Acts 11:20

For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.

Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, “Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?

I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.

Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast.

To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”

for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings.

I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, even the daughter of my dispersed people, will bring my offering.

He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.

As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.

But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.

He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.

how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today.

When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,

When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?

Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,

to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

For this I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.

But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.

Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.

When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.