The Early Church

save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.

Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;

and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.

And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.

And when it came to pass that we were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.

And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.

And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;

and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.

And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.

Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.