Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9, verses 19-31

¹⁸ and is baptized by Ananias, ²⁰ He preacheth Christ boldly, ²³ The Jews lay wait to kill him, ²⁹ so do the Grecians, but he escapeth both, ³¹ The church having rest, Peter healeth Aeneas of the palsy

¹⁹And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

²⁰And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

²¹But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

²²But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

²³And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

²⁴But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

²⁵Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

²⁶And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

²⁷But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

²⁸And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

²⁹And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

³⁰Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

³¹Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Comments:

Wesley's Notes

Comments on the current fragment

Comments on the book

Comments on the part

9:24 They guarded the gates day and night - That is, the governor did, at their request, Co2 11:32.

9:26 And coming to Jerusalem - Three years after, Gal 1:18.These three years St. Paul passes over, Act 22:17, likewise.

9:27 To the apostles - Peter and James, Gal 1:18-19. And declared - He who has been an enemy to the truth ought not to be trusted till he gives proof that he is changed.

9:31 Then the Church - The whole body of Christian believers, had peace - Their bitterest persecutor being converted. And being built up - In holy, loving faith, continually increasing, and walking in - That is, speaking and acting only from this principle, the fear of God and the comfort of the Holy Ghost - An excellent mixture of inward and outward peace, tempered with filial fear.

John, Chapter 15, verses 17-27

¹ The consolation and mutual love between Christ and his members, under the parable of the vine, ¹⁸ A comfort in the hatred and persecution of the world, ²⁶ The office of the holy Ghost, and of the apostles

¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another.

¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

²¹But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

²²If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

²³He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

²⁴If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

²⁵But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

²⁶But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

²⁷And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

John, Chapter 16, verses 1-2

¹ Christ comforteth his disciples against tribulation by the promise of the holy Ghost, and by his resurrection and ascension

¹These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

²They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Read more:John, Chapter 16

Comments:

Wesley's Notes

Comments on the current fragment

Comments on the book

Comments on the part

15:19 Because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you - Because your maxims, tempers, actions, are quite opposite to theirs. For the very same reason must the world in all ages hate those who are not of the world.

15:20 Joh 13:16; Mat 10:24; Luk 6:40.

15:21 All these things will they do to you, because they know not him that sent me - And in all ages and nations they who know not God will, for this cause, hate and persecute those that do.

15:22 They had not had sin - Not in this respect.

15:23 He that hateth me - As every unbeliever doth, For as the love of God is inseparable from faith, so is the hatred of God from unbelief.

15:25 Psa 69:4.

15:26 When the Comforter is come, whom I will send from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me - The Spirit's coming, and being sent by our Lord from the Father, to testify of him, are personal characters, and plainly distinguish him from the Father and the Son; and his title as the Spirit of truth, together with his proceeding from the Father, can agree to none but a Divine person. And that he proceeds from the Son, as well as from the Father, may be fairly argued from his being called the Spirit of Christ, Pe1 1:11; and from his being here said to besent by Christ from the Father, as well as sent by the Father in his name.

16:2 The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think he doth God service - But, blessed be God, the time is so far past, that those who bear the name of Christ do not now generally suppose they do him service by killing each other for a difference in opinion or mode of worship.

Topics:

Commandments


	After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free.

Orthodox readings for 2 May 2026

Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9, verses 19-31

John, Chapter 15, verses 17-27

John, Chapter 16, verses 1-2