Study Desk

Is there one prophet that your ancestors didn't mistreat? They killed the prophets who told about the coming of the One Who Obeys God. And now you have turned against him and killed him.

But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side.

Then Stephen said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!"

Everyone, rich and poor, crowded around him. They said, "This man is the power of God called ‘The Great Power.'"

You don't have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn't right.

Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you.

Soon he went to the Jewish meeting places and started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God.

Cornelius was a very religious man. He worshiped God, and so did everyone else who lived in his house. He had given a lot of money to the poor and was always praying to God.

One afternoon at about three o'clock, Cornelius had a vision. He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name.

Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel. Then he asked, "What is this all about?" The angel answered, "God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor.

After saying this, the angel left. Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshiped God.

The voice spoke to him again, "When God says that something can be used for food, don't say it isn't fit to eat."

They answered, "Captain Cornelius sent us. He is a good man who worships God and is liked by the Jewish people. One of God's holy angels told Cornelius to send for you, so he could hear what you have to say."

and Peter said to them, "You know that we Jews are not allowed to have anything to do with other people. But God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit.

He said, "Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and he knows about your gifts to the poor.

I sent for you right away, and you have been good enough to come. All of us are here in the presence of the Lord God, so that we can hear what he has to say.

Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike.

God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from.

This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.

God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil.