beginning from the immersion of John until the day when He was taken up from us, it is necessary for one of these to become a witness with us of His resurrection.

And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them forth to preach,

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will also be able to teach others.

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I assigned you:

This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

So, from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.

Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed:

The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,

The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. Having said this, He breathed out the spirit.

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and good hope by grace,

encourage your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep safe what I have committed to Him until that Day.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.