After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question.
In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds.
There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.
Hear me, O islands,/ listen, O distant peoples./ The Lord called me from birth,/ from my mother’s womb he gave me my name./ He made of me a sharp-edged sword/ and concealed me in the shadow of his arm./ He made me a polished arrow,/ in his quiver he hid me./ You are my servant, he said to me,/ Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Here is my servant whom I uphold,/ my chosen one with whom I am pleased,/ Upon whom I have put my Spirit;/ he shall bring forth justice to the nations,/ Not crying out, not shouting,/ not making his voice heard in the street./ A bruised reed he shall not break,/ and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,/ Until he establishes justice on the earth;/ the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
