The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 28

(4)But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men became about five thousand.

(5)And it came to pa.s.s on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, (6)and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together unto Jerusalem. (7)And having set them in the midst, they asked: By what power, or by what name, did ye do this?

(8)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: Rulers of the people, and elders of Israel; (9)if we are this day examined in respect to a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this person has been made whole; (10)be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom G.o.d raised from the dead, by him does this man stand here before you whole. (11)He is the stone that was set at naught by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner.

(12)And there is salvation in no other; for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, in which we must be saved.

(13)And seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlearned and obscure men, they wondered; and they recognized them, that they were with Jesus. (14)And beholding the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. (15)But having commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, (16)saying: What shall we do to these men? For that a notorious miracle has been done by them is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it. (17)But that it spread no further among the people, let us strictly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. (18)And having called them, they commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus.

(19)But Peter and John answering said to them: Whether it is right in the sight of G.o.d to hearken to you rather than to G.o.d, judge ye.

(20)For we can not but speak the things which we saw and heard.

(21)And they, having further threatened them, let them go, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people, because all glorified G.o.d for that which was done; (22)for the man was above forty years old, on whom this sign of the healing had been wrought.

(23)And being dismissed, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders said to them. (24)And they, hearing it, lifted up their voice to G.o.d with one accord, and said: Lord, thou art he who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things in them; (25)who by the mouth of thy servant David said:

Why did the heathen rage[4:25], And the peoples imagine vain things?

(26)The kings of the earth stood near, And the rulers a.s.sembled together, Against the Lord, and against his Christ.

(27)For in truth there a.s.sembled in this city, against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the peoples of Israel, (28)to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel before determined to be done. (29)And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant to thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, (30)by stretching forth thy hand for healing, and that signs and wonders may be wrought through the name of thy holy servant Jesus.

(31)And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were a.s.sembled; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of G.o.d with boldness.

(32)And the mult.i.tude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul; and not one said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. (33)And with great power the apostles gave the testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. (34)For there was no one among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things sold, (35)and laid them at the feet of the apostles; and distribution was made to each one, according as he had need.

(36)And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is interpreted, Son of consolation), a Levite, born in Cyprus, (37)having land sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

V.

BUT a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, (2)and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the feet of the apostles. (3)But Peter said: Ananias, why did Satan fill thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the land? (4)While it remained, was it not thine own?

And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why didst thou conceive this thing in thy heart? Thou didst not lie to men, but to G.o.d. (5)And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and expired; and great fear came on all that heard these things. (6)And the young men arose, wrapt him up, and carried him out[5:6], and buried him.

(7)And it was about the s.p.a.ce of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. (8)And Peter answered her: Tell me, whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said: Yes, for so much.

(9)And Peter said to her: Why is it that ye agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. (10)And immediately she fell at his feet, and expired; and coming in, the young men found her dead, and carried her forth, and buried her by her husband.

(11)And great fear came upon all the church, and upon all that heard these things.

(12)And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. (13)But of the rest no one dared to join himself to them; but the people honored them; (14)(and still more were believers added to the Lord, mult.i.tudes both of men and women); (15)so that along the streets they brought forth the sick, and laid them on beds and pallets, that, as Peter was pa.s.sing, the shadow at least might overshadow some one of them. (16)And the mult.i.tude also of the cities around came together to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons, and those who were vexed by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.

(17)But the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation, (18)and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.

(19)But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors; and having brought them forth, he said: (20)Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (21)And hearing it, they went into the temple at early dawn, and taught.

And the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the elders.h.i.+p of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. (22)But the officers, when they came, found them not in the prison; and returning, they reported, (23)saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all security, and the keepers standing without before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one within.

(24)And when the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were at a loss concerning them, to what this might grow. (25)But one came and told them, saying: Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people. (26)Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, not with violence (for they feared the people), that they might not be stoned. (27)And having brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, (28)saying: Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

(29)And Peter answering, and the apostles, said: We ought to obey G.o.d rather than men. (30)The G.o.d of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. (31)Him, as a prince and a Savior, did G.o.d exalt to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. (32)And we are his witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit also, which G.o.d gave to those who obey him.

(33)And they, hearing it, were convulsed with rage, and took counsel to slay them. (34)But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while; (35)and said to them: Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do in respect to these men. (36)For before these days arose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to naught. (37)After this man arose Judas the Galilaean, in the days of the registering, and drew away much people after him; he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. (38)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 naught; (39)but if it is of G.o.d ye can not overthrow them; lest haply ye be found also fighting against G.o.d.

(40)And to him they a.s.sented; and having called the apostles, they scourged them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

(41)They therefore went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because for that name they were counted worthy to suffer shame.

(42)And every day, in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not to teach, and to publish the glad tidings of Jesus the Christ.

VI.

AND in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. (2)And the twelve called the mult.i.tude of the disciples to them, and said: It is not proper that we should leave the word of G.o.d, and serve tables.

(3)Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business. (4)But we will give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

(5)And the saying pleased the whole mult.i.tude. 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, (6)whom they set before the apostles; and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

(7)And the word of G.o.d increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

(8)And Stephen, full of grace and of power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (9)And there arose certain ones of the synagogue so called of the Freedmen[6:9], and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. (10)And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. (11)Then they suborned men, who said: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against G.o.d.

(12)And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes; and coming upon him, they seized him, and brought him to the council, (13)and set up false witnesses, Who said: This man ceases not to speak words against this holy place, and the law. (14)For we have heard him say, that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us. (15)And all that sat in the council, looking intently upon him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

VII.

AND the high priest said: Are then these things so? (2)And he said: Brethren, and fathers, hearken. The G.o.d of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, (3)and said to him: Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. (4)Then he went forth from the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran; and from thence, after his father was dead, he caused him to remove into this land, wherein ye now dwell. (5)And he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and he promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he had no child. (6)And G.o.d spoke after this manner, that his seed shall be a sojourner in a strange land, and they will bring them into bondage, and afflict them four hundred years. (7)And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage I will judge, said G.o.d; and after that they shall come forth, and shall serve me in this place. (8)And he gave him the covenant of circ.u.mcision; and thus he begot Isaac, and circ.u.mcised him the eighth day, and Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. (9)And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And G.o.d was with him, (10)and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

(11)And there came a famine over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and a great affliction; and our fathers found no sustenance. (12)But Jacob, hearing that there was grain in Egypt, first sent out our fathers. (13)And at the second time, Joseph was recognized by his brothers; and the race of Joseph was made known to Pharaoh. (14)Then Joseph sent, and called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. (15)And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers, (16)and were removed to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

(17)But as the time of the promise drew near, which G.o.d declared to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, (18)until another king arose who knew not Joseph. (19)He, dealing subtly with our race, afflicted our fathers, so that they should cast out their infants, that they might not be preserved alive. (20)In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair[7:20], who was nourished three months in his father's house. (21)And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for herself as a son.

(22)And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. (23)And when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the sons of Israel.

(24)And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged the one oppressed by smiting the Egyptian. (25)For he supposed his brethren would understand, that G.o.d by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not. (26)And on the following day he showed himself to them as they were contending, and urged them to peace, saying: Ye are brethren; why wrong ye one another? (27)But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying: Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? (28)Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday? (29)And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begot two sons. (30)And when forty years were completed, there appeared to him in the wilderness of the mount Sinai an angel in a flame of fire, in a bush. (31)And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came to him, saving: (32)I am the G.o.d of thy fathers, the G.o.d of Abraham, and the G.o.d of Isaac, and the G.o.d of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold. (33)And the Lord said to him: Loose the sandals from thy feet; for the place where thou standest is holy ground. (34)Truly, I saw the affliction of my people in Egypt, and I heard their groaning, and came down to deliver them.

And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. (35)This Moses whom they denied, saying: Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him did G.o.d send as a ruler and a redeemer by the hand[7:35] of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. (36)He brought them out, working wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

(37)This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel: A Prophet will G.o.d raise up to you of your brethren, like unto. (38)This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received the living oracles to give to us; (39)to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, (40)saying to Aaron: Make us G.o.ds who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.

(41)And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. (42)And G.o.d turned away, and gave them up to wors.h.i.+p the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets:

Did ye offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices, Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

(43)And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of the G.o.d Remphan, The figures which ye made to wors.h.i.+p them; And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

(44)Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, as he who spoke to Moses commanded, that he should make it according to the pattern that he had seen; (45)which also our fathers received, and brought in with Joshua into the possession of the heathen, whom G.o.d drove out before our fathers, unto the days of David; (46)who found favor before G.o.d, and asked that he might find a habitation for the G.o.d of Jacob. (47)But Solomon built a house for him. (48)Yet the Most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as says the prophet:

(49)Heaven is my throne, And the earth is my footstool.

What house will ye build for me, saith the Lord; Or what is my place of rest?

(50)Did not my hand make all these things?

(51)Stiff-necked, and uncirc.u.mcised in heart and ears! Ye always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. (52)Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they slew those who announced beforehand concerning the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have now become the betrayers and murderers; (53)who received the law as the ordinances of angels, and kept it not.