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CHAP. XI.

NOW the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also re2 ceived the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they who were of 3 the circumcision contended with him, saying,

Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and 4 didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it 5 by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa, praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four 6 corners; and it came even to me. Upon the which, when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, 7 and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice, saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into 9 my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that 10 call not thou common. And this was done

three times and all were drawn up again into 11 heaven. And behold, immediately three men

were already come unto the house where I was, 12 sent from Cæsarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house :

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood, and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose 14 surname is Peter,; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell 16 on them, as on us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, that he said, John indeed baptized with water; 17 shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

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much 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 with. 18 stand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace; and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

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Now, they who were scattered abroad upon the persecution which arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phoenice, and Cyprus and Antioch,† preaching the word to none but 20 unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Gre21 cians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the

*They ceased to object, or to censure him.

† Phoenice and Antioch were north of Judea.

Antioch was the capital of Syria. Cyprus is an island, 100 miles west of Phoenice. Phoenice, sometimes called Cœlo-Syria, is a country between Judea and Syria.

There were many Jews in those places: and the apos tles seemed not yet to be convinced that the gospel was to be preached to the heathen world.

Jews who lived among the Greeks, and spake their language.

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hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem : and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should 23 go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart - 24 they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith and many people were added 25 unto the Lord. Then Barnabas departed to 26 Tarsus, to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.t And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27

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

* That is, with resolution and perseverance.

+ Saul went to Tarsus, the place of his birth, when he was sent away from Jerusalem on account of a plot among the Jews to destroy him; see chap. ix. 29, 30.

Through all the land of Judea.

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CHAP. XII.

NOW, about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to persecute some of 2 the church. And he killed James the brother 3 of John, with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of 4 unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaterions of soldiers to keep him intending after the passover to bring 5 him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without 6 ceasing, by the church to God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the centinels before the door kept the prison. 7 And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains 8 fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals and so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him, and knew not that it was true which was done by the an10 gel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past first and second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which

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opened to them with its own accord and they went out, and passed through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know surely that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the 12 people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together 13 praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named 14 Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice,

she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told that Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. 16 Then they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were 17 astonished. But he, beckoning 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 shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed and went into another place. 18 Now, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of 19 Peter. And when Herod 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 Cæsarea, and there abode.