as common." 16 And this was done thrice: and the sheet was taken up [again] into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had inquired out Simon's house; and stood before the porch, 18 and called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, lodged there. 19 So while Peter thought intently on the vision, the spirit said to him, "Behold, [three] men seek thee. 20 Arise, therefore, and go down, and depart with them, without scruple: for I have sent them." 21 Then Peter went down to the men; and said, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye are come?" 22 And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man, and one who feareth God, and who is well spoken of among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel, to send for thee to his house, and to hear thy words." | 23 Then Peter called them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose, and went with them; and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the morrow after, they entered into Cesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them; and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter entered in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and did him obeisance. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, "Rise: I my self also am a man.' 99 27 And Peter went in, talking with him; and found many that were come together. 28 And he said to them, "Ye know that it is unlawful for a Jew, to join himself, or come near, to one of another nation: but God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Wherefore I came to you also, when I was sent for, without gainsaying. I ask, therefore, On what account have ye sent for me?" 30 Then Cornelius said, "Four days ago I continued fasting until this hour; and at the ninth [hour] I prayed in my house and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth in the house of one Simon, a tanner, by the sea-side: [who, when he is come, will talk with thee].' 33 Immediately therefore, I sent to thee; and thou hast done well that thou art come. Now therefore we are all present before God, to hear all things which God hath commanded thee." 34 Then Peter opening his mouth, said, "In truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; 35 but in every nation, he who feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. 36 Ye know the doctrine which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the glad tidings of peace by Je- | them speaking in different lan * guages, and magnifying God. Then Peter said, 47" Can any man forbid water, that these who have received the holy spirit, should not be baptized, as well as we?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. They then besought him to continue with them some days. CH. XI. 1 NOW the apostles, and the brethren that were in Judea, heard that the gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, sus Christ; (he is Lord of all); 37 even what was done throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with a holy spirit, and with power: who went about doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the adversary; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all the things which he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they even killed, having hanged him on a cross. 40 Him God raised up the third day; and showed him openly, 41 not to all the people," Thou didst go in unto men but to witnesses whom God chose before, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And God commanded that we should preach to the people, and tes-pa; and in a trance I saw a vi tify, that it is he whom God hath appointed to be the judge of the living and of the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him will receive remission of sins." 44 While Peter was yet speaking these words, the holy spirit fell on all those that heard the word. 45 And the believers of the circumcision, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, that on the gentiles also, the gift of the holy spirit was poured out: 46 for they heard uncircumcised, and didst eat sion; something descending like * Gr. Tou diaboxov the devil," who was supposed to inflict diseases and bodily infirmities Luke xiii. 16. All the diseased whom our Lord healed are said to have been oppressed by the devil.' Dr. Campbell. i. 191." Newcome. regard thou not as common.', 10 And this was done thrice: and the whole was drawn up again into heaven. none but to Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrené; who, when they came to Antioch, spake to the Greeks;* preaching the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great 11 "And, behold, immediately three men, sent to me from Cesarea, stood at the house where I was. 12 And the spirit bade me go with them, [with-number believed, and turned to out scruple:] moreover, these the Lord. 22 Then the report six brethren accompanied me; of these things came to the and we entered into a man's knowledge of the church which house: 13 and he related to us was in Jerusalem: and they that he had seen an angel in his sent forth Barnabas, that he house, who stood and said to might go as far as Antioch: 23 him, Send to Joppa, and bring who, when he came, and had hither Simon, whose surname seen the favour of God, was is Peter; 14 who will declare glad; and exhorted them all, a doctrine to thee, by which that with a firm purpose of thou and all thy household will heart they would cleave to the be saved.' 15 And as I began Lord; 24 for he was a good to speak, the holy spirit fell on man, and full of a holy spirit, them; as on us at the beginning. and of faith: and a great multi- ́ 16 Then I remembered the tude was added to the Lord. word of the Lord, as he said, 'John indeed baptized in water; but ye shall be baptized in a holy spirit.' 17 If therefore God gave to them the like gift as he did to us, after having believ-pass that, during a whole year, ed on the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that I should be able to withstand God?" 18 And having heard these things, they ceased, and glorified God, saying, "Then God hath grant27 NOW in those days, proed to the gentiles also, repent-phets came from Jerusalem to ance unto life." Antioch. 28 And one of them, 25 Then [Barnabas] departed to Tarsus, that he might seek Saul: and having found [him,] he brought [him] to Antioch. 26 And it came to they assembled themselves with the church; and taught a great multitude; and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 19 NOW those that were named Agabus, rose up, and scattered abroad by the per-made known, through the spirit, secution which arose about that there should be a great faStephen, travelled as far as mine over the whole land: Phenicia, and Cyprus, and An- which came to pass in the tioch, preaching the word todays of Claudius. 29 Then the The received text is 'Exλnvioтas Hellenists, which is probably the true reading. See ver. 19. Bishop Pearce. Griesbach reads. Eaλnvas, Greeks, or gentiles. disciples, every one according low me." 9 And Peter went to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea: 30 which they also did; and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. out, and followed him; and knew not, that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 And having past the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went. out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And Peter, on coming to himself, said, "Now I certain his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." 12 And hav CH. XII. 1 NOW about that time, king Herod stretched forth his hands to afflict some of the church. 2 And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 And because he perceived it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unlea-ly know that the Lord hath sent vened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to sixteen soldiers to keep him, intending after the passo-ing considered the matter, he ver to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but earnest prayer to God, was made for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and keepers before the door guarded the prison. 7 And, behold, an angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shone in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, "Rise up quickly." 8 And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him, "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals." And he did so. Then the angel said to him, "Cast thy mantle about thee, and fol came to the house of Mary, the But *Or, messenger. N. m. "A Jewish opinion about guardian angels, or the souls of men com verted into ministering spirits, may be here referred to, without establishing its truth. See Doddridge." Newcome. Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said also, "Report these things to James, and to the brethren." Then he departed, and went to another place. 18 Now when it was day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, concerning what was become of Peter. 19 And Herod having sought for him, and not finding him, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and abode there. CH. XIII. 1 NOW in the church that was at Antioch, there were [certain] prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrené, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 And while they were publicly ministering to the Lord and fasting, the holy spirit said, "Separate for me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them." 3 And having fasted and prayed, and put their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So these, having been sent forth by the holy spirit, departed to Seleucia; and from thence, they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also for their 20 NOW he was highly incensed against the Tyrians and Sidonians. But they came to him, with one consent, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by that of the king. 21 And on a day appoint-attendant. 6 And having gone ed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne, and made an oration to them.* 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man." 23 And immediately, an angel of the Lord smote him,† because he gave not glory to God: and he was eaten by worms, and expired. 24 And the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their office; and brought with them John, whose surname was Mark. through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain Magian, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Barjesus, 7 who was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a wise man. This deputy called to him Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas, that is, the Magian, (for so is his name by interpretation,) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul (who is also called Paul,) being filled with a holy spirit, [and] looking earnestly on him, 10 said, "O full of all subtilty, "This history is remarkably confirmed by Josephus, Ant. xix. viii. 2. Bishop Pearce has quoted the passage." Newcome. "This is the Jewish mode of expressing, that God inflicted a disease on him." Newcome. |