Study Desk

You know of the great event that took place throughout the land of Israel, beginning in Galilee after John preached his message of baptism.

All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name."

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his message.

The Jewish believers who had come from Joppa with Peter were amazed that God had poured out his gift of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles also.

He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send someone to Joppa for a man whose full name is Simon Peter.

After his arrest Peter was put in jail, where he was handed over to be guarded by four groups of four soldiers each. Herod planned to put him on trial in public after Passover.

Then Peter realized what had happened to him, and said, "Now I know that it is really true! The Lord sent his angel to rescue me from Herod's power and from everything the Jewish people expected to happen."

Aware of his situation, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

"You are crazy!" they told her. But she insisted that it was true. So they answered, "It is his angel."

He motioned with his hand for them to be quiet, and he explained to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell this to James and the rest of the believers," he said; then he left and went somewhere else.

On a chosen day Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to the people.

But they were opposed by the magician Elymas (that is his name in Greek), who tried to turn the governor away from the faith.

The Lord's hand will come down on you now; you will be blind and will not see the light of day for a time." At once Elymas felt a dark mist cover his eyes, and he walked around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand.

Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and came to Perga, a city in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem.

Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: "Fellow Israelites and all Gentiles here who worship God: hear me!

The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors and made the people a great nation during the time they lived as foreigners in Egypt. God brought them out of Egypt by his great power,

He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan and made his people the owners of the land.

Before Jesus began his work, John preached to all the people of Israel that they should turn from their sins and be baptized.

And as John was about to finish his mission, he said to the people, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. But listen! He is coming after me, and I am not good enough to take his sandals off his feet.'

For David served God's purposes in his own time, and then he died, was buried with his ancestors, and his body rotted in the grave.