Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers^(A) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.^(B)

⁷ Accept one another,^(A) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews^[a](B) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises^(C) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹ and, moreover, that the Gentiles^(D) might glorify God^(E) for his mercy. As it is written:

¹⁰ Again, it says,

¹¹ And again,

¹² And again, Isaiah says,

¹¹ My name will be great^(A) among the nations,^(B) from where the sun rises to where it sets.^(C) In every place incense^(D) and pure offerings^(E) will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.^(A)

¹⁸ Then after three years,^(B) I went up to Jerusalem^(C) to get acquainted with Cephas^[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James,^(D) the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God^(E) that what I am writing you is no lie.^(F)

²¹ Then I went to Syria^(G) and Cilicia.^{(H) 22} I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea^(I) that are in Christ.^(J)

³ The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia^(A) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.^(B) This news made all the believers very glad.

²⁷ On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them^(A) and how he had opened a door^(B) of faith to the Gentiles.

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