35 that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation,

he who feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is ac36 cepted by him. Ye know the doctrine which God sent

to the sons of Israel, preaching the glad tidings of peace 37 by Jesus Christ; (he is Lord of all †;) even what was done throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, af38 ter the baptism which John preached how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy spirit, and with power: who went about doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all the things which he did both

in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they 40 even killed, having hanged him on a cross. Him God 41 raised up the third day; and shewed him openly, not to

all the people, but to witnesses whom God chose before, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from 42 the dead. And God commanded that we should preach to the people, and testify, that it is he whom God hath appointed to be the judge of the living and of the dead. 43 To him all the prophets § bear witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him will receive remission of sins."

44

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the holy 45 spirit fell on all those that heard the word. And the believers of the circumcision, as many as came with Peter, were amazed that on the gentiles also the gift of the holy 46 spirit was poured out. For they heard them speaking in

different languages, and magnifying God. Then Peter 47 said, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not

* Cr, acceptable to, Symonds, 61. N. m.

+ Of gentiles as well as Jews. "Rom. x. 12. St. Peter seems to have urged the argument, [that God, as Lord of all, must alike intend the salvation of all] in this concise and covert manner, that he might give no offence to the Christian Jews, his companions." Dr. Owen. Newcome. See also Lindsey's Second Address, p. 111.

"Who was supposed to inflict diseases and bodily infirmities. Luke xiii. 16. ‘All the diseased whom our Lord healed are said to have been oppressed by the devil.' Dr. Campbell. i. 191." Newcome.

That is, many of the prophets. Newcome.

be baptized, who have received the holy spirit as well as 48 we?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. They then besought him to continue with them some days.

CH. XI. Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judea heard that the gentiles also had received the word 2 of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, "Thou didst go in to uncircumcised men, and 4 didst eat with them." Then Peter began, and related the 5 matter to them in order, and said, "I was praying in the city of Joppa; and in a trance I saw a vision; somewhat descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by 6 the four ends: and it came near me. Upon which when I had looked stedfastly, I observed it well, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping 7 things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice, say8 ing unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.' But I said,

By no means, Lord: for nothing common or unclean 9 hath ever entered into my mouth.' Then the voice spake to me a second. time from heaven, What God hath 10 cleansed, that regard thou not as common.' And this was

done thrice and every thing was drawn up again into 11 heaven. And, behold, immediately three men, sent to 12 me from Cesarea, stood at the house where I was. And the spirit bade me go with them, not doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me; and we entered 13 into the man's house: and he related to us that he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, Send [men] to Joppa, and send for Simon, whose sur14 name is Peter; who will speak unto thee words by which 15 thou and all thy household will be saved.' And as I be

gan to speak, the holy spirit fell on them; as on us at the

* Another punctuation is, "that those, who have received the holy spirit, should not be baptized as well as we." See Griesbach. Newcome.

16 beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye 17 shall be baptized with the holy spirit.' If therefore God gave to them the like gift as he did to us, after having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I should 18 be able to withstand God?" And when they had heard these things, they ceased, and glorified God, saying, "Then God hath granted to the gentiles also repentance unto life."

19

Now those that were scattered abroad upon the persecution which arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word 20 to none but to Jews only. And some of them were men

of Cyprus and Cyrene; who, when they came to Antioch, spake to the Hellenists *, preaching the glad ti21 dings of the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed, and turned to 22 the Lord. Then the report of these things came to the knowledge of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he might go as far as An23 tioch who, when he came, and had seen the favour of God, was glad, and exhorted them all that with fixed 24 purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord: for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit, and of faith: and a great multitude was added to the Lord.

25

Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus, that he might seek 26 Saul and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that, during a whole year, they assembled themselves with the church, and taught a great multitude; and that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

27

Now in those days prophets came from Jerusalem to

*This is probably the true reading. See ver. 19. Bishop Pearce, Griesbach reads, 'Eλanvas, Greeks, or gentiles.

+"His power enabled them to work miracles." Newcome.

Symonds. 130, Gr. ears. N. m.

28 Antioch. And one of them, named Agabus, rose up, and signified by the spirit that there should be a great famine over the whole earth*: which came to pass in the 29 days of Claudius †. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the 30 brethren who dwelt in Judea which they did also; and

sent it to the elders ‡ by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. CH. XII. Now about that time king Herod § stretched forth 2 his hands to afflict some of the church. And he killed 3 James, the brother of John, with the sword.

And be

cause he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened 4 bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to sixteen soldiers || to keep him; intending after the passover to bring him forth to 5 the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but

earnest prayer was made by the church to God for him. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains and keepers before the door guarded 7 the prison. And, behold, an angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shone in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, "Rise up 8 quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. Then the angel saith unto him, 9 " Cast thy mantle about thee, and follow me," And Peter went out, and followed him; and knew not that what was done by the angel was real; but thought that he saw 10 a vision. And when they had past the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city;

* Or, land.

+ Claudius Cesar, R. T.

"The more early and more aged converts; overseers of the flock of Christ, or of particular congregations." See Bishop Pearce on ch. xiv. 23. Newcome.

§ "Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great by Aristobulus." Newcome.

Gr. four quaternions of soldiers, N. m.

which opened to them of its own accord and they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately 11 the angel departed from him. And when Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I certainly know that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Jewish 12 people." And when he had considered the matter, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together, 13 and were praying. And when Peter had knocked at the door of the porch, a damsel came to attend, named 14 Rhoda: and when she knew Peter's voice, she opened

not the porch for gladness; but ran in and told that Peter 15 stood before the porch. And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." But she confidently affirmed that it was so. 16 Then they said, "It is his angel *." But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened the door, 17 they saw him, and were amazed. But he beckoned to them with his hand to keep silence; and related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said also, Report these things to James, and to the brethren." Then he departed, and went to another place.

18

66

Now when it was day, there was no small disturbance 19 among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Ce sarea, and abode there.

20

Now Herod was disposed to make war against † those of Tyre and Sidon. But they came to him with one consent, and, having made Blastus the king's chamber

• Or, messenger. N. m. "A Jewish opinion about guardian angels, or the souls of men converted into ministering spirits, may be here referred to without establishe ing its truth." See Doddridge. Newcome.

Or, was highly incensed against. See Doddridge.