The conversion of Saul.

A. D. 35.

f Dan. 10. 7. See ch. 22. 9. & 26. 13.

8 ch. 22. 12.

b ch. 21. 39. & 22. 3.

I ver. 1.

⚫ ch. 26. 20.

t ch. 8. 37.

ch. 8. S. ver. 1. Gal. 1. 13, 23.

Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Da

mascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, hof Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem :

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and "kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 P And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, 'that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; "Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

His life is threatened.

A. D. 35.

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving ch. 18. 28. that this is very Christ.

23 ¶ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him :

37.

y ch. 23. 12. &

25. 3. 2 Cor. 11. 26.

24 But their laying wait was known 22 Cor. 11. 32. of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches resth See ch. & 1. throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he 1 ch. 8. 14. came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the 11 Chr. 5. 16. Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had

m ch. 11. 21.

n 1 Tim. 2. 10. Tit. 3. 8.

o ch, 1, 19.

The vision of Cornelius.

A. D. 38.

Il Or, be grieved.

John 11. 45. & 12. 11.

t ch. 10. 6.

41.

a ver. 22.

ch. 8. 2. & 22. 12.

b ver. 35.

e ver. 30. ch. 11. 13.

d ch. 9. 43.

e ch. 11. 14.

The vision of Cornelius. 7 He sendeth for Peter. 9

Peter's vision. 19 He goeth to Cornelius; 24 who receiveth him gladly. 34 Peter preacheth Christ. 44 The Holy Ghost falleth on all that heard the word; 47 and they are baptized,

HERE was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that bfeared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

3 He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

e

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto

Peter is sent unto him.

the city, 'Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

A. D. 41.

f ch. 11. 5, ke

8 ch. 7. Rev. 13. 11

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God Matt, 15. 11. hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee 1 ch. 15.7. down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and "of good report among all the 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.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know 4 John 4. 9. & how 9 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 not call any man common or unclean.

11. 3. 12. 12, 14. ir ch. 15, 8, 9. Eph. 3. 6.

ch. 1. 10.

t Matt. 28. S. Mark 16. 5. Luke 24. 4. u ver. 4. &c. Dan. 10, 12.

x Heb. 6. 10.

31 And said, Cornelius, "thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 ¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, y Dent. 10. 17. and said, 'Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

2 Chr. 19. 7.
Job 34. 19.
Rom. 2. 11.
Gal. 2. 6.
Eph. 6. 9.
COL. 3. 25.

1 Pet. 1. 17. Iz ch. 15.9.

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is Lord of all:

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify " that it is he which was ordained of God to 1 Matt. 28. 19, be the Judge " of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

20. ch. 1. 8. m John 5. 22, 27. ch. 17. 31.

n Rom. 14. 9, 10. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 5.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all ° Is. 53. 11. them which heard the word.

Jer. 31. 34. Dan. 9. 24. Mic. 7. 18. Zech. 13. 1. Mal, 4. 2. ch. 26. 22. p ch. 15. 9. & 26. 18. Rom. 10. 11. Gal. 3. 22.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with q ch. 4. 31. & tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost 'as well as we?

48" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

CHAPTER XI.

Peter accused of consorting with the Gentiles. 4 His defence. 19 The gospel is preached to the Gentiles in Antioch. 22 Barnabas is sent from Jerusalem to Antioch, 25 and seeketh for Saul. 26 The disciples are called Christians first in Antioch. 27 A great dearth foretold. 29 The disciples send relief to the brethren in Judea.

AND the apostles and brethren

that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

8. 15, 16, 17. & 11. 15. r ver. 23. ch. 11. 18. Gal. 3. 14.

t ch. 11. 17. & 15. 8, 9. Rom. 10. 12. u 1 Cor. 1. 17. x ch. 2. 38. & 8. 16.

6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

7 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 my mouth.

9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

d Luke 1. 3.

e ch. 10. 9, &c.

Peter's course approved.

A. D. 41.

f John 16. 13. ch. 10. 19. & 15. 7.

ch. 10. 23.

h ch. 10. 30.

i ch. 2. 4.

k Matt. 3. 11. John 1. 26,

33. ch. 1. 5. & 19. 4.

1 Is. 44. 3. Joel 2. 28. & 3. 18.

m ch. 15. 8, 9.

n ch. 10. 47.

James is slain by Herod.

A. D. 43.

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, Or, in the and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

church.

Ghost.

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified o Rom. 10. 12, God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

13. & 15. 9,

16.

p ch. 8. 1.

q ch. 6. 1. & 9. 29.

r Luke 1. 66. ch. 2. 47.

$ ch. 9. 35. 42.

t ch. 9. 27.

19 TPNow they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 T Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and u ch. 13. 43. & "exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

1 Cor. 16. 1. 2 Cor. 9. L 44.

d ch. 12. 25.

king stretched forth his hands Or, began to vex certain of the church.

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread.

с

b

Matt. 4. 21. & 20.8

Ex. 12. 14,
John 21. 18.

15. & 23. 15

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the + Gr. The people.

passover.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without Or, instant ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

d

and earnest prazer was made. 2 Cor.

Eph

1. 11. 6.18. 1Thess. 5. 17.

7 And, behold, the angel of the 4 ch 5.12. 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 fell off from his hands.

8 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 wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first

e Ps. 125 1.

f ch. 10, 3, 17. & 11 5