1And the apostles and believers throughout Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2And so when Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision (the Jewish believers) criticized him,
3And said, “You went in to homes of uncircumcised men, and ate with them”.
4Then Peter told them the entire story from the beginning, reciting the event in order:
5“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a large sheet, knit at the four corners, being lowered to me;
6Upon which, when I had looked closely, I saw were all kinds of four-footed animals, creeping things (reptiles), and birds..
7And I heard a voice saying to me, “Arise, Peter; kill and eat”.
8But I said, “Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth”.
9But the voice answered me from heaven, “What God has cleansed, do not call common (unclean)”.
10And this was done three times; and then the sheet was drawn back up into heaven.
11And, immediately there were three men that had come to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea to me.
12And the Spirit told me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house;
13And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, surnamed Peter;
14Who shall tell you and all your household how you can be saved”.
15And as I (Peter) began to speak, the Holy Spirit came upon them, as He came upon us at the beginning.
16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, “John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
17So then, if God gave them the same gift that He gave to us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that I could withstand God?”
18When they heard these things, they held their peace, having no further objections, and praised God, saying, “So then God has also granted repentance unto eternal life to the Gentiles.”
19Now those who had been scattered abroad by the persecution that arose when Stephen was killed, traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to the Jews.
20 Some of them, however, were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they came to Antioch, began speaking also to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number of people believed, and turned to the Lord.
22Then news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem; and they sent out Barnabas, to go as far as Antioch.
23Who, when he had arrived there, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord.
24For he was a righteous man, filled with the Holy Spirit and of faith; and many people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus, to look for Saul.
26And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And then for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church, and taught many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27And at time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28And one of them, named Agabus, stood up, and by the Spirit signified that there would be great famine throughout all the world; which happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29Then the disciples, each man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren (believers) living in Judaea;
30which they did, and sent it to the elders in the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
    |