The Skeptics Annotated Bible (879 page)

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

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

(10.36) “Preaching peace by Jesus Christ”
355 Is Jesus peaceful?

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

38 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 devi
l; for God was with him.

(10.38) “Healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Sick people are oppressed by the devil.)

39 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
:

(10.39) “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.” The Jews are again blamed for the death of Jesus.

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

41 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 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.

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

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

(10.44) “The Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.”

45 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.

46
For they heard them speak with tongues
, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

(10.45-46)
“They of the circumcision which believed were astonished … for they heard them speak with tongues.”

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

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

(10.48) “He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
414 In whose name is baptism to be performed?

11
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

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

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

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

(11.5-10) Peter describes the vision that he had in the last chapter (10.10-13). All kinds of beasts, creeping things, and fowls drop down from the sky in a big sheet, and a voice (God’s, Satan’s?) tells him to “Arise, Peter; slay and eat.”

5 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:

(11.5)
“In a trance I saw a vision … a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners.”

6 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
.

(11.6) “I … saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.”

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

(11.7)
“I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.”

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

(11.8)
“I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.”

9
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

(11.9)
“But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”