The Jews made plans to kill Saul, but he knew about it. His friends lowered him in a basket through a window so he could escape. Saul went to Jerusalem to join the disciples, but people were still scared of him because they hadn't heard what happened to him. A believer named Barnabas introduced Saul to the apostles. Saul went with them preaching all over Jerusalem until he made some people mad. The believers sent him to Caesarea and then to Tarsus. For a time the church lived and grew in peace. Peter traveled and preached everywhere. One time, he healed a man and the whole town believed in Jesus. In Joppa there was a woman named Tabitha (or Dorcas, depending on whether you're talking in Greek or Aramaic) who did many good things to help others and she died. The people with her asked Peter to help, so he went and brought her back to life. Many people believed in Jesus after that.
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a Roman army captain, who did good deeds; he and his whole family worshiped God. One day he had a vision and was told about Simon Peter, and where he was and that he was to go get him and bring him back to his house. So he did. Meanwhile, Peter was in Joppa and went up to the rooftop to pray. He got hungry and while food was being prepared he had a vision. God told him not to consider anything unclean that God had made clean. By this time the men sent by Cornelius arrived and asked for Peter. The next day they went to Caesarea. Many Gentiles (non Jews) were gathered and they knew that the Jewish religion forbade association with Gentiles. Peter said that God had told him not to consider any person ritually unclean or defiled. Peter asked them why they had sent for him, so Cornelius told him all about his vision. Then Peter said, "I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. Whoever fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him, no matter what race he belongs to." (10:34-35) Peter told them all about Jesus and while he was speaking, God poured the Holy Spirit on them, so that no one could deny them baptism. So they were baptized.
At first when people back in Jerusalem heard about Peter eating with ritually unclean people were not pleased. Peter told them about his vision and about Cornelius. Once they understood, they stopped critisizing and praised God. Some believers who had been scattered after Stephen was killed stayed in places like Antioch and preached to the Jews. Others told anyone who would listen. They heard about it in Jerusalem and sent Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas was pleased to see so many believers. Barnabas was a good man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and brought many people to the Lord. He went to Tarsus to find Saul. Together, they spent a year in Antioch, where the believers were first called Christians. A prophet predicted a severe famine would cover the earth, so the disciples decided to help their fellow believers in Judea and sent them money. Barnabas and Saul delivered it to them.
Tomorrow read Acts 12-13
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