Romans 11

1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6 But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.7 What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:8 according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day.9 And David saith,10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see,

11 I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.12 Now if their fall, is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13 But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them.15 For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;26 and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written,27 And this is my covenant unto them,

28 As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.29 For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.30 For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,31 even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.32 For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35 or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36 For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

Acts 11

1 Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had 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 began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:6 upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.7 And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.9 But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.10 And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.11 And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:13 and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;14 who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.17 If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?18 And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.19 They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.22 And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:23 who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.25 And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.27 Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.29 And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.