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 calling them in, he lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went with them, and several of the brethren from Joppa went along with him. And, the morrow after, they entered into Cesarea.

Now, Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relations and intimate friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped. But Peter roused him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And while he was conversing with him, he went in, and found many assembled together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that 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 shewed me that I should call no man common or unclean. Therefore, I came without objecting when I was sent for: I ask, therefore, on what account ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour,* and at the ninth hour, I was praying in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter, he is lodged in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea-side: and he, when he is come, will speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done in coming. Now, therefore, we are all here present before God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of God.

* Until this hour. The hour at which Peter arrived, which must have been not far from the ninth hour, or three in the afternoon.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but [that] in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is received by him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, proclaiming the glad tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) ye know, even that which took place over all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism which John announced: how [that] God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit, and with power; who went through [the land] doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil: for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they even slew, by hanging him on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be openly manifested; not to all the people, but to witnesses, chosen before by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to proclaim unto the people, and to testify that he it is who was ordained of God to be the Judge of living and dead. To him all the prophets bear testimony, that, through his name, all who believe in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. And those believers of the circumcision,* as many as came with Peter, were astonished, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received

*Believers of the circumcision. Christians who had previously been Jews.

the Holy Spirit as well as, we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they requested him to stay with them some days.

WORDS, &C. TO BE EXPLAINED IN LESSON VIII.

WHAT was the state of the Churches of Judea at this

time?

Where did Peter go to?

What remarkable thing did he do there?
Where was Lydda? How far from Jerusalem?
Whither did he go from Lydda?

How far was Joppa from Lydda?

On whose invitation, and for what purpose?

What remarkable thing did he do at Joppa? State the particulars?

With whom did Peter lodge at Joppa?

When he was at Joppa, from whence did he receive a message, and from whom?

Where did Cesarea lie, in what direction from Joppa ?
What valley lay between them?

Who was Cornelius?

What remarkable thing happened to him?

What was the purport of his message to Peter?

How was Peter prepared to comply with the message

?

What obstacle would there have been to Peter's going, if

that vision had not been sent to him?

Who were the persons whom Cornelius sent?
How did Peter treat them?

Did any others accompany Peter to Cesarea?

When Peter arrived, how did Cornelius receive him, and what did Peter do?

When they had entered into the house, whom did Peter find assembled ?

What did Peter say, and what reply did Cornelius make? What did Peter then say?

What remarkable thing happened while he was speaking? What outward evidences were there of this?

What did Peter command to be done?

Did he leave Cesarea immediately?

LESSON IX.

Peter being questioned by the brethren at Jerusalem respecting his going to Cornelius, gives an account of the whole transaction-the brethren glorify God-the word of God is preached at Antioch-the brethren send Barnabas thither Barnabas goes to Tarsus for Saul-Agabus predicts a great dearth.

FROM ACTS XI.

Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those believers who were of the circumcision began to dispute with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them. But Peter began and explained [the transaction] to them in order: saying,

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came close to me: upon which I looked attentively, and considered, and saw fourfooted animals of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the heaven. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, sent from Cesarea to me. And the Spirit directed me to go with them, nothing doubting. Then went also with me these six brethren, and we entered into the

house of the man [who sent for me.] And he declared to us how he had seen the angel in his house, standing and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who will speak to thee words, by which thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us as at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Since, then, God gave to them, being believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, the same gift as he gave to us; who was I, to be able to withstand God? When they heard these things, they were silent, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Now they who were scattered abroad by the persecution that arose respecting Stephen, travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus,+ and Antioch,‡ speaking the word to none but the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene,§ who, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks, declaring the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

:

* Phoenicia.-The sea coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Northward of Palestine, was known by this name in the times of the New Testament. It was called also the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

+ Cyprus.-A large island lying off the coast of Phoenicia or Phenice. Barnabas was a native of this island.

Antioch. A great city of Syria on the river Orontes, about twelve miles from the shore of the Mediterranean sea, nearly opposite to the island of Cyprus. This Antioch must not be confounded with another Antioch in Pisidia, to be mentioned afterwards.

Cyrene. A city on the north coast of Africa, westward of Egypt, in the country of Lybia.