this proposition pleased the whole assembly: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the holy spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.

In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only.

In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only.

where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians. About that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch: read more. and one of them named Agabus foretold by the spirit, that there should be a great famine, thro' all the world: which accordingly happen'd in the reign of Claudius Cesar. then the disciples determin'd to send, each of them answerably to his abilities, some relief to the brethren residing in Judea: which they actually perform'd, and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.

Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them. read more. accordingly, after having fasted and prayed they gave them imposition of hands, and dismiss'd them. being thus appointed missionarys by the holy spirit, they went to Seleucia, where they embark'd for Cyprus.

being thus appointed missionarys by the holy spirit, they went to Seleucia, where they embark'd for Cyprus.

From Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia, and going to the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they took their places,

From Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia, and going to the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they took their places,

After they had preach'd the gospel in that city, and made many disciples, they retook the road to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

After they had preach'd the gospel in that city, and made many disciples, they retook the road to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

from thence they sailed to Antioch, where they had been recommended to the favour of God, for the commission, which they had now discharg'd.

However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved. upon which Paul and Barnabas having warmly contested the point with them, it was resolved, that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles upon this question. read more. so they set out, accompanied part of the way by the church, and pass'd thro' Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles, which gave great joy to all the brethren. and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them. but some of the sect of the Pharisees who had embraced the faith, started up, pretending that the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and observe the law of Moses. The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair. and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith. God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us: making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith. why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear? but we believe that it is by the favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are to be sav'd, as well as they. The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry. After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention. Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name. and this is agreeable to the oracles of the prophets: as it is written, "after this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: I will repair its ruins, and raise it up: that the rest of mankind, even all the nations, that profess my name, may seek the Lord. he that does all these things, is the Lord himself that has said it." for the works of God are all known to him from the beginning of the world. wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood. for as to the law of Moses, that has been published in every city a considerable time, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then the apostles, the presbyters, and the whole church thought it proper to select some out of their own body to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch: such as Judas surnam'd Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

where Paul and Barnabas continued, teaching and preaching the doctrine of the Lord, with many others. Some time after, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return to visit all those cities, where we have preach'd the word of the Lord, to see what condition the brethren are in. read more. upon which Barnabas propos'd to take John surnam'd Mark, with them. but Paul did not think it proper to take one that had quitted them at Pamphylia, refusing to accompany them in their ministry. and the contention was so sharp between them, that they separated: so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. but Paul chose Silas, and having been recommended by the brethren to the favour of God, he departed, and passing through Syria and Cilicia, he settled the churches there.

but after they had travers'd Phrygia and Galatia, they were order'd by the holy spirit not to preach the gospel in Asia:

having sail'd from Ephesus, he went ashore at Cesarea, where he saluted the church, and then proceeded to Antioch.

having sail'd from Ephesus, he went ashore at Cesarea, where he saluted the church, and then proceeded to Antioch. after he had stay'd there some time, he departed and pass'd through all Galatia and Phrygia, where he encourag'd the disciples.

But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, for he was to be blamed. for till certain Jews came thither from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, for fear of those, who were for circumcision: read more. and the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their hypocrisy. but when I saw, they conformed not their conduct to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: if you being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not according to that of the Jews, why do you constrain the Gentiles to judaize? We are Jews by birth, and not of the sinful race of the Gentiles, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in him, and not by the works of the law, by which there is no justification. Now if it be a sin to seek for justification by Christ, then is Christ the minister of sin, which cannot be. on the contrary, if I re-establish what I have demolish'd, I show myself a prevaricator. for by one law, I am dead to the other law, that I might live unto God: I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if justification be by the law, Christ died to no purpose.

the whole will of God. for I can witness for him, that he is ardently concern'd for you, and the christians of Laodicea, and Hierapolis. our dear brother Luke the Physician, and Demas salute you. read more. Salute our brethren of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which uses to meet in his house. when this epistle has been read among you, take care that it be read likewise in the church of the Laodiceans, and

it being plain that such a person is perverted, and knows in his own conscience that his tenets are false.

saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what you shall see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write, "these things saith the AMEN, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;