Why Study the Book of Acts?

Acts 14:1 ESV

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Paul and Barnabas are forced to leave Antioch and go to Iconium

Why study the book of Acts?

(1) Real people, real places, real ministry

Real people, real places, real ministry

Acts 14:1 ESV

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Paul and Barnabas are forced to leave Antioch and go to Iconium

Why Study the Book of Acts?

Acts 14:1 ESV

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Paul and Barnabas are forced to leave Antioch and go to Iconium

Why Study the Book of Acts?

(2) We see the church as it is meant to be, we see the triune God as He truly is.

When the church was young and bold, the love of the early church, the unity of the early church, the generosity of the early church, the boldness of the early church, the persecution of the early church, the faithfulness of the early church

young and bold, love of the early church, unity, generosity, boldness, persecution, faithfulness

The role of the Jesus in the church - Jesus instructs his followers, Jesus promises he followers power, Jesus promises to return, Jesus is the name that heals, the name that saves, the name that must be believed in, Jesus appears to Saul on the road to Damascus.

The role of the Holy Spirit in the Church - fills and gives boldness, directs individuals,

A review

The role of God the Father in the church - the sovereignty of the Father in Acts

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 9

Major Events in the Life of the Apostle Paul

A.D. 5–10?

Born in Tarsus as an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28; Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); raised in either Jerusalem (Acts 22:3?) or Tarsus

15–20?

Trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3; 26:5; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5–6)

30/33†

Death, resurrection of Christ

31–34

Present at Stephen’s stoning; persecuted Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4a; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6)

33/34*

Converted, called, and commissioned on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–11; 26:12–18; Gal. 1:15–16)

33/34–36/37

Stays in Damascus a short time (Acts 9:19b); leaves for “Arabia” (i.e., Nabataean Kingdom; 2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17); returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:20–22?); Jews and the governor under King Aretas try to arrest and kill him; Paul escapes through the city wall (Acts 9:23–24; 2 Cor. 11:32–33)

36/37*

Meets with Peter (and sees James) in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18)

Hellenists seek to kill him and he flees to Tarsus (Acts 9:28–30; Gal. 1:21)

37–45

Ministers in Syria/Cilicia (2 Cor. 11:22–27?)

42–44

Receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7–9)

44

Herod Agrippa I dies (Acts 12:20–23)

44–47*

Spends a year ministering with Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25–26)

Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10)

46–47

First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26): 1.5 years?

48*

Paul and Barnabas spend “no little time” in Antioch (Acts 14:28; cf. Gal. 2:11–14); Paul writes letter to the Galatians

48–49*

Returns to Jerusalem for the apostolic council (Acts 15); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30–33), but a dispute over John Mark causes them to part ways (Acts 15:36–41)

48/49–51*

Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): 2.5 years?

49

Edict of Claudius (Acts 18:2)

Paul and Silas travel to southern Galatia through Asia Minor, on to Macedonia (notably Philippi [1 Thess. 2:2]); Thessalonica [1 Thess. 2:2; Phil. 4:15–16]; and Berea [Acts 17:10–15]), and then Achaia (notably Athens [1 Thess. 3:1] and Corinth [2 Cor. 11:7–9])

49–51*

Spends 1.5 years in Corinth (Acts 18:11); appears before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17); writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians

51

Returns to Jerusalem? (Acts 18:22)

52–57*

Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): 5 years?

52

Travels to Antioch, where he spends “some time”; then travels through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23)

52–55

Arrives in Ephesus (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 16:8); ministers there for three years (Acts 20:31) and writes 1 Corinthians in the spring, near the end of his ministry there; makes brief, “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1), then returns to Ephesus and writes “tearful, severe letter” (now lost) to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3–4; 7:8–16)

55–56*

Travels north to Macedonia, where he meets Titus (Acts 20:1; cf. 2 Cor. 2:12–13); writes 2 Corinthians

57*

Winters in Corinth (Acts 20:2–3; cf. 2 Cor. 9:4), writes letter to the Romans from Corinth; travels to Jerusalem and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36)

57–59

Imprisonment transferred to Caesarea, where he stays for two years (Acts 24:27)

60*

Voyage to Rome; shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 28:11); finally arrives in Rome

62*

Under house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31), writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon

62–67

Released from house-arrest in Rome, extends his mission (Spain?), writes 1 Timothy (from Macedonia?) and Titus (from Nicopolis); is rearrested, writes 2 Timothy from Rome shortly before his execution

64–67*

Martyred in Rome

Acts 12:1–25 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there. 20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

God’s Sovereignty in Salvation as Seen in Acts

God ordained the cross

God calls, adds, and appoints many to eternal life

God gives faith and repentance; God cleanses and opens hearts

2:23 “Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”

3:18 “what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled”

4:27–28 “there were gathered together … Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever your hand … had predestined to take place”

2:39 “the promise is to … everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself”

2:41 “there were added that day about three thousand souls”

2:47 “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”

5:14 “believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women”

11:24 “a great many people were added to the Lord”

13:48 “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed”

3:16 “the faith that is through Jesus”

5:31 “God exalted him … to give repentance to Israel”

11:18 “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life”

15:8–9 “God … having cleansed their hearts by faith”

16:14 “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul”

18:27 “those who through grace had believed”

The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus through His People by the Power of the Holy Spirit to Accomplish the Sovereign Will of the Father

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

Itinerary of Paul’s First Journey

City

Province/Region

Reference

Antioch

Syria

13:1–3

Seleucia

Syria

13:4

Salamis

Cyprus

13:5

Paphos

Cyprus

13:6–12

Perga

Lycia (region of Pamphylia)

13:13

Antioch

Galatia (region of Pisidia)

13:14–52

Iconium

Galatia

14:1–6

Lystra

Galatia (region of Lycaonia)

14:6, 8–19

Derbe

Galatia (region of Lycaonia)

14:6, 20–21

Lystra

Galatia (region of Lycaonia)

14:21–23

Iconium

Galatia

14:21–23

Antioch

Galatia (region of Pisidia)

14:24

Perga

Lycia (region of Pamphylia)

14:24–25

Attalia

Lycia

14:25

Antioch

Syria

14:26–28

Map 1

The ESV Study Bible Text

The Setting of Acts

c. A.D. 30–60

The book of Acts records the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, thus fulfilling the risen Christ’s words to his apostles in Acts 1:8.

The ESV Study Bible Distinctive Features

Though Acts has much in common with the Gospels, it has a number of unique features. One of these is its genre: it is the only NT book that tells about the ministry of the apostles, hence its traditional name, “The Acts of the Apostles.” It deals primarily with two of them, Peter and Paul. Often Luke shows how events in their ministries parallel each other and the ministry of Jesus as well.

Map 2

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2

Nations at Pentecost

c. A.D. 30

Pentecost attracted Jews from all over the world to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual festival. Those who heard the apostles’ message in their native languages at Pentecost came from various regions within the two great competing empires of the day—the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire—with Jerusalem near the center.

Map 3

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 8

The Ministry of Philip the Evangelist

c. A.D. 34?

Philip, a leader in the church in Jerusalem, began his evangelistic ministry in Sebaste (also called Samaria). God then led him south toward Gaza, where he explained the gospel to a God-fearing Ethiopian royal official. Afterwards Philip was transported by God to Azotus, where he preached and continued his ministry up to Caesarea.

Map 4

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 9

Paul’s (Saul’s) Conversion and Early Travels

c. A.D. 35–39

As Paul approached Damascus to arrest followers of the Way, Jesus appeared to him (1). Galatians 1:17 makes it clear that soon after this Paul spent time in Arabia (2, 3) before going to meet church leaders in Jerusalem (4). When some believers learned of a plot to kill Paul in Jerusalem, they took him to Caesarea, and he returned to his hometown of Tarsus (5).

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 9

Major Events in the Life of the Apostle Paul

A.D. 5–10?

Born in Tarsus as an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28; Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); raised in either Jerusalem (Acts 22:3?) or Tarsus

15–20?

Trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3; 26:5; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5–6)

30/33†

Death, resurrection of Christ

31–34

Present at Stephen’s stoning; persecuted Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4a; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6)

33/34*

Converted, called, and commissioned on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–11; 26:12–18; Gal. 1:15–16)

33/34–36/37

Stays in Damascus a short time (Acts 9:19b); leaves for “Arabia” (i.e., Nabataean Kingdom; 2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17); returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:20–22?); Jews and the governor under King Aretas try to arrest and kill him; Paul escapes through the city wall (Acts 9:23–24; 2 Cor. 11:32–33)

36/37*

Meets with Peter (and sees James) in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18)

Hellenists seek to kill him and he flees to Tarsus (Acts 9:28–30; Gal. 1:21)

37–45

Ministers in Syria/Cilicia (2 Cor. 11:22–27?)

42–44

Receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7–9)

44

Herod Agrippa I dies (Acts 12:20–23)

44–47*

Spends a year ministering with Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25–26)

Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10)

46–47

First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26): 1.5 years?

48*

Paul and Barnabas spend “no little time” in Antioch (Acts 14:28; cf. Gal. 2:11–14); Paul writes letter to the Galatians

48–49*

Returns to Jerusalem for the apostolic council (Acts 15); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30–33), but a dispute over John Mark causes them to part ways (Acts 15:36–41)

48/49–51*

Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): 2.5 years?

49

Edict of Claudius (Acts 18:2)

Paul and Silas travel to southern Galatia through Asia Minor, on to Macedonia (notably Philippi [1 Thess. 2:2]); Thessalonica [1 Thess. 2:2; Phil. 4:15–16]; and Berea [Acts 17:10–15]), and then Achaia (notably Athens [1 Thess. 3:1] and Corinth [2 Cor. 11:7–9])

49–51*

Spends 1.5 years in Corinth (Acts 18:11); appears before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17); writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians

51

Returns to Jerusalem? (Acts 18:22)

52–57*

Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): 5 years?

52

Travels to Antioch, where he spends “some time”; then travels through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23)

52–55

Arrives in Ephesus (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 16:8); ministers there for three years (Acts 20:31) and writes 1 Corinthians in the spring, near the end of his ministry there; makes brief, “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1), then returns to Ephesus and writes “tearful, severe letter” (now lost) to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3–4; 7:8–16)

55–56*

Travels north to Macedonia, where he meets Titus (Acts 20:1; cf. 2 Cor. 2:12–13); writes 2 Corinthians

57*

Winters in Corinth (Acts 20:2–3; cf. 2 Cor. 9:4), writes letter to the Romans from Corinth; travels to Jerusalem and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36)

57–59

Imprisonment transferred to Caesarea, where he stays for two years (Acts 24:27)

60*

Voyage to Rome; shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 28:11); finally arrives in Rome

62*

Under house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31), writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon

62–67

Released from house-arrest in Rome, extends his mission (Spain?), writes 1 Timothy (from Macedonia?) and Titus (from Nicopolis); is rearrested, writes 2 Timothy from Rome shortly before his execution

64–67*

Martyred in Rome

Map 5

Map 5

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 9

Peter’s Early Ministry

c. A.D. 39?

The apostle Peter traveled to the crossroads town of Lydda and healed a paralyzed man, leading many in that region to turn to the Lord. Later Peter traveled to Joppa and raised a woman from the dead. While Peter was staying at the house of Simon, a tanner in Joppa, the Roman centurion Cornelius sent for him to come to Caesarea.

Map 6

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 12

The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I

c. A.D. 41

Largely due to his influential friendships with the Roman emperors Gaius (Caligula) and Claudius, Herod Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great, pieced together what was essentially his grandfather’s old kingdom plus the region of Abilene to the north. He wielded great power over the whole region of Palestine, as well as Syria, including Tyre and Sidon.

Map 7

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26)

c. A.D. 46–47

Barnabas and Paul first visited Barnabas’s home region of Cyprus before sailing to the southern region of Asia Minor. When they reached Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark left the group and returned to Jerusalem. Making their way to Antioch (in Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of each city by jealous Jewish religious leaders. Later they returned by the same route, strengthening the new churches as they went. From Attalia they set sail for their home in Antioch of Syria.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

Itinerary of Paul’s First Journey

City

Province/Region

Reference

Antioch

Syria

13:1–3

Seleucia

Syria

13:4

Salamis

Cyprus

13:5

Paphos

Cyprus

13:6–12

Perga

Lycia (region of Pamphylia)

13:13

Antioch

Galatia (region of Pisidia)

13:14–52

Iconium

Galatia

14:1–6

Lystra

Galatia (region of Lycaonia)

14:6, 8–19

Derbe

Galatia (region of Lycaonia)

14:6, 20–21

Lystra

Galatia (region of Lycaonia)

14:21–23

Iconium

Galatia

14:21–23

Antioch

Galatia (region of Pisidia)

14:24

Perga

Lycia (region of Pamphylia)

14:24–25

Attalia

Lycia

14:25

Antioch

Syria

14:26–28

Acts 14:1 ESV

1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Why Study the Book of Acts?

(1) Real people, real places, real ministry

Acts 14:1 ESV

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Paul and Barnabas are forced to leave Antioch and go to Iconium

Why Study the Book of Acts?

(2) We see the church as it is meant to be, we see the triune God as He truly is.

When the church was young and bold, the love of the early church, the unity of the early church, the generosity of the early church, the boldness of the early church, the persecution of the early church, the faithfulness of the early church

young and bold, love of the early church, unity, generosity, boldness, persecution, faithfulness

The role of the Jesus in the church - Jesus instructs his followers, Jesus promises he followers power, Jesus promises to return, Jesus is the name that heals, the name that saves, the name that must be believed in, Jesus appears to Saul on the road to Damascus.

The role of the Holy Spirit in the Church - fills and gives boldness, directs individuals,

The role of God the Father in the church - the sovereignty of the Father in Acts

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

God’s Sovereignty in Salvation as Seen in Acts

God ordained the cross

God calls, adds, and appoints many to eternal life

God gives faith and repentance; God cleanses and opens hearts

2:23 “Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”

3:18 “what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled”

4:27–28 “there were gathered together … Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever your hand … had predestined to take place”

2:39 “the promise is to … everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself”

2:41 “there were added that day about three thousand souls”

2:47 “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”

5:14 “believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women”

11:24 “a great many people were added to the Lord”

13:48 “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed”

3:16 “the faith that is through Jesus”

5:31 “God exalted him … to give repentance to Israel”

11:18 “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life”

15:8–9 “God … having cleansed their hearts by faith”

16:14 “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul”

18:27 “those who through grace had believed”

The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus through His People by the Power of the Holy Spirit to Accomplish the Sovereign Will of the Father

The Setting of Acts

The Setting of Acts

c. A.D. 30–60

c. A.D. 30–60

The book of Acts records the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, thus fulfilling the risen Christ’s words to his apostles in .

The book of Acts records the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, thus fulfilling the risen Christ’s words to his apostles in Acts 1:8.

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2075.

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2075.

acts 12:1-

The role of the Jesus in the church -

The role of the Holy Spirit in the Church - fills and gives boldness, directs individuals,

The role of God the Father in the church - appoints to eternal life

Acts 14:1–28 ESV

1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Acts 14:1-