Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also with him, he went in, and found There am a man. And as he talked many that were come toge- 28 The voice of God under the Law ther. 26 And he said unto enjoined this separation-the same them, Ye know how that it voice under the Gospel removes it. is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. fore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 36 34 With God there is a respect of the righteous and the wicked-but with Him there is no respect of persons as to Jew or Gentile, bond or free, rich or poor, learned or unlearned. He will bless the good, be their nation, state, or condition, what it may. 36 There is peace to all, through Jesus, the Lord of all-pardon, reconciliation, hope! Ver. 34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the 38 38 His divine power was manifested by his miraculous works; doing good both to the souls and bodies of men. 42 How merciful is our GodHe veils the majesty of the Godhead in judgment, and judges us by the Son of man-by Him, who was once touched with all the feeling of our infirmities. (John v. 27.) Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 48 So necessary was the holy rite of baptism, even where faith was avowed, and the Spirit of the Almighty had been poured out even miraculously! CHAPTER XI. APRIL 14, AUGUST 13, DEC. 11. 2 4 But 2 We can hardly wonder that the prejudices of the Jew, in favour of the Mosaic law, were for a long time, strong: deeply rooted as they were in his best and holiest affections. AND the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. He recounts the circumstances Peter rehearsed the matter already stated in the tenth chapter. from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. Peter had so strictly observed the law, that he had esteemed all the Gentiles, as common and unclean." 66 * But I said, Not so, Lord : for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me. And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house and he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to unto life. 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would 21 18 This narrative of St. Peter brings conviction to them. How exemplary is their instant acquiescence ! the Gentiles granted repentance 19 Persecution did but extend the Gospel: so man worked God's will for good, when he thought to work his own for evil. These distant preachers had not yet heard the heavenly revelation that the Gospel was to be preached to Gentiles also. 21 When is the Lord not present to his faithful servants? O Lord! be present to us, we pray Thee; and prosper our work now. : cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa: 30 which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. 29 Christian sympathy teaches us, to weep with them that weep-to remember them that are in bonds as bound with them-adding the encouraging assurance, that "he who hath pity upon the poor, lendetk unto the Lord *" 30 This event took place about eight years after Saul's conversion, a. D. 44. CHAPTER XII. APRIL 15, AUGUST 14, DEC. 12. ST. MICHAEL, morning, to ver. 20. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James† the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions § of soldiers to keep him; intending after * Where is there in the wide world, charity like that, public and private, which filleth the length and breadth of this land? When we look to the noble institutions for the relief of our fellow-creatures which on all sides arise, to meet their wants and help their infirmities, we see the blessed fruits of the religion of Christ, and give to Him the glory. The first martyr among the Apostles-James the elder; the brother of John, and the son of Zebedee. A dreadful state of misrule: when judgment is perverted for the sake of pleasing the people! It was this pandering to a mean popularity, which induced Pilate to deliver up to death Jesus-the very Being, whom he had pronounced guiltless. The number of the soldiers was sixteen-each quarternion consisting of four. him. 8 5 Our church also, in her truly apostolic spirit, prays in the congregation, for all prisoners and captives. It is for the persecutor to be wakeful under the miseries of a burdened conscience. A good conscience can sleep in chains, as it can smile in death. 7 Peter, though delivered miraculously, must do his part. Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord shined in the prison: and he raised him up, saying, Arise up off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own came upon him, and a light smote Peter on the side, and quickly. And his chains fell 8 Thus Jesus, the angel of the covenant, removeth our chain of sin : but we must gird up the loins of our mind with a holy resolution; we of the gospel of peace; we must put must be shod with the preparation on the robe of his righteousnessand so follow him. We must not be wanting to ourselves. done by the angel; but thought 10 We are not now to expect miraculous deliverance from danger. Yet no trial was ever so hard and diffi cult, but that God answered our prayers, and gave us help in time of need. This you have felt. accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. "And when she knew Peter's voice, 14 This was the natural effect of great surprise and unexpected joy. she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how 15 Peter stood before the gate. 15 It was a common notion among the Jews, that angels assumed the form of this or that person. |