Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book,^(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach^{(B) 2} until the day he was taken up to heaven,^(C) after giving instructions^(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles^(E) he had chosen.^{(F) 3} After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them^(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.^{(H) 4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait^(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.^{(J) 5} For John baptized with^[a] water,^(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”^(L)

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore^(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.^{(N) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;^(O) and you will be my witnesses^(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,^(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”^(R)

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up^(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white^(T) stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,”^(U) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back^(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem^(W) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,^(X) a Sabbath day’s walk^[c] from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room^(Y) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.^{(Z) 14} They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(AA) along with the women^(AB) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(AC)

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers and sisters,^[d](AD) the Scripture had to be fulfilled^(AE) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,^(AF) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ He was one of our number^(AG) and shared in our ministry.”^(AH)

¹⁸ (With the payment^(AI) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;^(AJ) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language^(AK) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

and,

²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism^(AN) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness^(AO) with us of his resurrection.”

²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed,^(AP) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.^(AQ) Show us^(AR) which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.^(AS)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost^(AT) came, they were all together^(AU) in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.^{(AV) 3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit^(AW) and began to speak in other tongues^[g](AX) as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing^(AY) Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed,^(AZ) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?^{(BA) 8} Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,^(BB) Pontus^(BC) and Asia,^{[h](BD) 10} Phrygia^(BE) and Pamphylia,^(BF) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;^(BG) visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”^(BH)

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!^{(BI) 16} No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth^(BQ) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,^(BR) which God did among you through him,^(BS) as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(BT) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[j] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^{(BU) 24} But God raised him from the dead,^(BV) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.^{(BW) 25} David said about him:

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(BZ) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(CA) David died and was buried,^(CB) and his tomb is here^(CC) to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.^{(CD) 31} Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.^{(CE) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(CF) and we are all witnesses^(CG) of it. ³³ Exalted^(CH) to the right hand of God,^(CI) he has received from the Father^(CJ) the promised Holy Spirit^(CK) and has poured out^(CL) what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord^(CN) and Messiah.”^(CO)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(CP)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(CQ) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(CR) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(CS) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(CT) and for all who are far off^(CU)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(CV) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(CW) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(CX) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(CY) and to prayer.^{(CZ) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(DA) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(DB) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(DC) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(DD) They broke bread^(DE) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(DF) And the Lord added to their number^(DG) daily those who were being saved.

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John^(DH) were going up to the temple^(DI) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.^{(DJ) 2} Now a man who was lame from birth^(DK) was being carried to the temple gate^(DL) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg^(DM) from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(DN) walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,^(DO) and praising God. ⁹ When all the people^(DP) saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,^(DQ) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

¹¹ While the man held on to Peter and John,^(DR) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.^{(DS) 12} When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,^(DT) the God of our fathers,^(DU) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over^(DV) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,^(DW) though he had decided to let him go.^{(DX) 14} You disowned the Holy^(DY) and Righteous One^(DZ) and asked that a murderer be released to you.^{(EA) 15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.^(EB) We are witnesses^(EC) of this. ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus,^(ED) this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

¹⁷ “Now, fellow Israelites,^(EE) I know that you acted in ignorance,^(EF) as did your leaders.^{(EG) 18} But this is how God fulfilled^(EH) what he had foretold^(EI) through all the prophets,^(EJ) saying that his Messiah would suffer.^{(EK) 19} Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,^(EL) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah,^(EM) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him^(EN) until the time comes for God to restore everything,^(EO) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.^{(EP) 22} For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.^{(EQ) 23} Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’^[m](ER)

²⁴ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets^(ES) who have spoken have foretold these days. ²⁵ And you are heirs^(ET) of the prophets and of the covenant^(EU) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’^{[n](EV) 26} When God raised up^(EW) his servant, he sent him first^(EX) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard^(EY) and the Sadducees^(EZ) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.^{(FA) 3} They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail^(FB) until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew^(FC) to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers,^(FD) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,^(FE) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,^(FF) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!^{(FG) 9} If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame^(FH) and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(FI) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,^(FJ) that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”^(FL)

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(FM) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(FN) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^{(FO) 14} But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin^(FP) and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?”^(FQ) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,^(FR) and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(FS) 19} But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(FT) You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking^(FU) about what we have seen and heard.”^(FV)

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people^(FW) were praising God^(FX) for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.^(FY) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.^{(FZ) 25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:^(GA)

²⁷ Indeed Herod^(GC) and Pontius Pilate^(GD) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,^(GE) whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^{(GF) 29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^{(GG) 30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(GH) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(GI)

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(GJ) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(GK) and spoke the word of God^(GL) boldly.^(GM)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^{(GN) 33} With great power the apostles continued to testify^(GO) to the resurrection^(GP) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(GQ) was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(GR) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(GS) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(GT)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(GU) (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(GV)

8 And Saul^(A) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered^(B) throughout Judea and Samaria.^{(C) 2} Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul^(D) began to destroy the church.^(E) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

⁴ Those who had been scattered^(F) preached the word wherever they went.^{(G) 5} Philip^(H) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. ⁶ When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷ For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many,^(I) and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.^{(J) 8} So there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Sorcerer

⁹ Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery^(K) in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,^{(L) 10} and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”^{(M) 11} They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God^(N) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,^(O) both men and women. ¹³ Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles^(P) he saw.

¹⁴ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria^(Q) had accepted the word of God,^(R) they sent Peter and John^(S) to Samaria. ¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,^{(T) 16} because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them;^(U) they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.^{(V) 17} Then Peter and John placed their hands on them,^(W) and they received the Holy Spirit.^(X)

¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money ¹⁹ and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!^{(Y) 21} You have no part or share^(Z) in this ministry, because your heart is not right^(AA) before God. ²² Repent^(AB) of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. ²³ For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

²⁴ Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me^(AC) so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

²⁵ After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord^(AD) and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.^(AE)

Philip and the Ethiopian

²⁶ Now an angel^(AF) of the Lord said to Philip,^(AG) “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian^[a](AH) eunuch,^(AI) an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,^{(AJ) 28} and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ The Spirit told^(AK) Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

³⁰ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

³² This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

³⁴ The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵ Then Philip began^(AM) with that very passage of Scripture^(AN) and told him the good news^(AO) about Jesus.

³⁶ As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”^{(AP) [37] [c] 38} And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away,^(AQ) and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns^(AR) until he reached Caesarea.^(AS)

Saul’s Conversion^(AT)

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.^(AU) He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,^(AV) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,^(AW) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.^{(AX) 4} He fell to the ground and heard a voice^(AY) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”^(AZ)

⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound^(BA) but did not see anyone.^{(BB) 8} Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.^(BC) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,^(BD) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus^(BE) named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on^(BF) him to restore his sight.”

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people^(BG) in Jerusalem.^{(BH) 14} And he has come here with authority from the chief priests^(BI) to arrest all who call on your name.”^(BJ)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument^(BK) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles^(BL) and their kings^(BM) and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”^(BN)

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on^(BO) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”^{(BP) 18} Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,^{(BQ) 19} and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples^(BR) in Damascus.^{(BS) 20} At once he began to preach in the synagogues^(BT) that Jesus is the Son of God.^{(BU) 21} All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?^(BV) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”^{(BW) 22} Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.^(BX)

²³ After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,^{(BY) 24} but Saul learned of their plan.^(BZ) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. ²⁵ But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.^(CA)

²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem,^(CB) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas^(CC) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,^(CD) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.^{(CE) 28} So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,^[d](CF) but they tried to kill him.^{(CG) 30} When the believers^(CH) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea^(CI) and sent him off to Tarsus.^(CJ)

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria^(CK) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.^(CL)

Aeneas and Dorcas

³² As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people^(CM) who lived in Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. ³⁴ “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.^(CN) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. ³⁵ All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon^(CO) saw him and turned to the Lord.^(CP)

³⁶ In Joppa^(CQ) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good^(CR) and helping the poor. ³⁷ About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.^{(CS) 38} Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples^(CT) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

³⁹ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows^(CU) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out of the room;^(CV) then he got down on his knees^(CW) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”^(CX) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.^{(CY) 43} Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.^(CZ)

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea^(DA) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. ² He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;^(DB) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. ³ One day at about three in the afternoon^(DC) he had a vision.^(DD) He distinctly saw an angel^(DE) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

⁴ Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering^(DF) before God.^{(DG) 5} Now send men to Joppa^(DH) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is staying with Simon the tanner,^(DI) whose house is by the sea.”

⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. ⁸ He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.^(DJ)

Peter’s Vision^(DK)

⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof^(DL) to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.^{(DM) 11} He saw heaven opened^(DN) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. ¹³ Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!”^(DO) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”^(DP)

¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”^(DQ)

¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

¹⁷ While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,^(DR) the men sent by Cornelius^(DS) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸ They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision,^(DT) the Spirit said^(DU) to him, “Simon, three^[e] men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”^(DV)

²¹ Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

²² The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,^(DW) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”^{(DX) 23} Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers^(DY) from Joppa went along.^{(DZ) 24} The following day he arrived in Caesarea.^(EA) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”^(EB)

²⁷ While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.^{(EC) 28} He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.^(ED) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.^{(EE) 29} So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

³⁰ Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes^(EF) stood before me ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.