THE ACTS, 4. the church. The unity of all them that dwell in Jě-rû'- Gen'-tiles, and the people of să-lěm; and we cannot deny it. | Is'-rā-ěl, were gathered to17 But that it spread no fur-gether, ther among the people, let us straitly 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 Jē'-sus. 19 But Pe'-těr and Jõhn answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto 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 shewed. 23 ¶ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant Da'-vid 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 gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Je'-sus, whom thou hast_anointed, both Hĕr'-od, and Pon'-tiùs Pi'-late, with the 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Je'-sus. 31 ¶ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake 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 ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Je ́šūs: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Jo'-ses, who by the apostles was surnamed Bär'nà-bas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation.) a Le'-vite, and of the country of Cy'-prus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. CHAPTER 5. B'An-a-nia, with Sapph-îră QUT a certain man named his wife, sold a possession, 2 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. 3 But Pēter said, Ăn-ă-ni-ăs, why hath Sa'-tăn filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And An-ă-ni-ǎs hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 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 Pe'-těr answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Pe'-ter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. and Sapphira. came in, and found her dead, and, 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 Sŏl'-Ŏ-mon'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 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Pe'-těr passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jě-rû'-să-lěm, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed 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 Săd'-du-çées,) and were filled with 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 10Then fell she down straight-early in the morning, and way at his feet, and yielded up taught. But the high priest the ghost and the young men came, and they that were with THE ACTS, 5. The apostles' release. him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Is'-ra-ěl, and sent to the prison to have them brought. Gamaliel's advice. give repentance to Is'-ră-ĕl, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 T When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood there up one 22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing within the council, a Phăr-I-sée, out 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 whereunto 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, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jě-rû'să-lěm with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 T Then Pe'-těr and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Je'-sus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to named Gă-mă'-li-ěl, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Is'-ra-ěl, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theu'-das, 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, nought. and brought to 37 After this man rose up Jû'dăs of Găl'-1-lée 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. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Je'sus, and let them go. 41 T And they departed from Seven deacons chosen. THE ACTS, 6, 7. Stephen's apology. 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 Jē'-sus Christ. CHAPTER 6. 9 T Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Liběr'-tines, and Cy-re'-ni-ǎns, and Al-ex-ăn'-dri-ăns, and of them of Ci-lîç ́-I-ǎ and of à ́-slă, disputing with Ste'-phěn. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit AND in those days, when the by which he spake. number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Gre'-cians against the Hē'-brews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Ste'-phěn, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Phil'-ip, and Proch'-Ŏ-rus, and Ni'-ca-nôr, and Ti'-mon, and Pär'-me-năs, and Nic'-o-lăs a proselyte of An'-ti-ŏch : 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 Jěrû'-să-lěm greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Ste'-phěn, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Mo'-ses, 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, which 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 Je'-sus of Năz'-ǎ-rĕth shall destroy this place, and, shall change the customs which Mo'-sěs delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. THE CHAPTER 7. HEN said the high priest, 2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father A-bra-hăm, when he was in Měs-Ŏ-po-ta'-mi-ă, before he dwelt in Char'-răn, 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. 4 Then came he out of the land of the Chal-da'-ans, and Stephen's apology. THE ACTS, 7. Stephen's apology. dwelt in Chăr'-răn: and from dred was made known unto thence, when his father was Phâr'-aoh. dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. 5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. 6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so A'-bra-hăm begat I'-saac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and I'-saac begat Ja'-cob; and Ja-cob begat the twelve patriarchs. 9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Jo'-seph into E-gypt: but God was with him, 10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Phâr'-aoh king of E-gypt; and he made him governor over E-gypt and all his house. 11 Now there came a dearth 14 Then sent Jo'-seph, and called his father Ja'-cob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 So Ja'-cob went down into E'-gypt, and died, he, and our fathers, 16 And were carried over into Sy'-chěm, and laid in the sepulchre that A-bră-hăm bought for a sum of the sons of Em'-môr the father of Sy'-chěm. money of 17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to A-bra hăm, the people grew and multiplied in E-gypt, 18 Till another king arose, which knew not Jō'-seph. 19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. 20 In which time Mo'-ses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Phâr'-aoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Mō'-sĕs was learned in all the wisdom of the E-gyp tians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the chil over all the land of E-gypt and 24 And seeing one of them 12 But when Jacob heard that suffer wrong, he defended him, there was corn in E-gypt, he and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the E sent out our fathers first. 13 And at the second time gyp'-tian: Joseph was made known to his 25 For he supposed his brebrethren; and Jo'-seph's kin-thren would have understood |