baptized? And he commanded the glad, and exhorted them all, that with chariot to stand still; and both of purpose of heart they would cleave them went down to the water, and to the Master. He was a good man, Philip baptized him. And when and full of the Holy Spirit and of they came up, the Spirit of the Lord faith: and many people were added took Philip away: so the ambassador to the discipleship of the Master. saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

SELECTION VIII.

4 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught

Among the Grecian converts, Jesus begins to be called "Christ," and the disciples begin to be known as "Christians." many people; and the disciples were The sympathy and benevolence of the called Christians first in Antioch. Christians for each other. Saul begins to be known among the Grecians as Paul, and being chosen by them as preacher enters upon his ministry.

Now

5 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified that there was OW about that time Herod the about to be a great famine throughking stretched forth his hands out the world (which came to pass to vex certain of the church. And in the days of Claudius Cæsar). So he killed James the brother of John the disciples, every man according to with the sword and because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.

his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judæa: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

2 Now they who were scattered abroad on account of the persecution that began with the martyrdom of 6 Now there were in the church Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice, that was at Antioch certain prophand Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching ets and teachers: as Barnabas, and the word to none but to Jews only. Simeon that was called Niger, and And some of them were men of Cy- Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who prus and Cyrene, who, when they had been brought up with Herod the were come to Antioch, spake to the tetrarch, and Saul. But as they minGrecians also, preaching Jesus the istered to the Lord, and fasted, the Master. And the hand of the Lord Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnawas with them and a great number bas and Saul for the work whereunto believed, and turned to the Master. I have called them. And when they 3 Then tidings of these things had fasted and prayed, and laid their came to the ears of the church which hands on them, they sent them away. was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth 7 Now when Paul and his comBarnabas, that he should go as far pany loosed from Paphos, they came as Antioch. Who, when he came, to Perga in Pamphylia: and John and had seen the grace of God, was departing from them returned to Je

rusalem. But when they departed

dren, in that he hath raised up Jesus;

psalm, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.

from Perga, they came to Antioch in as it is also written in the second Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after reading of the law and the II Be it known to you therefore, prophets the rulers of the synagogue men and brethren, that through this sent to them, saying, Ye men and man is announced to you the forbrethren, if ye have any word of ex-giveness of sins: and by him all that hortation for the people, say on.

8 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience, When John, before his coming, had preached the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel and as he fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he: behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

believe are freed from those things, which they could not be freed from by the law of Moses.

12 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers: wonder, and perish! for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it to you.

13 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

9 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you 14 Now when the congregation is the word of this salvation sent: was broken up, many of the Jews for they that dwell at Jerusalem, and and devout proselytes followed Paul their rulers, because they recognized and Barnabas: who, speaking to him not, nor understood the voices of them, persuaded them to continue the prophets which are read every in the grace of God. sabbath day, have condemned him. And though they found nothing deserving of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

SELECTION IX.

Opposition and persecution begin to be awakened against Paul.

AND the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together

And when they had accomplished this, they took him down from the cross, and laid him in a sepulchre. to hear the word of God. But when But God raised him up, and he was the Jews saw the multitudes, they seen during many days of them who were filled with envy, and spake came up with him from Galilee to against those things which were Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses spoken by Paul, contradicting and to the people.

blaspheming.

IO And we declare to you glad 2 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed tidings, how that the promise which bold, and said, It was necessary that was made to the fathers, God hath the word of God should first have

fulfilled the same to us their chil- been spoken to you: but seeing ye

put it from you, and judge yourselves to Lystra and Derbe, cities of unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we Lycaonia, and to the region that turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the lieth round about: and there they Lord commanded us, saying, I have preached the gospel. set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

3 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God.

8 And the people, when they saw the cures that Paul wrought, lifted up their voices, saying, in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter;

9 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, Sirs, why do ye

4 And the word of God was pub- and Paul, Mercurius, because he was lished throughout all the region. the chief speaker. And the priest of But the Jews stirred up the devout Jupiter, who was before their city, and honorable women, and the brought oxen and garlands to the chief men of the city, and raised per- gates, and would have offered sacrisecution against Paul and Barnabas, fice with the people. and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 5 And the disciples were filled these things? We also are men of with joy, and with the Holy Spirit. like passions with you, and preach 6 And it came to pass in Iconium to you that ye should turn from that they went both together into these vanities to the living God, the synagogue of the Jews, and so who made heaven, and earth, and spake, that a great multitude both the sea, and all things that are thereof the Jews and also of the Greeks in. Who in times past suffered all believed. But the unbelieving Jews nations to walk in their own ways: stirred up the Gentiles, and made nevertheless left not himself without their minds evil affected against the witness, in that he did good, and brethren. Long time, however, gave us rain from heaven, and fruitabode they speaking boldly, with ful seasons, filling our hearts with trust in the Lord, who gave testi- food and gladness. mony to the word of his grace, granting evidences and powers to be wrought by their hands.

10 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not offered sacrifice to them.

7 But the multitude of the city was divided: part held with the II And there came thither certain Jews, and part with the apostles. Jews from Antioch and Iconium, And when there was an assault made who persuaded the people, and, havboth of the Gentiles, and also of the ing stoned Paul, drew him out of the Jews with their rulers, to use them city, supposing he had been dead. despitefully, and to stone them: Howbeit, as the disciples stood they became aware of it, and fled about him, he rose up and came into

the city and the next day he de- to Jerusalem to the apostles and parted with Barnabas to Derbe.

elders about this question.

12 And when they had preached 3 And being brought on their the gospel to that city, and had way by the church, they passed taught many, they returned again to through Phenice and Samaria, declarLystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, ing the conversion of the Gentiles: confirming the souls of the disciples, and they caused great joy to all the and exhorting them to continue in brethren. the faith; and saying that we must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God.

13 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

14 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been. recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done through them.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, That it was needful to command them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter.

6 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the hearts, bare them

15 And there they abode long witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, time with the disciples.

even as he did to us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

7 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Master, Jesus, the same as they.

8 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

9 And after they had spoken,

James answered, Men and brethren, send chosen men to you with our hearken to me: Symeon hath de- beloved Barnabas and Paul: men that clared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to make them a people for his name.

have hazarded their lives for the name of our Master, Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and 10 And to this agree the words of Silas, who shall also tell you the same the prophets; as it is written, After things by mouth. For it seemed this I will return, and will build again good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, the tabernacle of David, which is to lay upon you no greater burden fallen down; and I will build again than these necessary things; that the ruins thereof, and I will set it up : that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

II Wherefore my advice is, that we trouble not them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

ye abstain from pollutions of idols, and from blood, and from things. strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell."

14 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

15 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and 12 Then pleased it the apostles confirmed them. And after they had and elders, with the whole church, tarried there a space, they were disto send chosen men of their own missed in peace from the brethren company to Antioch with Paul and to the apostles.

Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed.

16 Paul and Barnabas however

Barsabas, and Silas, chief men continued in Antioch, teaching and among the brethren. And they preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

wrote letters by them after this man

ner:

13 "The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting to the breth

SELECTION XI.

Paul and Silas continuing their missionren who are of the Gentiles in An-ary journey are imprisoned, but by their tioch and Syria and Cilicia. Foras-midnight songs of praise and subsequent much as we have heard, that certain teachings convert their jailer and his housewho went out from us have troubled

hold.

you with words, subverting your AND a vision appeared to Paul in

souls, saying, Ye must keep the law

the night; There stood a man

of Moses: to whom we gave no such of Macedonia, beseeching him, and instructions it seemed good to us, saying, Come over into Macedonia, being assembled with one accord, to and help us.