The Early Church

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

Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him, after he arose again from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead.

To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word.

And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, 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: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them?

But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying:

I was in the city of Joppe praying: and I saw in an ecstasy of mind 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.

Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air.

And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat.

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

And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common.

And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven.

And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea.

And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house.

And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing and saying to him: Send to Joppe and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter,

Who shall speak to thee words whereby thou shalt be saved, and all thy house.

And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as upon us also in the beginning.

And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said: John indeed baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.