Thursday in Epiphany

1Verse 1. Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 2Verse 2. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left. 3Verse 3. In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. 4Verse 4. Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5Verse 5. Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 6Verse 6. Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them. 7Verse 7. He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

44Verse 44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. 45Verse 45. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46Verse 46. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said, 47Verse 47. “Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” 48Verse 48. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.