the chariot
and heard the man reading
Isaiah the Prophet.
- Do you understand
what you're reading?
- [Luke] Philip asked.
- How can I?
- [Luke] He said.
- Unless someone
explains it to me.
- [Luke] So he invited Philip
to come up and sit with him.
The eunuch was reading
this passage of Scripture.
- "He was led like a
sheep to the slaughter
"and as a lamb before
the shearer is silent
"so he did not open his mouth.
"In his humiliation he
was deprived of justice.
"Who can speak of
his descendants,
"for his life was
taken from the Earth."
- [Luke] The eunuch asked Philip
- Tell me please, who is
the prophet talking about?
Himself or someone else?
- [Luke] Then Philip began
with that very
passage of Scripture
and told him the good
news about Jesus.
As they traveled along the
road they came to some water
and the eunuch said
- Look, there is water.
Why shouldn't I be baptized?
- [Luke] And he gave
orders to stop the chariot.
Then both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water
and Philip baptized him.
When they came up
out of the water
the Spirit of the Lord
suddenly took Philip away.
(Eunuch groans)
And the eunuch did
not see him again
but went on his way rejoicing.
(Eunuch laughs)
Philip however,
appeared at Azotus
and traveled about preaching
the gospel in all the towns
until he reached Caesarea.
Meanwhile Saul was still
breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord's disciples.
He went to the high priests
and asked him for letters
to the Synagogues in Damascus.
So that if he found any there
who belonged to the way,
whether men are women,
he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem.
(dramatic music)
(horse whinnies)
As he neared Damascus
on his journey
suddenly a light from
Heaven flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and
heard a voice say to him
- Saul.
Saul.
Why do you persecute me?
- Who are you?
Lord.
- [Luke] Saul asked.
- I am Jesus, whom
you are persecuting.
- [Luke] He replied.
- Now get up and
go into the city
and you will be told
what you must do.
- [Luke] The men traveling what
Saul stood there speechless.
They heard the sound
but did not see anyone.
Saul got up from the ground
but when he opened his
eyes he could see nothing.
So they let him by the
hand into Damascus.
For three days he was blind
and did not eat
or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a
disciple named Ananias,
the Lord called to
him in a vision.
- [Lord] Ananias.
(mystical music)
- Yes Lord.
- [Luke] He answered.
The Lord told him
- [Lord] Go to the house of
Judas, on Straight Street
and ask for a man from Tarsus
named Saul for he is praying.
In a vision he has seen
a man named Ananias
come and place hands on
him to restore his sight.
- Lord.
- [Luke] Ananias answered.
- I've heard many
reports about this man
and of all the harm he has done
to your Saints in Jerusalem.
And he has come here with
authority from the chief priests
to arrest all who
call on your name.
- [Luke] But the
Lord said to Ananias
- [Lord] Go.
This man is my chosen instrument
to carry my name before the
Gentiles and their Kings
and before the people of Israel.
I will show him how much
he must suffer for my name.
(door knocking)
- [Luke] Then Ananias went
to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands
on Saul he said
- Brother Saul,
the Lord Jesus who
appeared to you on the road
as you were coming
here, has sent me,
so that you may see again.
And be filled with
the Holy Spirit.
- [Luke] Immediately
something like scales
fell from Saul's eyes
and he could see again.
(Saul laughs)
(mystical music)
(Saul laughs)
He got up and was baptized.
And after taking some food,
he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with
the disciples in Damascus.
At once he began to
preach in the Synagogue's
that Jesus is the Son of God.
All those who heard it
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?
- Yet Saul grew more
and more powerful
and baffled the Jews
living in Damascus
by proving that
Jesus is the Christ.
After many days had gone by,
the Jews conspired to k*ll him.
But Saul learned of their plan.
Day and night, they kept
close watch on the city gates
in order to k*ll him.
But his followers
took him by night
and lowered him in a basket
through an opening in the wall.
(uplifting music)
When he came to Jerusalem he
tried to join the disciples
but they were all afraid of him.
Not believing that he
really was a disciple.
But Barnabas took him,
brought him to the Apostles.
He told them how Saul on his
journey had seen the Lord.
And that the Lord
had spoken to him.
And how in Damascus
he had preached
fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
So Saul stayed with him
and moved about
freely in Jerusalem.
Speaking boldly in
the name of the Lord.
He talked and debated
with the Grecian Jews,
but they tried to k*ll him.
When the brothers
learned of this
they took him down to Caesarea
and sent him off to Tarsus.
Then the Church throughout
Judea, Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed a time of peace.
It was strengthened
and encouraged by
the Holy Spirit.
It grew in numbers, living
in the fear of the Lord.
As Peter traveled
about the country
he went to visit
the Saints in Lydda.
There he found a
man named Aeneas.
A paralytic who'd been
bedridden for eight years.
"Aeneas," Peter said to him.
"Jesus Christ heals you, get
up and take care of your mat."
Immediately, Aeneas got up.
All those who lived in
Lydda and Sharon saw him
and turned to the Lord.
In Joppa there was a
disciple named Tabitha.
Which when translated is Dorcas,
who was always doing good
and helping the poor.
Now about that time she
became sick and d*ed
and her body was washed and
placed in an upstairs room.
Lydda was near Joppa,
so when the disciples heard
that Peter was in Lydda,
they send two men to him
and urged him "please
come at once."
Peter went with them
and when he arrived he was
taken upstairs to the room.
All the widows stood
around him crying
and showing him the
robes and other clothing
that Dorcas had made while
she was still with them.
Peter sent them all
out of the room,
then he got down on
his knees and prayed.
Turning toward the dead woman
he said "Tabitha, get up."
She opened her eyes and
seeing Peter she sat up.
He took her by the hand,
helped her to her feet
then he called the
believers and the widows
and presented her to them alive.
This became known
all over Joppa,
many people believed
in the Lord.
Peter stayed in
Joppa for some time
with a tanner named Simon.
At Caesarea there was
a man named Cornelius.
A centurion in what was known
as the Italian regiment.
He and all his family were
devout and God-fearing.
He gave generously
to those in need
and prayed to God regularly.
One day at about three in the
afternoon, he had a vision.
He distinctly saw an Angel of
God who came to him and said
- Cornelius.
- [Luke] Cornelius
stared at him in fear.
- What is it Lord?
- [Luke] He asked.
The Angel answered
- Your prayers and
gifts to the poor
have come up as a memorial
offering before God.
Now send men to Joppa to
bring back a man named Simon,
who is called Peter.
He is staying with
Simon the tanner
whose house is by the sea.
- When the Angel
who spoke had gone.
(bell rings)
Cornelius called two of his
servants and a devout soldier
who was one of his attendants.
He told him everything
that had happened
and sent them to Joppa.
About noon the following day
as they were on their journey,
and approaching the city.
Peter went up on
the roof to pray.
He became hungry,
wanted something to eat
and while the meal was being
prepared he fell into a trance.
He saw Heaven opened
and something like a large
sheet being let down to Earth
by its four corners.
It contained all kinds
of four-footed animals,
as well as reptiles of the
Earth, birds of the air,
then a voice told him "get
up Peter, k*ll and eat."
"Surely not Lord,"
Peter replied.
"I have never eaten
anything impure or unclean."
The voice spoke to
him a second time
"do not call anything impure
that God has made clean."
This happened three times
and immediately the sheet
was taken back to Heaven.
While Peter was wondering about
the meaning of the vision,
the men sent by Cornelius found
out where Simon's house was
and stopped at the gate.
They called out asking if Simon
who was known as Peter
was staying there.
While Peter was still
thinking about the vision
the spirit said to him
- [Spirit] Simon, three
men are looking for you.
So get up and go downstairs.
Do not hesitate to go with
them, for I have sent them.
- [Luke] Peter went
down and said to the men
- I'm the one
you're looking for.
Why have you come?
- [Luke] The men replied
- We have come from
Cornelius, the centurion,
he's a righteous
and God-fearing man
who is respected by
all the Jewish people.
A Holy Angel told him to
have you come to his house
so that he could hear
what you have to say.
- [Luke] Then Peter invited
the men into the house
to be his guests.
The next day Peter
started out with them
and some of the brothers
from Joppa went along.
The following day he
arrived in Caesarea.
Cornelius was expecting them
and had called together his
relatives and close friends.
As Peter entered the
house Cornelius met him
and fell at his
feet in reverence.
But Peter made him get up.
- Stand up.
- [Luke] he said.
- I am only a man myself.
- [Luke] Talking with
him Peter went inside
and found a large
gathering of people.
He said to them
- You are well aware that it
is against our law for a Jew
to associate with a
Gentile or visit him.
But God has shown me that
I should not call any
man impure or unclean.
So when I was sent for I came
without raising any objection.
May I ask why you sent for me?
- [Luke] Cornelius answered
- Four days ago I was in my
house praying, at this hour,
at three in the afternoon.
Suddenly a man in shining
clothes stood before me
and said "Cornelius, God
has heard your prayer
"and remembered your
gifts to the poor.
"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."
So I sent for you immediately.
It was good of you to come.
Now we are all here in
the presence of God,
to listen to everything
the Lord has commanded
you to tell us.
- [Luke] Then Peter
began to speak.
- I now realize how true it is
that God does not
show favoritism
but accepts men
from every nation
who fear Him and
do what is right.
You know the message God
sent to the people of Israel.
Telling the good news of
peace through Jesus Christ,
who is Lord of all.
You know what has
happened throughout Judea
beginning in Galilee
after the baptism,
that John preached to our God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
And how he went around
doing good and healing
all who were under
the power of the devil
because God was with him.
We are witnesses of
everything he did
in the country of the
Jews and in Jerusalem.
They k*lled him by
hanging him on a tree,
but God raised him from
the dead on the third day
and caused him to be seen.
He was not seen
by all the people,
but by witnesses whom
God had already chosen.
By us, who ate and
drank with him.
After he rose from the dead
he commanded us to
preach to the people
and to testify that he is
the one whom God appointed
as judge of the
living and the dead.
All the prophets
testify about Him,
that everyone who
believes in Him
receives forgiveness of
sins through his name.
- [Luke] While Peter was
still speaking these words
the Holy Spirit came on
all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers
who had come with Peter
were astonished that the
gift of the Holy Spirit
had been poured out
even on the Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking
in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said
- Can anyone keep these people
from being baptized with water?
They have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have.
- [Luke] So he ordered
that they be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked Peter to stay
with them for a few days.
(uplifting music)
(Cornelius and Peter laugh)
The Apostles and the
brothers throughout Judea
heard that the Gentiles also
had received the Word of God,
so when Peter went
up to Jerusalem,
the circumcised believers
criticized him and said
- He ranged into the
hearts of uncircumcised men
and ate with them.
- [Luke] Peter began and
explained everything to them
precisely as it had happened.
- I was in the city
of Joppa praying.
And in a trance I saw a vision,
I saw something
like a large sheet
being let down from Heaven
by its four corners.
And it came down to where I was.
I looked into it I saw four
footed animals of the Earth,
wild beasts, reptiles
and birds of the air.
Then I heard a voice
telling me "get up Peter.
"k*ll and eat."
I replied "surely not Lord,
"nothing impure or unclean
has ever entered my mouth."
The voice spoke from
Heaven a second time
"do not call anything impure
that God has made clean."
This happened three times
and then it was all
pulled up to Heaven again.
Right then, three men who had
been sent to me from Caesarea
stopped at the house
where I was staying.
The spirit told me
to have no hesitation
about going with them.
These six brothers
also went with me
and we entered the man's house.
He told us how he had seen
an Angel appear in his house
and say "send to Joppa for
Simon who is called Peter,
"he will bring you a message
"through which you and all
your household will be saved."
As I began to speak,
the Holy Spirit came on
them as he had come on us
at the beginning.
Then I remembered
what the Lord had said
"John baptized with water
"but you will be baptized
with the Holy Spirit."
So if God gave them the
same gift as he gave us,
who believed in the
Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to think that
I could oppose God?
- When they heard this they
had no further objections
and praised God saying
"so then God has granted
"even the Gentiles
repentance unto life."
Now those who had been
scattered by the persecution
in connection with Stephen
traveled as far as Phoenicia,
Cyprus and Antioch, telling
the message only to Jews.
Some of them, however,
men from Cyprus and
Cyrene went to Antioch
and began to speak
to Greeks also.
Telling them the good
news about the Lord Jesus.
The Lord's hand was with them
and a great number of people
believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the ears
of the Church at Jerusalem
and they sent
Barnabas to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the
evidence of the grace of God
he was glad and
encouraged them all
to remain true to the Lord
with all their hearts.
He was a good man.
Full of the Holy
Spirit and faith.
And a great number of people
were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to
Tarsus to look for Saul
and when he found him, he
brought him to Antioch.
So for a whole year Barnabas
and Saul met with the Church.
Taught great numbers of people.
The disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch.
During this time,
some prophets came down
from Jerusalem to Antioch.
One of them named Agabus,
stood up and through the spirit
predicted that a severe famine
would spread over the
entire Roman world.
This happened during
the reign of Claudius.
The disciples, each
according to his ability,
decided to provide help for
the brothers living in Judea.
This they did, sending
their gift to the elders
by Barnabas and Saul.
It's about this time
the King Herod arrested
some who belonged at the Church
intending to persecute them.
He had James, the
brother of John,
put to death with the sword.
(people chatter)
(dramatic music)
(sword whooshes)
(people cheer)
When he saw that this
pleased the Jews,
he proceeded to
seize Peter also.
This happened during the
feast of Unleavened Bread.
(dramatic music)
After arresting him
he put him in prison,
handing him over
to be guarded by
four squads of
four soldiers each.
Herod intended to bring
him out for public trial
after the Passover, so
Peter was kept in prison.
But the Church was earnestly
praying to God for him.
The night before Herod
was to bring him to trial
Peter was sleeping
between two soldiers.
Bound with two chains
and sentries stood
guard at the entrance.
Suddenly an Angel
of the Lord appeared
and a light shone in the cell.
He struck Peter on the
side and woke him up.
- [Angel] Quick get up.
- [Luke] He said and the
chains fell off Peters wrists.
Then the Angel said to him
- Put on your
clothes and sandals
- [Luke] And Peter did so.
(mystical music)
- Wrap your cloak around
you and follow me.
- [Luke] The Angel told him.
Peter followed him
out of the prison,
but he had no idea that
what the Angel was doing
was really happening.
He thought he was
seeing a vision.
They passed the first
and second guard,
came to the iron gate
leading to the city.
It opened for them by itself
and they went through.
When they had walked
the length of one street
suddenly the Angel left him.
Then Peter came to
himself and said
- Now I know without a doubt
that the Lord sent his Angel
and rescued me from
Herod's clutches,
and from everything that Jewish
people were anticipating.
(Peter laughs)
- [Luke] 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.
(door knocking)
Peter knocked at
the outer entrance
and a servant girl named
Rhoda came to answer the door.
(uplifting music)
When she recognized Peter's
voice, she was so overjoyed
she ran back without
opening it and exclaimed
- Peter is at the door.
- You're out of your mind.
- [Luke] They told her.
(door knocking)
When she kept insisting
that it was so they said
"it must be his Angel".
But Peter kept on knocking.
(door knocking)
And when they opened
the door and saw him
they were astonished.
Peter motioned with his
hand for them to be quiet
and described how the Lord
had brought him out of prison.
(cheerful music)
- Tell James and the
brothers about this.
- [Luke] He said and then
he left for another place.
In the morning there
was no small commotion
among the soldiers as to
what had become of Peter.
After Herod had a thorough
search made for him
and did not find him, he
cross-examined the guards
and ordered that
they be ex*cuted.
Then Herod went from
Judea to Caesarea
and stayed there a while.
He'd been quarreling with
the people of Tyre and Sidon.
They now joined together and
sought an audience with him.
Having secured the
support of Blastus,
a trusted personal
servant of the King,
they asked for peace
because they depended on
the King's country
for their food supply.
(people cheer)
On the appointed day,
Herod wearing his royal
robes sat on his throne
and delivered a public
address to the people.
They shouted
- This is the voice of
a God, not of a man.
- [Luke] Immediately,
because Herod did not
give praise to God,
an Angel of the
Lord struck him down
and he was eaten
by worms and d*ed.
(dramatic music)
(Herod groans)
But the Word of God continued
to increase and spread.
When Barnabas and Saul
had finished their mission
they returned from Jerusalem,
taking with them John,
also called Mark.
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 from me Barnabas and Saul
"for the work to which
I have called them."
So after they had
fasted and prayed
they placed their hands
on them and sent them on.
The two of them, sent on
their way by the Holy Spirit
went down to Seleucia and
sailed from there to Cyprus.
When they arrived at Salamis,
they proclaimed the Word of
God in the Jewish Synagogues.
John was with them
as their helper.
They traveled through
the whole island
until they came to Paphos.
There they met a Jewish sorcerer
and false prophet
named Bar Jesus.
Who was an attendant of the
proconsul Sergius Paulus.
The proconsul, an
intelligent man,
sent for Barnabas and Saul
because he wanted to
hear the Word of God.
But Elymas, the sorcerer, or
that is what his name means,
opposed them and tried to turn
the proconsul from the faith.
Then Saul, who was
also called Paul,
filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked straight
at Elymas and said
- You are a child of the devil
and an enemy of
everything that is right.
You are full of all kinds
of deceit and trickery.
Will you never stop perverting
the right ways of the Lord?
Now, the Hand of the
Lord is against you.
You are going to be
blind and for a time
you will be unable to
see the light of the sun.
- [Luke] Immediately mist
and darkness came over.
(Elymas screams)
And he groped about seeking
someone to lead him by the hand.
When the proconsul saw
what happened, he believed.
For he was amazed at the
teaching about the Lord.
(uplifting music)
From Paphos,
Paul and his companions
sailed to Perga in Pamphylia.
Where John left them
to return to Jerusalem.
From Perga they went on
to of Pisidian Antioch.
On the Sabbath they entered
the Synagogue and sat down.
After the reading from
the law and the prophets,
the Synagogue rulers
sent word to them saying
- Brothers, if you have a
message of encouragement
for the people please speak.
- [Luke] Standing up, Paul
motioned with his hand and said
- Men of Israel, and you
Gentiles who worship God,
listen to me.
The God of the people of
Israel chose our fathers.
He made the people prosper
during their stay in Egypt.
With mighty power, he led
them out of that country.
He endured their conduct for
about 40 years in the desert.
He overthrew seven
nations in Canaan,
and gave their land to his
people as their inheritance.
All this took about 450 years.
After this, God
gave them judges,
until the time of
Samuel the prophet.
Then the people asked for a King
and he gave them
Saul, son of Kish,
of the tribe of Benjamin.
Who ruled for 40 years.
After removing Saul, he
made David their King.
He testified concerning him.
"I have found
David, son of Jesse,
"a man after my own heart.
"He will do everything
I want him to do."
From this man's descendants,
God has brought to
Israel the Savior Jesus,
as he promised.
Before the coming of Jesus,
John preached
repentance and baptism
to all the people of Israel.
As John was completing
his work he said
"who do you think I am?
"I'm not that one, no.
"But he is coming after me,
"whose sandals I'm
not worthy to untie."
Brother's, children of Abraham
and you God-fearing Gentiles.
It is to us that this message
of salvation has been sent.
The people of Jerusalem
and their rulers
did not recognize Jesus,
yet in condemning him
they fulfilled the
words of the prophets
that are read every Sabbath.
Though they found no proper
ground for a death sentence,
they asked Pilate to
have him ex*cuted.
When they had carried out all
that was written about him,
they took him down from the
tree and laid him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead
and for many days
he was seen by those
who had traveled with him
from Galilee to Jerusalem.
They are now his
witnesses to our people.
We tell you the good news.
What God promised our fathers,
he has fulfilled for
us, their children.
By raising up Jesus, as it is
written in the second Psalm.
"You are my son, today I
have become your Father."
The fact that God raised him
from the dead, never to decay,
is stated in these words.
"I will give you the
Holy and sure blessings
"promised to David."
So it has stated elsewhere
"you will not let your
Holy One see decay."
For when David had
served God's purpose,
in his own generation,
he fell asleep.
He was buried with his
father's and his body decayed.
But the one whom God
raised from the dead,
did not see decay.
Therefore my brothers,
I want you to know,
that through Jesus,
the forgiveness of sins is
proclaimed to you (laughs).
(dramatic music)
Through him, everyone
who believes is justified
from everything you could
not be justified from
by the law of Moses.
Take care but that
the prophets have said
does not happen to you.
"Look you scoffers
wonder and perish,
"For I am going to do
something in your days
"that you would never believe.
"Even if someone told you."
- [Luke] As Paul and Barnabas
were leaving the Synagogue,
the people invited them to
speak further about these things
on the next Sabbath.
When the congregation
was dismissed,
many of the Jews, and
devout converts to Judaism,
followed Paul and Barnabas.
Who talked with him and
urged them to continue
in the grace of God.
On the next Sabbath,
almost the whole city gathered
to hear the Word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds,
they were filled with jealousy
and talked abusively against
what Paul was saying.
Then Paul and Barnabas
answered them boldly
- We had to speak the
Word of God to you first.
Since you rejected and do
not consider yourselves
worthy of eternal life, we
now turn to the Gentiles.
- For this is what the
Lord has commanded us.
I have made you a
light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation
to the ends of the Earth.
(people applaud)
- [Luke] When the Gentiles
heard this they were glad
and honored the
Word of The Lord.
And all who were appointed
for eternal life believed.
The Word of the Lord spread
through the whole region,
but the Jews incited
the God-fearing women
of high standing
and the leading men of the city.
They stirred up persecution
against Paul and Barnabas
and expelled them
from their region.
So they shook the
dust from their feet
and protested against
them and went to Iconium.
And the disciples
were filled with joy
and with the Holy Spirit.
At Iconium Paul and
Barnabus went, as usual,
into the Jewish Synagogue.
There they spoke so effectively
that a great number of
Jews and Gentiles believed,
but the Jews who refused to
believe, stirred up the Gentiles
and poisoned their minds
against the brothers.
So Paul and Barnabas spent
considerable time there
speaking boldly for the Lord,
who confirmed the
message of his grace
by enabling them to do
miraculous signs and wonders.
The people of the
city were divided.
Some sided with the Jews,
others with the Apostles.
There was a plot afoot
among the Gentiles and Jews,
together with their leaders,
to mistreat them and stone them.
But they found out about it
and fled to the Lycaonian
cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding country,
where they continued to
preach the good news.
In Lystra, there sat a
man crippled in his feet,
who was lame from birth
and had never walked.
He listened to Paul
as he was speaking.
(mystical music)
Paul look directly at him,
saw that he had
faith to be healed.
He called out
- Stand up on your feet.
(uplifting music)
- [Luke] At that the man
jumped up and began to walk.
(Paul laughs)
When the crowd saw
what Paul had done
they shouted in the
Lycaonia language.
"The Gods have come down
to us in human form."
(upbeat music)
(people cheer and clap)
Barnabas they called Zeus
and Paul they called Hermes
because he was
the chief speaker.
The priest of Zeus, whose temple
was just outside the city,
brought bulls and
wreaths to the city gates
because he and the crowd wanted
to offer sacrifices to them.
When the Apostles Barnabas
and Paul heard of this,
they tore their clothes
and rushed out into
the crowd shouting
- Men!
Oh why are you doing this?
(Paul laughs)
We two are only men.
Human like you.
We are bringing you good news,
telling you to turn from
these worthless things
to the living God.
Who made Heaven
and Earth
and sea
and everything in them.
In the past, He let all
nations go their own way.
Yet He has not left
Himself without testimony.
He has shown kindness by
giving you rain from Heaven
and crops in their seasons.
He provides you
with plenty of food
and fills your hearts with joy.
- [Luke] Even with these words
they had difficulty
keeping the crowd
from sacrificing to them.
(dramatic music)
Then some Jews came
from Antioch and Iconium
and won the crowd over.
(men shouting)
They stoned Paul and dragged
him outside the city,
thinking he was dead.
(mystical music)
(Paul gasps)
But after the disciples
have gathered around him
he got up and went
back into the city.
- The next day he and
Barnabas left for Derbe.
They preached the
good news in the city
and won a large
number of disciples.
Then they returned to
Lystra, Iconium and Antioch
strengthening the disciples
and encouraging them to
remain true to the Faith.
"We must go through
many hardships
"to enter the Kingdom
of God" they said.
(men laugh)
- Paul and Barnabas appointed
elders for them in each Church
and with prayer and fasting
committed them to the Lord,
in whom they had
put their trust.
After going through Pisidia
they came into Pamphylia
and when they had
preached the Word in Perga
they went down to Attalia,
from Attalia they
sailed back to Antioch
where they had been
committed to the grace of God
for the work they
had now completed.
On arriving there, they
gathered the Church together
and reported it all that
God had done through them
and how he had opened the
door of faith to the Gentiles.
They stayed there a long
time with the disciples.
(laughs) Some men came
down from Judea to Antioch
and were teaching the brothers.
"Unless you were circumcised
"according to the
custom taught by Moses,
"you cannot be saved."
Now this brought Paul and
Barnabas into sharp dispute
and debate with them (laughs).
So Paul and Barnabas
were appointed
along with some other
believers to go up to Jerusalem
and see the Apostles and
elders about this question.
The Church sent
them on their way
and as they travel through
Phoenicia and Samaria,
they told how the Gentiles
had been converted.
This news made all the
brothers very glad.
When they came to Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church
and the Apostles and elders
to whom they reported everything
God had done through them.
Then some of the believers,
who belonged to the
party of the Pharisees,
stood up and said
- The Gentiles
must be circumcised
and required to obey
the law of Moses.
- [Luke] The Apostles
and elders met
to consider this question.
After much discussion,
Peter got up and addressed them.
- Brothers, you know
that some time ago
God made a choice among you.
That the Gentiles
might hear from my lips
the message of the
gospel and believe.
God who knows the heart,
showed that he accepted them
by giving the Holy Spirit
to them just as he did to us.
He made no distinction
between us and them,
for he purified their
hearts by faith.
Now then why do
you try to test God
by putting on the necks
of the disciples a yoke
that neither we nor our
fathers have been able to bear?
No we believe it is through
the grace of our Lord Jesus
that we are saved.
Just as they are.
- [Luke] The whole
assembly became silent
as they listened to
Barnabas and Paul,
telling about the
miraculous signs and wonders
God had done among the
Gentiles through them.
When they finished,
James spoke up.
- Brothers, listen to me.
Simon has described to
us, how God first showed
his concern by taking
from the Gentiles,
a people for himself.
The words of the prophets
are in agreement with this,
as it is written.
"After this I will return and
rebuild David's fallen tent.
"It's ruins I will rebuild
and I will restore it.
"That the remnant of
men may seek the Lord
"and all the Gentiles
who bear my name.
"Says the Lord who
does these things
"that have been known for ages."
It is my judgment, therefore,
that we should not make it
difficult for the Gentiles
who are turning to God.
Instead, we should
write to them.
Telling them to abstain
from food polluted by idols,
from sexual immorality,
from the meat of strangled
animals and from blood.
For Moses has been
preached in every city
from the earliest times
and is read in the
Synagogue's on every Sabbath.
- [Luke] 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.
Two men who were leaders
among the brothers.
With them they sent
the following letter.
- [Peter] The Apostles
and elders your brother's,
to the Gentile believers in
Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
Greetings, we have heard
that some went out from us
without our authorization
and disturbed you,
troubling your minds
by what they said.
So we all agreed to choose
some men and send them to you
with our dear friends
Barnabas and Paul.
Men who have risked their lives
for the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore we are
sending Judas and Silas
to confirm by word of
mouth what we are writing.
It seemed good to the Holy
Spirit and to us not to burden
you with anything beyond
the following requirements.
You are to abstain from
food sacrifice to idols.
From blood.
From the meat of
strangled animals
and from sexual immorality.
You will do well to
avoid these things.
Farewell.
- [Luke] The men were sent
off and went down to Antioch,
where they gathered
the Church together
and delivered the letter.
The people read it
and were glad for its
encouraging message.
Judas and Silas, who
themselves were prophets,
said much to encourage and
strengthen the brothers.
After spending some time there,
they were sent off
by the brothers
with the blessing of peace,
to return to those
who had sent them.
But Paul and Barnabas
remained in Antioch,
where they and
many others taught
and preached the
Word of the Lord.
Some time later Paul
said to Barnabas
- Let us go back and visit
the brothers in all the towns
where we preached
the Word of the Lord
and see how they're doing.
- [Luke] Barnabas wanted to
take John, also called Mark,
with them but Paul did not
think it wise to take him
because he had deserted
them in Pamphylia
and had not continued
with them in the work.
They had such a sharp
disagreement that
they parted company.
Barnabas took Mark
and sailed for Cyprus,
but Paul chose Silas and left.
Commended by the brothers
to the Grace of the Lord
he went through
Syria and Cilicia,
strengthening the Churches.
He came to Derbe then to Lystra,
where a disciple
named Timothy lived.
Whose mother was a
Jewess and a believer,
but whose Father was a Greek.
The brothers at Lystra and
Iconium spoke well of it.
Paul wanted to take him
along on the journey,
so he circumcised him,
because of the Jews
who lived in that area,
for they all knew that
his Father was a Greek.
As they traveled
from town to town
they delivered the decisions
reached by the Apostles
and elders in Jerusalem
for the people to obey.
So the Churches were
strengthened in the Faith
and grew daily in numbers.
Paul and his companions
traveled throughout the
region of Perugia and Galatia.
Having been kept
by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the Word
in the province of Asia.
When they came to
the border of Mysia,
they tried to enter Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus
would not allow them to.
So they passed by Mysia
and went down to Troas.
(peaceful music)
During the night Paul had a
vision of a man of Macedonia
standing and begging him.
- Come over to
Macedonia and help us.
- [Luke] 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.
From Troas, we put out to sea
and sailed straight
for Samothrace
and the next day on to Neapolis.
From there we travel to
Philipi, a Roman colony
and the leading city of
that district of Macedonia.
And we stayed
there several days.
On the Sabbath, we went outside
the city gate to the river
where we expected to
find a place of prayer.
We sat down and began to speak
to the women who
had gathered there.
One of those listening
was a woman named Lydia.
A dealer in purple cloth
from the city of Thyatira,
who was a worshiper of God.
The Lord opened her heart to
respond to Paul's message.
When she and the members of
her household were baptized,
she invited us to her home.
- If you consider me a
believer in the Lord,
- [Luke] She said
- Come and stay at my house.
- [Luke] And she persuaded us.
Once, when we were going
to the place of prayer,
we were met by a sl*ve girl
who had a spirit by which
she predicted the future.
She earned a great deal of money
for her owners by
fortune-telling.
This girl followed Paul
and the rest of us shouting
- These men are servants
of the most high God,
who are telling you
the way to be saved.
- [Luke] She kept
this up for many days.
Finally Paul became so
troubled that he turned around
and said to the spirit
- In the name of Jesus Christ,
I command you to
come out of her.
- [Luke] At that moment
the spirit left her.
(girl screams)
(uplifting music)
When the owners of the sl*ve
girl realized that their hope
of making money was gone,
they seized Paul and Silas
and dragged them
into the marketplace
to face the authorities.
They brought them before
the magistrates and said
- These men are Jews and
our throwing our city
into an uproar by
advocating customs unlawful
for us Romans to
accept or practice.
(people shout)
- [Luke] The crowd
joined in the att*ck
against Paul and Silas.
And the magistrates ordered
them to be stripped and beaten.
(people shout)
(dramatic music)
After they had been
severely flogged,
they were thrown into prison
and the jailer was commanded
to guard them carefully.
Upon receiving such orders
he put them in the inner-cell
and fastened their
feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul
and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God
and the other prisoners
were listening to them.
(dramatic music)
Suddenly, such a
violent Earthquake
that the foundations of
the prison were shaking.
At once all the
prison doors flew open
and everybody's
chains came loose.
The jailer woke up
and when he saw the
prison doors open,
he drew his sword and
was about to k*ll himself
because he thought the
prisoners had escaped.
But Paul shouted
- Do not harm yourself.
We are all here.
- [Luke] The jailer
called for lights,
rushed in and fell trembling
before Paul and Silas.
(uplifting music)
He then brought
them out and asked
- Sirs,
what must I do to be saved?
- [Luke] They replied
- Believe in the Lord
Jesus and you'll be saved.
You and your household (laughs).
- [Luke] Then they spoke
the Word of the Lord to him
and to all the
others in his house.
At that hour of the night
the jailer took them
and washed their wounds,
then immediately he and all
his family were baptized.
The jailer brought
them into his house
and set a meal before them.
He was filled with joy
because he had come
to believe in God.
He and his whole family.
(door knocking)
When it was daylight,
the magistrate
sent their officers to
the jailer with the order
- Release those men.
- [Luke] The jailer told Paul
- The magistrates have ordered
that you and Silas be released.
Now you can leave.
Go in peace.
- [Luke] But Paul
said to the officers
- They b*at us publicly
without a trial,
even though we are
Roman citizens and
threw us into prison.
And now, do they want to
get rid of us quietly?
No!
Let them come themselves
and escort us out.
- [Luke] The officers
reported this to magistrates
and when they heard that Paul
and Silas were Roman citizens,
they were alarmed.
They came to appease them and
escorted them from the prison,
requesting them
to leave the city.
(uplifting music)
After Paul and Silas
came out of the prison,
they went to Lydia's house,
where they met with the
brothers and encouraged them.
Then they left.
When they had passed through
Amphipolis and Apollonia
they came to Thessalonica,
where there was a
Jewish Synagogue.
As his custom was Paul
went into the Synagogue
and on three sabbath days
he reasoned with them
from the scriptures.
Explaining and proving
that the Christ
had to suffer and
rise from the dead.
- This Jesus, I am proclaiming
to you, is the Christ.
- [Luke] he said.
Some of the Jews were persuaded
and joined Paul and Silas,
as did a large number
of God-fearing Greeks
and not a few prominent women.
But the Jews were jealous,
so they rounded up some bad
characters from the marketplace,
formed a mob and started
a riot in the city.
They rushed to Jason's house
in search of Paul and Silas,
in order to bring
them out to the crowd.
But when they did not find them
they dragged Jason and
some other brothers
before the city
officials shouting.
- These men who have caused
trouble all over the world
and now come here.
And Jason has welcomed
them into his house.
They are all defying
Caesars decrees,
saying that their
is another King.
One called Jesus.
(people shout)
- When they heard this,
the crowd and the city officials
were thrown into turmoil.
Then they made Jason
and the others post bond
and let them go.
As soon as it was night
the brothers sent Paul
and Silas away to Berea.
On arriving there they went
to the Jewish Synagogue.
Now the Bereans were
of more noble character
than the Thessalonians,
for they received the
message with great eagerness,
examined the
Scriptures every day
to see if what
Paul said was true.
Many of the Jews believed,
as did also a number of
prominent Greek women
and many Greek men.
When the Jews in
Thessalonica learned
that Paul was preaching
the Word of God at Berea,
they went there too.
Agitating the crowds,
stirring them up.
The brothers immediately
sent Paul to the coast,
but Silas and Timothy
stayed at Berea.
The men who escorted Paul
brought him to Athens
and then left with instructions
for Silas and Timothy
to join him as soon as possible.
While Paul was waiting
for them in Athens,
he was greatly distressed
to see that the city
was full of idols.
So he reasoned in the
Synagogue with the Jews
and the God-fearing Greeks,
as well as in the
marketplace day by day,
with those who
happened to be there.
A group of epicurean
and stoic philosophers
began to dispute with
him, some of them asked
- What is this
babbler trying to say?
- [Luke] Others remarked
- He seems to be
advocating foreign Gods.
- [Luke] They said this
because Paul was preaching
the good news about Jesus
and the resurrection.
Then they took him and
brought him to a meeting
of the areopagus
where they said to him
- May we know what
this new teaching is,
that you are presenting?
You are bringing some
strange ideas to our ears
and we want to know
what they mean.
- [Luke] All the Athenians,
and the foreigners
who lived there,
spent their time doing nothing
but talking about and
listening to the latest ideas.
Paul then stood up
in the meeting of the
areopagus and said
- Men of Athens,
I see that in every way
you are very religious.
For as I walked around
and looked carefully at
your objects of worship,
I even found an altar
with this inscription
"to an Unknown God."
Now then you worship
in something unknown,
I am going to proclaim to you.
The God who made the
world and everything in it
is the Lord of Heaven and Earth
and does not live in
temples built by hands.
And he is not served
by human hands,
as if he needed anything.
Because He Himself
gives all men life and
breath and everything else.
(uplifting music)
From one man he made
every nation of men
that they should
inhabit the whole Earth.
And he determined
the time set for them
and the exact places
where they should live.
God did this so that
men would seek Him
and perhaps reach out
for Him and find Him.
Though He is not far
from each one of us.
For in Him we live and move
and have our being, as some
of your own poets have said
"we are His offspring's."
Therefore, since we
are God's offspring,
we should not think
that the divine being
is like gold or silver or stone.
An image made by man's
design and skill.
In the past God
overlooks such ignorance,
but now he commands all
people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when
he will judge the world
with justice by the
man he has appointed.
He has given proof
of this to all men
by raising him from the dead.
- [Luke] When they heard about
the resurrection of the dead,
some of them sneered.
But others said "we want to
hear you again on this subject."
At that Paul left the council.
A few men became followers
of Paul and believed.
Among them was Dionysius
a member of the areopagus,
also a woman named Damaris
and a number of others.
After this Paul left
Athens and went to Corinth.
There he met a Jew named
Aquila, a native of Pontus,
who had recently come from
Italy with his wife Priscilla
because Claudius had ordered
all the Jews to leave Rome.
Paul went to see them,
and because he was a
tentmaker as they were,
he stayed and worked with them.
Every Sabbath he reasoned
in the Synagogue,
trying to persuade
Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy
came from Macedonia,
Paul devoted himself
exclusively to preaching.
Testifying to the Jews
that Jesus was the Christ.
But when the Jews opposed
Paul and became abusive
he shook out his clothes
in protest and said to them
- Your blood be
on your own heads.
I am clear of my responsibility.
From now on I will
go to the Gentiles.
- [Luke] Then Paul
left the Synagogue
and went next door to the
house of Titius Justus,
a worshiper of God.
Crispus, the Synagogue ruler
and his entire household
believed in the Lord
and many of the
Corinthians who heard him
believed and were baptized.
One night the Lord spoke
to Paul in a vision.
- [Lord] Do not be
afraid, keep on speaking.
Do not be silent
for I am with you
and no one is going to
att*ck and harm you,
because I have many
people in the city.
- [Luke] So Paul stayed
for a year and a half,
teaching them the Word of God.
While Gallio was
proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews made a
united att*ck on Paul
and brought him into court.
- This man.
- [Luke] they charged.
- Is persuading the
people to worship God
in ways contrary to the law.
- [Luke] Just as Paul
was about to speak,
Gallio said to the Jews
- If you Jews were
making a complaint
about some misdemeanor
or serious crime,
it would be reasonable
for me to listen to you.
But since it involves questions
about words and names
and your own law,
settle the matter yourselves.
(dramatic music)
I will not be a
judge of such things.
- [Luke] So he had them
ejected from the court
and they all turned on
Sosthenes, the Synagogue ruler
and b*at him in
front of the court.
Gallio showed no
concern whatsoever.
Paul stayed on in
Corinth for some time,
then he left the brothers
and sailed for Syria,
accompanied by
Priscilla and Aquila.
Before he sailed he had his
hair cut off at Cenchreae
because of a vow he had taken.
They arrived at Ephesus
where Paul left
Priscilla and Aquila.
He himself went
into the Synagogue
and reasoned with the Jews.
When they asked him to
spend more time with them
he declined.
But as he left he promised
- I will come back,
if it is God's will.
- Then he set sail from Ephesus.
When he landed at Caesarea he
went up and greeted the Church
and then went down to Antioch.
After spending some
time in Antioch,
Paul set out from there and
traveled from place to place
throughout the region
of Galatia and Perugia,
strengthening all the disciples.
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,
a native of Alexandria,
came to Ephesus.
He was a learned man
with a thorough knowledge
of the scriptures.
He had been instructed
in the way of the Lord
and he spoke with great fervor
and talked about
Jesus accurately,
though he knew only
the baptism of John.
He began to speak
boldly in the Synagogue.
When Priscilla and
Aquila heard him
they invited him to their home
and explained to him the
way of God more adequately.
When Apollos wanted
to go to Achaia,
the brothers encouraged him
and wrote to the disciples
there to welcome him.
On arriving he was a great help
to those who by
grace had believed.
For he vigorously refuted
the Jews in public debate,
proving from the scriptures
that Jesus was the Christ.
While Apolloss was at Corinth,
Paul took the road
through the interior
and arrived at Ephesus.
There he found some
disciples and asked them
"did you receive the Holy
Spirit when you believed?"
They answered
"no, we have not even heard
there is a Holy Spirit."
So Paul asked them "what
baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism" they replied.
Paul said "John's baptism
was a baptism of repentance."
He told the people to believe
in the one coming after him,
that is in Jesus.
On hearing this they
were baptized into the
name of the Lord Jesus.
When Paul placed
his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came on them
and they spoke in
tongues and prophesied.
There were about 12 men in all.
Paul entered the Synagogue
and spoke boldly there
for three months.
Arguing persuasively
about the kingdom of God,
but some of them
became obstinate.
They refused to believe and
publicly maligned the way,
so Paul left them.
He took the disciples with him
and had discussions daily in
the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
This went on for two years,
so that all the Jews
and Greeks who lived
in the province of Asia
heard the Word of the Lord.
God did extraordinary
miracles through Paul.
So that even handkerchiefs and
aprons that had touched him,
were taken to the sick.
Their illnesses were cured and
the evil spirits left them.
Some Jews who went around
driving out evil spirits,
trying to invoke the
name of the Lord Jesus
over those who were
demon-possessed.
They would say "in the name
of Jesus, whom Paul preaches,
"I command you to come out."
Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish
chief priest, were doing this.
And one day the evil
spirit answered them.
"Jesus I know, and I know
about Paul, but who are you?"
Then the man who had the
evil spirit jumped on them
and overpowered them all.
He gave them such a b*ating
that they ran out of the
house naked and bleeding.
When this became known
to the Jews and Greeks
living in Ephesus,
they were all seized with fear,
and the name of the Lord
Jesus was held in high honor.
Many of those who
believe now came
and openly confessed
their evil deeds.
A number who had
practiced sorcery
brought their scrolls together
and b*rned them publicly.
When they calculated
the value of the scrolls
the total came to
50,000 drachmas.
In this way the Word of
the Lord spread widely
and grew in power.
After all this had happened
Paul decided to go to Jerusalem,
passing through
Macedonia and Achaia.
- After I have been there
- [Luke] He said.
- I must visit Rome also.
- [Luke] He sent
two of his helpers,
Timothy and Erastus,
to Macedonia
while he stayed in the province
of Asia a little longer.
About that time there arose
a great disturbance
about the way.
A silversmith named Demetrius,
who made silver
shrines of Artemis,
brought in no little
business for the craftsmen.
He called them together
along with the workmen and
related trades and said
- Men, you know we receive a
good income from this business.
And you see and hear how this
fellow Paul has convinced
and led astray large numbers
of people, here in Ephesus.
And in practically the
whole province of Asia.
He says
that man-made God's
are no God's at all.
There is danger,
not only that our trade
will lose its good name,
but also that the Temple of
the great Goddess Artemis
will be discredited!
And the Goddess herself,
who is worshiped
throughout the province
of Asia and the world,
will be robbed of
her divine majesty.
(people shout)
- [Luke] When they heard
this they were furious
and began shouting.
- Great is Artemis
of the Ephesians!
- [Luke] Soon the whole
city was in an uproar.
The people seized
Gaius and Aristarchus,
Paul's traveling
companions from Macedonia
and rushed as one
man into the theater.
Paul wanted to appear
before the crowd
but the disciples
would not let him.
Even some of the
officials of the province,
friends of Paul
sent him a message
begging him not to
venture into the theater.
The assembly was in confusion,
some were shouting one
thing, some another,
most of the people did not
even know why they were there.
The Jews pushed
Alexander to the front
and some of the crowd
shouted instructions to him.
The motion for silence in
order to make a defense
before the people.
But when they
realized he was a Jew,
they all shouted in unison
for about two hours.
- [Men Together] Great is
Artemis of the Ephesians!
- [Luke] The city clerk
quieted the crowd and said
- Men of Ephesus,
doesn't all the world know
that the city of Ephesus
is the guardian of the
temple of the great Artemis?
And of her image which
fell from Heaven.
(men cheer)
Therefore, since these
facts are undeniable,
you ought to be quiet
and not do anything rash.
You have brought these men here
though they have
neither robbed temples,
nor blasphemed our Goddess.
If then Demetrius and
his fellow craftsmen
have a grievance against
anybody, the courts are open.
and there are proconsuls,
they can press charges.
If there is anything further
you want to bring up,
it must be settled
in a legal assembly,
as it is we are in danger
of being charged with rioting
because of today's events.
In that case we
would not be able to
account for this commotion,
since there is no reason for it.
- [Luke] After he had said
this he dismissed the assembly.
(peaceful music)
(girl murmurs)
When the uproar had ended,
Paul sent for the disciples.
After encouraging
them, said goodbye
and set out for Macedonia.
He traveled through that
area speaking many words
of encouragement to the people
and finally arrived in Greece,
where he stayed three months.
Because the Jews made
a plot against him
just as he was about
to sail for Syria,
he decided to go back
through Macedonia.
He was accompanied by Sopater,
son of Pyrus from Berea,
Aristarchus and Secundus
from Thessalonians,
Gaius of Derbe, Timothy also
and Tychicus and Trophimus
from the province of Asia.
These men went on ahead
and waited for us at Troas.
When we sailed from the Philippi
after the feast of
Unleavened Bread
and five days later joined
the others at Troas,
where we stayed seven days.
(door bangs)
(peaceful music)
(Luke laughs)
On the first day of the week,
we came together to break bread.
Paul spoke to the people,
and because he intended
to leave the next day,
kept on talking until midnight.
There were many lamps
in the upstairs room
where we were meeting,
seated in a window as a
young man named Eutychus
who was sinking into a deep
sleep as Paul talked on and on.
When he was sound asleep
he fell to the ground
from the third story
and was picked up dead.
Paul went down,
threw himself on the young man
and put his arms around him.
- Don't be alarmed.
- [Luke] He said.
(uplifting music)
- Ah, he's alive (laughs).
- [Luke] Then he
went upstairs again
and broke bread and meat.
After talking until
daylight he left.
The people took the
young man home alive
and were greatly comforted.
We went on ahead to the
ship and sailed for Assos,
where we were going
to take Paul aboard.
He had made this arrangement
because he was
going there on foot.
When he met us at Assos,
we took him aboard
and went on to Mitylene.
The next day we set sail from
there and arrived off Chios.
The day after that we
crossed over to Samos
and on the following
day arrived at Meletis.
Paul had decided to
sail past Ephesus,
to avoid spending time
in the province of Asia.
For he was in a hurry
to reach Jerusalem,
if possible by the
day of Pentecost.
From Meletis Paul
sent to Ephesus
for the elders of the Church.
When they arrived
he said to them
- You know how I lived the
whole time I was with you,
from the first day I came
into the province of Asia.
I served the Lord with
great humility (laughs)
and with tears.
Although I was severely tested
by the plots of the Jews.
You know that I have
not hesitated to preach
anything that would
be helpful to you,
but have taught you publicly
and from house to house.
I have declared to
both Jews and Greeks
that they must turn
to God in repentance
and have faith in
our Lord Jesus.
And now, compelled by the Spirit
I am going to Jerusalem,
not knowing what will
happen to me there.
I only know that in every city
the Holy Spirit warns me
that prison and hardships
are facing me (laughs).
However I consider my
life worth nothing to me,
if only I may finish the race
and complete the task the
Lord Jesus has given me.
The task of testifying to
the gospel of God's grace.
(somber music)
Now I know,
that none of you
among whom I have gone
about preaching the kingdom
will ever see me again (sobs).
And therefore, I
declare to you today
that I am innocent of
the blood of all men.
For I have not hesitated
to proclaim to you
the whole will of God.
Keep watch over yourselves
and all the block
of which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers.
Be shepherds of
the Church of God,
which he bought
with his own blood.
I know that after I
leave savage wolves
will come in among you and
will not spare the flock.
Even from your own number,
men will arise and
distort the truth
in order to draw away
disciples after them.
So, be on your guard.
Remember, that for three years
I never stopped warning
each of you, night and day
(laughs) with tears.
Now,
I commit you to God
and to the Word of His Grace.
Which can build you up and
give you an inheritance
among all those
who are sanctified.
I have not coveted anyone's
silver or gold or clothing,
you yourselves know
that these hands of mine
have supplied my own needs and
the needs of my companions.
And everything I did,
I showed you that by
this kind of hard work
we must help the weak.
Remembering the Words the
Lord Jesus himself said
"it is more blessed to
give than to receive."
- [Luke] When he had said this
he knelt down with all
of them and prayed.
(somber music)
They all wept as they
embraced him and kissed him,
what grieved the most
was his statement
that they would never
see his face again.
Then they accompanied
him to the ship.
After we had torn ourselves
away from them we put out to sea
and sailed straight to Cos.
The next day we went to Rhodes
and from there to Patara.
We found a ship crossing
over to Phoenicia,
went on board and set sail.
After sighting Cyprus and
passing to the south of it,
we sailed on to Syria.
We landed at Tyre, where our
ship was to unload its cargo.
Finding the disciples there we
stayed with them seven days.
Through the spirit,
they urged Paul not
to go on to Jerusalem.
But when our time was up we
left and continued on our way.
All the disciples and
their wives and children
accompanied us out of the city,
and there on the beach
we knelt to pray.
After saying goodbye
to each other,
we went aboard the ship
and they returned home.
We continued our voyage from
Tyre and landed at Ptolemais,
where we greeted the brothers
and stayed with them for a day.
Leaving the next day
we reached Caesarea
and stayed at the house
of Philip the Evangelist.
one of the seven.
He had four unmarried
daughters who prophesied.
After we had been
there a number of days
a prophet named Agabus
came down from Judea.
(somber music)
Coming over to us
he took Paul's belt,
tied his own hands and
feet with it and said
- The Holy Spirit says in
this way the Jews of Jerusalem
will bind the owner of his belt.
Who will hand him
over to the Gentiles.
- [Luke] When we heard this
we and the people there
pleaded with Paul not
to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered
- Why are you weeping
and breaking my heart?
I am ready, not
only to be bound,
but also to die in Jerusalem
for the name of the Lord Jesus.
- [Luke] when he would not be
dissuaded we gave up and said
- The Lord's will be done.
- [Luke] After this we got
ready and went up to Jerusalem.
Some of the disciples from
Caesarea accompanied us
and brought us to the home of
Mnason, where we were to stay.
He was a man from Cyprus and
one of the early disciples.
When we arrived at Jerusalem,
the brothers received us warmly.
The next day Paul and the
rest of us went to see James
and all the elders were present.
Paul greeted them and
reported in detail
what God had done among the
Gentiles through his ministry.
When they heard this,
they praised God.
Then they said to Paul
- You see brother,
how many thousands
of Jews have believed
and all of them are
zealous for the law.
They have been informed
that you teach all the Jews
that live among the Gentiles
to turn away from Moses.
Telling them not to
circumcise their children.
Or live according
to our customs.
What shall we do?
They will certainly
hear that you have come.
So do what we tell you.
There are four men with
us, who have made a vow.
Take these men, join in
their purification rites
and pay their expenses,
so that they can have
their heads shaved,
then everybody will
know there is no truth
in these reports about you.
But that you yourself are
living in obedience to the law.
As for the Gentile believers,
we have written to
them our decision
that they should abstain from
food sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from the
meat of strangled animals
and from sexual immorality.
- [Luke] The next
day Paul took the men
and purified himself
along with them.
Then he went to the temple
to give notice of the date
when the days of
purification would end
and the offering would
be made for each other.
(suspenseful music)
When the seven days
were nearly over
some Jews from the province of
Asia saw Paul at the temple.
They stirred up the whole
crowd and seized him shouting
- Men of Israel, help us!
This is a man who teaches
all men everywhere
against our people and
our law and his place.
And besides he has brought
Greeks into the temple area
and defiled this holy place.
(Paul groans)
- [Luke] They had
previously seen
Trophimus the Ephesian
in the city with Paul
and assumed that
Paul had brought him
into the temple area.
The whole city was aroused
and the people came running
from all directions.
Seizing Paul they dragged
him from the temple
and immediately the
gates were shut.
While they were
trying to k*ll him,
news reached the commander
of the Roman troops
that the whole city of
Jerusalem was in an uproar.
He at once took some
officers and soldiers
and ran down to the crowd.
When the rioters saw the
commander and his soldiers
they stopped b*ating Paul.
The commander came
up and arrested him
and ordered him to be
bound with two chains.
Then he asked who he was
and what he had done?
Some in the crowd shouted
one thing and some another
and since the commander
could not get at the truth
because of the uproar,
he ordered that Paul be
taken into the barracks.
(Paul groans)
(people chatter)
When Paul reached the steps,
the v*olence of the
mob was so great
he had to be carried
by the soldiers.
The crowd that followed kept
shouting "away with him".
As the soldiers were about to
take Paul into the barracks
he asked the commander
- [Paul] May I say
something to you?
- Do you speak Greek?
- [Luke] He replied.
- Aren't you the Egyptian
who started a revolt
and led 4,000 t*rrorists out
into the desert some time ago?
- [Luke] Paul answered
- I am a Jew from
Tarsus in Silesia,
a citizen of no ordinary city,
please let me speak
to the people.
- [Luke] having received
the commander's permission,
Paul stood on the steps
and motioned to the crowd.
When they were all silent
he said to them in Aramaic
- Brothers and fathers,
listen now to my defense.
- [Luke] When they heard him
speak to them in Aramaic,
they became very quiet.
Then Paul said
- I am a Jew, born
in Tarsus of Silesia.
But brought up in this city,
under Gamaliel I was
thoroughly trained
in the law of our fathers and
was just as zealous for God
as any of you are today.
I persecuted the
followers of this way
to their death.
Arresting both men and women
and throwing them into prison.
As also the high priest and
all the council can testify.
I even have obtained
letters from them
to their brothers in
Damascus and went there
to bring these
people as prisoners
to Jerusalem to be punished.
About noon, as I
came near Damascus,
suddenly a bright light from
Heaven flashed around me.
I fell to the ground and
heard a voice say to me
"Saul.
"Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you Lord?" I asked.
"I am Jesus of Nazareth,
whom you are persecuting."
he replied.
My companions saw the light,
but they did not understand
the voice of him who
was speaking to me.
"What shall I do Lord?" I ask.
"Get up" the Lord said.
"And go into Damascus,
there you will be told all
"that you have been
assigned to do."
My companions led me by
the hand into Damascus,
because the brilliance of
the light had blinded me.
A man named Ananias
came to see me.
He was a devout
observer of the law
and highly respected by
all the Jews living there.
He stood beside me and said
"brother Saul,
receive your sight."
(laughs) And in that very
moment, I was able to see him.
Then he said "the God of
our fathers has chosen you,
"to know his will and
to see the righteous one
"and to hear words
from his mouth.
"You will be his witness to
all men of what you have seen
"and heard and now what
are you waiting for?
"Get up (laughs), be baptized
"and wash your sins away
calling on his name."
When I returned to Jerusalem
and was praying at the temple,
I fell into a trance and
saw the Lord speaking.
"Quick," he said to me.
"Leave Jerusalem immediately,
"because they will not accept
your testimony about me."
"Lord," I reply.
"These men know that I went
from one Synagogue to another
"to imprison and b*at
those who believe in you.
"And when the blood of your
martyr Stephen was shed
"I stood there
giving my approval
"and guarding the clothes of
those who were k*lling him."
Then the Lord said to me
"Go, I will send you far
away to the Gentiles."
- [Luke] The crowd listened
to Paul until he said this,
then they raised their
voices and shouted.
- Rid the earth of him,
he is not fit to live!
- [Luke] As they were shouting
and throwing off their cloaks
and flinging dust into the air
the commander ordered Paul to
be taken into the barracks.
He directed that he be
flogged and questioned
in order to find out
why the people were
shouting at him like this.
As they stretched
him out to flog him,
Paul said to the
centurion standing there
- Is it legal for you
to flog a Roman citizen
who hasn't even
been found guilty?
- [Luke] When the
Centurion heard this,
he went to the commander
and reported it.
- What are you going to do?
- [Luke] He asked.
- This man is a Roman citizen.
- [Luke] The commander
went to Paul and asked
- Tell me, are you
a Roman citizen?
- Yes I am.
- [Luke] he answered.
Then the commander said
- I had to pay a big
price for my citizenship.
- But I was born a citizen.
- [Luke] Paul replied.
Those who were about to question
him withdrew immediately.
The commander himself was
alarmed when he realized
that he had put Paul, a
Roman citizen, in chains.
The next day, since the
commander wanted to find out
exactly why Paul was
being accused by the Jews.
He released him and
ordered the chief priests
and all the Sanhedrin
to assemble.
Then he brought Paul and
had him stand before them.
Paul looked straight at
the Sanhedrin and said
- My brothers, I have
fulfilled my duty to God
in all good conscience
to this day.
- [Luke] At this the
high priest Ananias
ordered those standing near
Paul to strike him on the mouth.
Then Paul said to him
- God will strike you,
you whitewash wall.
You sit there to judge
me according to the law,
yet you yourself violate the law
by commanding that I be struck.
- [Luke] Those who were
standing near Paul said
- You dare to insult
God's high priest.
- [Luke] Paul replied
- Brothers, I did not realize
that he was the high priest.
For it is written
"do not speak evil about
the ruler of your people."
- [Luke] Then Paul, knowing
that some of them were Sadducees
and the others Pharisees,
called out in the Sanhedrin
- My brothers, I am a Pharisee,
the son of a Pharisee,
I stand on trial
because of my hope in the
resurrection of the dead.
- [Luke] When he said
this, a dispute broke out
between the Pharisees
and the Sadducees
and the Assembly was divided.
(men shout)
Sadducees say that
there is no resurrection
and that there are neither
Angels nor spirits.
But the Pharisees
acknowledged them all.
There was a great uproar
and some of the teachers of
the law who were Pharisees
stood up and argued vigorously.
- We find nothing
wrong with this man.
- [Luke] They said.
- What if a spirit or an
Angel has spoken to him?
(men shout)
- [Luke] The dispute
became so violent,
that the commander
was afraid Paul
would be torn to pieces by them.
He ordered the troops to go down
and take him away
from them by force
and bring him into the barracks.
(men shout)
The following night the Lord
stood near Paul and said
- Take courage.
As you have testified
about me in Jerusalem,
so you must also
testify in Rome.
- The next morning the
Jews formed a conspiracy
and bound themselves with
an oath not to eat or drink
until they had k*lled Paul.
More than 40 men were
involved in his plot,
they went to the chief
priests and elders and said
"we have taken a solemn
oath not to eat anything
"until we have k*lled Paul.
"Now then, you and the Sanhedrin
petitioned the commander
"to bring him before
you on the pretext
"of wanting more accurate
information about his case."
"We are ready to k*ll
him before he gets here."
But when the son of Paul's
sister heard of this plot,
he went into the
barracks and told Paul.
Then Paul called one of
the centurions and said
"take this young man
to the commander,
"he has something to tell him."
So he took him to the commander.
The centurion said "Paul
the prisoner sent for me
"and asked me to bring
this young man to you
"because he has
something to tell you."
The commander took the
young man by the hand
and drew him aside
and asked "what is it?
"What do you want to tell me?"
He said
- The Jews have
agreed to ask you
to bring Paul before
the Sanhedrin tomorrow,
on the pretext of wanting
more accurate
information about him.
Don't give in to them,
because more than 40 of them
are waiting in ambush for him.
They have taken an oath
not to eat or drink
until they have k*lled him.
They are ready now
waiting for your consent
to their request.
- The commander dismissed the
young man and cautioned him.
"Don't tell anyone that
you've reported this to me."
Then he called two of his
centurions and ordered them
"Get ready a detachment of
200 soldiers, 70 horsemen
"and 200 spearmen to go to
Caesarea at nine tonight.
"Provide mounts for Paul,
"so that he may be taken
safely to Governor Felix."
He wrote a letter as follows.
- [Commander] Claudius Lysias
to his Excellency
Governor Felix.
Greetings.
This man was seized by the Jews
and they were about to k*ll him
but I came with my
troops and rescued him
for I had learned that
he is a Roman citizen.
I wanted to know why
they were accusing him,
so I brought him
to their Sanhedrin.
I found that the accusation
had to do with questions
about their law but there
was no charge against him
that deserved death
or imprisonment.
When I was informed of a plot
to be carried out
against the man,
I sent him to you at once.
I also ordered his
accusers to present to you
their case against him.
- [Luke] So the soldiers
carrying out their orders took
Paul with them
during the night and
brought him as
far as Antipatris.
The next day they let the
cavalry go on with him,
while they returned
to the barracks.
When the cavalry
arrived in Caesarea,
they delivered the
letter to the Governor
and handed Paul over to him.
The Governor read the letter
and asked what
province he was from.
Learning that he was
from Silesia, he said
- I will hear your case
when your accusers get here.
Then he ordered that
Paul be kept under guard
in Herod's palace.
(somber music)
- [Luke] Five days later
the high priest Ananias
went down to Ceasarea
with some of the elders
and a lawyer named
her Tertullus.
And they brought their
charges against Paul
before the Governor.
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
everywhere and in every
way, most excellent Felix.
We acknowledge this
with profound gratitude.
But in order not to weary
you further, I would request
that you be kind enough
to hear us, briefly.
We have found this man
to be a troublemaker.
Stirring up riots among the
Jews all over the world.
He is a ringleader
of the Nazarene sect
and even tried to
desecrate the temple.
So we seized him, by
examining him yourself
you will be able
to learn the truth
about all these charges we
are bringing against him.
- [Luke] The Jews
joined in the accusation
asserting that these
things were true.
When the governor motioned
for him to speak Paul replied
- I know that for
a number of years,
you have been a judge
over this nation,
so I gladly make my defense.
You can easily verify that
no more than 12 days ago
I went up to
Jerusalem to worship.
My accusers did
not find me arguing
with anyone at the temple
or stirring up a crowd
in the Synagogue's
or anywhere else in the city.
And they cannot prove
to you the charges
they are now making against me.
However, I admit that I
worship the God of our Fathers
as a follower of the way,
which they call a sect.
I believe everything
that agrees with the law
and that is written
in the prophets
and I have the same hope
in God as these men.
That there will
be a resurrection
of both the righteous
and the wicked.
So I strive always to
keep my conscience clear
before God and man.
After an absence
of several years,
I came to Jerusalem to bring
my people gifts for the poor
and to present offerings.
I was ceremonially clean
when they found me in the
temple courts doing this.
There was no crowd with me,
nor was I involved
in any disturbance,
but there are some Jews
from the province of Asia,
who ought to be here before you
and bring charges if they
have anything against me.
Or these who are here,
should state what
crime they found in me
when I stood before
the Sanhedrin.
Unless, it was this
one thing I shouted
as I stood in their presence.
It is concerning the
resurrection of the dead
that I am on trial
before you today.
- [Luke] Then Felix who was
well acquainted with the way,
adjourned the proceedings.
- When Lyceus, the
commander comes.
- [Luke] He said.
- I will decide your case.
- He ordered the centurion
to keep Paul under guard
but to give him some freedom
and permit his friends to
take care of his needs.
Several days later Felix,
came with his wife Drusilla,
who was a Jewess,
he sent for Paul
and listened to him as he spoke
about faith in Christ Jesus.
As Paul discoursed on
righteousness, self-control
and the judgment to come.
Felix was afraid and said
"that's enough for
now, you may leave.
"When I find it convenient
I will send for you."
At the same time he was hoping
that Paul would
offer him a bribe.
So he sent for him frequently
and talked with him.
When two years had passed,
Felix was succeeded
by Porcius Festus,
but because Felix wanted to
grant a favor to the Jews
he left Paul in prison.
Three days after
arriving in the province,
Festus went up from
Ceasarea to Jerusalem.
Where the chief priests
and Jewish leaders
appeared before him
and presented the
charges against Paul.
They urgently requested
Festus, as a favor to them,
to have Paul transferred
to Jerusalem.
For they were preparing
an ambush to k*ll
him along the way.
Festus answered
- Paul is being held at Ceasarea
and I myself am
going there soon.
Let some of your
leaders come with me
and press charges
against the man there,
if he's done anything wrong.
- [Luke] After spending
eight or ten days with them,
he went down to Ceasarea
and the next day he
convened the court
and ordered that Paul
be brought before him.
When Paul appeared
the Jews who had come down from
Jerusalem stood around him,
bringing many serious
charges against him,
which they could not prove.
Then Paul made his defense.
- I have done nothing wrong
against the law of the Jews
or against the temple
or against Caesar.
- [Luke] Festus wishing to do
the Jews a favor said to Paul
- Are you willing to
go up to Jerusalem
and stand trial before me
there on these charges?
- [Luke] Paul answered
- I am now standing
before Caesar's court,
where I ought to be tried.
I have not done any
wrong to the Jews,
as you yourself know very well.
If however, I am guilty of
doing anything deserving death,
I do not refuse to die.
But, if the charge is brought
against me by these Jews
are not true, no one has the
right to hand me over to them.
I appeal to Caesar.
- [Luke] After Festus had
conferred with his council,
he declared
- You have appealed to Caesar.
To Caesar you will go.
(exotic music)
- [Luke] A few days later,
King Agrippa and Bernice
arrived at Ceasarea
to pay their respects to Festus.
Since they were spending
many days there,
Festus discussed Paul's
case with the King, he said
- There is a man here whom
Felix left as a prisoner,
when I went to Jerusalem
the chief priests and
elders of the Jews
brought charges against him
and asked that he be condemned.
I told them that it is
not the Roman custom
to hand over any man before
he has faced his accusers
and has had an opportunity
to defend himself
against their charges.
When they came here with me,
I did not delay the case,
but convened the
court the next day
and ordered the man
to be brought in.
When his accusers
got up to speak
they did not charge him with
any of the crimes I'd expected.
Instead they had some
points of dispute with him
about their own religion and
about a dead man named Jesus.
Whom Paul claimed was alive.
I was at a loss how to
investigate such matters
so I asked if he'd be
willing to go to Jerusalem
and stand trial there
on these charges.
When Paul made his appeal
to be held over for
the Emperor's decision,
I ordered him held until I
could send him to Caesar.
- [Luke] Then Agrippa
said to Festus
- I would like to
hear this man myself.
- [Luke] He replied.
- Tomorrow you will hear him.
(exotic music)
- [Luke] The next day
Agrippa and Bernice
came with great pomp and
entered the audience room
with the high ranking officers
and the leading men of the city.
At the command of Festus,
Paul was brought in.
Festus said
- King Agrippa and all
who are present with us,
you see this man.
The whole Jewish community
has petitioned me about him.
In Jerusalem and
here in Ceasarea.
Shouting that he ought
not to live any longer.
I found he had done
nothing deserving of death,
but because he made his
appeal to the Emperor.
I decided to send him to Rome,
but I have nothing definite
to write to his
Majesty about him.
therefore I've brought
him before all of you
and especially before
you, King Agrippa.
So that as a result
of this investigation
I may have something to write.
For I think it is unreasonable
to send on a prisoner
without specifying the
charges against him.
- [Luke] Then
Agrippa said to Paul
- You have permission
to speak for yourself.
- So Paul motioned with his
hand and began his defense.
- King Agrippa,
I consider myself fortunate
to stand before you today
as I make my defense
against all the
accusations of the Jews
and especially so, because
you are well acquainted
with all the Jewish
customs and controversies.
Therefore I beg you, to
listen to me patiently.
The Jews all know
the way I have lived
ever since I was a child.
From the beginning of my
life in my own country
and also in Jerusalem,
they have known
me for a long time
and can testify, if
they are willing,
that according to the
strictest sect of our religion,
I lived as a Pharisee.
And now, it is
because of my hope,
in what God has
promised our Fathers,
that I am on trial today.
This is the promise
our 12 tribes
are hoping to see fulfilled,
as they earnestly serve
God day and night.
Oh King, it is
because of this hope
that the Jews are accusing me.
Why should any of you,
consider it incredible
that God raises the dead?
I too was convinced
that I ought to do
all that was possible
to oppose the name
of Jesus of Nazareth
and that is just what
I did in Jerusalem.
On the authority of
the chief priests
I put many of the
Saints in prison
and when they were put to death
I cast my vote against them.
Many a time I went from
one Synagogue to another
to have them punished
and I tried to force
them to blaspheme.
In my obsession against them,
I even went to foreign
cities to persecute them.
On one of these journeys,
I was going to Damascus
with the authority
and Commission of
the chief priests.
About noon oh King,
as I was on the road
I saw a light from Heaven,
brighter than the sun,
blazing around me
and my companions.
We all fell to the ground
and I heard a voice
saying to in Aramaic
"Saul, Saul why do
you persecute me?"
It is hard for you to
kick against the goads.
Then I asked "who are you lord?"
"I am Jesus, whom
you are persecuting."
The Lord replied, "now, get
up and stand on your feet.
"I have appeared to you to
appoint you as a servant
"and as a witness of
what you have seen of me
"and what I will show you.
"I will rescue you
from your own people
"and from the Gentiles.
"I am sending you to
them to open their eyes
"and turn them from
darkness to light
"and from the power
of satan to God.
"So that they may receive
forgiveness of sins
"and a place among those who
are sanctified by faith in me."
So then, King Agrippa,
I was not disobedient to
the vision from Heaven.
First to those in Damascus,
then to those in Jerusalem
and in all Judea, and
to the Gentiles also,
I preached that they should
repent and turn to God
and prove their
repentance by their deeds.
That is why the Jews seized
me in the temple courts
and tried to k*ll me.
But I have had God's
help to this very day
and so I stand here and testify
to small and great alike.
I am saying nothing beyond
what the prophets and
Moses said would happen.
That the Christ would suffer
and as the first to
rise from the dead,
would proclaim light to his
own people and to the Gentiles.
- [Luke] At this point Festus
interrupted Paul's defense.
- You're out of your mind Paul!
- [Luke] He shouted.
- You're great learning
is driving you insane.
- (laughs) I am not insane
most excellent Festus.
- [Luke] Paul replied.
- What I am saying is
true and reasonable.
The King is familiar
with these things
and I can speak freely to him.
I am convinced that none of
this has escaped his notice
because it was not
done in a corner.
King Agrippa, do you
believe the prophets?
I know you do.
- [Luke] Then
Agrippa said to Paul
- Do you think that
in such a short time
you can persuade me
to be a Christian?
- [Luke] Paul replied
- Short time or long.
I pray God that not only you,
but all who are
listening to me today
may become what I am.
Except for these chains.
- [Luke] The king
rose and with him
the Governor and Bernice
and those sitting with them.
They left the room,
and while talking with
one another they said
- This man is not doing anything
that deserves death
or imprisonment.
- [Luke] Agrippa said to Festus
- This man could
have been set free
if he had not
appealed to Caesar.
- When it was decided that
we would sail for Italy,
Paul and some other
prisoners were handed over
to a centurion named Julius.
Who belonged to the
Imperial regiment.
We boarded a ship
from Adramyttium,
about to the sail for ports
along the coast of
the province of Asia
and we put out to sea.
Aristarchus, a Macedonian from
Thessalonica, was with us.
The next day we landed
at Sidon and Julius,
in kindness to Paul,
allowed him to go to his friends
so they might provide
for his needs.
From there we put
out to sea again
and passed to the lee of Cyprus,
because the winds
were against us.
When we had sailed
across the open sea
off the coast of
Silesia and Pamphylia,
we landed at Myra in Lycia.
There the centurion
found an Alexandrian ship
sailing for Italy
and put us on board.
We made slow headway
for many days and
had difficulty
arriving off Cnidus.
When the wind did not allow
us to hold our course,
we sailed to the lee of
Crete, opposite Salmone.
We moved along the
coast with difficulty
and came to a place
called Fair Havens,
near the town of Lycia.
Much time had been lost
and sailing had already
become dangerous
because by now it
was after the fast.
So Paul warned them.
- Men, I can see that our voyage
is going to be disastrous.
And bring great loss
to ship and cargo
and to our own lives also.
- [Luke] But the centurion,
instead of listening
to what Paul said
followed the advice of the pilot
and of the owner of the ship.
Since the harbor was
unsuitable to winter in,
the majority decided
that we should sail on
hoping to reach Phoenix
and winter there.
This was a harbor in Crete
facing both southwest
and northwest.
When a gentle south
wind began to blow
they thought they had
obtained what they wanted.
So they weighed anchor and
sailed along the shore of Crete.
(dramatic music)
Before very long a wind
of hurricane force,
called a northeaster,
swept down from the island.
The ship was caught by the storm
and could not head
into the wind.
So we gave way to it
and were driven along.
As we passed to the lee of a
small island called Clauda,
we were hardly able to
make the lifeboat secure.
When the men had
hoisted it aboard,
they passed ropes under the
ship itself to hold it together.
Fearing that they
would run aground
on the sandbars of Syrtis,
they lowered the sea anchor
and let the ship
be driven along.
We took such a violent
battering from the storm,
that the next day they began
to throw the cargo overboard.
On the third day they threw
the ship's tackle overboard
with their own hands.
When neither Sun nor stars
appeared for many days
and the storm continued raging,
we finally gave up all
hope of being saved.
After the men had gone a
long time without food,
Paul stood up
before them and said
- Men you should
have taken my advice
not to sail from Crete.
Then you would have spared
yourselves this damage and loss.
But now I urge you to
keep up your courage
because not one of
you will be lost.
Only the ship will be destroyed.
Last night an Angel, of the God
whose I am and whom I serve,
stood beside me and said
"do not be afraid Paul."
You must stand
trial before Caesar.
And God has graciously
given you the lives of all
who sail with you.
So keep up your courage
men for I have faith in God
that it will happen
just as he told me.
Nevertheless we must run
aground on some Island.
(wind howls)
On the 14th night,
we were still being driven
across the Adriatic Sea,
when about midnight,
the sailor sensed they
were approaching land.
They took soundings and
found that the water
was 120 feet deep.
A short time later they
took soundings again
and found it was 90 feet deep.
Fearing that we would be
dashed against the rocks,
they dropped four
anchors from the stern
and prayed for daylight.
In an attempt to
escape from the ship,
the sailors let the
lifeboat down into the sea,
pretending they were going
to lower some anchors
from the bow.
Then Paul said to the
centurion and the soldiers
- Unless those men stay with
the ship, you cannot be saved.
(dramatic music)
- [Luke] So the
soldiers cut the ropes
that held the lifeboat
and let it fall away.
Just before dawn, Paul
urged them all to eat.
- For the last 14 days,
- [Luke] he said.
- You have been in
constant suspense
and have gone without food.
You haven't eaten anything.
Now, I urge you
to take some food.
You need it to survive.
Not one of you will lose a
single hair from his head.
- [Luke] After he said this,
he took some bread
and gave thanks to God
in front of them all.
Then he broke it
and began to eat.
They were all encouraged and
ate some food themselves.
Altogether there were
276 of us onboard.
When they had eaten as
much as they wanted,
they lightened the ship by
throwing the grain into the sea.
When daylight came, they
did not recognize the land
but they saw a bay
with a sandy beach
where they decided to run the
ship aground if they could.
Cutting loose the anchors,
they left him in the sea
and at the same time untied the
ropes that held the rudders.
Then they hoisted the
foresail to the wind
and made for the beach.
But the ship struck a
sandbar and ran aground.
The bow stuck fast
and would not move,
and the stern was
broken to pieces
by the pounding of the surf.
The soldiers planned
to k*ll the prisoners
to prevent any of them from
swimming away and escaping.
(tense dramatic music)
But the centurion wanted
to spare Paul's life
and kept them from
carrying out their plan.
He ordered those who could
swim the jump overboard first
and get to land.
The rest were to
get their own planks
from pieces of the ship.
In this way everyone
reached land and safety.
Once safely on shore,
we found out that the
island was called Malta.
The islanders showed
us unusual kindness.
They built a fire
and welcomed us all because
it was raining and cold.
Paul gathered a
pile of brushwood
and as he put it on
the fire a viper,
driven out by the heat
fastened itself on his hand.
When the islanders saw the
snake hanging from his hand,
they said to each other
- This man must be a m*rder*r.
Why did he escape from the sea?
Justice has not
allowed him to live.
- [Luke] But Paul shook
the snake off into the fire
and suffered no ill effects.
(tense dramatic music)
The people expected him to
swell up or suddenly fall dead.
But after waiting a long time
and seeing nothing
unusual happen to him
they changed their minds
and said he was a God.
There was an estate nearby
that belonged to Publius,
the chief official
of the island.
He welcomed us to his home
and for three days
entertained us hospitably.
His father was sick in bed
suffering from
fever and dysentery.
Paul went into see
him and after prayer
placed his hands on
him and healed him.
(uplifting music)
When this had happened,
the rest of the sick on the
island came and were cured.
They honored us in many ways,
and when we were ready to sail
they furnished us with
the supplies we needed.
After three months we
put out to sea in a ship
that had wintered in the island.
It was an Alexandrian ship,
with the figurehead of the
twin God's Castor and Pollux.
We put in at Syracuse and
stayed there three days.
From there we set sail
and arrived at Rhegium.
The next day the
south wind came up
and on the following
day we reached Puteoli.
There we found some brothers
who invited us to
spend a week with them.
And so we came to Rome.
The brothers there had
heard that we were coming
and they traveled as far
as the Forum of Appius
and the Three
Taverns to meet us.
At the sight of these men
Paul thanked God
and was encouraged.
When we got to Rome,
Paul was allowed
to live by himself,
with a soldier to guard him.
Three days later he
called together the
leaders of the Jews.
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.
They examined me and
wanted to release me
because I was not guilty of
any crime deserving death,
but when the Jews objected,
I was compelled to
appeal to Caesar.
Not that I had any charge to
bring against my own people.
For this reason, I have asked
to see you and talk with you.
It is because of
the hope of Israel
that I am bound with this chain.
(man whistles)
(Paul laughs)
- [Luke] They replied
- We have not received
any letters from
Judea concerning you
and none of the brothers
who have come from there
has reported or said
anything bad about you.
But we want to hear
what your views are,
for we know that
people everywhere
are talking against this sect.
They arranged to meet
Paul on a certain day
and came in even larger numbers
to the place where
he was staying.
From morning 'til
evening he explained
and declared to them
the kingdom of God.
And tried to convince
them about Jesus
from the law of Moses
and from the prophets.
Some were convinced
by what he said,
but others would not believe.
They disagreed among themselves
and began to leave after Paul
had made his final statement.
- The Holy Spirit spoke the
truth to your forefathers
when he said through
Isaiah the prophet.
"Go to this people and say
"you will be ever hearing
but never understanding.
"You will be ever seen
but never perceiving.
"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."
Therefore, I want you to know,
that God's salvation
has been sent to the Gentiles
and they will listen.
- [Luke] For two whole years,
Paul stayed there in
his own rented house,
welcomed all who
came to see him.
(uplifting music)
Boldly and without hindrance
he preached the kingdom of God
and taught about the
Lord Jesus Christ.
(Paul laughs)
(somber music)
(people chatter)
- Doctor.
Go in peace.
- Grace and peace
to you captain.
(uplifting music)
(Luke laughs)
Visual Bible: Acts, The (1994)
Moderator: Maskath3
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