Study Desk

Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them."

And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"

And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say."

And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me."

Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.'

So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

"Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.