This went on for two years, so that all who lived in the province of Asia,<n id="1" /> both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.<n id="2" />p>

If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint<n id="1" /> against someone, the courts are open<n id="2" /> and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there.<n id="3" />

For<n id="1" /> we are in danger of being charged with rioting<n id="2" /> today, since there is no cause we can give to explain<n id="3" /> this disorderly gathering.&#8221;<n id="4" />

When<n id="1" /> they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken,<n id="2" /> and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak<n id="3" /> the word of God<n id="4" /> courageously.<n id="5" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen<n id="1" /> went as far as<n id="2" /> Phoenicia,<n id="3" /> Cyprus,<n id="4" /> and Antioch,<n id="5" /> speaking the message<n id="6" /> to no one but Jews.

<t /><p class="bodytext">After some days Paul said to Barnabas, &#8220;Let&#8217;s return<n id="1" /> and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord<n id="2" /> to see how they are doing.&#8221;<n id="3" />

These Jews<n id="1" /> were more open-minded<n id="2" /> than those in Thessalonica,<n id="3" /> for they eagerly<n id="4" /> received<n id="5" /> the message, examining<n id="6" /> the scriptures carefully every day<n id="7" /> to see if these things were so.

But just as Paul was about to speak,<n id="1" /> Gallio said to the Jews, &#8220;If it were a matter of some crime or serious piece of villainy,<n id="2" /> I would have been justified in accepting the complaint<n id="3" /> of you Jews,<n id="4" />

On the first day<n id="1" /> of the week, when we met<n id="2" /> to break bread, Paul began to speak<n id="3" /> to the people, and because he intended<n id="4" /> to leave the next day, he extended<n id="5" /> his message until midnight.

Both Paul and Barnabas replied courageously,<n id="1" /> &#8220;It was necessary to speak the word of God<n id="2" /> to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy<n id="3" /> of eternal life, we<n id="4" /> are turning to the Gentiles.<n id="5" />

After there had been much debate,<n id="1" /> Peter stood up and said to them, &#8220;Brothers, you know that some time ago<n id="2" /> God chose<n id="3" /> me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message<n id="4" /> of the gospel<n id="5" /> and believe.<n id="6" />