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there, whose name in Hebrew was Tabitha, and in Greek Dorcas. She was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick, and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body, said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And Peter tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

51. CORNELIUS THE CENTURION.

THERE was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a Roman centurion. He was a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house; he gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, "Cornelius." And when he looked on him, he was afraid,

CORNELIUS THE CENTURION.

and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said unto him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: and he became very hungry, and would have eaten : but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill, and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord: for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean." And the voice spake to him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon,

Arise

which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." Then

Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, “Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?" They told him their commission. And Peter took them in, and lodged them till the next day. Then he went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the day after they came to Cesarea. And Cornelius was waiting 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 as a messenger from God. Peter took him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

But

And he said unto them, " Ye know how that 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 showed me that I should not

call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?" Cornelius gave him a full account of the appearance of the angel.

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." And he preached to them the gospel of Christ. While he was yet speaking, the Holy Ghost fell

PETER'S DELIVERANCE OUT OF PRISON.

on all them which heard the word. And the believing Jews who had come with Peter were astonished, 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?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. a And at their request he remained with them some days to strengthen them. These were the first from among the Gentiles who were received into the Christian church.

52. PETER'S DELIVERANCE OUT OF PRISON.

KING Herod Agrippa had caused the apostle James, the brother of John, to be slain with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. But as the time of the passover was just approaching, it was necessary on that account to delay his execution. So Peter was kept in the prison. But the church at Jerusalem prayed to God without ceasing for him. And in the night before his execution was to take place, he was sleeping between two soldiers, to whom he was bound with two chains, and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell

a Acts x. 9-48.

PETER'S DELIVERANCE OUT OF PRISON.

off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals." And he did so. And he saith unto him, "Cast thy gar

ment about thee, and follow me.'

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And

And

And he went with the angel by the keepers, and through the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of its own accord. the whole seemed to him like a dream. 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 he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark. And when he knocked at the door, a damsel named Rhoda came to listen, who immediately knew his voice; but she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate. They could not believe it; but as he continued knocking, they came out and opened the door,

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