1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea 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 .
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:
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 .
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 Caesarea 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 fell on them , as on us at the beginning .
16 Then 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 .
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 , and 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 , 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 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 exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord .
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith : and much people was added unto the Lord .
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus , for to seek Saul :
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 , and taught much people . And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch .
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch .
28 And 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 .
29 Then the disciples , every man according to his ability , determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea :
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul .