The Early Church

Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,

not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.

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

And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid the 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 Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Cæsarea unto me.

And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:

and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;

who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.

And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.