AND the
apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And
when Peter was come up to Jerusalem,
they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying,
Thou wentest in to men
uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But
Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it
by order unto them, saying,
5 I was
in the city of Joppa praying: and
in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend,
as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came
even to me:
6 Upon
the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth,
and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I
heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I
said, Not so, Lord: for
nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the
voice answered me again from heaven, What
God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And
this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And,
behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I
was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And
the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren
accompanied me, and we entered into the man?s house:
13 And
he shewed us how he had
seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa,
and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who
shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house
shall be saved.
15 And
as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then
remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch
then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on
the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When
they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life.
19 Now
they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus,
and Antioch,
preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
20 And
some of them were men of Cyprus
and Cyrene,
which, when they were come to Antioch,
spake unto the Grecians,
preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And
the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned
unto the Lord.
22 Then
tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem:
and they sent forth Barnabas, that
he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who,
when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all,
that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For
he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was
added unto the Lord.
25 Then
departed Barnabas to Tarsus,
for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.
And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the
church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first
in Antioch.
27 And
in these days came prophets from Jerusalem
unto Antioch.
28 And
there stood up one of them named Agabus,
and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass
in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then
the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief
unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands
of Barnabas and Saul.
