SECT. CLXXIII. THE GOSPEL, WHICH HAD BEEN PREACHED IN MORE DISTANT PLACES TO THE JEWS ONLY, IS NOW PREACHED TO THE GENTILES. ALSO, MANY ARE CONVERTED AT ANTIOCH. SAUL IS BROUGHT THERE, AND AGAIN GOES UP TO JERUSALEM. A.D. 38-43.

Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose on occasion of Stephen* went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none but to the Jews only. But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they were entered into Antiocht spake also to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believing were converted to the Lord.

Antioch.

And the tidings came to the ears of the Church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch, who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced; and he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord.

And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul, and when he had found him he brought him

Tarsus.

to Antioch. And they conversed there a whole year; and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians.‡

And in those days there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch; and one of them named

* See page 227.

A city on the Orontes, founded more than three hundred years B.C. by Seleucus Nicator. Here the Greek kings of Syria reigned, and afterwards the Roman governors. Tradition says that St. Peter ruled the Church here before he went to Rome.

The only other passage where the name Christian occurs in the New Testament is 1 Pet. iv. 16.

*

Agabus, rising up, signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over the whole world, which came to pass under Claudius Cæsar. And the disciples, every man according to his ability, proposed to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea; which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

SECT. CLXXIV. HEROD AGRIPPA PERSECUTES THE CHURCH. THE IMPRISONMENT AND DELIVERANCE OF ST. PETER. THE DEATH OF HEROD. BARNABAS AND SAUL RETURN TO ANTIOCH. PASSOVER, A.D. 44.

Jerusalem.

And at the same time Herod† the king stretched forth his hands to afflict some of the Church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also. Now it was in the days of unleavened bread. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four quarternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after the passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the room; and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying, Arise quickly. And the chains fell off

* He is mentioned again in Section cxci., as having predicted the imprisonment of St. Paul at Cesarea.

This was Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great. After the death of Herod Antipas, Galilee and Samaria had been added to his dominion.

i. e. four bodies of four each.

from his hands. And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.

And when Peter was come to himself he said, Now I know in very deed 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 as he thought upon what had happened, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark,* where many were gathered together, and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, whose name was Rhoda. And as soon as she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, Thou art mad. But she affirmed that it was so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him, and were astonished. But he, beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and he said, Tell these things to James† and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers what was become of Peter. And

*This is the first mention we have of St. Mark, the writer of the Gospel.

salem.

James the less, the cousin of our Lord, and Bishop of Jeru

Ꭱ

when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, having examined the keepers, he commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and abode there. And he was angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians. But they with one Cesarea. accord came to him, and having gained over to their side Blastus, who was the king's chamberlain, they desired peace, because their countries were nourished by him. And upon a day appointed, Herod, being arrayed in kingly apparel, sat on the judgment-seat, and made an oration to them.

And

the people made acclamation, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God; and he was eaten up by worms, and gave up the ghost.

But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark.

PART VII.

EVENTS CONNECTED WITH ST. PAUL'S MINISTRY.

SECT. CLXXV. THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL AND BARNABAS. THEY PREACH AT CYPRUS. A.D. 45.

Antioch in:

Syria.

Now there were in the Church which was at Antioch, prophets* and teachers, among whom was Barnabas, and Simon, who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them, Separate me Saul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have chosen them. Then they, when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands upon them, sent them away.

So they, being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Cyprus. And when they were come to Salamina, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also in their ministry. And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found Paphos.

a certain man, a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesu, who was with

* This term means in the New Testament inspired teachers.