congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 And the next sabbath almost the whole city 45 came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews* saw the multitude, they were filled with envy, and denied those things which were spoken by Paul; both contradicting and 46 blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas became bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn 47 to the Gentiles. For so the Lord hath commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for 48 salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.† 49 And the word of the Lord was published 50 through out all that country. But the

Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, 51 and expelled them from their territories. But they shook off the dust of their feet against 52 them, and came into Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

* The rest of the Jews, who were the greater number. Disposed or prepared for, or concerned about their future happiness, believed.

A city not far distant from Antioch

1

CHAP. XIV.

AND it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake in such a manner that a great multitude both of the Jews, and of the Greeks 2 believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the heathens, and made them disaffected to3 wards the brethren. For a long time therefore they remained speaking boldly concerning the Lord, who gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be 4 done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the 5 Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was a conspiracy both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use 6 them despitefully, and to stone them, they were apprehensive of it, and fled to Lystra, and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia,* and to the adjoin7 ing country. And there they preached the gospel.

8

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, dis. eased in his feet, being a cripple from his moth9 er's womb, who never had walked; the same heard Paul speak who, stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be 10 healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the lan

* Lycaonia borders on Pisidia eastward,

guage of Lycaonia, The gods are come down 12 to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because 13 he was the chief speaker.* Then the priest of Jupiter being before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have 14 done sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard it, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, 15 crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like nature with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all 16 things that are therein * Who, in times past, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless, he has not left himself without witness, in that he has done good, and given us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling 18 our hearts with food and gladness. And having said these things, with difficulty they prevented the people from offering them sacrifices.

19

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

* These people it must be recollected were pagans, who believed there were many gods; and who had traditions of their deities having often visited the earth in the likeness of men. Jupiter was their chief deity; and Mercury, according to their creed, was very eloquent, and the messenger of the other gods.

The imaginary and idol gods of the heathens are often, in the Old Testament, called vanity and a lie.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city and the next day he departed with Barnabas to 21 Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium and 22 Antioch. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom 24 they believed. And after they had passed

throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in 26 Perga, they went down into Attalia; and thence sailed to Antioch,* from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God, 27 for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church. together, they related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door 28 of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode some time with the disciples.

*This is Antioch in Syria, which lies on the north of Judea, and is several hundred miles from Antioch in Asia Minor, where they had been.

1

CHAP. XV.

AND certain men who came down from Judea, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses 2 ye cannot be saved. And there being much dissension and debate between Paul and Barnabas, and these men, it was determined by them of Antioch, that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of their church should go to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this 3 question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenice and Samaria,* declaring the conversion of the Gentiles and they caused great joy unto all 4 the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles and elders: and they related all things which God had done by them. 5 But there rose up some of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.†

6

And the apostles and elders came together 7 to consider of this matter. And after much

*Phoenice is sometimes called Colo-Syria; and lies between Syria and Judea. Samaria is comprehended in Judea.

The Jews were very much attached to the law of Moses; and supposed that all its rites were of perpetual obligation. But the apostle, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, taught a different doctrines, and declared, that the disciples of Christ were not obliged to observe the ceremo nies of the Mosaic law.