Part 23

(34)Then Peter opening his mouth, said, In truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons: (35)but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. (36)The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all,) ye know: (37)even that which was the common talk through all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; (38)respecting Jesus, who was of Nazareth, how God had anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were tyrannically oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (39)And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the region of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed suspending him on a tree: (40)him God raised up the third day, and ordained that he should be visibly manifested; (41)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he was arisen from the dead. (42)And hath commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to bear our testimony that this is the person who is ordained of God the Judge of the living and the dead. (43)To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one who believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins.

(44)While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the discourse. (45)And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out. (46)For they heard them speaking in different languages, and magnifying God. Then Peter addressed them, (47)Can any one forbid the water for baptising these persons, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48)So he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to tarry there some days.

CHAP. XI. NOW the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (2)And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him, (3)saying, Thou hast gone in to men holding uncircumcision, and hast eaten with them.

(4)Then Peter taking up the matter from the beginning, explained it to them regularly, saying, (5)I was in the city of Joppa praying and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel descending as a vast sheet let down from heaven by its four corners; and it came close to me: (6)on which looking attentively, I perceived, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the air. (7)Then I heard a voice saying to me, Rise, Peter; slay and eat. (8)But I said, By no means, Lord: for never yet hath any thing common or unclean entered into my mouth. (9)But the voice replied the second time from heaven, What God hath cleansed, call not thou common. (10)Now this was repeated thrice: and the whole withdrawn again into heaven. (11)And, lo! immediately three men stood before the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. (12)And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no hesitation. But with me went also these six brethren, and we entered into the man's house: (13)and he informed us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and invite Simon, who is surnamed Peter; (14)who will speak words to thee, by which thou mayest be saved, and thy house. (15)So when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, just as on us at the beginning. (16)Then I recollected the word of the Lord, how he had said, John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost. (17)If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God?

(18)So when they heard these things they were satisfied, and glorified God, saying, Well! then hath God even to the Gentiles given repentance unto life.

(19)Now those also who were dispersed by the persecution which arose on account of Stephen passed on as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no man except the Jews only. (20)And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they arrived at Antioch, spake to the Grecian proselytes, preaching the Lord Jesus. (21)And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a vast multitude believing, turned to the Lord. (22)And the report concerning them was heard in the ears of the church which was at Jerusalem: and they dispatched Barnabas, to go as far as Antioch. (23)Who, when he arrived there, and beheld the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted them all, with full purpose of heart to adhere to the Lord. (24)For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and a great multitude was added to the Lord.

(25)Then went forth Barnabas to Tarsus, in search of Saul: (26)and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast multitude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians. (27)Now there came down in those days prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. (28)And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the spirit that a great famine was coming upon the whole habitable globe: which also came in the reign of Claudius Caesar. (29)Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea: (30)which also they did, sending it off to the presbyters by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

CHAP. XII.

NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church. (2)And he slew James the brother of John with a sword. (3)And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) (4)Whom having apprehended, he put him in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep guard over him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people _for execution_. (5)So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was offered up by the church to God for him. (6)Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison. (7)And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter's side, he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his hands. (8)And the angel said to him, Gird thyself up, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Wrap thyself in thy mantle, and follow me. (9)And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision. (10)So passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron door which leads into the city, which opened to them spontaneously: and being come out, they walked forward through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. (11)And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know assuredly, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the eager expectation of the people of the Jews. (12)And after considering with himself, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark; where many were thronged together, and praying. (13)Peter then knocking at the door of the gateway, there came a damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda. (14)And well knowing Peter's voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door. (15)But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel. (16)But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and saw him, and were astonished. (17)Then beckoning with the hand that they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren these things. And departing thence he went into another place.

(18)Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter. (19)And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there.

(20)Now Herod was fiercely bent on war against the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they presented themselves unanimously before him, and ingratiating themselves with Blastus who was over the king's bedchamber, they begged for peace; because their country received all their supply of provisions from the king's territories. (21)Then on a day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his throne, made an harangue unto them. (22)And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not a man. (23)But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being devoured with worms, he expired.

(24)But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused. (25)Then Barnabas and Saul departed from Jerusalem, having completed the distribution _of the sum entrusted with them_; and they took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

CHAP. XIII.

NOW there were at Antioch, according to the established church, prophets and teachers; such as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger the black, and Lucius a Cyrenian, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother, and Saul. (2)And as they were employed in the ministry, and kept a fast, the Holy Ghost said, Set apart for me now both Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3)Then having kept a fast and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them out. (4)They then being sent forth indeed by the Holy Ghost, went down to Seleucia; and from thence sailed to Cyprus. (5)And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant. (6)Now as they travelled through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain person who professed magic, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: (7)who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; he inviting to his house Barnabas and Saul, desired earnestly to hear the word of God. (8)But Elymas the magician (for such is his name when interpreted) opposed them, seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith. (9)Then Saul (now Paul), filled with the Holy Ghost, and fixing his eyes upon him, (10)said, O thou full of all guile and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the strait ways of the Lord? (11)And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, seeing the sun no more for a season. And instantly there fell on him a thick mist and darkness; and groping about he sought some to lead him by the hand. (12)Then when the proconsul saw what was done, he believed, being struck with the doctrine of the Lord.

(13)Hereupon sailing from Paphos, they who were about Paul came to Perga in Pamphylia: but John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (14)And they departed from Perga, and came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they sat down. (15)Then after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogues sent to them, saying, Men and brethren, if ye are disposed to give a word of exhortation to the people, speak.

(16)Then Paul arose, and waving his hand, said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hear me. (17)The God of this people Israel selected our fathers, and exalted the people during their abode in the land of Egypt, and with a mighty arm brought he them out of it. (18)And about the space of forty years he bore with their behaviour in the wilderness. (19)And destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their territory to them by lot. (20)And after these things, during a space of about four hundred and fifty years, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. (21)And from that time they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during forty years. (22)And removing him, he raised up unto them David to be king; respecting whom also he spake testifying, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall perform all my intentions[40]." (23)From this man's seed according to the promise hath God raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (24)John having preached before his first coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (25)But as John was finishing his course, he said, Whom do ye suppose me to be? I am not _the Messiah_. But, behold! he is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose. (26)Men and brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and all among you who fear God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. (27)For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, being ignorant of him, and the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath-day, by condemning him have fulfilled them. (28)And though they found no cause of death in him, they besought Pilate that he might be killed. (29)But when they had finished all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. (30)But God raised him from the dead: (31)and he was seen many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. (32)And we preach to you the promise made to our fathers; (33)for this hath God fulfilled to their children, even to us, in raising up Jesus: as it is also written in the second Psalm, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee[41]." (34)But that he raised him from the dead, no more in future to return to corruption, he hath thus spoken, "I will give you the holy things of David, which are sure[42]." (35)Wherefore also he saith in another place, "Thou wilt not permit thy Holy One to see corruption[43]." (36)For David indeed, after having served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, and was placed with his fathers, and saw corruption. (37)But he, whom God raised up, saw no corruption. (38)Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man remission of sin is proclaimed to you: (39)and by this man shall every one who believeth be justified from all things, from which it was not possible that he should be justified by the law of Moses. (40)Take heed then, that this come not upon you, which is spoken by the prophets; (41)"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I do a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though one declare it unto you[44]."

(42)But when the Jews were going out of the synagogue, the Gentiles entreated that these words might be spoken to them the following sabbath. (43)And when the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, exhorting them, persuaded them to abide stedfast in the grace of God.

(44)And on the next sabbath almost all the city thronged together to hear the word of God. (45)But the Jews seeing the multitude, were filled with envy, and opposed the things spoken by Paul, contradicting and reviling. (46)Then Paul and Barnabas speaking with undaunted boldness, said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken unto you: but since ye have thrust it from you, and judged yourselves not worthy of eternal life, lo! we turn to the Gentiles. (47)For so hath the Lord enjoined us, "I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mightest be for salvation unto the extremity of the earth[45]." (48)Now when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord: and they believed, even as many as were ordained to life eternal. (49)So the word of the Lord was diffused through the whole region.

(50)Then the Jews stirred up the devout women, and those who were respectable, and the principal persons of the city, and raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. (51)But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. (52)And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

CHAP. XIV.

NOW it came to pass at Iconium, that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake in such a manner, as that a vast multitude both of the Jews and Greek proselytes believed. (2)But the unbelieving Jews stirred up, and maliciously prejudiced the spirits of the Gentiles against the brethren. (3)A long space therefore continued they there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, and granted signs and miracles to be wrought by their hands. (4)So the multitude was divided: some indeed were with the Jews, but others with the apostles. (5)And when there was a strong effort made both by the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to ill-treat and stone them, (6)conscious of their danger, they fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the circum-jacent country: (7)and there they preached the gospel.

(8)And there was a certain man at Lystra, who having lost the use of his feet was sitting, being lame from his mother's womb, and who had never been able to walk: (9)this person heard Paul speaking; who fixing his eyes on him, and discovering that he had faith to be healed, (10)said with a loud voice, Stand up firm on thy feet! And he leaped and walked. (11)But when the multitudes beheld what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, in the dialect of Lycaonia, saying, The gods in the form of mortals are come down to us. (12)And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he principally led the discourse.

(13)Then the priest of Jupiter, who was the presiding deity of their city, brought bulls and garlands unto the gates of the city, and intended to offer a sacrifice with the people. (14)But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard it, they rent their garments, and rushed into the crowd, crying out, (15)and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We too are mortals subject to the same infirmities with you; preaching to you the gospel, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things which are therein: (16)who in the past generations hath suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. (17)Although indeed he left not himself untestified of, doing us good, giving us from heaven showers, and fruitful seasons, replenishing our hearts with food and gladness. (18)And thus speaking, scarce restrained they the multitudes from offering the sacrifice to them.

(19)Then came the Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and gaining over the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (20)But as the disciples stood around him, he arose, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he departed with Barnabas for Derbe. (21)And after preaching the gospel in that city, and bringing many to become disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch; (22)strengthening the souls of the brethren, exhorting them to abide firm in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must pass into the kingdom of heaven. (23)Then appointing them presbyters in every city, by prayer with fastings they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

(24)Then passing through Pisidia, they came unto Pamphylia. (25)And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia: (26)and thence sailed for Antioch, from whence they had been commended to the grace of God for the service which they had performed. (27)So when they arrived they called the church together, and related what great things God had done by them, and that he had opened to the heathen the door of faith.

(28)And there they abode no inconsiderable time with the disciples.

CHAP. XV.

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved. (2)There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question. (3)They therefore being sent on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. (4)Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by them. (5)But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses. (6)Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter. (7)When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them,

Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. (8)And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; (9)and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. (10)Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (11)But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they. (12)Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

(13)Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me: (14)Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon _the Gentiles_, to take from them a people for his name. (15)And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written, (16)"After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again: (17)that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things[46]." (18)Known unto God from the beginning are all his works. (19)Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God: (20)but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol _sacrifices_, and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. (21)For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.

(22)Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren; (23)writing a letter by their hand, in these words: