ペテロの報告

11 まもなく、外国人もキリストを信じたというニュースが、使徒やユダヤにいる兄弟たち(信仰を同じくする者たち)に届きました。 そこでユダヤ人の兄弟たちは、エルサレムに帰ったペテロに、面と向かって非難をあびせました。

「外国人と親しくし、おまけに食事までいっしょにしたそうじゃないですか。」

そこでペテロは、その時のいきさつを包み隠さず話して聞かせました。

「ある日、ヨッパで祈っていた時、幻を見たのです。四すみをつった大きな布が天から降りて来ました。 中には、ユダヤ人が食べてはならない、あらゆる種類の獣、爬虫類、鳥が入っていました。 そして、『どれでも好きなものを料理して食べなさい』という声がしました。 私は必死で、『主よ。そんなことはできません。ユダヤのおきてで禁じられているものは、口にしたこともありません』と申し上げました。 しかしその天からの声は、『神様がきよいと宣言されたものを、きよくないと言ってはいけない』と言うのです。

10 同じことが三度あってから、布は天に引き上げられました。 11 ちょうどその時、カイザリヤから三人の人が、私のいた家まで迎えに来たのです。 12 聖霊は、相手が外国人であることなど気にかけず、いっしょに行けとおっしゃいました。ここにいる六人の兄弟たちも同行しました。こうして、使いを送った人の家に着きました。 13 その人が説明するには、天使が現れ、ヨッパにいるシモン・ペテロを招くように言われたというのです。 14 そして天使は、『ペテロが、あなたとあなたの家の者たちが救われるにはどうしたらよいか、教えてくれます』と告げたそうです。

15 そこで、私が彼らに話し始めるとすぐ、彼らにも聖霊が下ったのです。まさに、あの最初の時、私たちが受けたのと同じ光景でした。 16 その時、私は、『ヨハネは水でバプテスマ(洗礼)を授けたが、あなたがたは聖霊によってバプテスマを授けられる』と言われた主のことばを思い出したのです。 17 私たちが主イエス・キリストを信じた時に与えられたのと同じ賜物を、神が外国人にも与えられたのなら、だれがそれをとどめられるでしょう。」

18 ペテロの説明に、ユダヤ人たちの疑問は氷解しました。一同は、「神様は外国人にも、神に立ち返って永遠のいのちをいただく特権をお与えになったのだ」と、口々に神を賛美しました。

アンテオケ教会の設立

19 一方、ステパノの死をきっかけとして起こった迫害のためにエルサレムから散らされた人々は、フェニキヤ、キプロス、アンテオケにまでも足を伸ばし、みことばを語りましたが、相手はユダヤ人に限られました。 20 しかし、何人かのキプロス出身とクレネ出身のクリスチャンは、アンテオケで、主イエスについての教えをユダヤ人だけでなく、ギリシヤ人にも伝えました。 21 主がいっしょに働かれたので、多くの外国人が主を信じるようになったのです。

22 このニュースを耳にすると、エルサレムの教会は、新しく信者になった人たちを助けようと、さっそくバルナバを派遣しました。 23 アンテオケに到着したバルナバは、神のなさるすばらしいことを見て深く感動し、喜びにあふれました。そして一人一人に、どんな犠牲をはらってでも、絶対に主から離れないようにと忠告し、励ましました。 24 バルナバは聖霊に満たされた、信仰のあつい人でした。こうして、たくさんの人が主イエスを信じるようになったのです。

25 このあと、バルナバはパウロを捜しにタルソへ行きました。 26 捜し出すと、アンテオケに連れて来て、二人でまる一年とどまり、新しくクリスチャンとなった多くの人々を教えました。このアンテオケで、キリストを信じる者たちが初めて、「クリスチャン」と呼ばれるようになったのです。

27 ちょうどそのころ、何人かの預言者がエルサレムからアンテオケにやって来ましたが、 28 その中の一人アガボが、ある集会の席上で、大ききんがローマ帝国全土に起こる、と聖霊によって預言しました。はたしてこの預言は、クラウデオの治世に現実となりました。 29 そこでアンテオケのクリスチャンは、協議の結果、ユダヤのクリスチャンのために、できる限りの援助をすることにしました。 30 そう決まると、さっそく実行に移し、救援物資をバルナバとパウロに託して、エルサレム教会の長老たちのもとへ届けました。

彼得的解释

11 使徒和犹太全境的弟兄姊妹都听说外族人接受了上帝的道。 彼得一回到耶路撒冷,严守割礼的门徒就指责他: “你竟然去未受割礼之人的家,还和他们一同吃饭!”

彼得就把事情的经过一一向他们解释,说: “我在约帕城祷告的时候,看见一个异象,有一大块像布的东西四个角吊着从天上降到我面前。 我定睛一看,里面有牲畜、野兽、爬虫和飞禽。 接着,我听见有声音对我说,‘彼得,起来,宰了吃!’ 我说,‘主啊,这可不行!我从未吃过任何污秽不洁之物!’ 那从天上来的声音又说,‘上帝已经洁净的,你不可再称之为不洁净。’ 10 这样一连三次,然后一切都被收回天上去了。 11 就在那时候,有三个从凯撒利亚来的人到我住处的门口来找我。 12 圣灵吩咐我跟他们同去,不要犹豫。就这样,我和这六位弟兄一同到了哥尼流家。 13 他告诉我们天使如何在他家中向他显现,并对他说,‘你派人去约帕,请一位名叫西门·彼得的人来。 14 他有话告诉你,能使你和你的全家得救。’

15 “我开口讲话时,圣灵降在他们身上,跟当初降在我们身上的情形一模一样。 16 我就想起主的话,‘约翰用水施洗,但你们要受圣灵的洗礼。’ 17 既然上帝给他们恩赐,就如我们信主耶稣基督时给我们一样,我是谁,怎能拦阻上帝?” 18 大家听了便安静下来,转而归荣耀给上帝,说:“如此看来,上帝把悔改得永生的机会也赐给了外族人。”

安提阿的教会

19 司提凡殉道后,信徒们因受迫害而四散到各处,远至腓尼基、塞浦路斯和安提阿,他们只向那里的犹太人传福音。 20 不过,有些塞浦路斯和古利奈的信徒到了安提阿之后,也向希腊人传讲主耶稣的福音。 21 上帝的能力伴随着他们,有许多人信了主。

22 耶路撒冷教会的人听到这消息后,就派巴拿巴去安提阿。 23 他到达后,看见上帝所赐的恩典,就万分高兴,劝勉他们要全心地忠于主。

24 巴拿巴是个被圣灵充满、信心坚定的好人。那时信主的人大大增加。 25 他又到大数去找扫罗, 26 找到后,便带他回安提阿。他们在教会待了一年之久,教导了许多人。门徒被称为“基督徒”就是从安提阿开始的。

27 当时,有几位先知从耶路撒冷下到安提阿。 28 其中一位名叫亚迦布,他得到圣灵的启示,站起来预言天下将有严重的饥荒。后来,这事果然在克劳狄执政期间发生了。 29 门徒决定各尽所能,捐款救济住在犹太境内的弟兄姊妹。 30 他们捐完后,委托巴拿巴和扫罗将款项送交耶路撒冷教会的长老。

Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, (A)those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, (B)“You went in to uncircumcised men (C)and ate with them!”

But Peter explained it to them (D)in order from the beginning, saying: (E)“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then (F)the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover (G)these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 (H)And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, (I)as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, (J)‘John indeed baptized with water, but (K)you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 (L)If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (M)who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, (N)“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Barnabas and Saul at Antioch

19 (O)Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to (P)the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And (Q)the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and (R)turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out (S)Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and (T)encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, (U)full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. (V)And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for (W)Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Relief to Judea

27 And in these days (X)prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named (Y)Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of (Z)Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send (AA)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 (AB)This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

11 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it 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 corners; and it came even to me:

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.

And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

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.