In the mean time, the apostles, and the brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles had likewise receiv'd the word of God. and when Peter was return'd to Jerusalem, the Jewish converts objected to his conduct, and ask'd him, why did you go to eat with the uncircumcised? read more.
but Peter represented the whole affair to them, saying, as I was at prayers in Joppa, I saw something like a great sheet, tied at the four corners, which descended from heaven, and came just to me. as I was considering it very attentively, I saw several quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. then I heard a voice, which said, rise, Peter; kill and eat. but I said, Lord, by no means: for I never did eat any thing impure, and defiled. but the voice from heaven address'd it self to me again, and said, don't call that impure, which God has purified. this was done three times, and then the whole scene was mounted to heaven. at that very instant three men, dispatch'd from Cesarea to me, were just arrived at the house, where I was. and the spirit bid me make no difficulty of going with them. these six brethren accompany'd me, and we went together to the man's house. he told us how he had seen an angel, who had presented himself to him, and had said, send to Joppa, to fetch Simon, surnam'd Peter: who will give you such instructions, as will be the means of saving both you and all your family. and while I was speaking to them, the holy spirit descended upon them, as it did on us, at the beginning. then I remember'd that expression of the Lord, "John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the holy spirit." if therefore God has bestow'd the same favour upon them, as on us, after we had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I make any opposition to the divine will? Having heard this, they were appeas'd, and glorified God, saying, God has then granted salvation likewise to the gentiles, on the terms of their repentance.

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. read more.
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.