The Early Church

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And straightway he arose.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.

And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us.

And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.

And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Nowthere wasa certain man in Cæsarea, Cornelius by name, 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 always.

He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:

he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side.

And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:

and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance;

and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth:

wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean.