Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, athose of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, b“You went in to uncircumcised men cand ate with them!”

4 But Peter explained it to them din order from the beginning, saying: 5 e“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then fthe Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover gthese six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 hAnd he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, ias upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, j‘John indeed baptized with water, but kyou shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 lIf therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, mwho was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, n“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”