Book of Common Prayer

Paul’s first visit to Peter

¹⁸ Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to speak with Cephas. I stayed with him for two weeks. ¹⁹ I didn’t see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (Look, I’m not lying! The things I’m writing to you are written in God’s presence.) ²¹ Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² I remained unknown by sight to the messianic assemblies in Judaea. ²³ They simply heard that the one who had been persecuting them was now announcing the good news of the faith which he once tried to destroy. ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

Standing firm against opposition

2 Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem. I took Barnabas with me, and Titus. ² I went up because of a revelation. I laid before them the gospel which I announce among the Gentiles (I did this privately, in the presence of the key people), in case somehow I might be running, or might have run, to no good effect. ³ But even the Greek, Titus, who was with me, was not forced to get circumcised . . . ⁴ but because of some pseudo-family members who had been secretly smuggled in, who came in on the side to spy on the freedom which we have in the Messiah, Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery . . . ⁵ I didn’t yield authority to them, no, not for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be maintained for you.

Paul’s agreement with Peter and James

⁶ However, those who appeared to be Something—what sort of “thing” they were makes no difference to me, God shows no partiality—those of reputation added nothing extra to me. ⁷ On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcision, just as Peter had been with the gospel for the circumcision ⁸ (for the one who gave Peter the power to be an apostle to the circumcision gave me the power to go to the Gentiles). They knew, moreover, the grace that had been given to me. ⁹ So James, Cephas and John, who were reputed to be “pillars,” gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. ¹⁰ The only extra thing they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor—the very thing I was eager to do.

A prophet in his own town

6 Jesus went away from there, and came to his home region. His disciples followed him. ² On the sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. When they heard him, lots of people were astonished.

“Where does he get it all from?” they said. “What’s this wisdom he’s been given? How does he get this kind of power in his hands? ³ Isn’t he the builder, Mary’s son? Isn’t he the brother of James, Joses, Judah and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” They took offense at him.

⁴ “Prophets have honor everywhere,” said Jesus, “except in their own country, their own family, and their own home.”

⁵ He couldn’t do anything remarkable there, except that he laid hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶ Their unbelief dumbfounded him.

He went round the villages, teaching.

The Twelve sent out

⁷ Jesus called the Twelve, and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. ⁸ These were his instructions: they were not to take anything for the road, just one staff; no bread, no bag, no cash in the belt; ⁹ to wear sandals, and not to wear a second tunic.

¹⁰ “Whenever you go into a house,” he told them, “stay there until you leave the district. ¹¹ If any place doesn’t welcome you, or won’t listen to you, go away and wipe the dust from your feet as evidence against them.”

¹² They went off and announced that people should repent. ¹³ They cast out several demons; and they anointed many sick people with oil, and cured them.