6 Then was Saul certain days with and Samaria, and were edified; and the disciples who were at Damas- walking in the fear of the Lord, and cus. And straightway he preached in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, Jesus in the synagogues, that he is were multiplied.

SELECTION VI.

The disciples of Jesus break down the

the son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who professed this name in Jerusalem, walls of sectarianism by beginning to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. THERE was a certain man in

and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?

7 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is truly the Messiah.

8 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: but their laying wait was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

9 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Master in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

10 And he was with them coming in and going out of Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band: a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

2 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

3 And when the angel who spake to Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things to them. he sent them to Joppa.

4 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: and he became very hungry, and would have eaten but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

II Then had the churches rest and saw heaven opened, and a certhroughout all Judæa and Galilee tain vessel descending to him, as it

9 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and did him reverence. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

had been a great sheet knit at the called together his kinsmen and near four corners, and let down to the friends. earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; IO And as he talked with him, he for I have never eaten any thing that went in, and found many that were is common or unclean. And the come together. And he said to them, voice spake to him again the second Ye know how that it is an unlawful time, What God hath cleansed, that thing for a man that is a Jew to keep call not thou common. This was company, or come to one of another done thrice: and the vessel was re-nation; but God hath showed me ceived up again into heaven.

that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I to you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

5 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, II And Cornelius said, Four days and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

6 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

7 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; who, when he cometh, shall speak to thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

12 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God children of Israel,

8 And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cor- sent to the the

nelius waited for them, and had preaching peace by Jesus, the Anoint

ed; that word, I say, ye know, which 16 Now the apostles and brethren was published throughout all Judæa, that were in Judæa heard that the and began from Galilee, after the Gentiles had also received the word baptism which John preached; how of God.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 17 And when Peter was come up with the Holy Spirit and with power: to Jerusalem, they that were of the who went about doing good, and circumcision contended with him, healing all who were oppressed of saying, Thou wentest in to men unthe evil one; for God was with him. circumcised, and didst eat with them. And we are witnesses of all things. 18 But Peter rehearsed the matter which he did both in the land of the from the beginning, and expounded Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they it by order to them, and said: Forslew and hanged on a tree. Him asmuch as God gave them the like God raised up the third day, and showed him openly after he rose from the dead; not indeed to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who beforetime did eat and drink with him. And God, saying, Then hath God also to he commanded us to preach to the the Gentiles granted repentance unto people, and to testify that he was life. ordained of God, who is judge of the living and of the dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in God shall receive remission of sins.

13 While Peter yet spake these. words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word.

gift as he did to us, who believed on the Master, Jesus the Anointed; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified

SELECTION VII.

Philip teaches the gospel of Jesus to the Samaritans and to the Ethiopian ambassador.

THEN Philip went down to the

city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Messiah. And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spake. And there was great joy in that city.

14 And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because 2 But there was a certain man, that on the Gentiles also was poured called Simon, who beforetime in the out the gift of the Holy Spirit; for same city used sorcery, and bewitchthey heard them speaking, and mag-ed the people of Samaria, giving out nifying God.

15 Then said Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Master. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

that himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the mighty power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had astonished them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things

concerning the kingdom of God, and fied and proclaimed the word of the

Master, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

the name of Jesus the Messiah, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and beholding spake to Philip, saying, Arise, and the wonders and great powers which were done, he was amazed.

6 And the angel of the Lord

go toward the south to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert. And he arose, and went: and, behold, a man of Ethio

dace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had been to Jerusalem for worship, was returning, and, seated in his chariot, read from the book of Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit

3 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they pia, of great authority under Cansent to them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for as yet it had fallen upon none of them, although they had been baptized in the name of the Master, Jesus. Then laid they said to Philip, Go, join thyself to their hands on them, and they re- this chariot. ceived the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The

7 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet 4 And when Simon saw that Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou through laying on of the apostles' what thou readest? He answered, hands the Holy Spirit was given, he How can I, except some one should offered them money, saying, Confer guide me? And he desired Philip upon me also this power, that on to come up and sit with him. whomsoever I lay my hands he may place of the scripture which he read receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter was this, He was led as a sheep to said to him, Thy silver perish with the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb thee, because thou hast thought before his shearer, so opened he not that the gift of God may be pur- his mouth: in his humiliation his chased with money. Thou hast nei- judgment was taken away and who ther part nor lot in this matter; for shall declare his generation? for his thy heart is not right in the sight of life is taken from the earth. And God. Repent therefore of this thy he said to Philip, I pray thee, of wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee: for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, Pray to the Lord 8 And as they went on their way, for me, that none of these things they came to a certain water: and which ye have spoken come upon me. the ambassador said, See, here is 5 And they, when they had testi- water; what doth hinder me to be

whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip began at the same scripture, and declared unto him the gospel of Jesus.

baptized? And he commanded the glad, and exhorted them all, that with chariot to stand still; and both of purpose of heart they would cleave them went down to the water, and to the Master. He was a good man, Philip baptized him. And when and full of the Holy Spirit and of they came up, the Spirit of the Lord | faith: and many people were added took Philip away: so the ambassador to the discipleship of the Master. saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

SELECTION VIII.

4 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a

Among the Grecian converts, Jesus whole year they assembled thembegins to be called "Christ," and the dis- selves with the church, and taught ciples begin to be known as Christians." many people; and the disciples were The sympathy and benevolence of the called Christians first in Antioch. Christians for each other. Saul begins to be known among the Grecians as Paul, and being chosen by them as preacher enters upon his ministry.

Now

5 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified that there was about to be a great famine throughout the world (which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar). So the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judæa: which also they did, and sent it to

OW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword: and because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. 2 Now they who were scattered the elders by the hands of Barnabas abroad on account of the persecution and Saul.

that began with the martyrdom of 6 Now there were in the church Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice, that was at Antioch certain prophand Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but to Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake to the Grecians also, preaching Jesus the Master. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Master.

ets and teachers: as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. But as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 7 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John

3 Then tidings of these things came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was departing from them returned to Je