Peter

32Peter traveled all around, visiting God's people. He also came down to God's people living in Lydda.

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

NoteLydda was a town about a long day's walk from Jerusalem. The King James calls the believers there "saints," meaning people who belong to God.

33There he found a man named Aeneas. His body could not move. He had been lying in bed for eight years.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

NoteThe King James says he was "sick of the palsy." Palsy is an old word. It means his body would not move the way he wanted.

34Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you well. Get up and roll up your mat." Aeneas got up right away.

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

NoteBeds then were mats laid on the floor. Each morning you rolled the mat up and put it away.

35Everyone living in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

NoteSharon was a wide, flat stretch of farmland beside the sea. Many small towns sat on it, close to Lydda.

36In the town of Joppa lived a follower named Tabitha. In Greek her name was Dorcas. She was always doing kind things and helping poor people.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

NoteJoppa was a town on the seashore with a harbor. Tabitha and Dorcas are the same name in two languages. Both mean "gazelle," a small deer that runs fast. The King James word "almsdeeds" means money or food given to poor people.

37At that time she got sick and died. They washed her body. Then they laid her in a room upstairs.

And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

NoteWashing the body was how people got someone ready to be buried. Friends and family did this careful, kind job. Burials usually happened the same day.

38Lydda was near Joppa. The followers heard that Peter was in Lydda. They sent two men to ask him, "Please come to us right away."

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39So Peter got up and went with them. When he came, they took him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood around him, crying. Widows are women whose husbands have died. They showed him the coats and clothes Dorcas made when she was with them.

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

NoteWidows are women whose husbands have died. Back then a widow often had no way to earn money. The other believers looked after them. The "coats" were long shirts people wore every day.

40Peter sent everyone out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned toward her body and said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41He took her hand and helped her stand up. Then he called God's people and the widows in. He showed them that she was alive.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42People all over Joppa heard about this. Many of them believed in the Lord.

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43Peter stayed in Joppa for many days. He stayed with a man named Simon, who made leather from animal skins.

And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

NoteA tanner turned animal skins into leather. The work smelled bad, so tanners often lived at the edge of town. It also meant touching dead animals. Jewish rules said that made a person unclean for a time.

1In the city of Caesarea lived a man named Cornelius. He was a centurion, a Roman officer in charge of about a hundred soldiers. He belonged to the group of soldiers called the Italian band.

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

NoteCaesarea was a big city by the sea. Roman rulers lived there. A "band" was a large group of soldiers, several hundred men. These soldiers came from Italy, far away.

2He honored God, and so did everyone in his house. He gave a lot of money to help poor people. He prayed to God all the time.

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

NoteCornelius was not Jewish. He came from another country. He still loved and prayed to the God of Israel. The King James word "alms" means money given to poor people.

3One day, about three in the afternoon, he clearly saw a vision. In it an angel of God came to him and said, "Cornelius."

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

NoteA vision is like a picture God shows you while you are awake. An angel is a messenger God sends to people. Jewish people prayed at set times each day. Three in the afternoon was one of those times.

4Cornelius looked at the angel and was afraid. He asked, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said, "God has taken notice of your prayers and your gifts to the poor."

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

NoteHere "Lord" just means "sir." Cornelius did not yet know who was talking to him.

5"Now send some men to the town of Joppa. Ask for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter."

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

NoteJoppa was a town by the sea, about thirty miles away. Walking there took almost two days. Many men were named Simon. A second name showed people which Simon you meant.

6"He is staying with Simon, a tanner, a man who makes leather from animal skins. His house is beside the sea. Peter will tell you what you should do."

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

NoteA tanner turned animal skins into leather. The work smelled very bad. Tanners often lived at the edge of town, near water.

7After the angel left, Cornelius called two of his house servants. He also called a soldier who helped him and honored God.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8He told them everything that had happened. Then he sent them off to Joppa.

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9The next day the men were traveling and getting close to the city. About noon, Peter went up on the flat roof of the house to pray.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

NoteHouses had flat roofs with steps going up the outside. People went up there to rest or pray. Noon was another set time for prayer.

10He got very hungry and wanted to eat. While the food was being made ready, he fell into a trance. That is like a dream you see while you are awake.

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11He saw the sky open up. Something came down toward him, like a big sheet held by its four corners. It was let down to the ground.

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

NoteThe King James word "vessel" means a container, something that holds things.

12Inside the sheet were all kinds of animals that walk on four feet. There were also wild animals, crawling animals, and birds.

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13Then a voice said to him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14But Peter said, "No, Lord. I have never eaten anything that our law calls dirty or unclean."

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

NoteGod's rules for Israel said some animals were not for eating. Pigs were one of them. Peter had kept this rule his whole life. "Common" meant ordinary food, not set apart for God.

15The voice spoke to him a second time. It said, "God has made it clean. Do not call it unclean."

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16This happened three times. Then the sheet was taken back up into the sky.

This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Note"Thrice" is an old word for three times.

17Peter was still wondering what the vision meant. Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon's house. They stood at the gate.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,

18They called out to the people inside. They asked if Simon, who is also called Peter, was staying there.

And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19Peter was still thinking about the vision. The Spirit said to him, "Listen, three men are looking for you."

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Note"The Spirit" means the Holy Spirit, God's own Spirit.

20"So get up and go downstairs. Go with them and do not hold back at all. I sent them."

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21Peter went down to the men Cornelius had sent. He said, "I am the man you are looking for. Why have you come?"

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22They said, "Cornelius the officer sent us. He is a fair man who honors God. All the Jewish people speak well of him. A holy angel from God told him to send for you. He wants to hear what you have to say."

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23So Peter invited them in, and they stayed the night. The next day Peter went with them. Some believers from Joppa went along too.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Note"Brethren" is an old word for brothers. Here it means the other people who believed in Jesus.

24The day after that, they came into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them. He had called together his family and his close friends.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him. He fell down at Peter's feet to worship him.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

NoteFalling down at someone's feet showed great honor. People did this in front of kings.

26But Peter helped him stand up. Peter said, "Stand up. I am only a man, just like you."

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27Peter kept talking with him as he went inside. He found many people gathered there.

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28Peter said to them, "You know our Jewish rules. A Jew is not allowed to visit people from other nations or spend time with them. But God has shown me not to call anyone dirty or unclean."

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

NoteJewish people kept apart from people of other nations. Going into their houses broke Jewish rules. People who were not Jewish were called Gentiles.

29"So when you sent for me, I came without arguing. Now tell me, why did you send for me?"

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30Cornelius said, "Four days ago I had gone without food until this time of day. At three in the afternoon I was praying in my house. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood in front of me."

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

NoteGoing without food on purpose is called fasting. People often did it while they prayed.

31"He said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer. God has remembered your gifts to the poor.'"

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32"'So send men to Joppa. Ask for Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, beside the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'"

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33"So I sent for you right away. It was kind of you to come. Now we are all here in front of God. We want to hear everything God told you to say."

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34Then Peter began to speak. He said, "Now I really understand. God does not treat one kind of person better than another."

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Note"No respecter of persons" means God has no favorites.

35"In every nation, God welcomes anyone who honors him and does what is right."

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36"God sent his message to the people of Israel. It is the good news of peace, which comes through Jesus Christ. He is Lord of everyone."

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Note"The children of Israel" means the Jewish people. "Christ" is not a last name. It means the one God chose for a special job.

37"You know that message. It spread all through Judea. It began in Galilee, after John taught the people and baptized them in water."

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

NoteBaptizing means dipping a person in water. It showed they were sorry and starting fresh with God. John did this in a river. Judea and Galilee were two parts of the land where Jesus lived.

38"God gave Jesus of Nazareth the Holy Spirit and great power. Jesus went from place to place doing good. He healed everyone the devil had hurt, because God was with him."

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Note"Anointed" means oil was poured on someone's head. It showed God had picked them for a special job. The King James says "Holy Ghost." Ghost was an old word for spirit. Nazareth was the town where Jesus grew up.

39"We saw everything Jesus did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree."

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

NoteHanging him on a tree means the cross. The cross was made of wood.

40"But on the third day God raised him back to life. God let him be seen."

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41"Not everyone saw him. Only we saw him, the people God had chosen long before. We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42"He told us to tell the people this news. God chose him to be the judge of everyone, both the living and the dead."

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

NoteThe King James says "quick and dead." Long ago, "quick" meant alive.

43"All the prophets said this about him. Prophets were people who told others what God said. Everyone who trusts in him has their sins forgiven because of him."

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Note"Remission of sins" means the wrong things you did are forgiven.

44While Peter was still saying these words, the Holy Spirit came on everyone who was listening.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed. The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on people who were not Jews.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Note"They of the circumcision" means the Jewish believers. Circumcision was a small mark on the body. It showed a boy belonged to God's people, Israel. People who were not Jewish were called Gentiles.

46They heard these people speaking in other languages and praising God. Then Peter said,

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

NoteThey were speaking in languages they had never learned.

47"These people have received the Holy Spirit, just as we did. No one can keep them from being baptized in water."

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48So Peter told them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay with them for a few days.

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

1The apostles and other believers in Judea heard some news. People who were not Jews had also believed God's message.

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

NoteApostles were the special helpers Jesus chose to teach about him. The King James word "Gentiles" means everyone who was not Jewish. Judea was the land around the city of Jerusalem.

2Peter went up to Jerusalem. Some Jewish believers there argued with him.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

NoteJerusalem was the most important city for Jewish people. It sat up on hills, so the Bible says people "come up" to it.

3They said, "You went into the homes of men who are not Jews. You even ate with them."

Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

NoteThe King James calls these men "uncircumcised." Circumcision was a small cutting mark on a boy's body. It showed he belonged to the Jewish people. Jewish people also had rules about food. So sharing a meal with others was a very big deal.

4So Peter told them the whole story. He explained it step by step, in order.

But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

Note"Rehearsed the matter" just means he told the story over again. "Expounded" means he explained it clearly.

5He said, "I was praying in the city of Joppa. I was in a trance, a state like a dream, and I saw a picture. I saw something like a big sheet coming down from the sky. It was held by its four corners. It came right down to me.

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

NoteJoppa was a town beside the sea. A "trance" means Peter was awake but seeing something God showed him. A "vessel" here is just a container or a big cloth.

6"I looked at it closely. Inside were animals that walk on four feet. There were wild animals, crawling animals, and birds.

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Note"Fowls of the air" means birds. "Creeping things" means animals that crawl, like lizards and snakes.

7"Then I heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'

And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

Note"Arise" means get up. "Slay" means kill.

8"I said, 'No, Lord. I have never eaten anything dirty or not allowed.'

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

NoteGod had given Jewish people rules about food. Some animals were allowed and some were not. "Unclean" did not mean dirty with mud. It meant not allowed by those rules.

9"The voice from the sky spoke again. It said, 'Do not call anything dirty that God has made clean.'

But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10"This happened three times. Then it was all pulled back up into the sky.

And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11"Right then three men came to the house where I was staying. They had been sent to me from the city of Caesarea.

And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

NoteCaesarea was a big city by the sea. Roman rulers lived there.

12"The Spirit told me to go with them and not worry. These six brothers came with me too. We went into the man's house.

And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

Note"Brethren" means brothers. Here it means other people who believed, not family brothers.

13"He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house. The angel said, 'Send men to Joppa. Ask for Simon, who is also called Peter.

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends. A "surname" here is just a second name. Simon was also called Peter.

14"'He will tell you a message. That message will save you and everyone in your house.'

Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

NoteIn the Bible, "saved" means rescued and kept safe by God. "All thy house" means everyone who lived in his home.

15"When I started talking, the Holy Spirit came on them. It was just like what happened to us at the start.

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

NoteThe King James says "Holy Ghost." That means God's Spirit. It is not a scary ghost.

16"Then I remembered what the Lord had said. He said, 'John washed people with water. But you will be washed with the Holy Spirit.'

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

NoteJohn was a teacher who dipped people in water. "Baptized" means dipped or washed. It was a sign of a fresh start.

17"God gave them the very same gift he gave us who trust the Lord Jesus Christ. So how could I stand in God's way?"

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Note"Withstand" means stand in the way and try to stop.

18When they heard this, they stopped arguing. They praised God and said, "So God has let people who are not Jews turn to him and live."

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Note"Held their peace" means they stopped talking and arguing. "Repentance" means turning away from wrong and back to God.

1Around that time, King Herod began to hurt some people in the church. The church was the group of people who followed Jesus.

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

NoteHerod was a king in that land. He ruled because the Romans, who were in charge, let him. The word "church" means the people who follow Jesus. It does not mean a building.

2He had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

NoteThis James was one of Jesus' twelve closest friends. Killing someone "with the sword" meant soldiers put him to death.

3Herod saw that this made the Jewish people glad. So he arrested Peter too. It was the week called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when people ate flat bread made without yeast.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

NoteThe Feast of Unleavened Bread was a special week each year. Yeast is what makes bread puff up and get soft. During that week people ate flat bread with no yeast in it. It helped them remember a time long ago when they left Egypt in a hurry.

4Herod took Peter and put him in prison. He gave him to four groups of four soldiers to guard. Herod planned to bring Peter out to the people after Passover.

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

NotePassover was the holiday at the start of that same week. Herod did not want to hurt Peter during the holy days. Four groups of soldiers meant they took turns watching, so someone guarded Peter all night.

5So Peter stayed in prison. But the church kept praying to God for him, again and again.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

NotePraying means talking to God. The church did it over and over, day after day, without stopping.

6The night before Herod planned to bring him out, Peter was asleep. He lay between two soldiers, tied with two chains. More guards stood watch at the door.

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.

NotePeter was chained to a soldier on each side. That was how soldiers kept a prisoner from slipping away at night.

7Then an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the room. The angel tapped Peter's side and woke him. He said, "Get up, quickly!" The chains fell off Peter's hands.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends. "The angel of the Lord" means an angel God sent himself. The old words say the angel "smote" Peter, but that just means he gave him a tap to wake him.

8The angel said, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." Peter did it. Then the angel said, "Put your coat on and follow me."

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

NoteThe King James says "Gird thyself." People then wore long robes. To get ready to walk fast, you pulled the robe up and tied a belt around it.

9Peter went out and followed him. He did not know that this was really happening. He thought he was seeing a picture in his mind.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

NoteA vision is a picture God puts in someone's mind, like a dream while you are awake. Peter thought he was seeing one. He did not think he was really walking out.

10They walked past the first guard post, and then the second one. They came to the iron gate that led into the city. The gate opened all by itself. They went out and walked down one street. Then the angel suddenly left him.

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

NoteA guard post was a spot where soldiers stood and watched. Peter and the angel walked past two of them. Nobody stopped them.

11Then Peter understood what had happened. He said, "Now I know for sure. The Lord sent his angel and saved me from Herod. The Jewish people were waiting to see me hurt, and I am safe from all of it."

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, 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.

NotePeter had been half asleep and confused. Now his head cleared and he knew this was real.

12Once he understood, Peter went to Mary's house. She was the mother of John, who was also called Mark. Many people were gathered there, praying.

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

NoteMark is the same John Mark who later wrote one of the books about Jesus. In those days people met in houses to pray, because they had no church buildings.

13Peter knocked at the outer gate. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

NoteA servant girl worked in the house and helped the family. Big houses had a wall around them with a gate. Someone had to walk out to the gate to see who was knocking.

14She knew Peter's voice. She was so happy that she did not open the gate. She ran back inside and said Peter was standing outside.

And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept saying it was true. Then they said, "It must be his angel."

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

NoteMany people back then believed each person had an angel who watched over them. They thought that angel might sound just like the person. So they guessed it was Peter's angel at the gate, not Peter.

16Peter kept on knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they could hardly believe it.

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17Peter waved his hand for them to be quiet. He told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell James and the other believers about this." Then he left and went somewhere else.

But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

NoteThis is a different James from the one in verse 2. This James was Jesus' brother, and he was a leader in Jerusalem. The old words say "the brethren," which means the other people who followed Jesus.

18When morning came, the soldiers were very upset. They did not know what had happened to Peter.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19Herod looked for Peter but could not find him. He questioned the guards and ordered that they be put to death. Then he went from Judaea down to Caesarea and stayed there.

And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

NoteA guard who let a prisoner escape was punished very hard. Judaea was the part of the country where Jerusalem was. Caesarea was a city by the sea where Herod had a palace.

6So the apostles and elders met together to look at this question.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7They talked about it for a long time. Then Peter stood up and said, "Brothers, listen. You know what God did a good while ago. He chose me to tell the good news to Gentiles. They heard it from my mouth, and they believed."

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

NoteThe "good news" is the news about Jesus. It tells how he came to rescue people and bring them to God.

8"God knows what is inside every heart. He showed that he accepted them. He gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us."

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God himself, come to live inside his people. He helps them and shows them what is true.

9"He did not treat them any differently from us. He made their hearts clean because they trusted him."

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10"So why are you testing God? You want to put a yoke on the necks of these followers. Our fathers could not carry that load. We could not carry it either."

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

NoteA yoke is a heavy wooden bar. It is laid across the necks of two oxen so they can pull a cart. Peter says all the rules felt like that heavy bar.

11"We believe the Lord Jesus saves us by his kindness, as a free gift. Gentiles are saved the very same way."

But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Note"Kindness as a free gift" is what the Bible calls grace. A gift is not something you work for. Nobody can earn it or pay for it.