Study Desk

He asked for letters to be written to the Jewish places of worship in the city of Damascus. The letters were to say that if he found any men or women following the Way of Christ he might bring them to Jerusalem in chains.

He could not see for three days. During that time he did not eat or drink.

The Lord said, "Get up! Go over to Straight Street to Judas' house and ask for a man from the city of Tarsus. His name is Saul. You will find him praying there.

After that he ate some food and received strength. For some days he stayed with the followers in Damascus.

He heard of their plans. Day and night they watched for him at the city gates to kill him.

Then the church through all the countries of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace for awhile. The church was made strong and it was given comfort by the Holy Spirit. It honored the Lord. More people were added to the church.

Peter was still thinking about the dream when the Holy Spirit said to him, "See, three men are looking for you.

Peter went down to the men who had been sent by Cornelius. He said, "I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?"

They said, "Cornelius sent us. He is a captain and a good man and he honors God. The whole Jewish nation can say this is true. An angel from God told him to send for you. He asks you to come to his house. He wants to hear what you have to say."

Peter asked them to come in and stay with him for the night. The next day he went with them. Some of the brothers from Joppa went along.

The next day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was looking for them. He had gathered all his family and close friends at his house.

Peter said to them, "You know it is against our Law for a Jew to visit a person of another nation. But God has shown me I should not say that any man is unclean.

For this reason I came as soon as you sent for me. But I want to ask you why you sent for me?"

I sent for you at once. You have done well to come. We are all here and God is with us. We are ready to hear whatever the Lord has told you to say."

Then Peter said, "I can see, for sure, that God does not respect one person more than another.

He gave the word that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for some days.

He told us how he had seen an angel in his own home. The angel had stood in front of him and said, ‘Send men to Joppa to ask for Simon Peter.

When they heard these words, they said nothing more. They thanked God, saying, "Then God has given life also to the people who are not Jews. They have this new life by being sorry for their sins and turning from them."

From there Barnabas went on to the city of Tarsus to look for Saul.

When he found Saul, he brought him back with him to Antioch. For a year they taught many people in the church. The followers were first called Christians in Antioch.