ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

CHAPTER XCIII.

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.-FIRST SERMON OF

ST. PETER. -CURE OF THE LAME MAN.-DEATH

OF ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA,

FTER the Ascension of our Lord, the Apostles

AFTER the to Jerusalem to await the coming of

the Holy Ghost. The eleven assembled in an upper room, where they were persevering in prayer with the women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and His brethren. The number of persons present was about one hundred and twenty.

Then, by the counsel of Peter, lots were cast and Mathias was chosen to replace Judas in the apostleship.

And when the days of the Pentecost were ac complished, suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire, that rested upon

What did the Apostles do after the Ascension when the days of Pentecost were accomplished?

every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

The report of this wonder spread through Jerusalem, and a great multitude assembled. There were in Jerusalem strangers of every country both Jews and Gentiles, and when the apostles preached each one present seemed to hear his own native tongue.

While they were filled with wonder at this miracle, Peter rising up, preached to all the people, declaring that Jesus whom they had crucified, was the Christ, the Son of God. And they, hearing him, had compunction in their hearts, and they said: "What shall we do, men and brethren?" But Peter said to them: "Do penance and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of your sins."

They therefore that received the word, were baptized; and there were added to them in that day about three thousand souls.

Shortly after this, Peter cured a lame man who at the gate of the Temple, begging. This miracle and the pede, and the priests sending for Peter caso questioned them. They were afraid, however, to. punish the Apostles, the man who was cured being 1 Lesent; sher dismissed them, charging them to teach no 4 name of Jesus.

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Who we e then in o were St. Peter and S.

Peter and

1, sal why did they wonder? Why Fested? Why did the council fear

to punish them?

DEATH OF ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA.

213

John answered: "If it be right to hear you rather than God, judge ye."

And the multitude of the believers had but one heart and one soul, and many who were owners of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price to the Apostles, and distribution was made to those who had need."

A certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a field, and Ananias brought a part of the price to the Apostles, pretending that it was all that he had received. Peter reproved him for the deceit, and said: "Thou hast not lied to men but to God." And immediately Ananias fell dead at his feet. Three hours later, Saphira came, not knowing what had occurred, and repeated the falsehood. She died in the same manner, and was carried out and buried with her husband. And there came great fear upon the whole church.

THE

MARTYRDOM OF ST. STEPHEN.

HE Apostles continued to work miracles, so that the infirm were brought from all the neigh

boring cities to Jerusalem, and were healed. They

What is said of the multitude of believers? What is told of Ananias and Saphira ?

even carried the sick into the streets, on couches, so that when Peter passed, his shadow at least might fall upon them.

The high priests and Sadducees were incensed at these things, and they had the Apostles thrown into prison. But an angel opened the prison doors by night and they were found the next morning teaching in the Temple. The priests brought the Apostles again before the council, where they were publicly scourged. They went forth rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus.

Among the deacons who were ordained to assist in the distribution of alms was Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. His zeal and the miracles which he wrought caused him also to be brought before the council. False witnesses appeared who accused him of speaking blasphemy against Moses, and against God.

Stephen replied in a sublime discourse, and as he declared that they had slain the Just One whom the prophets had foretold, the people gnashed their teeth with rage. But Stephen looking up saw a glorious vision, and he cried: "Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the sight hand of God."

What is said of the miracles wrought by St. Peter and the Apostles? What occurred when St. Peter and St. John were thrown into prison? What passed when they were brought before the council? What is said of Stephen? How did Stephen answer his accusers?

THE SAMARITANS RECEIVE THE GOSPEL. 215

Then the people stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man whose name was Saul. And falling on his knees, Stephen cried with a loud voice, saying: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death. And Saul made havoc of the church, entering from house to house, and dragging away men and women to prison.

CHAPTER XCV.

THE SAMARITANS RECEIVE THE GOSPEL.

CONVERSION OF

SAUL.-HEROD PUTS ST. JAMES TO DEATH.

РЕТЕ

ST. PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON.

ETER and John were sent to Samaria that they might impose hands upon those whom Philip the deacon had baptized. There was among the converts in that city, one Simon a magician, who had deluded many people by his sorceries. When Simon saw that by the imposition of hands the Holy Ghost was re ceived, and that this grace was often accompanied by the gift of miracles, he offered money to the Apostles, that they might impart to him the same power. But

Relate Stephen's martyrdom. Relate the conversion of the ⚫unuch.