The Early Church

David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope,

because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’

Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.

God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.

Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

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

This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”

Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts.