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her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa: and many believed in 42 the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with 43 one Simon a tanner.

At Cesarea, the

THERE was a certain man in Cesarea, called Cor-10 Centurion Cornelius, nelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 'a 2 (a devout Gentile) devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, angel, sends for which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God

admonished

Peter. always. He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth 3 hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius! And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What 4 is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and 5 call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon 6 a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was 7 departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all 8 these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter's vision at On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and 9 Joppa. drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: and he became very hungry, and would 10 have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 'and saw 11 heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: where- 12 in were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, 13 'Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.' But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never 14 eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto 15 him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again 16 into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which 17 he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, ' and called and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were 18 lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto 19 him, Behold, three men seek thee; arise therefore, and get thee down, 20 and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter 21 went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one 22 that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them.

23

AND on the morrow Peter went away with them. And He goes to Cesarea. certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the 24 morrow after they entered into Cesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as 25 Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up: I myself 26 also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many 27 that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that 28 it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without 29 gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until 30 this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is 31 heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send 32 therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to 33 thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Peter preaches to

whom many are converted and baptized.

THEN Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I 34 the Gentiles, of perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every 35 nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the 36 children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all :) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, 37 and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how 38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which 39 he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and showed him 40 openly,--not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, 41 even to us, who did eat and drink with him,--after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify 42 that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name 43 whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.....

WHILE Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them 44 which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed, 45 were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, for they heard them 46 speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any 47 man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized 48 in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Peter called to ac- AND the Apostles and brethren that were in Judea, 11 count for preaching heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

to the Gentiles,

satisfies the brethren. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that 2 were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in 3 to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed 4 the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 'I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a 5 vision, A certain vessel descending, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: upon the which 6 when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter: slay, and eat. But I 7 said, Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean hath at any time 8 entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, 9 What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done 10 three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, 11 immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, 12 nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and

we entered into the man's house: and he showed us how he had seen an 13

angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, 14 whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, 15 the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remem- 16 bered I the word of the Lord, how that he said; John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.' Forasmuch 17 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? When 18 they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life!

NOW they which were scattered abroad upon the per- 19

[A digression, respecting the preach- secution that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Pheing of the gospel during the first per- nice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to secution. A. D. 34.] none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men 20 of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord 21 was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

Barnabas sent to

He brings Saul from

THEN tidings of these things came unto the ears of the 22

Antioch in Syria. church which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth BarTarsus. (ix. 30.) The nabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when 23 disciples now called he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and Christians. exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, 24 and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then de- 25 parted Barnabas to Tarsus, to seek Saul: and when he had found him, 26 he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year 27 they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called CHRISTIANS first in Antioch.

Prophecy of Agabus.

AND in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Barnabas and Saul Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, 28 go to Jerusalem. and signified by the Spirit, that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: (which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cesar.) Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, 29 determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas 30 and Saul.

James (the greater) NOW about that time, Herod the king, stretched forth 12 killed by Herod his hands to vex certain of the church.

Agrippa. Peter cast

And he killed 2
And because 3

into prison, but de- James the brother of John with the sword. livered by an angel. he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also, (then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had 4 apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made 5 without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would 6 have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the LORD came upon him, and 7 a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly! And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals: and 8 so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him, and wist not that it was 9 true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When 10 they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate

that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now 11 I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the 12 house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together, praying. And as Peter knocked at the 13 door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when 14 she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou 15 art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking. And when they 16 had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he beck- 17 oning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small 18 stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod 19 had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.

Herod suddenly AND Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre 20 destroyed at Cesarea and Sidon. But they came with one accord to him, and having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace, because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon 21 a set day, Herod arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the 22 voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the 23 Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul, (with John Mark)

parts.

But the word of God grew and 24

AND Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, 25 return to Antioch when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them (xi. 30.) and thence John, whose surname was Mark. Now there were in the 13 are sent to foreign church that was at Antioch, certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, 2 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on 3 them, they sent them away.

They go to Seleucia

Bar-jesus is

blindness, and Ser

So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed 4

in Syria, and then to unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Cyprus. At Paphos, And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word 5 with temporary of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had gius Paulus convert- also John to their minister. And when they had gone 6 ed. Saul henceforth through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcalled Paul. cerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent 7 man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas--the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) 8 --withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then 9 Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, ' and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the 10 devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon 11 thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw 12 what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

From Paphos, Bar

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, 13 nabas and Paul go they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing to Perga (where) from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they de- 14 and thence to An- parted from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and

Mark leaves

tioch in Pisidia, where Paul ad

went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and sat down. dresses the Jews, in And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the 15

the synagogue.

rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand, said, Men of Israel, 16 and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this people of Israel 17 chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought he them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wil- 18 derness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Cha- 19 naan, he divided their land to them by lot. And after that, he gave unto 20 them judges, about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterwards they desired a king: and God gave unto 21 them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them 22 David to be their king: to whom also he gave testimony, and said, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." Of this man's seed hath God, according to his 23 promise, raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: when John had first preach- 24 ed--before His coming--the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Who think ye that I 25 am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.' Men and brethren, children of the 26 stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their 27 rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath-day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they 28 Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was 29 written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen many 30 days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, 32 how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled 33 the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again: as it is also written in the second Psalm, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." And as concerning that he raised him up from the 34 dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, “I will give you the sure mercies of David." Wherefore, he saith also in another 35 psalm, "Thou shalt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption." For 36 David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: but he whom 37 God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, 38 men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, 39 from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware there- 40

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