Study Desk

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his personal attendants.

"Cornelius the centurion has sent us," they said. "He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home, so that he could hear a message from you."

So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.

All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his message.

He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists.

Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod's grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

"You are out of your mind," they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, "It is his angel."

Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Send word to James and to the brothers," he said, and he left for another place.

On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.

Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!

And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

As John was completing his course, he said, 'Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'

and for many days He appeared to those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people.