Study Desk

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the descendants of Israel.Acts 13:2; 22:21; 25:22-23; Romans 1:1,5; 11:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 1:15; 2:7-8; Ephesians 3:7-8; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11;">[xr]

For I am going to show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."Acts 20:23; 21:11; 2 Corinthians 11:23;">[xr]

and after taking some food he felt strong again. For several days he stayed with the disciples in Damascus.Acts 26:20;">[xr]

There he found a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha,Tabitha is Aram. for gazelle.">[fn] which in Greek is Dorcas.Dorcas is Gk. for gazelle.">[fn] She was full of good works and acts of charity, which she was always doing.1 Timothy 2:10; Titus 3:8;">[xr]

Meanwhile, Peterhe">[fn] stayed in Joppa for several days with Simon, a leatherworker.Acts 10:6;">[xr]

But Peter said, "Absolutely not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean!"Leviticus 11:4; 20:25; Deuteronomy 14:3,7; Ezekiel 4:14;">[xr]

While Peter was still at a loss to know what the vision he had seen could mean, the men sent by Cornelius asked for Simon's house and went to the gate.

Peter was still thinking about the vision when the Spirit said to him, "Look! Three men are looking for you.Acts 11:12;">[xr]

Get up, go downstairs, and don't hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."Acts 15:7;">[xr]

So Peter went to the men and said, "I'm the man you're looking for. Why are you here?"

The men replied, "Cornelius, a centurion and an upright and God-fearing man who is respected by the whole Jewish nation, was instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his home to hear what you have to say."Acts 10:1-2; 22:12;">[xr]

He said to them, "You understand how wrong it is for a Jew to associate or visit with a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should stop calling anyone common or unclean,John 4:9; 18:28; Acts 11:3; 15:8-9; Galatians 2:12,14; Ephesians 3:6;">[xr]

and that is why I didn't hesitate when I was sent for. Now may I ask why you sent for me?"

So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. All of us are here now in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has ordered you to say."

For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,

So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days.Acts 2:38; 8:16; 1 Corinthians 1:17;">[xr]

But I replied, 'Absolutely not, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth!'

For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large crowd was brought to the Lord.Acts 5:14;">[xr]

Then Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul.Acts 9:30;">[xr]