1 N ow the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also 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 W hen Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,

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

3 s aying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”

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

4 B ut Peter began, and explained to 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 container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as 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 W hen I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.

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

7 I also heard a voice saying to 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 unholy or unclean has 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 me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’

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

10 T his was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

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

11 B ehold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to 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 T he Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers 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 H e told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called 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 will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’

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

15 A s 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 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will 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 to them the same gift as us, when we believed in 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 W hen they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to 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 who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.

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 had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, 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 T he hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

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

22 T he report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,

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

23 w ho, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to 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 many people were added to the Lord.

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

25 B arnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.

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

26 W hen he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians 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, prophets came down from Jerusalem to 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 O ne of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened 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 s any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;

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

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

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