Part 1292

10:34. And Peter opening his mouth, said: in very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons.

10:35. But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh justice is acceptable to him.

In every nation, etc.... That is to say, not only Jews, but Gentiles also, of what nation soever, are acceptable to God, if they fear him and work justice. But then true faith is always to be presupposed, without which (saith St. Paul, Heb. 11. 6) it is impossible to please God. Beware then of the error of those, who would infer from this passage, that men of all religions may be pleasing to God. For since none but the true religion can be from God, all other religions must be from the father of lies, and therefore highly displeasing to the God of truth.

10:36. God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).

10:37. You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.

10:38. Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

10:39. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem: whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree.

10:40. Him God raised up the third day and gave him to be made manifest,

10:41. Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him, after he arose again from the dead.

10:42. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead.

10:43. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.

10:44. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word.

10:45. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

10:46. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

10:47. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

10:48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

Acts Chapter 11

Peter defends his having received the Gentiles into the church.

11:1. And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

11:2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

11:3. Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them?

11:4. But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying:

11:5. I was in the city of Joppe praying: and I saw in an ecstasy of mind a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. And it came even unto me.

11:6. Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air.

11:7. And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat.

11:8. And I said: Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

11:9. And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common.

11:10. And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven.