the Fourth Week of Advent
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Wesley's New Testament
Acts 11
1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard, that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision debated with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised,3 and didst eat with them.4 Then Peter beginning, laid all things before them in order, saying, I was praying in the city of Joppa,5 and being in a trance, I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down from heaven by the four corners, and it came even to me:6 On which looking stedfastly, I observed and saw four-footed creatures of the earth, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.7 And I heard a voice saying to me, Rise Peter, kill and eat.8 But I said, In no wise, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.9 And the voice from heaven answered me again, What God hath purified, call not thou common.10 This was done thrice, and all were drawn up again into heaven.11 And behold immediately three men stood at the house where I was, sent from Cesarea to me.12 And the Spirit bad me go with them, doubting nothing: these six brethren also went with me, and we entered into the man's house.13 And he told us, how he had seen an angel standing in his house, and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and call Simon,14 surnamed Peter, Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy family may be saved.15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.17 If then God gave to them the same gift as even to us, having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that could withstand God?18 When they heard these things, they were quiet, and glorified God, saying, Then God hath given to the Gentiles also repentance unto life.
19 Now they who had been scattered abroad by the distress which arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching to none but Jews only.20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who coming into Antioch, spake to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.21 And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.22 And tidings of these things came to the ears of the church that was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, to go to Antioch:23 Who coming and seeing the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, to cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart.24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith. And a considerable multitude was added to the Lord.25 Then went he to Tarsus to seek Saul; and having found him, he brought him to Antioch.26 And a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught a considerable multitude: and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 In those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them,28 named Agabus stood up, and signified by the Spirit, that there would be a great famine through all the world; which also came to pass under Claudius Cesar.29 Then the disciples determined to send relief, every one according to his ability, to the brethren who dwelt in Judea: Which also they did,30 sending it to the elders, by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.