1   News came to the apostles and the members of the church in Judaea that Gentiles too had accepted the word of God; 2   and when Peter came up to Jerusalem those who were of Jewish birth raised the question with him. 3   ‘You have been visiting men who are uncircumcised,’ they said, ‘and sitting at table with them!’ 4   Peter began by laying before them the facts as they had happened.

5   ‘I was in the city of Joppa’, he said, ‘at prayer; and while in a trance I had a vision: a thing was coming down that looked like a great sheet of sail-cloth, slung by the four corners and lowered from the sky till it reached me. 6   I looked intently to make out what was in

The church moves outwards it and I saw four-footed creatures of the earth, wild beasts, and things that crawl or fly. 7   Then I heard a voice saying to me, “Up, Peter, kill and eat.” 8   But I said, “No, Lord, no: nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” 9   A voice from heaven answered a second time, “It is not for you to call profane what God counts clean.” 10   This happened three times, and then they were all drawn up again into the sky. 11   At that moment three men, who had been sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where I was ^note staying; and the Spirit told me to go with them. ^note 12   My six companions here came with me and we went into the man's house. 13   He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, “Send to Joppa for Simon also called Peter. 14   He will speak words that will bring salvation to you and all your household.” 15   Hardly had I begun speaking, when the Holy Spirit came upon them, just as upon us at the beginning. 16   Then I recalled what the Lord had said: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 17   God gave them no less a gift than he gave us when we put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ; then how could I possibly stand in God's way?’

18   When they heard this their doubts were silenced. They gave praise to God and said, ‘This means that God has granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles also.’

19   Meanwhile those who had been scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, bringing the message to Jews only and to no others. 20   But there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene among them, and these, when they arrived at Antioch, began to speak to Gentiles as well, telling them the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21   The power of the Lord was with them, and a great many became believers, and turned to the Lord.

22   The news reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem; and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23   When he arrived and saw the divine grace at work, he rejoiced, and encouraged them all to hold fast to the Lord with resolute hearts; 24   for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers were won over to the Lord.

The church moves outwards

25    26   He then went off to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year the two of them lived in fellowship with the congregation there, and gave instruction to large numbers. It was in Antioch that the disciples first got the name of Christians.

27   During this period some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28   One of them, Agabus by name, was inspired to stand up and predict a severe and world-wide famine, which in fact occurred in the reign of Claudius. 29   So the disciples agreed to make a contribution, each according to his means, for the relief of their fellow-Christians in Judaea. 30   This they did, and sent it off to the elders, in the charge of Barnabas and Saul.

Previous section

Next section