Study Desk

So the people made an idol that looked like a calf. Then they brought sacrifices to it. They were very happy with what they had made with their own hands.

You carried with you the tent for worshiping Moloch and the image of the star of your god Rephan. These were the idols you made to worship. So I will send you away beyond Babylon.'

‘The Lord says, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is where I rest my feet. So do you think you can build a house for me? Do I need a place to rest?

When those in the council meeting heard this, they became very angry. They were so mad they were grinding their teeth at him.

Simon amazed the people with his magic for so long that the people became his followers.

The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God. So they sent Peter and John to the people in Samaria.

Simon saw that the Spirit was given to people when the apostles laid their hands on them. So he offered the apostles money.

He said, "Give me this power so that when I lay my hands on someone, they will receive the Holy Spirit."

Simon answered, "Both of you pray to the Lord for me, so that what you have said will not happen to me."

So Philip got ready and went. On the road he saw a man from Ethiopia. He was a eunuch and an important official in the service of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He was responsible for taking care of all her money. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship.

So he went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

He was shamed, and all his rights were taken away. His life on earth has ended. So there will be no story about his descendants."

So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him.

Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So the men with him held his hand and led him into Damascus.

He has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias came and laid his hands on him so that he could see again."

So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road when you came here. He sent me so that you can see again and also be filled with the Holy Spirit."

But Saul became more and more powerful in proving that Jesus is the Messiah. His proofs were so strong that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue with him.

And so Saul stayed with the followers and went all around Jerusalem speaking boldly for the Lord.

The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, these groups of believers became stronger in faith and showed their respect for the Lord by the way they lived. So the church everywhere grew in numbers.

The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, which was not far away. So they sent two men, who begged him, "Hurry, please come quickly!"