Eneas healed of the palsy. Acts. 31 Then had the churches rest 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 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. 34 And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the 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 alms-deeds 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 heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him privileges, which this city enjoyed, Here probably Paul was instructed in Grecian literature, and hence he went to Jerusalem to complete his studies under Gamaliel. Peter raiseth Tabitha. two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping, & shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and, turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and, when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and, when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days at Joppa with one Simon a tanner. CHAP. X. 1 Cornelius sendeth for Peter. 34 Peter preacheth. 44 The Holy Ghost falleth on the hearers; 48 They are baptiz ed. THERE was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centuriona of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that a Centurion, a Roman officer commanding one hundred men. feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway: 3 He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hourb 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. 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 the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray about the sixth hour.c 10 And he became very 6 Ninth hour, about three in the afternoon. Sixth bour, about twelve at noon. The devout Jews had three stated hours of prayer; thus David says, evening, morning, and at noon will I pray. Psalm lv. 17. heavenly vision. 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 four-footed 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, & eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God 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 down, and go with them, Peter preacheth Acts. 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 an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after, they entered into Cesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 ¶ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 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 how that it is an unlawful thing for a man, that is a Jew, to keep company, or come unto one of another na tion n; but God hath shewed me, that I should not call any man common or unclean. to Cornelius, &c. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for; I ask, therefore, for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 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 me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, & 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, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 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 be & they are baptized. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, & magnify God. Then answered Peter, Holy Ghost falleth on them, Chap. xi. 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; up 40 Him God raised the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 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 dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify, that it is he, which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.d pro 43 To him give all the phets witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them, which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumeision 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. d Quick, &c. The living and the dead. 47 Can any man forbid wa-ter, 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. CHAP. XI. 1 Peter is accused for going to the Gentiles. 19 The gospel is preached, &c. AND the apostles and brethren that were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem,they that were of the circumcision, contended with him, 3 Saying, thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. a 4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 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 corners; and it came even to me: a They of the circumcision were the Jews: the uncircumcised were the Gentiles. The Jews censured Peter for visiting Cornelius, who was a Gentile; for they thought it impious to hold religious intercourse with those of any other nation. Peter, being accused, Aets. 6 Upon the which, when I had fastened mine eyes, I consider ed, and saw four-footed 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. 10 And this was done three times; and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And 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: 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And, as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fl on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he defendeth his conduct. said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch, 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? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, & glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution, that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, b and Antioch, c preaching the word to none, but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene,d 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 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of b Cyprus, see Chap. iv. 36. e Antioch, the capital of Syria. It was a large and flourishing city situated on both sides of the river Orontes about 12 miles from the Mediterranean sea. Here the disciples of our Lord were first called Christians. north of Africa, a considerable disd Cyrene, a country and city in the tance west of Egypt. Simon who assisted our Saviour in bearing his eross, was from this place. |