Acts 11
1And
the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended
with him,
3Saying, Thou wentest in to men
uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4But
Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5I 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 corners; and it came even to me:
6Upon 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.
7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered
into my mouth.
9But the voice answered me
again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where
I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12And the
Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel
in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16Then remembered I the word of the Lord,
how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17Forasmuch 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 withstand God?
18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also
to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
19Now
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.
20And
some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the
LORD Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was
with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22Then 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.
23Who,
when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave
unto the Lord.
24For he was a good man, and
full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26And 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, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that
there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief
unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30Which
also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.