Acts

The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 11, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 11 New English Translation

Peter Defends His Actions to the Jerusalem Church

   1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him, 3 saying, "You went to uncircumcised men and shared a meal with them." 4 But Peter began and explained it to them point by point, saying, 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, an object something like a large sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came to me. 6 As I stared I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter; slaughter and eat!' 8 But I said, 'Certainly not, LORD, for nothing defiled or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth!' 9 But the voice replied a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, you must not consider ritually unclean!' 10 This happened three times, and then everything was pulled up to heaven again. 11 At that very moment, three men sent to me from Caesarea approached the house where we were staying. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 He informed us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak a message to you by which you and your entire household will be saved.' 15 Then as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the LORD, as he used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 Therefore if God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after believing in the LORD Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder God?" 18 When they heard this, they ceased their objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted the repentance that leads to life even to the Gentiles."

Activity in the Church at Antioch

   19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one but Jews. 20 But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the LORD Jesus. 21 The hand of the LORD was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the LORD. 22 A report about them came to the attention of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the LORD with devoted hearts, 24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people were brought to the LORD. 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus 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 a significant number of people. Now it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Famine Relief for Judea

   27 At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over the whole inhabited world. (This took place during the reign of Claudius. ) 29 So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 They did so, sending their financial aid to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

King James Version

   1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea 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 Caesarea 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 Caesar.
   29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
   30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.