From: "FamilyNet"
Bible Reading for November 19
Acts 15
[1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said,
Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
[2] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation
with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them,
should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
[3] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice
and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great
joy unto all the brethren. [4] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were
received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all
things that God had done with them.
[5] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed,
saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep
the law of Moses.
[6] And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them,
Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us,
that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy
Ghost, even as he did unto us; [9] And put no difference between us and them,
purifying their hearts by faith.
[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the
disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? [11] But we
believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved,
even as they.
[12] Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and
Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles
by them.
[13] And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and
brethren, hearken unto me:
[14] Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take
out of them a people for his name. [15] And to this agree the words of the
prophets; as it is written, [16] After this I will return, and will build
again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again
the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
[17] That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles,
upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
[18] Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. [19]
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the
Gentiles are turned to God:
[20] But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols,
and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. [21] For
Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the
synagogues every sabbath day. [22] Then pleased it the apostles and elders,
with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with
Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among
the brethren: [23] And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The
apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of
the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: [24] Forasmuch as we have
heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words,
subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to
whom we gave no such commandment: [25] It seemed good unto us, being assembled
with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and
Paul, [26] Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
[27] We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same
things by mouth.
[28] For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no
greater burden than these necessary things; [29] That ye abstain from meats
offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from
fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
[30] So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had
gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: [31] Which when
they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. [32] And Judas and Silas,
being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and
confirmed them. [33] And after they had tarried there a space, they were let
go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. [34] Notwithstanding it
pleased Silas to abide there still. [35] Paul also and Barnabas continued in
Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
[36] And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit
our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and
see how they do.
[37] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
[38] But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them
from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [39] And the contention
was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and
so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
[40] And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren
unto the grace of God.
[41] And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Acts 16
[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was
there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and
believed; but his father was a Greek: [2] Which was well reported of by the
brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him
because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his
father was a Greek.
[4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for
to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
[5] And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number
daily.
[6] Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and
were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, [7] After they
were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered
them not.
[8] And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to
Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying,
Come over into Macedonia, and help us. [10] And after he had seen the vision,
immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the
Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
[11] Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to
Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; [12] And from thence to Philippi,
which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were
in that city abiding certain days. [13] And on the sabbath we went out of the
city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and
spake unto the women which resorted thither.
[14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of
Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that
she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. [15] And when she was
baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to
be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she
constrained us. [16] And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain
damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters
much gain by soothsaying:
[17] The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the
servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. [18]
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the
spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he
came out the same hour.
[19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they
caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
[20] And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do
exceedingly trouble our city,
[21] And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to
observe, being Romans.
[22] And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent
off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. [23] And when they had laid
many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to
keep them safely: [24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into
the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. [25] And at midnight
Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
[26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the
prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's
bands were loosed.
[27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the
prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself,
supposing that the prisoners had been fled. [28] But Paul cried with a loud
voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
[29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell
down before Paul and Silas,
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31]
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and
thy house.
[32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his
house.
[33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes;
and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. [34] And when he had brought
them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God
with all his house. [35] And when it was day, the magistrates sent the
serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
[36] And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates
have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. [37] But Paul
said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have
cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but
let them come themselves and fetch us out. [38] And the serjeants told these
words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were
Romans. [39] And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and
desired them to depart out of the city.
[40] And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia and
when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Acts 17
[1] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: [2] And Paul, as his manner
was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the
scriptures, [3] Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered,
and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is
Christ. [4] And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and
of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. [5]
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd
fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an
uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the
people.
[6] And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto
the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down
are come hither also;
[7] Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of
Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. [8] And they troubled
the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
[9] And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them
go.
[10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto
Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were
more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all
readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so.
[12] Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were
Greeks, and of men, not a few.
[13] But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was
preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
[14] And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the
sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. [15] And they that conducted
Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and
Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
[16] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him,
when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. [17] Therefore disputed he in
the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market
daily with them that met with him. [18] Then certain philosophers of the
Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this
babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods:
because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
[19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know
what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? [20] For thou bringest
certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things
mean.
[21] (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in
nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) [22] Then Paul
stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that
in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld
your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of
heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is
worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth
to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] And hath made of one blood all
nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined
the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and
find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live,
and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For
we are also his offspring. [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone,
graven by art and man's device.
[30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men
every where to repent:
[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in
righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. [32] And
when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said,
We will hear thee again of this matter. [33] So Paul departed from among them.
[34] Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was
Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 18
[1] After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; [2] And
found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with
his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart
from Rome:) and came unto them. [3] And because he was of the same craft, he
abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
[4] And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and
the Greeks.
[5] And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in
the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. [6] And when they
opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them,
Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto
the Gentiles. [7] And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's
house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the
synagogue. [8] And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the
Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and
were baptized.
[9] Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but
speak, and hold not thy peace:
[10] For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have
much people in this city.
[11] And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God
among them.
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