The .xj. Chapter.
It came to the ears of the Apostles and the brethren which were in jewry, that the heathen also had received the word of God. When Peter was come up to Ierusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him, saying: Thou wentest in unto men uncircumcised, and atest with them.
Peter began and expounded the thing in order to them saying: I was in the city of Ioppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a large linen cloth, let down from heaven by the four corners, And it came to me: into the which when I had fastened mine eyes I considered and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and vermin and worms, and fowls of the air. I heard also a voice saying unto me: Arise Peter, slay and eat. And I said: God forbid lord, for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mought. The voice answered me again from heaven count not thou those things common, which God hath cleansed. And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven.
And behold immediately were there three men come unto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea unto me. And the spirit said unto me, that I should go with them, without doubting. Moreover the 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 to him: Send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, named also Peter he shall tell thee words, whereby both thou and all thine house shall be saved. And as I began to preach, the holy ghost fell on them, as he did on us at the beginning. Then came to my remembrance the words of the lord, how he said: Ihon baptised with water, but ye shall be baptised with the holy ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them like gifts, as he did unto us, when we believed on the lord Iesus Christ: what was I that I should have withstood God? when they heard this, they held their peace and glorified God, saying: Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
They which were scattered abroad thorow the affliction that arose about Steven, walked thorow out till they came unto Phenice and Cypers and Antioche, preaching the word to no man, but unto the jews only. Some of them were men of Cypers and of Syrene, which when they were come into Antioch, spake unto the greeks, and preached the lord Iesus. And the hand of the lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the lord.
Tidings of this came unto the ears of the congregation, which was in Ierusalem, And they sent forth Barnabas that he should go unto Antioche. Which when he was come, and had seen the grace of the lord, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would continually cleave unto the lord. For he was a perfect 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 Antioche. And it chanced that a whole year they had their conversation with the congregation there, and taught much people insomuch that the disciples of Antioche were the first that were called Christen.
In those days came prophets from Ierusalem unto Antioche. 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 Emperor Claudius days. Then the disciples every man according to his ability, purposed to send succour unto the brethren which dwelt in jewry, which thing they also did, and sent it to the seniors, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The .xij. Chapter.
In that time Herod the king layed hands on certain of the congregation, to vex them. And he killed Iames the brother of Ihon with a sword: and because he saw that it pleased the jews, he proceeded further, to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread, and when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to iiij. quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after ester to bring him forth to the people. Then was Peter kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation unto God for him. When Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between ij. soldiers, bound with two chains, And the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And behold the angel of the lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up saying: arise up quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the Angel said unto him: gird thyself and bind on thy sandals, And so he did. And he said unto him: cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me. And he came out and followed him, and wist not, that it was truth which was done by the angel, but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed thorow one street, and by and by the angel departed from him.