:

are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for 6 Simon whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea he shall tell thee what thou oughtest 7 to do. And when the angel who spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of 8 those who waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9

On the morrow, as they went on their jour ney, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth 10 hour. And he became very hungry, and would have caten: but while they made ready, 11 he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened,

and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it were a great sheet, knit at the four corners, 12 and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of 13 the air. And there came a voice to him, 14 saying, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter

said, Not so, Lord: for I have never eaten 15 any thing that is common or unclean.*

And the voice came unto him again the second time, saying, What God hath cleansed, con16 sider not as common. This was done three

times and the vessel was received up again 17 into heaven. Now, while Peter was in suspense

The law of Moses was particular in prescribing what animals should be eaten, and what not.

what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's 18 house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold three men seek 20 thee. Arise therefore and go down, and ac

company them, doubting nothing for I have 21 sent them. Then Peter went down to the men who were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seck; what is the cause wherefore ye are con e? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that serveth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear instructions 23 from thee. Then he called them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from 24 Joppa accompanied him. And the day after they entered into Cæsarea.* And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together 25 his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was

coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down 26 at his feet, and did him obeisance. But Peter

took him up, saying, Stand up: I myself also 27 am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many who were come

* Cæsarea was nearly thirty miles north of Joppa, and about fifty N. W. of Jerusalem.

28 together. And he said unto them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to keep company with, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath taught me not to consider any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I have come without gainsaying, as soon as I was requested. I ask therefore for 30 what intent ve have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold a man stood before 31 me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in re32 membrance in the sight of God. 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: who, when 33 he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast done well that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of 35 persons: But in every nation, he who serveth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted 36 with him.* The word which God sent unto

the children of Israel, preaching peace by Je37 sus Christ (he is Lord of all,) that word, I say, ye know, which, was published through

It was the Spirit of God, who is the Father of all nations, and whose regards are not confined to any people or sect, who inspired the apostle Peter with this catholic

sentiment.

out all Judea, and began from Galilee, after 38 the baptism which John preached how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit, and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all who 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 tree. 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed 41 him openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses, chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the 42 dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and 43 dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44

While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision, who believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out 46 the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. 47 Then Peter said, Can any man forbid water

that these should not be baptized, who have 48 received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they requested him to abide with them several days.

1

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 com. mon 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 :