Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to (A)the [a]saints who lived at [b](B)Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, [c]because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at [d](C)Lydda and (D)Sharon saw him, and they (E)turned to the Lord.

36 Now in (F)Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means [e]Dorcas); this woman was [f]excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37 But it happened [g]at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an (G)upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near (H)Joppa, (I)the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the (J)room upstairs; and all the (K)widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the [h]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter (L)sent them all out and (M)knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “(N)Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling (O)the [i]saints and (P)widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over (Q)Joppa, and (R)many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed in (S)Joppa many days with (T)a tanner named Simon.

Cornelius’ Vision

10 Now there was a man in (U)Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was (V)called the Italian [j]cohort, a devout man and (W)one who feared God with all his household, and (X)made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. About (Y)the [k]ninth hour of the day he clearly saw (Z)in a vision (AA)an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” And he (AB)looked at him intently and became terrified, and said, “What is it, lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and charitable gifts (AC)have ascended (AD)as a memorial offering before God. Now dispatch some men to (AE)Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named (AF)Simon, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who *spoke to him left, he summoned two of his [l]servants and a devout soldier from his personal attendants, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to (AG)Joppa.

On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, (AH)Peter went up on (AI)the [m]housetop about [n](AJ)the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he (AK)fell into a trance; 11 and he *saw (AL)the sky opened up, and an [o]object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and on it were all kinds of four-footed animals and [p]crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, [q]kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, (AM)Lord, for (AN)I have never eaten anything [r]unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “(AO)What God has cleansed, no longer [s]consider unholy.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the [t]object was taken up into the sky.

17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in [u]mind as to what (AP)the vision which he had seen might [v]mean, behold, (AQ)the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and they appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on (AR)the vision, (AS)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, [w]three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and (AT)accompany them [x]without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and (AU)God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, (AV)was divinely directed by a (AW)holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear [y](AX)a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Peter in Caesarea

Now on the next day he got ready and went away with them, and (AY)some of (AZ)the brothers from (BA)Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered (BB)Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and [z](BC)worshiped him. 26 But Peter helped him up, saying, “(BD)Stand up; I, too, am just a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found (BE)many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is (BF)forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a [aa]foreigner; and yet (BG)God has shown me that I am not to call any person [ab]unholy or unclean. 29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

30 Cornelius said, “(BH)Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during (BI)the [ac]ninth hour; and behold, (BJ)a man stood before me in shining clothing, 31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send some men to (BK)Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent men to you immediately, and you have [ad]been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Gentiles Hear Good News

34 (BL)Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that (BM)God is not one to show partiality, 35 but (BN)in every nation the one who [ae](BO)fears Him and [af]does what is right is acceptable to Him. 36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, (BP)preaching [ag](BQ)peace through Jesus Christ (He is (BR)Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 [ah]You know of (BS)Jesus of Nazareth, how God (BT)anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, [ai](BU)and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for (BV)God was with Him. 39 We are (BW)witnesses of all the things that He did both in the [aj]country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on [ak](BX)a cross. 40 (BY)God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He [al]be revealed, 41 (BZ)not to all the people, but to (CA)witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us (CB)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He (CC)ordered us to [am]preach to the people, and to (CD)testify solemnly that this is the One who has been (CE)appointed by God as (CF)Judge of the living and the dead. 43 (CG)All the prophets testify of Him, that through (CH)His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (CI)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the [an]message. 45 (CJ)All the [ao]Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been (CK)poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them (CL)speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47 (CM)Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who (CN)have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he (CO)ordered them to be baptized (CP)in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Peter Reports in Jerusalem

11 Now the apostles and (CQ)the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, [ap](CR)the Jewish believers took issue with him, saying, “(CS)You [aq]went to [ar]uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained at length to them (CT)in an orderly sequence, saying, (CU)I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw (CV)a vision, an [as]object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came to where I was, and I stared at it and was thinking about it, and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild animals, the [at]crawling creatures, and the birds of the sky. I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; [au]kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing [av]unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘(CW)What God has cleansed, no longer [aw]consider unholy.’ 10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky. 11 And behold, at that moment three men who had been sent to me from (CX)Caesarea came up to the house where we were staying. 12 (CY)And the Spirit told me to go with them (CZ)without [ax]misgivings. (DA)These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he reported to us how he had seen the angel [ay]standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send some men to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 14 and he will speak (DB)words to you by which you will be saved, you and (DC)all your household.’ 15 And as I began to speak, (DD)the Holy Spirit fell upon them just (DE)as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, (DF)John baptized with water, but you will be baptized [az]with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore, if (DG)God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, (DH)who was I that I could [ba]stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they [bb]quieted down and (DI)glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has also granted to the Gentiles the (DJ)repentance that leads to life.”

The Church in Antioch

19 (DK)So then those who were scattered because of the [bc]persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way [bd]to (DL)Phoenicia, (DM)Cyprus, and (DN)Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of (DO)Cyprus and (DP)Cyrene, who came to (DQ)Antioch and began speaking to the [be](DR)Greeks as well, (DS)preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 And (DT)the hand of the Lord was with them, and (DU)a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The [bf]news about them [bg]reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent (DV)Barnabas off [bh]to (DW)Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and [bi]witnessed (DX)the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with [bj]resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and (DY)full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And [bk](DZ)considerable numbers were added to the Lord. 25 And he left for (EA)Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to (EB)Antioch. And for an entire year they [bl]met with the church and taught [bm]considerable numbers of people; and (EC)the disciples were first called (ED)Christians in (EE)Antioch.

27 Now [bn]at this time some (EF)prophets came down from Jerusalem to (EG)Antioch. 28 One of them, named (EH)Agabus, stood up and [bo]indicated [bp]by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine (EI)all over the [bq]world. [br]And this took place in the reign of (EJ)Claudius. 29 And to the extent that any of (EK)the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the [bs]relief of (EL)the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 (EM)And they did this, sending it [bt]with (EN)Barnabas and Saul to the (EO)elders.

Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance

12 Now about that time [bu]Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. And he (EP)had James the brother of John (EQ)executed with a sword. When he saw that it (ER)pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. (Now these were [bv](ES)the days of Unleavened Bread.) When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, turning him over to four [bw](ET)squads of soldiers to guard him, intending only after (EU)the Passover to bring him before the people. So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God [bx]intensely by the church.

On [by]the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, (EV)bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, (EW)an angel of the Lord suddenly (EX)stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And (EY)his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and [bz]strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing (EZ)a vision. 10 Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which (FA)opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter (FB)came [ca]to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that (FC)the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all [cb]that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of (FD)John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and (FE)were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, (FF)a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, (FG)because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is (FH)his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (FI)motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to [cc](FJ)James and (FK)the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to [cd]what could have become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they (FL)be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to (FM)Caesarea and was spending time there.

Death of Herod

20 Now he was very angry with the people of (FN)Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because (FO)their country was supported with grain from the king’s country. 21 On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the [ce]rostrum and began delivering an address to them. 22 The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 And immediately (FP)an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and [cf]died.

24 But (FQ)the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

25 And (FR)Barnabas and (FS)Saul returned (FT)when they had fulfilled their [cg]mission to Jerusalem, taking along with them (FU)John, who was also called Mark.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:32 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  2. Acts 9:32 OT: Lod
  3. Acts 9:33 Lit who was
  4. Acts 9:35 OT: Lod
  5. Acts 9:36 I.e., Gr for Gazelle
  6. Acts 9:36 Lit full of
  7. Acts 9:37 Lit in those days
  8. Acts 9:39 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  9. Acts 9:41 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  10. Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  11. Acts 10:3 I.e., 3 p.m.
  12. Acts 10:7 Or household slaves
  13. Acts 10:9 Housetops were flat living areas
  14. Acts 10:9 I.e., noon
  15. Acts 10:11 Or vessel
  16. Acts 10:12 Or reptiles
  17. Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
  18. Acts 10:14 Or profane; lit common
  19. Acts 10:15 Lit make common
  20. Acts 10:16 Or vessel
  21. Acts 10:17 Lit himself
  22. Acts 10:17 Lit be
  23. Acts 10:19 One early ms two
  24. Acts 10:20 Lit doubting nothing
  25. Acts 10:22 Lit words
  26. Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
  27. Acts 10:28 I.e., Gentile
  28. Acts 10:28 Or profane; lit common
  29. Acts 10:30 I.e., 3 to 4 p.m.
  30. Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
  31. Acts 10:35 Or reveres
  32. Acts 10:35 Lit works righteousness
  33. Acts 10:36 Or the gospel of peace
  34. Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
  35. Acts 10:38 Lit who went
  36. Acts 10:39 Or countryside
  37. Acts 10:39 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  38. Acts 10:40 Lit become visible
  39. Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
  40. Acts 10:44 Lit word
  41. Acts 10:45 Lit believers from the circumcision
  42. Acts 11:2 Lit those from the circumcision
  43. Acts 11:3 Or entered the house of
  44. Acts 11:3 I.e., Gentiles
  45. Acts 11:5 Or vessel
  46. Acts 11:6 Or reptiles
  47. Acts 11:7 Or sacrifice
  48. Acts 11:8 Or profane; lit common
  49. Acts 11:9 Lit make common
  50. Acts 11:12 Or making any distinction
  51. Acts 11:13 Or after he had stood in his house and said
  52. Acts 11:16 Or in
  53. Acts 11:17 Lit prevent God
  54. Acts 11:18 Lit became silent
  55. Acts 11:19 Lit tribulation
  56. Acts 11:19 Lit as far as
  57. Acts 11:20 Lit Hellenists; people who lived by Greek customs and culture
  58. Acts 11:22 Lit word
  59. Acts 11:22 Lit was heard in
  60. Acts 11:22 Lit as far as
  61. Acts 11:23 Lit saw
  62. Acts 11:23 Lit purpose of heart
  63. Acts 11:24 Lit a considerable crowd was
  64. Acts 11:26 Or were gathered together
  65. Acts 11:26 Lit a considerable crowd
  66. Acts 11:27 Lit in these days
  67. Acts 11:28 I.e., a prophetic communication of some kind
  68. Acts 11:28 Or through
  69. Acts 11:28 Lit inhabited earth
  70. Acts 11:28 Lit which took place
  71. Acts 11:29 Lit service
  72. Acts 11:30 Lit by the hand of
  73. Acts 12:1 I.e., Herod Agrippa I
  74. Acts 12:3 I.e., Passover week
  75. Acts 12:4 Lit quaternions; a quaternion was composed of four soldiers
  76. Acts 12:5 Or constantly
  77. Acts 12:6 Lit that night
  78. Acts 12:8 Lit bind
  79. Acts 12:11 Lit in himself
  80. Acts 12:11 Lit the expectation of the people of the Jews
  81. Acts 12:17 Or Jacob
  82. Acts 12:18 Lit what therefore had become
  83. Acts 12:21 Or judgment seat
  84. Acts 12:23 Lit expired
  85. Acts 12:25 Lit ministry

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(A) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(B) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(C) saw him and turned to the Lord.(D)

36 In Joppa(E) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(F) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(G) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(H) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(I) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(J) then he got down on his knees(K) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(L) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(M) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(N)

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea(O) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(P) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon(Q) he had a vision.(R) He distinctly saw an angel(S) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(T) before God.(U) Now send men to Joppa(V) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner,(W) whose house is by the sea.”

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(X)

Peter’s Vision(Y)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(Z) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(AA) 11 He saw heaven opened(AB) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!”(AC) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(AD)

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”(AE)

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,(AF) the men sent by Cornelius(AG) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,(AH) the Spirit said(AI) to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(AJ)

21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,(AK) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”(AL) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers(AM) from Joppa went along.(AN) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(AO) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”(AP)

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(AQ) 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.(AR) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(AS) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes(AT) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism(AU) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(AV) 36 You know the message(AW) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(AX) of peace(AY) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(AZ) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(BA) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(BB) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(BC)

39 “We are witnesses(BD) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(BE) 40 but God raised him from the dead(BF) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(BG) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(BH) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(BI) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(BJ) 43 All the prophets testify about him(BK) that everyone(BL) who believes(BM) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(BN)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on(BO) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter(BP) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out(BQ) even on Gentiles.(BR) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b](BS) and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.(BT) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”(BU) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(BV) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers(BW) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.(BX) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers(BY) criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”(BZ)

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.(CA) I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’(CB) 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea(CC) stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told(CD) me to have no hesitation about going with them.(CE) These six brothers(CF) also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel(CG) appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message(CH) through which you and all your household(CI) will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on(CJ) them as he had come on us at the beginning.(CK) 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[c] water,(CL) but you will be baptized with[d] the Holy Spirit.’(CM) 17 So if God gave them the same gift(CN) he gave us(CO) who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(CP)

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed(CQ) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,(CR) spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus(CS) and Cyrene,(CT) went to Antioch(CU) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news(CV) about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,(CW) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.(CX)

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas(CY) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,(CZ) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.(DA) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(DB) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(DC)

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus(DD) to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples(DE) were called Christians first(DF) at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophets(DG) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,(DH) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.(DI) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)(DJ) 29 The disciples,(DK) as each one was able, decided to provide help(DL) for the brothers and sisters(DM) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(DN) by Barnabas(DO) and Saul.(DP)

Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

12 It was about this time that King Herod(DQ) arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John,(DR) put to death with the sword.(DS) When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,(DT) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.(DU) After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.(DV)

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.(DW)

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains,(DX) and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel(DY) of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.(DZ)

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.(EA) 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself,(EB) and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself(EC) and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me(ED) from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,(EE) where many people had gathered and were praying.(EF) 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.(EG) 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed(EH) she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”(EI)

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand(EJ) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James(EK) and the other brothers and sisters(EL) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(EM)

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(EN) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(EO) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.(EP)

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel(EQ) of the Lord struck him down,(ER) and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God(ES) continued to spread and flourish.(ET)

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

25 When Barnabas(EU) and Saul had finished their mission,(EV) they returned from[e] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.(EW)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
  2. Acts 10:46 Or other languages
  3. Acts 11:16 Or in
  4. Acts 11:16 Or in
  5. Acts 12:25 Some manuscripts to