23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul who will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 And all the prophets also from Samuel, and those that follow, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold these days.

25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 To you first, God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

CHAP. IV.

A. D. 33.

Gen. 12. 3.

1 The rulers of the Jews offended with Peter's sermon, 4 (though thousands of the people were converted that heard the word) imprison him and John. 5 Upon examination, Peter 1 or, ruler. boldly avouching the lame man to be healed. by the name of Jesus, and that by the same Jesus only we must be eternally saved, 13 they command him and John to preach no more in that name, adding also threatening. 23 Upon which the church resort to prayer: 31 And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifieth that he heard their prayer, confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.

A

ND as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the 1 captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody to the next day: for it was now evening.

4 But many of them who heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass 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 assembled at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the! midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name have ye done this?

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made, sound.

10 Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you sound.

a Ps. 118. 22. Matt. 21.42.

b c. 5. 29.

11 This is the stone which was set at naught by you builders, which is become Ps. 2. 1. the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness!

of Peter and John, and perceived the they were unlearned and ignorant men they marveled; and they took know edge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to withdraw from the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it may spread no further among the people, let us strictly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old on whom this miracle of healing was performed.

23 And being dismissed, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 And when they 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 is in them;

25 Who, by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were assembled against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For in truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were assembled,

28 To do whatever thy hand and thy counsel determined before 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 to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child

Jesus.

31 ¶ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were as sembled; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any of them 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 testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that was in want: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

A. D. 33.

ceive.

35 And laid them down at the apostles' or, to defeet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

CHAP. V.

1 After Ananias and Sapphira his wife, for their hypocrisy, at Peter's rebuke, had fallen down dead, 12 and the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles; 14 to the increase of the faith: 17 The apostles are again imprisoned, 19 but delivered by an angel, bidding them to preach openly to all: 21 When, after their teaching accordingly in the temple, 29 and before the council, 33 they are in danger to be killed; through the ad vice of Gamaliel, a great counselor among the Jews, they are kept alive, 40 and are beaten for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching.

B with Sapphira his wife, sold a pos

QUT a certain man named Ananias,

session,

2 And kept back part of the price, (his wife also being privy to it) and brought 2 or, envy. a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, Why hath Satan filled thy heart 1 to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 While it remained, was it not thy own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and expired. And great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered to her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much.

9 Then Peter said to her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then she fell down immediately at his feet, and expired. And the young men came in, and found her dead, and

❝ c. 4. 18.

carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as 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 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities around to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons, and them who were afflicted with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him; (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with 2 indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison-doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly we found shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them to what this would grow.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

a

28 Saying, Did we not strictly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 ¶ Then Peter and the other apostles

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit,

A. D. 33.

b c. 4. 19.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye om among you seven men of honest repor full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves contingally to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saving pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,

him.

year before! the account, called Anno

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay Domini. them.

34 Then stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little time.

ed.

35 And said to them, Ye men of Isra-3 or, believel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do concerning these men :

36 For before these days rose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain;

a proselyte of Antioch:

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God 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 faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia,

37 After this man rose Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all, even 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 is from men, it will come to naught:

39 But if it is from God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40 And to him they assented: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 ¶ And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

CHAP. VI.

Jews who resided among the Greeks, and used the Greek lan.

guage.

1 The apostles desirous to have the poor regarded for their bodily sustenance, as also careful themselves to dispense the word of God, the food of the soul, 3 appoint the office of deaconship to seven chosen men: 5 of whom Stephen, a man full of faith, and of or, Haran. the Holy Spirit, is one: 12 who is taken by those whom he confounded in disputing, 13 and falsely accused of blasphemy against the law and the temple.

AND in those days, when the number

of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the 1 Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily minis

tration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemoas words against Moses, and against God.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13 And set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the 2 customs which Moses delivered to us.

15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

CHAP. VII.

1 Stephen permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy, 2 showeth that Abraham wor. shiped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers, 20 before Moses was born, and be fore the tabernacle and temple were buit; 37 that Moses himself testified concerning Christ: 44 and that all outward ceremonies were ordained according to the heavenly pat tern to last but for a time: 51 reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, the Just One, whom the prophets foretold should come into the world: 51 upon which they stone him to death: He commendeth his soul to Jesus, and humbly prayeth for them.

HEN said the high priest, Are these things so?

THE

is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness?

A. D. 33.

C

49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: What house will ye build for me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

50 Hath not my hand made all these things?

51 Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them who showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers;

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirít, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 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.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

7 or,

Joshua.

1Chr.17.12.

b c. 17. 24.

people: 14 Peter and John come to confra and enlarge the church; where, by praye and imposition of hands, giving the H Spirit, 18 when Simon would have bought the like power of them, 20 Peter sharply re proving his hypocrisy, and covetousness, and erhorting him to repentance, together with John, preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem. 26 But the angel sendeth Philip to teach, and baptize the Ethiopian tunuch.

AND Saul was consenting to his death.

at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were dispersed went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which Is. 66. 1,2. he performed.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who before in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and

women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:

16 (For as yet he had fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.