1 AND the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5 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:
6 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.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 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 Cæsarea 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 Cæsar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

1And the Apostles, and brethren that were in Iudea, heard that the Gentiles had also receiued the word of God.

2And when Peter was come vp to Hierusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3Saying, Thou wentest in to men vncircumcised, & didst eate with them.

4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order vnto them, saying,

5I was in the citie of Ioppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, a certaine vessell descend, as it had beene a great sheete, let downe from heauen by foure corners, and it came euen to me.

6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw foure footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and foules of the aire.

7And I heard a voyce, saying vnto me, Arise Peter, slay, and eate.

8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or vncleane hath at any time entred into my mouth.

9But the voyce answered me againe from heauen, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10And this was done three times: and all were drawen vp againe into heauen.

11And behold, immediately there were three men already come vnto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea vnto me.

12And the spirit bad me goe with them, nothing doubting: Moreouer, these sixe brethren accompanied me, and we entred into the mans house:

13And he shewed vs how hee had seene an Angell in his house, which stood and said vnto him, Send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose sirname is Peter:

14Who shall tell thee words, wherby thou, and all thy house shal be saued.

15And as I began to speake, the holy Ghost fell on them, as on vs at the beginning.

16Then remembred I the word of the Lord, how that he said, Iohn indeede baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost.

17Forasmuch then as God gaue them the like gift as hee did vnto vs, who beleeued on the Lord Iesus Christ: what was I that I could withstand God?

18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life.

19 Now they which were scattered abroad vpon the persecution that arose about Steuen, trauailed as farre as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none, but vnto the Iewes onely.

20And some of them were men of Cyprus, and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake vnto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Iesus.

21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number beleeued, and turned vnto the Lord.

22 Then tidings of these things came vnto the eares of the Church, which was in Hierusalem: and they sent foorth Barnabas, that hee should goe as farre as Antioch.

23Who when hee came, and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleaue vnto the Lord.

24For he was a good man, and full of the holy Ghost, and of faith: and much people was added vnto the Lord.

25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seeke Saul.

26And when he had found him, he brought him vnto Antioch. And it came to passe, that a whole yeere they assembled themselues with the Church, and taught much people, and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27 And in these dayes, came Prophets from Hierusalem vnto Antioch.

28And there stood vp one of them, named Agabus, and signified by the spirit, that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to passe in the dayes of Claudius Cesar.

29Then the disciples, euery man according to his abilitie, determined to send reliefe vnto the brethren which dwelt in Iudea.

30Which also they did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

 

1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers confronted him, 3 saying, "You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them." 4 Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying, 5 "I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when in a trance I had a vision, something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me. 6 Looking intently into it, I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.' 8 But I said, 'Certainly not, sir, because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But a second time a voice from heaven answered, 'What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.' 10 This happened three times, and then everything was drawn up again into the sky. 11 Just then three men appeared at the house where we were, who had been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 He related to us how he had seen (the) angel standing in his house, saying, 'Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved.' 15 As I began to speak, the holy Spirit fell upon them as it had upon us at the beginning, 16 and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, 'John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.' 17 If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?" 18 When they heard this, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, "God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too." 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. 20 There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas (to go) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, 24 for he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. 25 Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. 27 At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, 28 and one of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine all over the world, and it happened under Claudius. 29 So the disciples determined that, according to ability, each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. 30 This they did, sending it to the presbyters in care of Barnabas and Saul.

v1-3. After Peter’s mountain top experience - opposition, this from fellow believers! Peter had eaten with Gentiles, Christ, Mt. 9:11.
v4. But they did permit him explanation.
v5-17. The explanation.  chapter 10. “go ... nothing doubting”, v 12.
v15. This is eight years after the Holy Spirit had come in the upper room. Holy Spirit given at Pentecost, 2:4, in Samaria, 8:17, now here, v 15 This talking in tongues was a sign to the believing Jews, not Cornelius. See 10:44-46. v16,17. Peter was convinced. Be careful we don’t thwart the work of God.
v18. They both listened and accepted the explanation. From this point, for the most part, the gospel was freely preached to all, and God was glorified.
v19. Up to now the dispersed and persecuted took the word where they went, but primarily to the Jews. Luke now picks up the narrative those scattered at 8:4.
v  20-22. Saved Jews from Cyprus and Cyrene took the gospel, not to Hellenistic Greek Jews, but Gentile Greeks in this crossroads city of commerce. Perhaps even before Peter’s experience with Cornelius, these Gentiles were beginning to receive the gospel. At any rate, now word filters back about it, the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem are now better prepared, and instead of rebuking, they send Barnabas to investigate. Barnabas was from Cyprus, 4:36, and met many of his countrymen in Antioch. Antioch was 300 miles from Jerusalem and Cyrene 800, so they didn’t have the prejudice of Jerusalem Jews. This was a turning point of the Church.
v23. Some churches grow jealous of victories of another, but Barnabas was glad and pitched in to help and encourage in dedicated living.
v24. Barnabas’ qualifications and the results.
v25,26. Maybe 14 years after first meeting, Barnabas goes 100-150 mi. to seek a qualified helper, Saul, at Tarsus and a year was spent in follow up work. First use of the term “Christian”, 26:28; 1 Pet... 4:16. “One who belongs to Christ, or God’s Anointed One.” This was undoubtedly the name given by Gentiles, because other Jews would never use the term for their Messiah on these followers of the hated Nazarene.
Antioch was smaller only than Rome and Alexandria, 500,000 people. Cross road of commerce and immoral cult worship. Paul began 3 journeys here and ended 2.
v27. Prophets, common in the early church, shall fail. See 1 Cor. 13:18.
v29,30. Loving concern for the brethren. Principal of giving according to how one is able. Ways to share spiritual or temporal blessings:
Rom. 12:13 Distribute to saints, hospitality; 1 Cor. 9:11-14 Sow spiritual things so reap carnal things; 2 Cor. 8:1-4 Fellowship of ministering to the saints; Gal. 6:6 The taught share with the teacher; Gal. 6:10 Do good unto the household of faith; Phil. 4:15-18 Ye sent once and again unto my necessity; 2 Tim. 2:2 Teach so students can teach others; Heb. 13:16 To do good and share pleases God; 1 Pet. 4:9,10 Hospitality - minister one to another; 1 Jo. 3:17 Having goods and seeing a needy brother share!