Bible verse by verse

[_JLHPROF]

Symbolism, not literalism.
God bless Brother Brigham.

Well except that Brigham thought Adam was literal and was god himself while most rational adults would take Adam & Eve as a symbolic account, but nice try.

I agree with Brother Brigham.

Guess I'm just an irrational adult. I've been called worse.

[_spotlight]

I agree with Brother Brigham.

Guess I'm just an irrational adult. I've been called worse.

Do you think Adam the first of the human race on our planet or do you accept pre-Adamites with whom Adam interacted? How do you resolve the ERV signature in our DNA with either case?

[Guest]

Acts 8:1-40

And Saul approved Stephen's murder.

Starting that very day, there arose intense persecution against the Messianic Community in Jerusalem; all but the apostles were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

Some godly men buried Stephen and mourned his passing fervently.

But Saul set out to destroy the Messianic Community — entering house after house, he dragged off both men and women and handed them over to be thrown into prison.

However, those who were scattered announced the Good Message of the Word wherever they went.

Now Philip went down to a city in Samaria and was proclaiming the Messiah to them;

and the crowds were paying close attention to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the miraculous signs he was doing.

For many people were having demons driven out of them, shrieking; also many paralytics and crippled persons were being healed;

so that there was great happiness throughout that city.

But there was a man named Simon in the city who for some time had been practicing magic and astonishing the nation of Samaria, claiming to be somebody great.

Everyone gave heed to him, from the insignificant to the important, saying, “This man is the power of God called ‘The Great Power’.”

They followed Simon because for a very long time he had amazed them with his magic.

But when they came to believe Philip, as he announced the Good Message concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Yeshua the Messiah, they were immersed, both men and women.

Additionally, Simon himself came to believe; and after being immersed, he clung closely to Philip; and he was amazed as he saw the miraculous signs and great works of power that kept taking place.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent them Peter and John,

who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

For until then The Holy Spirit had not arrived upon any of them; they had only been immersed the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then, as Peter and John placed their hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit.

Simon saw that the Spirit was transmitted when the apostles placed their hands on them, and Simon offered them money.

“Give this power to me, too,” he said, “so that whoever I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.”

But Peter said to Simon, “Your money go to ruin — and you with it, for thinking the free gift of God can be purchased!

You have no part at all in this issue; because in the eyes of God, your heart is twisted.

So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps you will yet be forgiven for holding such a thought in your heart.

For I see that you are extremely bitter and completely under the control of sin!”

Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that none of the things you have spoken about will occur to me.”

Then, after giving a thorough witness and speaking the Word of the Lord, Peter and John started back to Jerusalem, announcing the Good Message to many villages in Samaria.

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up, and go southward on the road that leads down form Jerusalem to ‘Azah/Gaza --- the desert road.”

So he got up and went. On his way, he caught sight of an Ethiopian, a eunuch who was minister in charge of all the treasure of the Kandake/Candace, or queen, of Ethiopia. He had visited Jerusalem to worship;

and now, as he was returning home, he was sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit told Philip, “Go over to this chariot, and stay close to it.”

As Philip ran up, he heard the Ethiopian reading aloud from Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you’re reading?” Philip questioned.

“How can I,” The Ethiopian said, “unless someone explains it to me?” And he invited Philip to climb up and sit with him.

Now the portion of the Word that he was reading was this:

“He was like a sheep led to be slaughtered; like a lamb silent before the shearer, he does not open his mouth.

He was humiliated and denied justice. Who will tell about his descendants, since his life has been taken from the earth?”

The eunuch said to Philip, “Here’s my question to you — is the prophet talking about himself or someone else?”

Then Philip started to speak — beginning with that passage, he went on to tell him the Good Message regarding Jesus.

As they were going down the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Here’s some water! Is there any reason why I shouldn’t be immersed?”

He ordered the chariot to halt; then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip immersed him.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch saw no more of him, because he continued on his way — overjoyed.

But Philip showed up at Ashdod/Azotus and continued proclaiming the Good Message as he went through all the towns until he came to Caesarea/Cesarea.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And Saul was assenting to his death, and there came in that day a great persecution upon the assembly in Jerusalem, all also were scattered abroad in the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles;

2 and devout men carried away Stephen, and made great lamentation over him;

3 and Saul was making havoc of the assembly, into every house entering, and haling men and women, was giving them up to prison;

4 they then indeed, having been scattered, went abroad proclaiming good news -- the word.

5 And Philip having gone down to a city of Samaria, was preaching to them the Christ,

6 the multitudes also were giving heed to the things spoken by Philip, with one accord, in their hearing and seeing the signs that he was doing,

7 for unclean spirits came forth from many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who have been paralytic and lame were healed,

8 and there was great joy in that city.

9 And a certain man, by name Simon, was before in the city using magic, and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be a certain great one,

10 to whom they were all giving heed, from small unto great, saying, `This one is the great power of God;'

11 and they were giving heed to him, because of his having for a long time amazed them with deeds of magic.

12 And when they believed Philip, proclaiming good news, the things concerning the reign of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women;

13 and Simon also himself did believe, and, having been baptized, he was continuing with Philip, beholding also signs and mighty acts being done, he was amazed.

14 And the apostles in Jerusalem having heard that Samaria hath received the word of God, did send unto them Peter and John,

15 who having come down did pray concerning them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, --

16 for as yet he was fallen upon none of them, and only they have been baptized -- to the name of the Lord Jesus;

17 then were they laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And Simon, having beheld that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Spirit is given, brought before them money,

19 saying, `Give also to me this authority, that on whomsoever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.'

20 And Peter said unto him, `Thy silver with thee -- may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money;

21 thou hast neither part nor lot in this thing, for thy heart is not right before God;

22 reform, therefore, from this thy wickedness, and beseech God, if then the purpose of thy heart may be forgiven thee,

23 for in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness, I perceive thee being.'

24 And Simon answering, said, `Beseech ye for me unto the Lord, that nothing may come upon me of the things ye have spoken.'

25 They indeed, therefore, having testified fully, and spoken the word of the Lord, did turn back to Jerusalem; in many villages also of the Samaritans they did proclaim good news.

26 And a messenger of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, `Arise, and go on toward the south, on the way that is going down from Jerusalem to Gaza,' -- this is desert.

27 And having arisen, he went on, and lo, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, a man of rank, of Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship to Jerusalem;

28 he was also returning, and is sitting on his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

29 And the Spirit said to Philip, `Go near, and be joined to this chariot;'

30 and Philip having run near, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, `Dost thou then know what thou dost read?'

31 and he said, `Why, how am I able, if some one may not guide me?' he called Philip also, having come up, to sit with him.

32 And the contents of the Writing that he was reading was this: `As a sheep unto slaughter he was led, and as a lamb before his shearer dumb, so he doth not open his mouth;

33 in his humiliation his judgment was taken away, and his generation -- who shall declare? because taken from the earth is his life.'

34 And the eunuch answering Philip said, `I pray thee, about whom doth the prophet say this? about himself, or about some other one?'

35 and Philip having opened his mouth, and having begun from this Writing, proclaimed good news to him -- Jesus.

36 And as they were going on the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch said, `Lo, water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?'

37 [And Philip said, `If thou dost believe out of all the heart, it is lawful;' and he answering said, `I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God;']

38 and he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him;

39 and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, for he was going on his way rejoicing;

40 and Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through, he was proclaiming good news to all the cities, till his coming to Cesarea.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 9:1-43


Meanwhile, Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples, went to the head priest

and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, authorizing him to arrest any people he might find, whether men or women, who belonged to “the Way,” and bring them back to Jerusalem.

He was on the road and nearing Damascus, when suddenly a light from heaven brilliantly shone all around him.

Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why do you keep persecuting Me?”

“Sir, who are you?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, and you are persecuting Me.

But get up, and go into the city, and you will be told what you meed to do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

They helped Saul get up off the ground; but when he opened his eyes, he was blind. So, leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

For 3 days Saul remained blind, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascas, Hananyah/Ananias by name; and in a vision the Lord said to him, “Ananias!” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to Straight Street, to Judas’ house; and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying,

and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him to restore his sight.”

But Ananias answered, “Lord, many have told me about this man, how much harm he has done to your people in Jerusalem;

and here he has a warrant from the head priest to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”

But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name to the gentiles, even to their kings, and to the sons of Israel as well.

For I Myself will show him how much he will have to suffer on account of My name.”

So Ananias departed and went into the house. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, the one who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holly Spirit.”

In that moment, something like scales fell away from Saul’s eyes; and he could see again. He got up and was immersed;

then he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul spent some days with the disciples in Damascus,

and immediately he began proclaiming in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

All who heard him were astounded. They asked, “Isn’t he the man who in Jerusalem was trying to destroy the people who call on this name? In fact, isn’t that why he arrived, to arrest them and bring them back to the chief priest?”

But Saul was being filled with more and more power and was creating an uproar among the Jews living in Damascus with his proofs that Jesus is the Messiah.

Quite some time later, the non-believing Jews gathered together and made plans to kill him; but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates 24 hours in order to do away with Saul;

but under cover of darkness, his disciples took him and let him down over the city wall, lowering him in a large basket.

On reaching Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all scared of him — they didn’t believe he was a disciple.

However, Bar-Nabba/Barabaus got hold of him and took him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord while traveling, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus Saul had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

So he remained with them and went all over Jerusalem continuing to speak out boldly in the name of the Lord.

He talked and debated with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they began making attempts to kill him.

When the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him to Tarsus.

Then the Messianic community throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace and was built up. They lived in regard of the Lord, with the counsel of the Holy Spirit; and their numbers kept multiplying.

As Peter journeyed around the countryside, he came down to the believers in Lydda.

There he discovered a man named Aeneas who was confined to bed for 8 years, because he was paralyzed.

Peter said to him, “Aeneas! Jesus the Messiah is healing you! Get up, and make your bed!”

Everyone living in Lydda, and Saron saw Him, and they turned to the Lord.

Now in Yafo/Jappa there was a disciple named Tavita/Tabitha

(meaning “gazelle”); she was always doing kind acts and other good deeds.

It so occurred that just at that time, she took sick and died. After washing her, they laid her in a room upstairs.

Lydda is near Jappa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, so they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come to us without delay.”

Peter got up and went with them.

When he arrived, they led him into the upstairs room. All the widows stood by him, sobbing and showing all the dresses and coats Tavita had made them while she was still with them.

But Peter shooed them all outside, knelt down and prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said, “Tavita! Get up!” She opened her eyes; and on seeing Kefa, she sat up.

He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet; then, calling the believers and the widows, he presented her to them alive.

This became known throughout Yafo/Jappa, and many people trusted the Lord.

Peter stayed on in Jappa for some time with a man named Simon, a leather-tanner.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And Saul, yet breathing of threatening and slaughter to the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the chief priest,

2 did ask from him letters to Damascus, unto the synagogues, that if he may find any being of the way, both men and women, he may bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 And in the going, he came nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shone round about him a light from the heaven,

4 and having fallen upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, `Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute?'

5 And he said, `Who art thou, Lord?' and the Lord said, `I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute; hard for thee at the pricks to kick;'

6 trembling also, and astonished, he said, `Lord, what dost thou wish me to do?' and the Lord [said] unto him, `Arise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what it behoveth thee to do.'

7 And the men who are journeying with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice but seeing no one,

8 and Saul arose from the earth, and his eyes having been opened, he beheld no one, and leading him by the hand they brought him to Damascus,

9 and he was three days without seeing, and he did neither eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple in Damascus, by name Ananias, and the Lord said unto him in a vision, `Ananias;' and he said, `Behold me, Lord;'

11 and the Lord [saith] unto him, `Having risen, go on unto the street that is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas, [one] by name Saul of Tarsus, for, lo, he doth pray,

12 and he saw in a vision a man, by name Ananias, coming in, and putting a hand on him, that he may see again.'

13 And Ananias answered, `Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many evils he did to Thy saints in Jerusalem,

14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all those calling on Thy name.'

15 And the Lord said unto him, `Be going on, because a choice vessel to Me is this one, to bear My name before nations and kings -- the sons also of Israel;

16 for I will shew him how many things it behoveth him for My name to suffer.'

17 And Ananias went away, and did enter into the house, and having put upon him [his] hands, said, `Saul, brother, the Lord hath sent me -- Jesus who did appear to thee in the way in which thou wast coming -- that thou mayest see again, and mayest be filled with the Holy Spirit.'

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, he saw again also presently, and having risen, was baptized,

19 and having received nourishment, was strengthened, and Saul was with the disciples in Damascus certain days,

20 and immediately in the synagogues he was preaching the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

21 And all those hearing were amazed, and said, `Is not this he who laid waist in Jerusalem those calling on this name, and hither to this intent had come, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?'

22 And Saul was still more strengthened, and he was confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

23 And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him,

24 and their counsel against [him] was known to Saul; they were also watching the gates both day and night, that they may kill him,

25 and the disciples having taken him, by night did let him down by the wall, letting down in a basket.

26 And Saul, having come to Jerusalem, did try to join himself to the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple,

27 and Barnabas having taken him, brought [him] unto the apostles, and did declare to them how in the way he saw the Lord, and that he spake to him, and how in Damascus he was speaking boldly in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem,

29 and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, he was both speaking and disputing with the Hellenists, and they were taking in hand to kill him,

30 and the brethren having known, brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Then, indeed, the assemblies throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, had peace, being built up, and, going on in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass that Peter passing throughout all [quarters], came down also unto the saints who were dwelling at Lydda,

33 and he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name -- for eight years laid upon a couch -- who was paralytic,

34 and Peter said to him, `Aeneas, heal thee doth Jesus the Christ; arise and spread for thyself;' and immediately he rose,

35 and all those dwelling at Lydda, and Saron saw him, and did turn to the Lord.

36 And in Joppa there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, (which interpreted, is called Dorcas,) this woman was full of good works and kind acts that she was doing;

37 and it came to pass in those days she, having ailed, died, and having bathed her, they laid her in an upper chamber,

38 and Lydda being nigh to Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter is in that [place], sent two men unto him, calling on him not to delay to come through unto them.

39 And Peter having risen, went with them, whom having come, they brought into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing coats and garments, as many as Dorcas was making while she was with them.

40 And Peter having put them all forth without, having bowed the knees, did pray, and having turned unto the body said, `Tabitha, arise;' and she opened her eyes, and having seen Peter, she sat up,

41 and having given her [his] hand, he lifted her up, and having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive,

42 and it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord;

43 and it came to pass, that he remained many days in Joppa, with a certain one, Simon a tanner.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 10:1-48

There was a man in Caesarea, a Roman army officer in what was called the Italian Regiment --- named Cornelius.

He was a devout man, who “Regarded God,” as did his entire household; he gave generously to help the Jewish poor and prayed regularly to God.

One afternoon around 3 o’clock he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius stared at the angel, terrified. “What is it, sir?” he asked. “Your prayers,” replied the angel, “and your acts of charity have gone up into God’s presence, so that HE is thinking of you.

Now send some men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon, also called Peter.

He’s staying with Simon the leather-tanner, who has a house by the seashore.”

As the angel that had spoken to him left, Cornelius called two of his household slaves and one of his military aides, who was a godly man;

he explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa.

The next day about noon, while they were still on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up onto the roof of the house to pray.

He began to feel hungry and wanted something to eat; but while they were preparing the meal, he went into a trance

in which he saw heaven opened, and something that looked like a large sheet being lowered to the ground by its four corners.

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals, crawling creatures and wild birds.

Then a voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, slaughter and eat!”

But Peter said, “No, sir! Absolutely not! I have never eaten food that was unclean or common.”

The voice spoke to him a second time: “Stop treating as unclean what God has purified.”

This happened 3 times, and then the sheet was immediately lifted up into heaven.

Peter was still puzzling over the meaning of the vision he envisioned, when the men Cornelius had sent, having inquired about Simon’s house, stood at the gate

and called out to ask if the Simon known as Peter was staying there.

While Peter’s mind was still on the vision, the Spirit said, “Three men are seeking you.

Get up, go downstairs, and have no misgivings about leaving with them, because I Myself have sent them.”

So Peter went down and said to the men, “You were looking for me? Here I am. What brings you here?”

They answered, “Cornelius. He’s a Roman army officer, an upright man and regards God, a man highly regarded by the entire Jewish nation; and he was told by a holy messenger to have you come to his house and listen to what you have to say.”

So Peter invited them as his guests.

The next day, he got up and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa;

and Peter arrived at Caesarea the day after that. Cornelius was expecting them — he had already called together his relatives and close friends.

As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell prostrate at his feet.

But Peter pulled him to his feet and said, “Stand up! I myself am simply a man.”

As he talked with him, Peter went inside and found many people gathered.

He said to them, “You are well aware that for a man who is a Jew to have close association with someone who belongs to another people, or to come and visit him, is something that just isn’t done. But God has shown me not to call any person common or unclean;

so when I was summoned, I came without raising any questions. Tell me, then, why did you send for me?”

Cornelius answered, “3 days ago around this time, I was at fasting prayers in my house, when suddenly a man in shining clothes stood in front of me

and said, ‘God has heard your prayer and remembered your acts of charity.

Now send to Joppa and ask for Simon, known as Peter; he is staying in the house of Simon, a leather-tanner, at the seashore.’

So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now all of us are here in the presence of God to hear everything the Lord has ordered you to say.”

Then Peter addressed them: “I now understand that God does not play favorites,

but that whoever regards Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him, no matter what people he belongs to.

Here is the message that He sent to the sons of Israel announcing The Good Message through Jesus the Messiah, who is Lord of everything.

You know what has been going on throughout Judea, starting from Galilee after the immersion that John the Baptist proclaimed;

how God anointed Jesus from Nazareth and with the Holy Spirit and power; how Jesus went about doing good and healing all the people oppressed by the Adversary, because God was with Him.

As for us, we are witnesses of everything He did, both in the Judean countryside and in Jerusalem. They did away with Him by hanging him on a tree;

but God raised Him on day and let Him be observed,

not by all the people, but by witnesses God had previously selected, that is, by us, who ate and drank with Him after He had risen again from the dead.

Then he commanded us to proclaim and attest to the Jewish people that this man has been appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.

All the prophets bear witness to him, that everyone who puts his trust in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Peter was still saying these things when the Holy Spirit fell on all who were hearing the message.

All the believers who had been circumcised accompanying Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit was also being poured out

on the gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter's response was,

“Is anyone prepared to prohibit these people from being immersed in water? After all, they have received the Holy Spirit, just as we did.”

And he ordered that they be immersed in the name of Jesus the Messiah. Then they asked Peter to stay on with them for a few days.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And there was a certain man in Cesarea, by name Cornelius, a centurion from a band called Italian,

2 pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always,

3 he saw in a vision manifestly, as it were the ninth hour of the day, a messenger of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, `Cornelius;'

4 and he having looked earnestly on him, and becoming afraid, said, `What is it, Lord?' And he said to him, `Thy prayers and thy kind acts came up for a memorial before God,

5 and now send men to Joppa, and send for a certain one Simon, who is surnamed Peter,

6 this one doth lodge with a certain Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea; this one shall speak to thee what it behoveth thee to do.'

7 And when the messenger who is speaking to Cornelius went away, having called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier of those waiting on him continually,

8 and having declared to them all things, he sent them to Joppa.

9 And on the morrow, as these are proceeding on the way, and are drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour,

10 and he became very hungry, and wished to eat; and they making ready, there fell upon him a trance,

11 and he doth behold the heaven opened, and descending unto him a certain vessel, as a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and let down upon the earth,

12 in which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven,

13 and there came a voice unto him: `Having risen, Peter, slay and eat.'

14 And Peter said, `Not so, Lord; because at no time did I eat anything common or unclean;'

15 and [there is] a voice again a second time unto him: `What God did cleanse, thou, declare not thou common;'

16 and this was done thrice, and again was the vessel received up to the heaven.

17 And as Peter was perplexed in himself what the vision that he saw might be, then, lo, the men who have been sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for the house of Simon, stood at the gate,

18 and having called, they were asking if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, doth lodge here?

19 And Peter thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, `Lo, three men do seek thee;

20 but having risen, go down and go on with them, nothing doubting, because I have sent them;'

21 and Peter having come down unto the men who have been sent from Cornelius unto him, said, `Lo, I am he whom ye seek, what [is] the cause for which ye are present?'

22 And they said, `Cornelius, a centurion, a man righteous and fearing God, well testified to, also, by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely warned by a holy messenger to send for thee, to his house, and to hear sayings from thee.'

23 Having called them in, therefore, he lodged them, and on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him,

24 and on the morrow they did enter into Cesarea; and Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kindred and near friends,

25 and as it came that Peter entered in, Cornelius having met him, having fallen at [his] feet, did bow before [him];

26 and Peter raised him, saying, `Stand up; I also myself am a man;'

27 and talking with him he went in, and doth find many having come together.

28 And he said unto them, `Ye know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another race, but to me God did shew to call no man common or unclean;

29 therefore also without gainsaying I came, having been sent for; I ask, therefore, for what matter ye did send for me?'

30 And Cornelius said, `Four days ago till this hour, I was fasting, and [at] the ninth hour praying in my house, and, lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 and he said, Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thy kind acts were remembered before God;

32 send, therefore, to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; this one doth lodge in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who having come, shall speak to thee;

33 at once, therefore, I sent to thee; thou also didst do well, having come; now, therefore, are we all before God present to hear all things that have been commanded thee by God.'

34 And Peter having opened his mouth, said, `Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons,

35 but in every nation he who is fearing Him, and is working righteousness, is acceptable to Him;

36 the word that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news -- peace through Jesus Christ (this one is Lord of all,)

37 ye -- ye have known; -- the word that came throughout all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism that John preached;

38 Jesus who [is] from Nazareth -- how God did anoint him with the Holy Spirit and power; who went through, doing good, and healing all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with him;

39 and we -- we are witnesses of all things that he did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, -- whom they did slay, having hanged upon a tree.

40 `This one God did raise up the third day, and gave him to become manifest,

41 not to all the people, but to witnesses, to those having been chosen before by God -- to us who did eat with [him], and did drink with him, after his rising out of the dead;

42 and he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify fully that it is he who hath been ordained by God judge of living and dead --

43 to this one do all the prophets testify, that through his name every one that is believing in him doth receive remission of sins.'

44 While Peter is yet speaking these sayings, the Holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word,

45 and those of the circumcision believing were astonished -- as many as came with Peter -- because also upon the nations the gift of the Holy Spirit hath been poured out,

46 for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

47 Then answered Peter, `The water is any one able to forbid, that these may not be baptized, who the Holy Spirit did receive -- even as also we?'

48 he commanded them also to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they besought him to remain certain days.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 11:1-30

The apostles and brothers throughout Judea heard that gentiles had received the Word of God;

but when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the members having been Circumcised criticized him,

saying, “You went into the homes of uncircumcised men and even ate with them!”

In reply, Peter began explaining in detail what had in fact occurred:

“I was in the city of Joppa, praying; and in a trance I had a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came down to me.

I looked inside and saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, crawling creatures and wild birds.

Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter, slaughter and eat!’

I said, ‘No, sir! Absolutely not! Nothing unclean or common has ever entered my mouth!’

But the voice spoke again from heaven: ‘Stop treating as unclean what God has purified.’

This happened three times, and then everything withdrew up into heaven.

At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where I was staying;

and the Spirit told me to have no misgivings about returning with them. These 6 brothers also came with me, and we went into the man’s house.

He told us how he had seen the messengerl standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring back Simon, known as Peter.

He has a message for you which will enable you and your whole household to be saved.’

“But I had hardly begun speaking when Holy Spirit came upon them, exactly as with us at the beginning!

And I remembered that the Lord had said, ‘John the Baptist used to immerse people in water, but you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.’

Therefore, if God gave them the same gift as He gave us after we had come to put our trust in the Lord Jesus the Messiah, who was I to block God?”

On hearing these things, they stopped objecting and began to praise God, saying, “This means that God has enabled the gentiles as well to be reformed and have life!”

Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution which had arisen over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch; they spoke God’s word, but only to Jews.

However, some of these, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, when they arrived at Antioch, began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus.

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people trusted and accepted the Lord.

News of this reached the ears of the Messianic community in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

On arriving and observing himself the grace of God at work, he was glad; and he encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with their whole hearts;

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and trust.

Then Barnabas headed to Tarsus to look for Saul;

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation there for a whole year and taught a sizeable crowd. Also it was in Antioch that the disciples for the first time were referred to as “Messianic/Christians.”

During this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch;

and one of them named Agav/Agabus stood up and through the Spirit predicted that there was going to be a severe famine throughout the Roman Empire. (It took place while Claudius was Emperor.)

So the disciples decided to provide relief to the brothers living in Judea, each according to his means;

and they accomplished this, sending their contribution to the elders in the care of Barnabas and Saul.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And the apostles and the brethren who are in Judea heard that also the nations did receive the word of God,

2 and when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him,

3 saying -- `Unto men uncircumcised thou didst go in, and didst eat with them!'

4 And Peter having begun, did expound to them in order saying,

5 `I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel coming down, as a great sheet by four corners being let down out of the heaven, and it came unto me;

6 at which having looked stedfastly, I was considering, and I saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of heaven;

7 and I heard a voice saying to me, Having risen, Peter, slay and eat;

8 and I said, Not so, Lord; because anything common or unclean hath at no time entered into my mouth;

9 and a voice did answer me a second time out of the heaven, What God did cleanse, thou -- declare not thou common.

10 `And this happened thrice, and again was all drawn up to the heaven,

11 and, lo, immediately, three men stood at the house in which I was, having been sent from Cesarea unto me,

12 and the Spirit said to me to go with them, nothing doubting, and these six brethren also went with me, and we did enter into the house of the man,

13 he declared also to us how he saw the messenger in his house standing, and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter,

14 who shall speak sayings by which thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.

15 And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit did fall upon them, even as also upon us in the beginning,

16 and I remembered the saying of the Lord, how he said, John indeed did baptize with water, and ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit;

17 if then the equal gift God did give to them as also to us, having believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, I -- how was I able to withstand God?'

18 And they, having heard these things, were silent, and were glorifying God, saying, `Then, indeed, also to the nations did God give the reformation to life.'

19 Those, indeed, therefore, having been scattered abroad, from the tribulation that came after Stephen, went through unto Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none except to Jews only;

20 and there were certain of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having entered into Antioch, were speaking unto the Hellenists, proclaiming good news -- the Lord Jesus,

21 and the hand of the Lord was with them, a great number also, having believed, did turn unto the Lord.

22 And the account was heard in the ears of the assembly that [is] in Jerusalem concerning them, and they sent forth Barnabas to go through unto Antioch,

23 who, having come, and having seen the grace of God, was glad, and was exhorting all with purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord,

24 because he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith, and a great multitude was added to the Lord.

25 And Barnabas went forth to Tarsus, to seek for Saul,

26 and having found him, he brought him to Antioch, and it came to pass that they a whole year did assemble together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude, the disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians.

27 And in those days there came from Jerusalem prophets to Antioch,

28 and one of them, by name Agabus, having stood up, did signify through the Spirit a great dearth is about to be throughout all the world -- which also came to pass in the time of Claudius Caesar --

29 and the disciples, according as any one was prospering, determined each of them to send for ministration to the brethren dwelling in Judea,

30 which also they did, having sent unto the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 12:1-25

About this time King Herod began arresting and persecuting certain members of the Messianic community;

and he had James, John’s brother, put to death by the sword.

When Herod realized how much this pleased the Jews, he went on to arrest Peter as well. It was during the Days of Matzah (unleavened bread),

so when Herod seized him, he tossed him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, with the intention of bringing him to public trial after Passover.

So Peter was being held under prison watch, but intense prayer was being made to God on his behalf by the Messianic community.

The night before Herod was going to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains; and guards were at the door, keeping watch over the prison.

Suddenly an angel of the Loed stood there, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter’s side and awoke him. “Hurry! Get up!” he said -- and the chains fell off his hands.

The angel said to Peter, “Gird up your clothes and put on your sandals." This Peter did. “Throw on your robe,” The angel said, “and follow me!”

Going out, Peter followed him but did not realize that what was an actual event — he thought he was seeing a vision.

Having passed by the first guard and a second, they arrived at the iron gate leading to the city. This opened to them on its own, and they departed. They went down the length of one street, and suddenly the angel left him.

Then Peter realized and said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord sent his angel to rescue me from Herod’s power and from everything the Jews were hoping for.”

Realizing what had happened, he went to the house of Miryam the mother of John (surnamed Mark), where many people had gathered to pray.

He knocked at the outside door, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer.

She recognized Peter’s voice and was so happy that she ran back in without opening the door, and announced that Peter was standing outside.

“You’re off your rocker!” they said to her. But she insisted it was true. So they said, “It is his angel.”

Meanwhile, Peter kept knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were shocked.

Motioning to them with his hand to be quiet, he told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison and said, “Tell all this to James and the brothers.” Then Peter departed and went elsewhere.

When daybreak came, there was a major commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

Herod had a thorough search made for him, but they failed to find him, so he cross-examined the guards and ordered them executed. Then Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent some time there.

Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyrians and Sidonians, so they joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, the king’s chief personal servant, they asked for peace; because they depended on the king’s lands for their food supply.

A day was set, and Herod in his royal garb sat on the throne and made a speech to them.

The mob cried out, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!”

Immediately, because Herod did not give the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down. He was eaten away by worms and died.

But the word of the Lord continued growing and being multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul, having completed their errand, returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, surnamed Mark.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands, to do evil to certain of those of the assembly,

2 and he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword,

3 and having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he added to lay hold of Peter also -- and they were the days of the unleavened food --

4 whom also having seized, he did put in prison, having delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, intending after the passover to bring him forth to the people.

5 Peter, therefore, indeed, was kept in the prison, and fervent prayer was being made by the assembly unto God for him,

6 and when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night was Peter sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains, guards also before the door were keeping the prison,

7 and lo, a messenger of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the buildings, and having smitten Peter on the side, he raised him up, saying, `Rise in haste,' and his chains fell from off [his] hands.

8 The messenger also said to him, `Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals;' and he did so; and he saith to him, `Put thy garment round and be following me;'

9 and having gone forth, he was following him, and he knew not that it is true that which is done through the messenger, and was thinking he saw a vision,

10 and having passed through a first ward, and a second, they came unto the iron gate that is leading to the city, which of its own accord did open to them, and having gone forth, they went on through one street, and immediately the messenger departed from him.

11 And Peter having come to himself, said, `Now I have known of a truth that the Lord did sent forth His messenger, and did deliver me out of the hand of Herod, and all the expectation of the people of the Jews;'

12 also, having considered, he came unto the house of Mary, the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark, where there were many thronged together and praying.

13 And Peter having knocked at the door of the porch, there came a damsel to hearken, by name Rhoda,

14 and having known the voice of Peter, from the joy she did not open the porch, but having run in, told of the standing of Peter before the porch,

15 and they said unto her, `Thou art mad;' and she was confidently affirming [it] to be so, and they said, `It is his messenger;'

16 and Peter was continuing knocking, and having opened, they saw him, and were astonished,

17 and having beckoned to them with the hand to be silent, he declared to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison, and he said, `Declare to James and to the brethren these things;' and having gone forth, he went on to another place.

18 And day having come, there was not a little stir among the soldiers what then was become of Peter,

19 and Herod having sought for him, and not having found, having examined the guards, did command [them] to be led away to punishment, and having gone down from Judea to Cesarea, he was abiding [there].

20 And Herod was highly displeased with the Tyrians and Sidonians, and with one accord they came unto him, and having made a friend of Blastus, who [is] over the bed-chambers of the king, they were asking peace, because of their country being nourished from the king's;

21 and on a set day, Herod having arrayed himself in kingly apparel, and having sat down upon the tribunal, was making an oration unto them,

22 and the populace were shouting, `The voice of a god, and not of a man;'

23 and presently there smote him a messenger of the Lord, because he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.

24 And the word of God did grow and did multiply,

25 and Barnabas and Saul did turn back out of Jerusalem, having fulfilled the ministration, having taken also with [them] John, who was surnamed Mark.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 13:1-52

The church at Antioch included prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (nicknamed Niger), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (King Herod's childhood friend), and Saul.

As they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul to the work I have called them to do.”

After they fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on both of them and sent them off.

After the Holy Spirit sent them on their way, they went down to Seleucia, and sailed from there to Cyprus.

In Salamis they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their assistant.

They traveled throughout the island until they arrived at Paphos. There they found a man named Bar-Jesus, a Jew who was a false prophet and practiced sorcery.

He kept company with the governor of that province, an intelligent man named Sergius Paulus. The governor sent for Barnabas and Saul since he wanted to hear God’s word.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that’s what people understood as the meaning of his name) opposed them, trying to steer the governor away from the faith.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Saul, also known as Paul, glared at Bar-Jesus and

said, “You are a deceiver and trickster! You devil! You attack anything that is right! Will you never stop twisting the straight ways of the Lord into crooked paths?

Now hear this! The Lord’s power is set against you. You will be blind for a while, unable even to see daylight.” At once, Bar-Jesus’ eyes were darkened, and he began to grope about for someone to take his hand.

When the governor observed what had taken place, he came to believe, for he was astounded by the teaching regarding the Lord.

Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia. John left them there returning to Jerusalem.

They went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath, they entered and found seats in the synagogue there.

After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invited them, “Brothers, if one of you has a message for the people, please communicate.”

Paul stood up and gestured with his hand saying, “Fellow Israelites and Gentile God-worshippers, please listen to me.

The God of this people Israel selected our ancestors. God made them a great people while they lived as strangers in Egypt. With His great power, He led them out of that country.

40 years, God put up with them in the wilderness.

God conquered 7 nations in the land of Canaan and gave the Israelites their land as an inheritance.

This occurred over a four hundred fifty year period.

Then, He gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.

The Israelites requested a king, so God gave them Kish’s son Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin, and he served as their king 40 years.

After God removed him, He established David as their king. God testified concerning him, ‘I have found Jesse’s son David --- a man who shares My desires. Whatever My will is, he will do.’

From David's descendants, God gave Israel a savior, Jesus, just as He promised.

Before Jesus’ appearance, John the Baptizer proclaimed to all the Israelites a baptism to illustrate they were changing their hearts and lives.

As John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you think I am, but He is arriving after me. I’m not worthy to loosen his sandals.’

Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentile God-worshippers, the message about this salvation has been sent to us.

The people in Jerusalem and their leaders didn’t recognize Jesus. By condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.

Even though they didn’t discover a single legal basis for the death penalty, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

When they finished doing everything that had been written regarding Him, they removed Him down from the tree and placed Him in a tomb.

However, God raised Him from the dead!

He appeared over many days to those who had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are presently His witnesses to the people.

We proclaim to you the good message. What God promised to our ancestors,

He has accomplished for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it was written in the second psalm, You are my son; today I have become your father.

God raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be subjected to decay. Therefore, God said, I will give to you the holy and firm promises I made to David.

In another passage it reveals, You will not let your holy one experience death’s decay.

David served God’s purpose in his own generation, then he died and was buried with his ancestors. He experienced death’s decay,

However, the One God raised up didn’t experience death’s decay.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, realize that through Jesus we proclaim forgiveness of sins to you. From all those sins from which you couldn’t be in a right relationship with God by Moses’ Law,

through Jesus everyone who believes is placed in that right relationship with God.

Take care that the prophets’ words don’t apply to you:

Look, you scoffers, marvel and die. I’m going to do work in your time — a work you won’t accept even if someone told you.”

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to speak about these things again the following Sabbath.

When the people in the synagogue were dismissed, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism accompanied Paul and Barnabas, who urged them to remain faithful to the message of God’s grace.

The following Sabbath, practically everyone in the city arrived to hear the Lord’s word.

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were overcome with jealousy. They argued against what Paul was saying by slandering him.

Paul and Barnabas, speaking courageously stated, “We had to speak God’s word to you first. Since you reject it and show that you are unworthy to receive eternal life, we will reveal it to the Gentiles.

This is what the Lord commanded us: I have made you a beacon for the Gentiles, so that you could bring salvation across the earth.”

When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the Lord’s word. Everyone who was appointed for eternal life believed,

and the Lord’s word was broadcast throughout the region.

However, the Jews provoked the prominent women among the Gentile God-worshippers, as well as the city’s leaders. They encouraged others to harass Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their district.

Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and traveled to Iconium.

Because of the total presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, the disciples were overflowing with joy.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And there were certain in Antioch, in the assembly there, prophets and teachers; both Barnabas, and Simeon who is called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen also -- Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother -- and Saul;

2 and in their ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, `Separate ye to me both Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them,'

3 then having fasted, and having prayed, and having laid the hands on them, they sent [them] away.

4 These, indeed, then, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, thence also they sailed to Cyprus,

5 and having come unto Salamis, they declared the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they had also John [as] a ministrant;

6 and having gone through the island unto Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [is] Bar-Jesus;

7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; this one having called for Barnabas and Saul, did desire to hear the word of God,

8 and there withstood them Elymas the magian -- for so is his name interpreted -- seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith.

9 And Saul -- who also [is] Paul -- having been filled with the Holy Spirit, and having looked stedfastly on him,

10 said, `O full of all guile, and all profligacy, son of a devil, enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord?

11 and now, lo, a hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season;' and presently there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and he, going about, was seeking some to lead [him] by the hand;

12 then the proconsul having seen what hath come to pass, did believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

13 And those about Paul having set sail from Paphos, came to Perga of Pamphylia, and John having departed from them, did turn back to Jerusalem,

14 and they having gone through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia, and having gone into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they sat down,

15 and after the reading of the law and of the prophets, the chief men of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, `Men, brethren, if there be a word in you of exhortation unto the people -- say on.'

16 And Paul having risen, and having beckoned with the hand, said, `Men, Israelites, and those fearing God, hearken:

17 the God of this people Israel did choose our fathers, and the people He did exalt in their sojourning in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm did He bring them out of it;

18 and about a period of forty years He did suffer their manners in the wilderness,

19 and having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He did divide by lot to them their land.

20 `And after these things, about four hundred and fifty years, He gave judges -- till Samuel the prophet;

21 and thereafter they asked for a king, and God did give to them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years;

22 and having removed him, He did raise up to them David for king, to whom also having testified, he said, I found David, the [son] of Jesse, a man according to My heart, who shall do all My will.

23 `Of this one's seed God, according to promise, did raise to Israel a Saviour -- Jesus,

24 John having first preached, before his coming, a baptism of reformation to all the people of Israel;

25 and as John was fulfilling the course, he said, Whom me do ye suppose to be? I am not [he], but, lo, he doth come after me, of whom I am not worthy to loose the sandal of [his] feet.

26 `Men, brethren, sons of the race of Abraham, and those among you fearing God, to you was the word of this salvation sent,

27 for those dwelling in Jerusalem, and their chiefs, this one not having known, also the voices of the prophets, which every sabbath are being read -- having judged [him] -- did fulfill,

28 and no cause of death having found, they did ask of Pilate that he should be slain,

29 and when they did complete all the things written about him, having taken [him] down from the tree, they laid him in a tomb;

30 and God did raise him out of the dead,

31 and he was seen for many days of those who did come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 `And we to you do proclaim good news -- that the promise made unto the fathers,

33 God hath in full completed this to us their children, having raised up Jesus, as also in the second Psalm it hath been written, My Son thou art -- I to-day have begotten thee.

34 `And that He did raise him up out of the dead, no more to return to corruption, he hath said thus -- I will give to you the faithful kindnesses of David;

35 wherefore also in another [place] he saith, Thou shalt not give Thy kind One to see corruption,

36 for David, indeed, his own generation having served by the will of God, did fall asleep, and was added unto his fathers, and saw corruption,

37 but he whom God did raise up, did not see corruption.

38 `Let it therefore be known to you, men, brethren, that through this one to you is the forgiveness of sins declared,

39 and from all things from which ye were not able in the law of Moses to be declared righteous, in this one every one who is believing is declared righteous;

40 see, therefore, it may not come upon you that hath been spoken in the prophets:

41 See, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, because a work I -- I do work in your days, a work in which ye may not believe, though any one may declare [it] to you.'

42 And having gone forth out of the synagogue of the Jews, the nations were calling upon [them] that on the next sabbath these sayings may be spoken to them,

43 and the synagogue having been dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes did follow Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were persuading them to remain in the grace of God.

44 And on the coming sabbath, almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God,

45 and the Jews having seen the multitudes, were filled with zeal, and did contradict the things spoken by Paul -- contradicting and speaking evil.

46 And speaking boldly, Paul and Barnabas said, `To you it was necessary that first the word of God be spoken, and seeing ye do thrust it away, and do not judge yourselves worthy of the life age-during, lo, we do turn to the nations;

47 for so hath the Lord commanded us: I have set thee for a light of nations -- for thy being for salvation unto the end of the earth.'

48 And the nations hearing were glad, and were glorifying the word of the Lord, and did believe -- as many as were appointed to life age-during;

49 and the word of the Lord was spread abroad through all the region.

50 And the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the first men of the city, and did raise persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and did put them out from their borders;

51 and they having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium,

52 and the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 14:1-28

At Iconium it happened again...They went into the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks came to believe.

But the Jews who would not be persuaded stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

So, Paul and Barnabas remained for a long time, speaking boldly about the Lord, who bore witness to the message concerning His love and kindness by enabling them to perform signs and miracles.

However, the people of the city were split. Some sided with the unbelieving Jews, others with the apostles.

Eventually the unbelievers (both Jews and Gentiles) along with their leaders, began mistreating the apostles even to stone them;

However, they learned of it and escaped to Lystra and Derbe, towns in Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,

where they continued preaching the Good News.

There was a man living in Lystra who never walked being crippled from birth.

This man listened to Paul speaking. Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

said with a loud voice, “Stand on your feet!” He leaped up and began walking.

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they began to proclaim in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”

They began calling Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” since he did most of the talking;

and the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, intending to offer a sacrifice to them with the people.

When the Apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran into the crowd, shouting,

“Men! How can you do this? We’re just men, human like you! We are announcing Good News to you — turn from these worthless things to the living God who created heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them!

In times past, He allowed all peoples to do their own thing;

yet God didn't leave himself without evidence of his nature; because He performs good things, giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons, filling you with food and your hearts with joy!”

Even saying this barely kept the crowds from sacrificing to them.

Then some unbelieving Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They won over the crowds, stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, believing him dead.

But as the disciples gathered around Paul, he got up and went back into the town. The next day, he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

After proclaiming the Good News in that city and bringing many people into discipleship, they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to remain true to the faith, and reminding them that it is with hardships that we must enter the Kingdom of God.

After appointing elders for them in every congregation, Paul and Barnabas, through prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord in whom they placed their trust.

Passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia .

After preaching the message in Perga, they came down to Attalia; and from there, they sailed back to Antioch,

the place where they had been handed over to the care of God for the work which they had now completed.

When they arrived, they gathered the Messianic community together and reported what God had done through them, that he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

And they stayed for some time there among the disciples.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they did enter together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake, so that there believed both of Jews and Greeks a great multitude;

2 and the unbelieving Jews did stir up and made evil the souls of the nations against the brethren;

3 long time, indeed, therefore, did they abide speaking boldly in the Lord, who is testifying to the word of His grace, and granting signs and wonders to come to pass through their hands.

4 And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles,

5 and when there was a purpose both of the nations and of the Jews with their rulers to use [them] despitefully, and to stone them,

6 they having become aware, did flee to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the region round about,

7 and there they were proclaiming good news.

8 And a certain man in Lystra, impotent in the feet, was sitting, being lame from the womb of his mother -- who never had walked,

9 this one was hearing Paul speaking, who, having stedfastly beheld him, and having seen that he hath faith to be saved,

10 said with a loud voice, `Stand up on thy feet upright;' and he was springing and walking,

11 and the multitudes having seen what Paul did, did lift up their voice, in the speech of Lycaonia, saying, `The gods, having become like men, did come down unto us;'

12 they were calling also Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, since he was the leader in speaking.

13 And the priest of the Zeus that is before their city, oxen and garlands unto the porches having brought, with the multitudes did wish to sacrifice,

14 and having heard, the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having rent their garments, did spring into the multitude, crying

15 and saying, `Men, why these things do ye? and we are men like-affected with you, proclaiming good news to you, from these vanities to turn unto the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all the things in them;

16 who in the past generations did suffer all the nations to go on in their ways,

17 though, indeed, without witness He did not leave himself, doing good -- from heaven giving rains to us, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness;'

18 and these things saying, scarcely did they restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

19 And there came thither, from Antioch and Iconium, Jews, and they having persuaded the multitudes, and having stoned Paul, drew him outside of the city, having supposed him to be dead;

20 and the disciples having surrounded him, having risen he entered into the city, and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 Having proclaimed good news also to that city, and having discipled many, they turned back to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch,

22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to remain in the faith, and that through many tribulations it behoveth us to enter into the reign of God,

23 and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia,

25 and having spoken in Perga the word, they went down to Attalia,

26 and thence did sail to Antioch, whence they had been given by the grace of God for the work that they fulfilled;

27 and having come and gathered together the assembly, they declared as many things as God did with them, and that He did open to the nations a door of faith;

28 and they abode there not a little time with the disciples.

[_LittleNipper]

Acts 15:1-41

But some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “You can’t be saved unless you undergo circumcision as prescribed by Moses.”

This brought among them a lot of upset and dispute to Paul and Barnabas. So the congregation assigned Paul, Barnabas and a few others go and put this matter before the apostles and elders up in Jerusalem.

After being sent off by the congregation, they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting in detail how the Gentiles had turned to God; and this news brought great joy to all the brothers.

On arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Messianic community, including the emissaries and the elders; and they reported what God had done through them.

But some of those who had come to trust were from among the Pharisees. And they stood up and asked, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to practice the Law of Moses.”

The apostles and the elders convened to study this matter.

After lengthy debate, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you yourselves know that a good while back, God chose me from among you to be the one through which the Gentiles should hear the Good Message and come to believe.

And God, who knows the heart, bore them witness by sending the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.

In other words, God made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their heart by faith.

So why are you putting God to the test now by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our ancestors nor we have had the ability to carry?

No, it is through the love and kindness of the Lord Jesus that we trust and are delivered, and that goes for them.”

Then the whole assembly kept still as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell what signs and miracles God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James broke the silence replying, “Brothers, hear what I have to say.

Simon has explained in detail what God did when He initially began to show His concern for taking from among the Gentiles a people to bear His name.

And the words of the Prophets completely harmonize with this for it is written,

‘After this, I will return; and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David. I will rebuild its ruins, I will restore it,

so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, that is, all the Nations who have been called by My name,

Says the Lord, who is accomplishing these things.’

All this has been known throughout the ages by God.

Therefore, I believe is that we should not put obstacles in the way of the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Instead, we should message them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood.

For from the earliest times, Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole Messianic community, decided to chose men from among themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Y’hudah/Judas called Bar-Sabba/Barnabas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers,

along with the following letter:

From: The emissaries and the elders, your brothers

To: The brothers from among the Gentiles throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia

Greetings!

We have heard that some people went out from among us without our authorization, and that they have upset you with their talk, unsettling your minds.

So we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

who have dedicated their lives to upholding the name of our Lord, Jesus the Messiah.

So we have sent Judas and Silas, and they will confirm personally the word.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to lay any heavier burden on you than the following requirements:

to abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from drinking blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will be doing the right thing.
Peace!

The messengers were sent off to Antioch, where they assembled the group together and delivered the letter.

After reading it, the people were joyous by its encouragement.

Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with a greeting of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them.

It also seems good to Silas to remain there still

But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, where they and many others taught and proclaimed the Good Message regarding the Lord.

After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers in all the towns where we proclaimed the message about the Lord, and see how they’re getting along.”

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John, the one called Mark.

But Paul thought it would be unwise to take this man with them, since he had gone off and left them in Pamphylia to do the work by themselves.

There was such sharp disagreement over this that they separated from each other, with Barnabas taking Mark and sailing to Cyprus.

However, Paul chose Silas and departed, after the brothers commended him to the love and kindness of the Lord.

He went through Syria and Cilicia, uplifting the congregations.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And certain having come down from Judea, were teaching the brethren -- `If ye be not circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye are not able to be saved;'

2 there having been, therefore, not a little dissension and disputation to Paul and Barnabas with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, to go up unto the apostles and elders to Jerusalem about this question,

3 they indeed, then, having been sent forward by the assembly, were passing through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations, and they were causing great joy to all the brethren.

4 And having come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, they declared also as many things as God did with them;

5 and there rose up certain of those of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying -- `It behoveth to circumcise them, to command them also to keep the law of Moses.'

6 And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,

7 and there having been much disputing, Peter having risen up said unto them, `Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make choice, through my mouth, for the nations to hear the word of the good news, and to believe;

8 and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,

9 and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;

10 now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.'

12 And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;

13 and after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;

14 Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,

15 and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:

16 After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright --

17 that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.

18 `Known from the ages to God are all His works;

19 wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,

20 but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;

21 for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him -- in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas -- Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren --

23 having written through their hand thus: `The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who [are] of the nations, greeting;

24 seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,

25 it seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul --

26 men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ --

27 we have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.

28 `For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:

29 to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'

30 They then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,

31 and they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;

32 Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,

33 and having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;

34 and it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.

35 And Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming good news -- with many others also -- the word of the Lord;

36 and after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, `Having turned back again, we may look after our brethren, in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord -- how they are.'

37 And Barnabas counseled to take with [them] John called Mark,

38 and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;

39 there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,

40 and Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, having been given up to the grace of God by the brethren;

41 and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.