The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 29

(54)Hearing these things, they were enraged in their hearts, and gnashed their teeth against him. (55)But, being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked intently into heaven, and saw the glory of G.o.d, and Jesus standing on the right hand of G.o.d, and said: (56)Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of G.o.d. (57)And crying out with a loud voice, they stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; (58)and having cast him out of the city, they stoned him. And the witnesses laid off their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul, (59)and stoned Stephen, calling and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (60)And kneeling down, he cried with a loud voice: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And saying this, he fell asleep.

VIII.

AND Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day there arose a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and all were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (2)And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (3)But Saul laid waste the church, entering house after house, and dragging both men and women, committed them to prison.

(4)They, therefore, that were scattered, went abroad, preaching the word. (5)And Philip went down to the city[8:5] of Samaria, and preached to them the Christ. (6)And the mult.i.tudes with one accord gave heed to the things said by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he wrought. (7)For out of many who had unclean spirits they went forth, crying with loud voice; and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. (8)And there was great joy in that city.

(9)But a certain man, named Simon, was in the city before, using sorcery, and bewitching the people of Samaria, saying that he was some great one; (10)to whom all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the great power of G.o.d[8:10]. (11)And to him they gave heed, because for a long time they were bewitched by his sorceries. (12)But when they believed Philip publis.h.i.+ng the good news concerning the kingdom of G.o.d and the name of Jesus Christ, they were immersed, both men and women. (13)And Simon also himself believed; and having been immersed, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were wrought.

(14)And the apostles in Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria has received the word of G.o.d, sent to them Peter and John; (15)who, having come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; (16)for he had not yet fallen upon any of them; but they had only been immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. (17)Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

(18)And Simon, seeing that through the laying on of the apostles'

hands the Holy Spirit was given, offered them money, (19)saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. (20)But Peter said to him: Thy money perish with thee; because thou didst think to obtain the gift of G.o.d with money: (21)Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter[8:21]; for thy heart is not right in the sight of G.o.d. (22)Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. (23)For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity.

(24)And Simon answering, said: Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

(25)They, therefore, having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, were returning to Jerusalem, and publis.h.i.+ng the good news to many villages of the Samaritans. (26)But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, and go down to the south, to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is desert.

(27)And he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, an officer of state of Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to wors.h.i.+p, (28)was returning, and sitting in his chariot; and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

(29)And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (30)And Philip ran thither, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet. And he said: Understandest thou then what thou art reading?

(31)And he said: How could I, except some one should guide me? And he entreated Philip to come up, and sit with him.

(32)And the contents of the Scripture which he was reading was this:

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb dumb before his shearer, So he opens not his mouth.

(33)In his humiliation his judgment was taken away; And his generation[8:33] who shall fully declare?

For his life is taken away from the earth.

(34)And the eunuch answering said to Philip: I pray thee, of whom does the prophet speak this? Of himself, or of some other man? (35)And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, made known to him the good news of Jesus. (36)And as they went along the way, they came to a certain water. And the eunuch said: See, here is water; what hinders that I should be immersed? (37)[8:37]And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And answering he said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of G.o.d. (38)And he commanded that the chariot should stop. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he immersed him. (39)And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

(40)But Philip was found at Azotus; and pa.s.sing through, he published the good news to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

IX.

BUT Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, (2)and asked of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

(3)And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus. And suddenly there flashed around him a light from heaven; (4)and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

(5)And he said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said: I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. (6)But arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

(7)And the men who journeyed with him were standing speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. (8)And Saul arose from the earth; and his eyes being opened, he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. (9)And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

(10)And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him the Lord said, in a vision, Ananias! And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (11)And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. For, behold, he prays; (12)and in a vision he saw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive sight.

(13)And Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how great evils he did to thy saints at Jerusalem. (14)And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (15)But the Lord said to him: Go; for he is to me a chosen vessel, to bear my name before Gentiles, and kings, and the sons of Israel; (16)for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (17)And Ananias went, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to thee in the way thou camest, that thou mayest receive sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (18)And immediately there fell off from his eyes as it were scales; and he received sight, and arose, and was immersed; (19)and having taken food, he was strengthened.

And Saul was certain days with the disciples at Damascus. (20)And straightway he preached Jesus, in the synagogues, that he is the Son of G.o.d. (21)And all that heard him were amazed, and said: Is not this he who destroyed in Jerusalem those who call on this name? And he came hither for this purpose, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests.

(22)But Saul was more strengthened, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

(23)And when many days were completed, the Jews took counsel to kill him. (24)But their lying in wait became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates day and night to kill him. (25)But the disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

(26)And Saul, having come to Jerusalem, attempted to join himself to the disciples; and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. (27)But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and related fully to them how he saw the Lord in the way, and that he spoke to him, and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (28)And he was with them, going in and out at Jerusalem, (29)and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus; and was speaking and disputing against the Grecian Jews; but they were attempting to slay him. (30)And the brethren, learning it, brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

(31)The church therefore, throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, had peace, being built up, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the consolation of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

(32)And it came to pa.s.s that Peter, going through them all, came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. (33)And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had lain upon a pallet eight years, who was palsied. (34)And Peter said to him: Aeneas, Jesus the Christ makes thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And immediately he arose. (35)And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him; and they turned to the Lord.

(36)And there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which interpreted is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works, and of alms, which she did. (37)And it came to pa.s.s in those days, that she was sick, and died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. (38)And as Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent to him two men, entreating that he would not delay to come to them.

(39)And Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. (40)But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter, she sat up. (41)And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (42)And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord.

(43)And it came to pa.s.s, that he remained many days in Joppa, with one Simon, a tanner.

X.

THERE was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band; (2)devout, and one that feared G.o.d with all his house, giving many alms to the people, and praying to G.o.d always. (3)He saw in a vision, distinctly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of G.o.d coming in to him, and saying to him: Cornelius!

(4)And fixing his eyes on him, he was afraid, and said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before G.o.d. (5)And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter. (6)He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.

(7)And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius was gone, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of those who waited on him; (8)and having told them all these things, he sent them to Joppa.

(9)On the morrow, as they were journeying, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour.

(10)And he became very hungry, and desired to eat. While they now were making ready, there fell upon him a trance; (11)and he beholds heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as a great sheet, bound by four corners, and let down upon the earth; (12)wherein were all the fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth, and birds of the air. (13)And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; slay, and eat. (14)But Peter said: Not so, Lord; for I never ate anything common or unclean. (15)And a voice came to him again, the second time: What G.o.d cleansed, call not thou common. (16)This was done thrice; and the vessel was taken up again into heaven.

(17)And while Peter was doubting in himself what the vision might be which he saw, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, came and stood before the gate; (18)and calling they asked, whether Simon, who is surnamed Peter, lodges here.

(19)While Peter was earnestly considering the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold, men are seeking thee. (20)But arise, and go down, and go with them, making no scruple; because I have sent them.

(21)Peter went down to the men, and said: Behold, I am he whom ye seek. What is the cause for which ye are here? (22)And they said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that fears G.o.d, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from G.o.d by a holy angel to send for thee to his house; and to hear words from thee.

(23)He called them in, therefore, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain brethren from Joppa went with him. (24)And on the morrow after, they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his kinsmen and near friends. (25)And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and did reverence to him. (26)But Peter raised him, saying: Stand up; I myself also am a man. (27)And while talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. (28)And he said to them: Ye know that it is unlawful[10:28] for a Jew to keep company with, or come to, one of another nation; but G.o.d showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. (29)Wherefore I also came without delay, when sent for. I ask therefore for what reason did ye send for me?

(30)And Cornelius said: Four days ago I was fasting unto this hour, and at the ninth hour was praying in my house; and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, (31)and said: Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thine alms were remembered before G.o.d. (32)Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea-side; who, when he comes will speak to thee. (33)Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou didst well in coming hither. Now therefore we are all present before G.o.d, to hear all things that are commanded thee from the Lord.

(34)And Peter opened his mouth, and said: Of a truth I perceive that G.o.d is not a respecter of persons; (35)but in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him. (36)The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, publis.h.i.+ng glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), (37)ye know; the thing which was done throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the immersion which John preached; Jesus of Nazareth, (38)how G.o.d anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the Devil; because G.o.d was with him. (39)And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew, hanging him on a tree. (40)Him G.o.d raised on the third day, and showed him openly; (41)not to all the people, but to witnesses before appointed by G.o.d, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (42)And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who has been appointed by G.o.d to be Judge of the living and dead.

(43)To him all the prophets bear witness, that through his name every one who believes on him shall receive remission of sins.

(44)While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (45)And those of the circ.u.mcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished, that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. (46)For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying G.o.d.

Then answered Peter: (47)Can any one forbid the water, that these should not be immersed, who received the Holy Spirit even as we also?

(48)And he commanded that they should be immersed in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to remain certain days.