The Early Church

Him God raysed vp the third day, and caused that he was shewed openly:

Not to all the people, but vnto the witnesses chosen before of God, euen to vs which did eate and drinke with him, after he arose from the dead.

And he commanded vs to preach vnto the people, and to testifie, that it is he that is ordained of God a iudge of quicke and dead.

To him also giue all the Prophets witnesse, that through his Name all that beleeue in him, shall receiue remission of sinnes.

While Peter yet spake these wordes, the holy Ghost fell on al them which heard the word.

So they of the circumcision which beleeued, were astonied, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was powred out the gift of the holy Ghost.

For they heard them speake with tongues, and magnifie God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which haue receiued the holy Ghost, as well as we?

So he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tary certaine dayes.

Nowe the Apostles and the brethren that were in Iudea, heard, that the Gentiles had also receiued the worde of God.

And when Peter was come vp to Hierusalem, they of the circumcision contended against him,

Saying, Thou wentest in to men vncircumcised, and hast eaten with them.

Then Peter beganne, and expounded the thing in order to them, saying,

I was in the citie of Ioppa, praying, and in a trance I sawe this vision, A certaine vessell comming downe as it had bene a great sheete, let downe from heauen by the foure corners, and it came to me.

Towarde the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and sawe foure footed beastes of the earth, and wilde beastes, and creeping things, and foules of the heauen.

Also I heard a voyce, saying vnto me, Arise, Peter: slay and eate.

And I said, God forbid, Lord: for nothing polluted or vncleane hath at any time entred into my mouth.

But the voyce answered me the seconde time from heauen, The things that God hath purified, pollute thou not.

And this was done three times, and all were taken vp againe into heauen.

Then behold, immediatly there were three men already come vnto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea vnto me.

And the Spirit saide vnto me, that I should go with them, without doubting: moreouer these sixe brethren came with me, and we entred into the mans house.

And he shewed vs, howe he had seene an Angel in his house, which stoode and said to him, Send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

He shall speake wordes vnto thee, whereby both thou and all thine house shalbe saued.

And as I began to speake, the holy Ghost fell on them, euen as vpon vs at the beginning.

Then I remembred the word of the Lord, howe he said, Iohn baptized with water, but ye shalbe baptized with the holy Ghost.