VIII.

CHAP of what ye have said may come
upon me," So the apostles, after
25 an earnest appeal, and a declara-
tion of the word of God, went back
to Jerusalem, and in their return
preached the gospel in many
ges of the Samaritans.

tizes an

officer of

26

the queen

of Ethi

1

1

IX.

eunuch saith, "See, here is water, CHAP, why may I not be baptized ?” Then he ordered the chariot to 38 stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and villa-Philip baptized him. Now, after 39 they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord took Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued his way re

IX.

Now Saul, still breathing out CHAP.
threatning and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went to Conversion
the high priest, and desired of him of Saul,
letters to the synagogues of Damas- 2
cus, that if he found any of this re-
ligion, he might bring them bound,
both men and women, to Jerusa-
lem. And as he was on the road 3
near to Damascus, a light from

him; and he fell on the earth, and 4
heard a voice, saying unto him,
"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?" Then Saul, said, “Who 5

Now, an angel of the Lord spake Philip bap- unto Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south, to the lonely road, which leadeth down from Je-joicing. So Philip came to Azotus, 40 rusalem to Gaza. And he arose and and preached the gospel in all the opia. went; when, behold! there was cities which he passed through, 27 an Ethiopian, an eunuch of great until he came to Cesarea. authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and entrusted with all her treasure, and who had 28 been to worship at Jerusalem; and he was returning, and was sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet 29 Isaiah. Then the spirit said to Philip, "Go up to that chariot." 30 So Philip ran up, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said unto him, "Dost thou under-heaven suddenly flashed around stand what thou art reading ?" 31 But he answered, "How can I, except some one direct me?" And he desired Philip to get up and sit 32 with him. Now, the part of scrip-art thou, Sir?" and the voice anture, which he was reading, was this, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is dumb before its shearer, so he opened not 33 his mouth. In his humiliation, the just judgment of him was taken away and who can describe the wickedness of his generation? For his life was cut off from the earth." 34 Then the eunuch said unto Philip, "I pray thee, of whom doth the prophet say this? of himself, or of 35 some other man?" Upon this, Philip opened his mouth, and began from this part of scripture to 36 preach unto him Jesus. Now, as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the

Isaiah

liii. 7.

swered, "I am Jesus, whom thou art persecuting. But rise up, and 6 go into the city, and it shall be told thee, what thou must do." Now his fellow-travellers remained 7 speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. Then Saul arose 8 from the earth, and opened his eyes, but could see nothing, and his companions led him by the hand to Damascus ; and he conti- 9 nued without sight three days and three nights, and neither ate, nor drank.

Now, there was a certain disci- 10 ple at Damascus, named Ananias, unto whom the Lord had said in a vision, "Ananias ;" and he said,

lip would serve to confirm the eunuch in the
faith.

But not the words, see Acts xxiii, 9.

IX.

IX.

chief priests!" But Saul gained CHAP.
confidénce more and more, and
confounded the Jews who dwelt at 22
Damascus, by proving that this
Jesus is the Christ.

from Da

HAP. "Behold, here am I, Lord." Then
the Lord said unto him, "Arise,
11 and go into the street, called
"Straight,' and enquire at the house
of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus;
for behold! whilst he was praying,
12 he saw in a vision, a man named
Ananias come in, and put his
hands upon him to restore his
13 sight.'
And Ananias answered,
"Lord, I have heard from many
about this man, how much evil he
hath done to thy saints at Jerusa-basket. And when Saul came to 26
14lem; and he is here with authority Jerusalem, he attempted to join
from the chief priests, to bind all himself to the disciples, but they
that call themselves by thy name.' were all afraid of him, not believ-
15 But the Lord said unto him, "Go, ing him to be a disciple. Then 27
for he is a chosen vessel unto me, Barnabas took him, and brought
to bear my name before nations, him to the apostles, and related to
and kings, and the sons of Israel: them, how he had seen the Lord on
16 for I will give an example in him the road, who had spoken to him:
of what may be endured for my and how boldly he had preached at
name's sake."
Damascus, in the name of Jesus.
So he continued in the company of 28
the apostles at Jerusalem; using 29
great freedom of speech in the name
of the Lord Jesus, talking and dis-
puting with the Grecian Jews, but
they tried to kill him; which when 30
the brethren knew, they brought
him down to Cesarea, and sent him
And immediately some-away to 'Tarsus. Then the church- 31
thing like scales fell from his eyes, es had peace throughout all Ju-
and he recovered his sight that dea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and
moment, and arose and was bap- went on multiplying and prosper-
19 tized and when he had taken ing, in the fear of the Lord and in
food, he was strengthened.
the support of the holy spirit.

And after many days the Jews 23
took counsel to kill him, and He escapes
watched the gates both day and mascus,and
night for this purpose. But their is sent by

design was known to Saul. Then the apostles the disciples took him, and let him to Tarsus. down by the wall at night, in a 25

is

17

Then Ananias departed and entered into the house, and putting his hands on Saul, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee on the road as thou camest hither, hath sent me that thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with the holy 18 spirit.'

diffi

Now, when Saul had been in be- Damascus with the disciples some by days, he declared in the synasci- gogues, that Jesus is the son of God; at which all who heard him 21 were greatly amazed, and said, "Is not this he who made havoc at Jerusalein, of those who call themselves by this name? and lo! he is come hither for the purpose of carrying them bound to the

2

Now, as Peter was passing 32 through all the country, he came Peter cures a paralytic down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda, at Lydda, where he met with a certain man,named Eneas, who had kept 33 his bed eight years, being afflicted with a palsy. And Peter said unto 34 him, "Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee well, arise and make thy bed." And he arose immediately, and all 35 the inhabitants of 3 Lydda and3 Sa

perity and success.

8

3 Two towns in the tribe of Ephraim.

and re

stores a

dead woman at

Joppa.

saw him.

X.

"Thy prayers, and thy alms have CHAP.
come up for a memorial of thee
before God. Now, therefore send 5
men to Joppa, to fetch Simon, sur-
named Peter; he lodgeth with one 6
Simon a tanner, whose house is by
the sea. And when the angel who 7
spoke to him, departed, Cornelius

sion.

36 Moreover, there was among the
disciples at Joppa, a woman named
Tabitha, who was always doing
good works and giving alms; and it
happened at this time, that she fell
37 sick, and died, and they washed
her, and laid her in an upper cham-called two of his household ser-
38 ber. Now, Lydda being nigh_to vants, and a religious soldier, one
Joppa, the disciples heard that Pe- of those who attended him; and 8
ter was there; and sent two men after telling them the whole mat-
unto him, desiring that he would ter, sent them to Joppa.
39 not delay coming to them. So Pe-
ter arose, and went with them; and
when he was come, they brought
him up into the chamber; and all
the widows stood by him, weeping,
and showing the coats and gar-gry and wished to eat; but while
ments which Tabitha made for the
poor, when she was with them.
40 Then Peter put all the people out,
and kneeled down, and prayed, and
turning to the body, said, "Tabi-
tha, Arise." So she opened her
eyes, and upon seeing Peter, sat
41 up. Then he gave her his hand,
and raised her up, and called the
saints and the widows, and pre-
42 sented her alive. Now, this was
known throughout all Joppa; and
43 many believed on the Lord. And
Peter staid many days in Joppa, at
the house of one Simon a tanner.

Now, on the morrow, whilst 9
they were on the road, and were Peter's vi-
coming near the city, Peter went
upon the house-top to pray, about
the sixth hour. And he was hun- 10

1

CHAP.

X.

directed by an angel to send for Peter.

they were making ready, he fell 11
into a trance, and saw heaven open-
ed, and somewhat descending, like
a great sheet, let down by strings
at the four corners, to the earth;
in which were all kinds of four- 12
footed beasts of the earth, and
creeping things, and fowls of the air.
And a voice said unto him, "Rise, 13
Peter, slay and eat. But Peter 14
said," By no means, Sir: for I
have never eaten any thing un-
clean." And a voice in answer to 15
this, said, a second time unto him,
"That which God hath purified,
esteem not thou unclean.” Then 16
after this had been thrice done, the
sheet was taken up again into hea-
ven.

messen

Now, there was a certain man in Cesarea, named Cornelius, a cenCornelius turion of the band called the 1 Italian band, a religious man and a Gentile, who worshipped God Now, as Peter was doubting, af- 17 with all his family, who likewise ter he had come to himself, what He accom gave much alms to the people, and could be the meaning of this vision, panies the made a constant practice of praying which he had seen, behold! the gers from 3 unto God. He saw plainly in a men who were sent from Corneli- Cornelius vision, about the ninth hour of the us had enquired out Simon's house, to Cesarea day, an angel of God coming in un- and were come up to the porch, to him, and saying. "Cornelius" and asking whether Simon, who 18 4 But he, looking stedfastly at the was surnamed Peter, lodged there? angel, and being affrighted, said, So while Peter was thinking on the 19 What is the matter, Sir?" vision, the spirit said unto him, And the angel said unto him," Behold! three men are asking

Consisting mostly of Italian soldiers.

X.

:

So I 33

X.

whose surname is Peter, who lodg- CHAP.
eth in a house by the sea, belong-
ing to Simon a tanner, that he may
come, and talk with thee.'
sent to thee immediately; and it is
well that thou art come: now,
therefore, we all are present before
God to hear all the directions which
God hath given thee."

short ac

CHAP. for thee. Arise, therefore, get thee down, and go with them without 21 scruple; for I sent them.' Then Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold! I am he, whom ye seek, for what cause are ye come?" 22 And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man, and a Gentile who worshippeth God, and is well spoken of by all the nation Then Peter opened his mouth, 34 of the Jews, was warned from God and said, "Of a truth I perceive gives a by an holy angel, to send for thee that God is no respecter of persons; count of to his house, that he may hear but in every nation, he who fear- Jesus and 23 what thou hast to say." Then Pe- eth him, and worketh righteousness, his reliter called them in, and lodged is accepted by him. That doctrine gion; them and on the morrow he went which God sent to the children of 36 with them; and some of the bre- Israel, when he delivered to them thren at Joppa accompanied him. the glad tidings of peace by Jesus 24 And the next day they came unto Christ, belongeth equally to all. Cesarea, and Cornelius was expect-For ye know that affair of Jesus 37 ing them, and had called together of Nazareth, which took place his kinsmen and near friends. throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God 38 anointed this Jesus with a holy spirit, and with power, and how he went through the country doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses 39 of all those things which he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem. Him indeed they 40 slew, by hanging him on a cross; but this very man God raised up to life on the third day, and appointed to show himself, not to all the people, but to witnesses whom 41 God chose before, even to us, who ate and drank with him after his

and con

25

1

And as Peter entered, Cornelius has an in- met him, and fell at his feet, and terview, did him obeisance. But Peter raised verses with him up, and said, "Rise up, for I Cornelius; myself am but a man.' And he 27 went in, talking with Cornelius, and found much company there, 28 and said unto them, "Ye know it is unlawful for a Jew to keep company with, or to come near to one of another nation: God, however, hath directed me to esteem no one 29 unholy or unclean. And therefore I came, when I was sent for, without objecting, and wish to know on what account ye sent for me." 30 Then Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I was pray-resurrection from the dead. And 42 ing in my house, when, behold a God commanded that we should. man stood before me in white rai- preach, and give earnest assurance 31 ment, and said, Cornelius, thy to the people, that it is he, who is prayer is heard; and thy alms are ordained by God to be the judge 32 remembered before God. Send of the living and the dead. To 43 therefore to Joppa, to fetch Simon, him many of the prophets bear

1 He thought that Cornelius took him for an angel.

3 To make a striking distinction between those who should live to God by obeving the

A supposed malignant inflicter of dis-gospel, and such as should still continue eases, and bodily infirmities.

dead in trespasses and sins.

XI.

XI.

CHAP. testimony, that through his name | esteem thou not unclean.' Now CHAP. every believer in him will receive when this had been done three remission of sins." times, every thing was drawn up 10 again into heaven.

44

tizes Cornelius, and

had re

ceived the

rit.

While Peter was yet speakand bap- ing, the holy spirit fell upon all who were listening to his his friends, words. And the believers of the after they circumcision, who had come with Peter, were astonished that the gift holy spi- of the holy spirit was poured out on the Gentiles also; for they heard 46 them speaking in different lan47 guages, and magnifying God. Then Peter said, "Can any one forbid water, that these who have received the holy spirit should not be 48 baptized as well as we?" So he directed them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they besought him to stay with them some

CHAP.

conduct,

days more.

agreea

God.

"And behold! immediately three 11
men, sent from Cesarea unto me, as being
came up to the house where I was. to the
And the spirit commanded me to impulse of
go with them without scruple; the spirit of
moreover these six brethren ac-
companied me, and we went into
the man's house, and he related to
us that he had seen an angel in his 13
house, who said to him, "Send
men to Joppa to fetch Simon whose
surname is Peter; he will declare 14
a doctrine to thee, by which thou,
and thy family may be saved.' And 15
after I had begun to speak, the
holy spirit fell upon them, as upon
us at the first. Then I called to 16
mind this saying of the Lord,

John indeed baptized with water,
but ye shall be baptized with a holy
spirit.' For as much then as God 17
had given unto them, upon their
believing on the Lord Jesus Christ,
the same gift as unto us, was ĺ18
able to hinder God?" Upon hear-
ing these things, they were satisfied,
and glorified God, saying,
God hath granted to the Gentiles
repentance unto life.'

"Then

Now the apostles and brethren XL in Judea heard, that the Gentiles Peter being also had received the word of God. accused of So when Peter went up to Jerusahaving done wrong, salem, they of the circumcision justifies his questioned him, saying, " Didst thou not go into the house of uncircumcised men, and eat with 4 them?" Then Peter began, and related the matter to them in order, 5 saying, "Whilst I was praying in the city of Joppa, during a trance I saw a vision, somewhat descend- Now they who had been scat- 19 ing like a great sheet from heaven, tered abroad upon the persecution let down by four strings, and occasioned by Saul, travelled as far 6 reaching to me. Upon which, as Phenicia and Cyprus, and 'Anwhen I looked earnestly, I saw tioch, preaching the word to Jews four-footed creatures of the earth, only. But some of them, men of 20 7 and wild beasts, and creeping things, Cyprus and Cyrene went to Anand fowls of the air. And I heard tioch, and preached the gospel of 21 a voice saying, Arise, Peter, slay the Lord Jesus to the Greeks. and eat.' But I said, By no And the hand of the Lord was 8 means, Sir; for nothing common with them, so that a great numnor unclean hath ever entered into ber of people believed, and turn9 my mouth.' Then the voice in ed to the Lord. Then the re- 22 answer said a second time from port of these things reached the heaven, What God hath purified, ears of the church in Jerusalem,

6

The capital of Syria.

2

3 His power enabled them to work mi

? Or uncircumcised Gentiles, as Peter racles. had done at Cesarea.