Peter’s Report at Jerusalem

1The apostles (sent ones) and brothers throughout Judea (land of praise) soon heard that the Gentiles {ethnē} also had received the word of God {Theou}. 2So when Peter (rock) went up to Jerusalem (city of peace), the circumcised believers \those of the circumcision/a took issue with him 3and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

4But Peter (rock) began and explained to them the whole sequence of events: 5“I was in the city of Joppa (beautiful) praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came right down to me. 6I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter (rock), kill and eat.’

8‘No, Lord {Kyrie},’ I said, ‘for nothing impure \common/b or unclean (impure) has ever entered my mouth.’

9But the voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God {Theos} has made clean.’

10This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into heaven.

11Just then three men sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12The Spirit {Pneuma} told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s home. 13He told us how he had seen an angel (messenger) standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa (beautiful) for Simon (hearing) who is called Peter (rock). 14He will convey to you a message {rhēmata} by which you and all your household will be saved.’

15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma} fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word {rhēmatos} of the Lord {Kyriou}, how He said, ‘John (YHWH is gracious) baptized (submerged) with water, but you⁺ will be baptized with the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati}.’c 17So if God {Theos} gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord {Kyrion} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), who was I to hinder the work of God {Theon}?”

18When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God {Theon}, saying, “So then, God {Theos} has granted even the Gentiles {ethnesin} repentance unto life.”

The Church at Antioch

19Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen (that which surrounds) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews (people of praise). 20But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks (the Hellenists)d as well, proclaiming the good news (gospel) about the Lord {Kyrion} Jesus (YHWH saves). 21The hand of the Lord {Kyriou} was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord {Kyrion}.

22When news of this reached the ears of the church {ekklēsias} in Jerusalem (city of peace), they sent Barnabas (son of encouragement) to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the grace of God {Theou}, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord {Kyriō} with all their hearts. 24Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos} and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord {Kyriō}.

25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul (asked for), 26and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church {ekklēsia} and taught {didaxai} large numbers of people. The disciples (pupils) were first called Christians at Antioch.

27In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem (city of peace) to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world (the entire Roman world).e (This happened under Claudius.) 29So the disciples (pupils), each according to his ability, decided to send relief {diakonian} to the brothers (and sisters) living in Judea (land of praise). 30This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas (son of encouragement) and Saul (asked for).