About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand. In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form.
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The Book of Acts
Acts tells the story of the early Christian
church and how Christianity spread to other parts of the world. It covers the
first years of the Christian church. Most people who study the Bible feel
that Jesus' disciple, Luke, was the author of Acts. They feel that the Book of Luke
and the Book of Acts were meant to be together. They also feel that Luke may
have planned to write a third book.
The 2 important people in the Book of Acts are Peter and Paul. Some important events that happen in Acts are the coming of the Holy Spirit, the persecution of Christians, the conversion of Saul (Paul), and the spread of Christianity to other parts of the world.
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Ananias was a man, and his wife's name was Sapphira.
They sold some land. Ananias brought the money to the apostles, but he
didn't bring it all. His wife knew what he was doing.
[1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
[2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and
brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Peter talked to Ananias. He asked him why Satan had caused him to lie. Satan
caused him to keep part of the money he earned from the land he sold. Satan
caused him to lie to the Holy Ghost. Before Ananias sold the land, it was
his. After he sold it, the money was his. He didn't need to lie and say he
was bringing it all to the apostles. He didn't lie to men; he lied to God.
[3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the
Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not
in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast
not lied unto men, but unto God.
Ananias heard what Peter said. Then he fell down and
died. Everyone who heard this was very afraid. Some of the young men got
up, wound him in cloth, carried him out, and buried him.
[5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great
fear came on all them that heard these things.
[6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
About 3 hours later, Sapphira came in. She didn't know
what happened to her husband. Peter asked her if they sold their land or not.
She said yes. Then she lied about how much they sold the land for. Peter asked
her why she and her husband agreed to lie to the Holy Spirit. He told her that
her husband was dead. He showed her the people who carried him out. He said the
same people will carry her out. Then she died, too. The same young men
carried her out and buried her by her husband.
[7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing
what was done, came in.
[8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?
And she said, Yea, for so much.
[9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt
the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband
are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
[10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and
the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her
by her husband.
[11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these
things.
The apostles do many miracles, then are arrested again.
The apostles did many wonderful miracles. They
met at the part of the Temple called Solomon's porch. People talked about how
good they were. No one else tried to join with them.
[12] And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among
the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
[13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified
them.
Many more people began to believe in Jesus.
[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and
women.)
People brought sick people into the streets. They
laid them on beds and couches (mats). They were hoping that Peter would walk
past them. They felt that if Peter's shadow touched them, they would be healed.
[15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them
on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might
overshadow some of them.
Many people came to Jerusalem from other cities. They
brought their sick people. They brought people that had unclean spirits. All of
them were healed.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem,
bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they
were healed every one.
Then, the high priest and the people with him (the
Sadducees) became upset and jealous. They arrested the apostles and put them in
prison.
[17] Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is
the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
[18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
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The angel of the Lord came at night and opened the
prison doors. The apostles escaped. The angel told them to go to the temple and
preach. They should teach everyone about this new life.
[19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought
them forth, and said,
[20] Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
The apostles went to the temple early in the morning.
They were teaching there. When the high priest and the others met
together, they asked for the apostles to be brought from jail.
[21] And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the
morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and
called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and
sent to the prison to have them brought.
But when the officers went to the jail, the apostles
were not there. They went to the priests and told them. The officers said that they had
locked the jail doors and left guards there. But when they opened the doors, no
one was there in the cell.
[22] But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they
returned, and told,
[23] Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers
standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man
within.
The high priest and the others heard what the officers
said. They did not know what had happened. Then, someone came and told them that
the men they put in prison were now preaching in the temple.
[24] Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief
priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
[25] Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison
are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
The officers went and arrested the apostles at the
temple. They did not use violence because they were afraid the people who
supported the apostles would throw rocks at them and kill them.
[26] Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence:
for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
The officers brought them to the council. The high
priest talked about how the men were told not to preach in Jesus' name. Now,
they are filling Jerusalem with their beliefs. He said they are trying to make
him responsible for Jesus' death.
[27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the
high priest asked them,
[28] Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this
name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to
bring this man's blood upon us.
Peter and the other apostles answered. They said that
they obey God and not men. The priests killed Jesus and hung him on a tree
(cross). God raised Jesus up to life.
[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God
rather than men.
[30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Jesus is on God's right hand. He is a Prince and a
Saviour. He gives repentance to Israel. He forgives their sins. The
apostles said that they have seen these things. God has given the Holy
Spirit to the people who obey Him. The Holy Spirit is also a witness that Jesus
was raised from the dead.
[31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for
to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
[32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost,
whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The council heard what the apostles said. They were
very upset and wanted to kill them.
[33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay
them.
Gamaliel gives advice about dealing with the apostles.
One of the Pharisees was named Gamaliel. He was
well-educated in the law. He was well-known among the priests. He told them to
take the apostles away.
[34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a
doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put
the apostles forth a little space;
Gamaliel talked to the council. He told them to be careful about what they do to
the apostles. He talked about some previous religious leaders.
One of the men was named Theudas. He said he was someone important. About 400
men followed him. After Theudas was killed, his followers scattered and
did nothing. Another man was Judas from Galilee. Many people
followed him. He died, and all of his followers scattered.
[35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye
intend to do as touching these men.
[36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to
whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and
all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
[37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew
away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed
him, were dispersed.
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Gamaliel told them to leave Jesus' apostles alone.
If Jesus was only a man, then nothing will happen. But if Jesus was God, then no
one can defeat the apostles. They would be fighting against God.
[38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if
this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
[39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to
fight against God.
The men on the council agreed with Gamaliel. They
called the apostles back in. They beat them and then told them they should not
speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.
[40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten
them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go.
The apostles left the council. They were very happy
because they felt honored to suffer for Jesus' name.
[41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Everyday in the temple and in every house, they
continued to teach and preach about Jesus Christ.
[42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and
preach Jesus Christ.
The number of Jesus' followers increased. Some
of the followers spoke Greek, and some spoke Hebrew. A situation happened
between the Greek followers and the Hebrew followers. The Greeks complained that
the Greek widows were not getting enough food to eat.
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there
arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were
neglected in the daily ministration.
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The 12 apostles called all of the disciples (followers) to come to them.
They said they should not leave God's word to serve food to people. They told
the disciples to pick 7 honest men to be in charge. The men should be wise and
full of the Holy Spirit. The 7 men will take care of the food situation. The
apostles will focus on prayer and telling people about God's word.
[2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said,
It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full
of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
[4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word.
The disciples were happy about this. They chose the
7 men. The 7 men were:
Stephen -- a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit
Philip
Prochorus
Nicanor
Timon
Parmenas
Nicolas -- he was from the place named Antioch and had become a believer of
Jesus
[5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man
full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and
Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
The disciples brought the 7 men to the 12 apostles. The apostles prayed and laid
their hands on them.
[6] Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their
hands on them.
Stephen is arrested.
God's word increased. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly.
Many priests also became followers of Jesus.
[7] And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the
faith.
Stephen was full of faith and power. He did miracles
among the people.
[8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among
the people.
Some men from the synagogue argued with Stephen. But
he won the arguments because the Holy Spirit gave him wisdom. The men were the
Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from Cilicia and Asia.
[9] Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of
the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of
Asia, disputing with Stephen.
[10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he
spake.
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The men from the synagogue got other men to lie. The men lied and said
that they had heard Stephen say bad things against Moses and God. They got
the people, elders, and scribes angry. They caught Stephen and brought him to
the council.
[11] Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous
words against Moses, and against God.
[12] And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came
upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
They lied and said that he wouldn't stop saying bad
things against the temple and God's laws. They said they heard him say that
Jesus will destroy the temple and change the laws that Moses gave them.
[13] And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak
blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
[14] For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this
place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
The people in the council looked at Stephen. They saw
that his face looked like the face of an angel.
[15] And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as
it had been the face of an angel.