12 And all that believed were in a community, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, as each had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and going from house to house, did eat their food with gladness and singleness of heart. all flesh and your sons and your did he testify and exhort, saying, daughters shall prophesy, and your Save yourselves from this perverse young men shall see visions, and generation. Then they that received your old men shall dream dreams: his word were baptized, and continand on my servants and on my hand- ued steadfastly in the apostles' docmaidens I will pour out in those days trine and fellowship, and in breaking of my Spirit; and they shall of bread, and in prayers. prophesy, ... Ye men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by mighty works, wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: this man, ye, by the hand of godless men, crucified and slew. But God raised him up, having loosed the bonds of death: because it was not possible that he should be held by it. Of this Jesus whom God hath raised up, we are all witnesses. He, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Master and Messiah. 13 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their numbers daily such as were in the way of salvation. SELECTION II. The boldness of the first followers of Jesus, and their loyalty to his teaching in the face of oppositions and persecutions. AND as they spake to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducces, came upon them; being enraged because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 9 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 10 Then Peter said to them, Repent and make open confession (be baptized) every one of you in the 2 And it came to pass on the morname of Jesus, for the remission row, that their rulers, and elders, of sins, and ye shall receive the and scribes, and Annas the high gift of the Holy Spirit, for the priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and promise is to you, and to your Alexander, and as many as were of children, and to all that are afar off, the kindred of the high priest, were even as many as the Lord our God gathered together at Jerusalem. shall call. 3 And they called them, and com II And with many other words manded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But the captain of the temple and the Peter and John answered and said to chief priests heard these things, they them, Whether it be right in the doubted whereunto this would grow. sight of God to hearken to you more 9 Then came one and told them, than to God, judge ye; but we cannot Behold, the men whom ye put in refrain from speaking of the things prison are standing in the temple, which we have seen and heard. and teaching the people. Then the 4 Now when they saw the boldness captain and the officers went and of Peter and John, and perceived brought them without violence: for that they were unlearned and igno- they feared the people, lest they rant men, they marvelled; and they should have been stoned. took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 10 And when they had brought them, they set them before the coun5 So when they had further threat- cil; and the high priest asked them, ened them, they let them go, finding Did not we straitly command you nothing how they might punish them, that ye should not teach in this because of the people: for all men name? and, behold, ye have filled glorified God for that which was Jerusalem with your doctrine, and done. intend to bring this man's blood upon us. II Then Peter and the other apostles answered, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew by hanging him on a cross. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Leader; and also a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, which God hath given to them that obey him. 6 And being released they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. And when the others heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, who hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Anointed. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to thy servants, that with 13 Then stood there up one in the all boldness they may speak thy word. council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, 7 And when they had prayed, the a doctor of the law, had in reputaplace was shaken where they were tion among all the people, and assembled together; and they were commanded to put the apostles all filled with the Holy Spirit, and forth a little space; and said to they spake the word of God with them, Ye men of Israel, take heed boldness. to yourselves what ye intend to do 12 When they heard that, they were enraged, and took counsel to slay them. 8 Now when the high priest and as touching these men. For before look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. these days rose up Theudas, boast-gregation of the disciples together, ing himself to be somebody; to and said, It is not reason that we whom a number of men, about four should leave the word of God, and hundred, joined themselves: who serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest unfortunately ye be found even to fight against God. 3 And the saying pleased the whole congregation: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: whom they set before the apostles; and when they had 14 And to him they agreed: and prayed, they laid their hands on when they had called the apostles, them. and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 15 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus. SELECTION III. The early followers of Jesus organize themselves into a community, and the first church is administered according to communistic principles. 4 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 5 And the congregation of believers were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. 6 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Master, Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 7 Neither was there any among AND in those days, when the them that lacked: for as many as number of the disciples was were possessors of lands or houses. multiplied, there arose a murmuring sold them, and brought the prices of of the Grecians against the Hebrews, the things that were sold, and laid because their widows were neglected them down at the apostles' feet: and in the daily ministration. distribution was made to every man 2 Then the twelve called the con-according as he had need. 8 And Joses, who by the apostles brought him to the council: and set was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, up false witnesses, who said, This being interpreted, The son of conso-man ceaseth not to speak blasphelation,) a Levite, and of the country mous words against this holy place, of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and and the law: we have heard him say, brought the money, and laid it at the that this Jesus of Nazareth shall deapostles' feet. stroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered to us. And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. 9 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter 4 Then said the high priest, Are said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled these things so? And he said, thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in and to keep back part of the price of heart and ears, ye do always resist the land? While it remained, was the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, it not thine own? and after it was so do ye. Which of the prophets sold, was it not in thine own power? have not your fathers persecuted? why hast thou conceived this thing and they have slain them who in thine heart? thou hast not lied to men but to God. SELECTION IV. showed before of the coming of that just man, of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers. Ye have received the law by the dis The martyrdom of Stephen, and the be- position of angels, and have not kept ginning of persecutions by the Jews. it. 5 When they heard these things, AND Stephen, full of faith and they were cut to the heart, and they power, did great wonders and signs among the people: and there arose to dispute with him certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of Cilicia and of Asia. 2 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake: so they procured false witnesses, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and gnashed their teeth at him. 6 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the son of man standing on the right hand of God. 7 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 8 And they stoned Stephen, call 3 And Saul arose from the earth; ing out, and saying, Jesus, Master, receive my spirit. And he kneeled and when his eyes were opened, he down, and cried with a loud voice, Master, lay not this crime to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 9 And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day began a great persecution against the church saw nothing; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 4 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Master in a vision, which was at Jerusalem; so that soon Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am after they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. here. And the Master said to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 10 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, and hath seen in a vision a man committed them to prison. named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Master, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy followers at Jeru II But they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. SELECTION V. Saul becomes a disciple of Jesus and salem: and here he hath authority begins to preach the gospel. AND from the chief priests to bind all that profess thy name. But the Master said to him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 5 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting 2 And as he journeyed, he came his hands on him said, Brother Saul, near Damascus and suddenly there the Master, even Jesus, that appearshined round about him a light from ed to thee in the way as thou heaven and he fell to the earth, camest, hath sent me, that thou and heard a voice saying to him, mightest receive thy sight, and be Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou filled with the Holy Spirit; and me? And he said, Who art thou? immediately there fell from his eyes And the voice said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee there what thou must do. as it had been scales: and he received sight, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. |