The apostles {\cf2\super [162]} were still in Jerusalem. They heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God. So the apostles sent Peter and John to the people in Samaria.
The things which the Lord spoke through him will certainly come true. The Lord used him to speak against the altar at Bethel and against the high places [172] in the other towns in Samaria.”
But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person that hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and makes fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.”
There is a judge for the person that refuses to believe in me and does not accept what I say. The message I have taught will judge that person on the last day.
Paul, Barnabas, and the others arrived in Jerusalem. The apostles, {\cf2\super [299]} the elders, {\cf2\super [300]} and the whole group of believers welcomed them. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about all the things that God had done with them.
These Jews were better people than the Jews in Thessalonica. These Jews were very happy to listen to the things Paul and Silas said. These Jews in Berea studied the Scriptures {\cf2\super [350]} every day. They wanted to know if these things were true.
Then those people who accepted (believed) what Peter said were baptized. {\cf2\super [44]} On that day about 3,000 people were added to the group of believers.
James, Peter, and John seemed to be the leaders. They saw that God had given me this special grace (gift). So they accepted Barnabas and me. Peter, James, and John said, “Paul and Barnabas, we agree that you should go to the people who are not Jews. We will go to the Jews.”
Also, we always thank God because of the way you accepted God’s message (teaching). You heard that message from us, and you accepted it like it was God’s words, not the words of men. And it really is God’s message (teaching). And that message works in you people who believe.
The Man of Evil will use every kind of evil to trick those people who are lost. Those people are lost because they refused to love the truth. (If they loved the truth, they would be saved.)