The Early Church

I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.

But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.

In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.

They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

After we had torn ourselves away from them, we sailed directly to Cos, and the next day on to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded it and set sail.

After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.

We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.

And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

When we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.

Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.

He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.