The Early Church

And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.

And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken. whose name was Rhode.

And as soon as she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy: but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate.

But they said to her: Thou art mad. But she affirmed that it was so. Then said they: It is his angel.

But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him and were astonished.

But he, beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told how the Lord had brought him out of prison. And he said: Tell these things to James and to the brethren. And going out, he went into another place.

Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

And when Herod had sought for him and found him not, having examined the keepers, he commanded they should be put to death. And going down from Judea to Caesarea, he abode there.

And he was angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians. But they with one accord came to him: and, having gained Blastus who was the king's chamberlain, they desired peace, because their countries were nourished by him.

And upon a day appointed, Herod being arrayed in kingly apparel, sat in the judgment seat and made an oration to them.

And the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

And forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God: and, being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost.

But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.

And Barnabas and Saul, returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark.

Now there were in the church which was at Antioch prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene and Manahen who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have taken them.

Then they fasting and praying and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.

So they, being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia: and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were come to Salamina, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also in the ministry.

And when they had gone through the whole island, as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesu:

Who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a prudent man. He, sending for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God.

But Elymas the magician (for so his name is interpreted) withstood them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.

Then Saul, otherwise Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, looking upon him,

Said: O full of all guile and of all deceit, child of the devil, enemy of all justice, thou ceases not to pervert the right ways of the Lord.

And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee: and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately there fell a mist and darkness upon him: and going about, he sought some one to lead him by the hand.