The Order

of

Melchizedek

Paul Cozza

A Place in the Wilderness

The Order of Melchizedek

© 2025 Paul Cozza

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, or any other, including photocopy, recording, or any information or retrieval system—without prior written consent, in hardcopy paper form, from:

Paul Cozza
A Place in the Wilderness

Email: paul@aplaceinthewilderness.com
Website: aplaceinthewilderness.com

Scripture quotations are from the
American Standard Version of the Bible (1901)
unless otherwise noted.

Cover: Abraham Meets Melchizedek, mosaic

in St. Mark's Basilica, Venice, Italy.

Melchizedek is an extremely mysterious personage, who is mentioned in the Bible in only three places.

In Genesis

He is seen for the only time in Scripture in Genesis,1 when he came forth to meet Abram, who was returning from the slaughter of the kings.2 This brief appearance lasted but three verses. He had not been mentioned before nor was he ever again mentioned in Genesis. There is no record of his father or mother, nor of his birth or death.

Who was he and what was his source? No one can say for sure. We only know that he was a king. He was the king of Salem, which was the precursor to Jerusalem. Being the king of Salem, he was also the king of peace, for that is what Salem means. He was also the king of righteousness, for that is what the name Melchizedek means. We are also told that he was a priest of the Most High God.

In Psalms

The enigmatic Melchizedek is referenced once in Psalms,3 but only indirectly. There, Jesus is declared to be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. We know this is a reference to Jesus, because the first verse of this psalm states, Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool, and Peter tells us explicitly that this verse refers to Jesus.4

In Hebrews

The final mention of Melchizedek is in the book of Hebrews,5 which was undoubtedly written by the Apostle Paul. There, Paul points out there is no mention of Melchizedek's father or mother, nor of his beginning or end. Rather, in all things he was made to appear like the Son of God. Evidently, according to Paul’s understanding, Melchizedek was quite an esteemed person and was a priest different from those of the Levitical order.6

Melchizedek's Life

Melchizedek, as we have seen, was the King of Salem. The Bible tells us he was also a priest of the Most High God. What was he doing as a priest? Furthermore, how did he know to come out and meet Abram, who was returning from battle? Was there some messenger who reported to Melchizedek, and about whom the Bible is silent? How did Melchizedek know anything at all about Abram or Abram's doings? Not only is Melchizedek mysterious, but his life and activities are as well.

Man’s Dominion

To understand what must have been happening at that time, we must turn back to the beginning of the Bible. Recall that God gave man dominion over all the Earth.7 Since God gave man dominion, God cannot act unilaterally on the Earth. He cannot retract what He has given man. To do so would be unrighteous. We may think that God can do whatever He wants, but that is not the case. He is limited by the dominion He has previously given to man.

Satan’s Province

When man fell, he then delivered that dominion to Satan. Satan is now ruling over the Earth through man—through sin in man's flesh8 and corruption in man's soul.9 He influences, deceives, and then leads and misleads man. This is how he maintains his kingdom.

The Situation at Abram’s Time

Now let us look at the Earth's situation at the time Abram slaughtered the kings. The whole world was under the control of Satan. Satan himself declared this to the Lord when tempting Him, saying that the kingdoms of the world had been delivered to him.10 The Lord did not dispute Satan's assertion, so we know it must have been true. This means that at Abram's time, the world was under the rule of Satan.

However, we are told11 that Abram's slaughter of four kings and their armies with but 318 fighting men was due to God's intervention, for Melchizedek tells us that God delivered all these into Abram's hand. If Satan was the ruler of the Earth, what gave God the right to intervene on Abram's behalf?

The Created Race

Yet, something much deeper was happening at the time of Melchizedek. God created man with a purpose—to rule for God over the Earth. However, after the fall, man became increasingly corrupt, until the entire Earth was filled with violence.12 God even repented for having made man.13 This forced God to judge man, by destroying the entire race, except for Noah and his family.

The Called Race

The created race had failed God, so God turned to a people He called out for Himself from the created race. The first of these called-out ones was Abram. God appeared to him in Mesopotamia,14 and called him to come forth into the good land.15 This was a crucial change that was required for God to carry out His purpose.

However, as we asked concerning the slaughter of the kings, what gave God the right—the authority—to appear to Abram and call him out? Had not God given dominion on the Earth to man, and had not man delivered that to Satan? If Satan ruled the Earth, how could God rightly intervene?

The Way

For God to move on the Earth, there must be some who open the door for His intervention by standing for Him on the Earth. It is through the prayer of such men that God is then enabled to move. After all, God gave man dominion. There must be at least one man who stands against the fall and for God, exercising the God-given right to dominion on the Earth. The prayer of such a one is all that is necessary for God to accomplish what He desires in a world that is otherwise controlled by Satan.

For God to change the age from created man to the called race, there was need of a man on the Earth standing for God and opening the way for Him to move through prayer. This was and is a hidden, but glorious, matter.

Melchizedek must have been such a person. He must have been close to God and saw the desire in God’s heart. He then prayed out that desire so God could move to accomplish it. Melchizedek must have known God’s desire to call out a man to start a new race. From afar, he must have seen Abram, the one whom God desired to call, and prayed for this call. This enabled God to appear to Abram.

Throughout Abram’s life, Melchizedek must have been behind the scenes praying for him and for God’s move. Eventually, Melchizedek must have prayed God to deliver the kings into Abram’s hands, which God gladly did.

In prayer, Melchizedek must have seen Abram returning from that slaughter from afar and came forth to feed him. It was such prayer that opened the door for God to move in and with Abram.

Daniel

We see another such person later in the Bible. The prophet Daniel was one who prayed continually to God for Israel, the temple, and Jerusalem.16 Three times a day he would kneel to pray, giving God thanks and making his petitions and supplications known to God. Even though the world was covered with satanic darkness at Daniel’s time, his prayers gave God the means to work on the Earth, in spite of Satan’s opposition.17

It was Daniel’s prayer that opened the door for God to release the many prophecies concerning Israel’s future and the end of this age.18 Furthermore, it was Daniel’s prayer that allowed God to once again bring the temple and, eventually, Jerusalem back into existence.19 Indeed, the decree to rebuild the temple came at the very end of Daniel’s life.20

This was an historic change on Earth and a monumental undertaking. This was certainly not something Satan wanted to occur, and as ruler over the Earth, he must have done everything possible to stop it. Yet, God was able to move anyway, because of Daniel’s prayers and the prayers of many others at that time, Jeremiah the prophet and Ezra being no doubt among them.

Whenever God moves to change something on Earth, Satan stands in His way in an attempt to frustrate Him. This is especially true for the momentous events in man’s history, such as the calling out of Abram and the rebuilding of the temple.

Jesus

Jesus was such a man of prayer as well. He often left His disciples and the multitudes that followed Him to be alone for prayer.21 All that He accomplished while on Earth had His prayer as a foundation. He prayed to choose His apostles22 and to send out the seventy.23 He uttered the deepest prayer for the accomplishment of God’s heart’s desire.24 He also prayed for God’s will before His agony and death.25 All He did was first accomplished through His prayer.

Furthermore, He frequently charged his disciples to pray.26 He led them to pray for the gospel,27 and instructed them to pray unceasingly28 and to be watchful in prayer.29 He also warned them about their need to be ready for His second coming through prayer.30

Peter

Peter followed the Lord’s lead in prayer. When he went up to the housetop around noon for prayer,31 he was, no doubt, petitioning God for His move through the gospel and in the church. It was through such prayer that God was enabled to open the door for the gospel to the Gentiles.32 For God to move on Earth, there must be prayer to allow that move.

The Order

Now, consider that Jesus was a made a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.33 If there was an order, then that means there were many priests. Psalms reveals that Melchizedek was not alone in his ministry of prayer. There was an entire order of priests praying with him for God’s move.

The hearts of these priests were given to and open to God. He in turn poured something of His heart into them. They then prayed, opening the door for God to move according to His heart. What beautiful fellowship.

It was through their prayer that Abram was called, that Abram lived in the good land, and that he slaughtered the kings. For such a great endeavor, an order of priests was required.

Incarnation

Before Christ's incarnation, there were also those on Earth praying for the coming of the Messiah. They were touched by God and moved by Him to pray. Their prayer, in turn, enabled God to become a man.

Consider Simeon34 and Anna.35 These were praying for the Messiah’s coming. How many more must have been praying and thereby allowing God the freedom to move? What a marvelous picture. We do not know how great this group was in number, but it must have been quite large.

For God to change the age again—from the old covenant under the law to the new covenant under grace—required such cooperation from those who loved God.

Pentecost

Look now at Pentecost.36 A great thing was accomplished there—nearly three thousand were added to the disciples at that time.37 This was the beginning of the church. Using one of the keys Christ had given him, Peter opened the kingdom of the heavens to the Jews.38

However, this was preceded by the prayer of 120 believers, who prayed together constantly for many weeks.39 This prayer—full of Spirit and power—opened a path through the evil spirits in the air for God to do such a mighty thing.

Paul

The apostle Paul accomplished amazing things through his ministry. However, his work was founded upon the fasting and prayer of many in Antioch.40 It was during such prayer that the Holy Spirit instructed those praying to separate Paul and Barnabas for their work among the Gentiles. It was such priestly service, from an “order” of priests, that paved the way for the gospel to spread to Asia Minor, Greece, and even Rome.

The Second Coming

Then, what about now? Once again, God needs to change the age. Christ needs to return to Earth. For this, there must be much prayer. For this, God must again raise up an order of priests, who spend their lives in prayer for Christ's return. As He is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, so must we also be.

A Holy Priesthood

Peter calls us a holy priesthood.41 Each one of us should be carrying out our priestly service to God. All Christians should have such a heart, but only some do. Only some will hear the Lord's heart and see His need. Only some will respond.

So, it comes down to this. Do you—the reader of this booklet—see God's need? Will you respond to God's need of prayer? Will you, like Melchizedek and his order, like Simeon and Anna, lay down your life to pray for our dear and wonderful Lord's return? This is what He needs. Will you answer?

Loving the Lord

All Christians love the Lord. It would be a sad Christian, indeed, who did not love Him. But the real question is, how much do we love Him? Do we love Him more than our worldly pursuits? Do we love Him more than career and business success, more than monetary gain, more than amusements, games, sports, leisure time, our family, and even our own life?

How about our spiritual endeavors? Do we love Him more than these, more than our spiritual ambitions, more than being a pastor, elder, or clergyman? Do we love the Lord more than what we consider our ministry?

Does our heart yearn for Him—yearn to see Him, to be close to Him, to see His kingdom come to Earth? Is our love for Him so strong that we are willing to lay down everything, pick up the mantle of prayer, and help open the door for His return? This is what our God needs. Do you hear His call?

Know this, that through our prayer for His move on the Earth, not only will the Lord be enabled to return, but we ourselves will be saved!42

Genesis 14:18–20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King’s Vale).

Psalms 110:4 Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent:Thou art a priest for everAfter the order of Melchizedek.

Acts 2:34–36 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself,The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

Hebrews 5:6–10 as he saith also in another place,Thou art a priest for everAfter the order of Melchizedek.Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation; named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:11 Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:
Romans 7:17–18 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.

Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Genesis 14:20 and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

Genesis 6:12–13 And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Genesis 6:5–6 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Acts 7:2 And he said,Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,

Genesis 12:1 Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee:

Daniel 6:10 And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem); and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel 10:13–14 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days.

Daniel 9:4–27 And I prayed unto Jehovah my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from thy precepts and from thine ordinances; neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, that spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of face, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even turning aside, that they should not obey thy voice: therefore hath the curse been poured out upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God; for we have sinned against him. And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet have we not entreated the favor of Jehovah our God, that we should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in thy truth. Therefore hath Jehovah watched over the evil, and brought it upon us; for Jehovah our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, let thine anger and thy wrath, I pray thee, be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are round about us. Now therefore, O our God, hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies’ sake. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God, because thy city and thy people are called by thy name.And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he instructed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee wisdom and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times. And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined. And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
Daniel 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard: and I am come for thy words’ sake.

Daniel 9:1–3 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years whereof the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years.And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

Ezra 1:1–3 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
Daniel 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

E.g.
Matthew 14:23 And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.
Luke 22:32 but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.

Luke 6:12–16 And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom also he named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor;

Luke 10:2 And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

John 17

Matthew 26:39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

E.g.
Matthew 5:44 but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Luke 10:2 And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

Luke 18:1–7 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming. And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith. And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Luke 21:36 But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Acts 10:9 Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:

Acts 10

Hebrews 5:5–6 So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him,Thou art my Son,This day have I begotten thee:as he saith also in another place,Thou art a priest for everAfter the order of Melchizedek.

Luke 2:25–32 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord,According to thy word, in peace;For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;A light for revelation to the Gentiles,And the glory of thy people Israel.

Luke 2:36–37 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.

Acts 2:1–40 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilæans? And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this? But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day; but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:And it shall be in the last days, saith God,I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,And your young men shall see visions,And your old men shall dream dreams:Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those daysWill I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.And I will show wonders in the heaven above,And signs on the earth beneath;Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:The sun shall be turned into darkness,And the moon into blood,Before the day of the Lord come,That great and notable day:And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David saith concerning him,I beheld the Lord always before my face;For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades,Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.Thou madest known unto me the ways of life;Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself,The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

Acts 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

Matthew 16:19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Acts 1:13–15 And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),

Acts 13:1–3 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

1 Peter 2:5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Luke 21:36 But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.