1 N ow the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

The missionaries and followers who were in the country of Judea heard that the people who were not Jews also had received the Word of God.

2 A nd when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the Jewish followers argued with him.

3 s aying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

They said, “Why did you visit those people who are not Jews and eat with them?”

4 B ut Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,

Then Peter began to tell all that had happened from the beginning to the end. He said,

5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

“While I was praying in the city of Joppa, I saw in a dream something coming down from heaven. It was like a large linen cloth let down by the four corners until it came to me.

6 u pon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

As I looked at it, I saw four-footed animals and snakes of the earth and birds of the sky.

7 A nd I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter, kill something and eat it.’

8 B ut I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

But I said, ‘No, Lord! Nothing that is unclean has ever gone into my mouth.’

9 B ut a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

The voice from heaven said the second time, ‘What God has made clean you must not say is unclean.’

10 A nd this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

This happened three times and then it was taken up again to heaven.

11 A nd behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.

“Three men had already come to the house where I was staying. They had been sent to me from the city of Caesarea.

12 A nd the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:

The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not doubt about going. These six men also went with me to this man’s house.

13 a nd he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;

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.

14 w ho shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.

He will tell you and all your family how you can be saved from the punishment of sin.’

15 A nd as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

“As I began to talk to them, the Holy Spirit came down on them just as He did on us at the beginning.

16 A nd I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Then I remembered the Lord had said, ‘John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

17 I f then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?

If God gave to them the same gift He gave to us after we put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I stand against God?”

18 A nd when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.

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.” The Followers Are Called Christians First In Antioch

19 T hey therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.

Those who went different places because of the trouble that started over Stephen had gone as far as the cities of Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. They had preached the Word, but only to the Jews.

20 B ut there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene returned to Antioch. They preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Greek people there.

21 A nd the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

The Lord gave them power. Many people put their trust in the Lord and turned to Him.

22 A nd the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:

The news of this came to the church in Jerusalem. They sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23 w ho, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:

When he got there and saw how good God had been to them, he was full of joy. He told them to be true and faithful to the Lord.

24 f or he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And many people became followers of the Lord.

25 A nd he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

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

26 a nd when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

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. The Antioch Church Helps the Jerusalem Church

27 N ow in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

At that time some men who preached God’s Word came to Antioch and told what was going to happen. They were from Jerusalem.

28 A nd there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.

One of them was Agabus. The Holy Spirit told him to stand up and speak. He told them there would be very little food to eat over all the world. This happened when Claudius was leader of the country.

29 A nd the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:

The Christians agreed that each one should give what money he could to help the Christians living in Judea.

30 w hich also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

They did this and sent it to the church leaders with Barnabas and Saul.