Aeneas Healed, and Dorcas Brought Back to Life

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Aeneas Healed, and Dorcas Brought Back to Life Acts 9:32-43

The woman opened her eyes. Seeing Peter, she sits up, and he gives her his hand and lifts her up. WHEN THE DISCIPLES, or believers in Jesus, spoke of their fellow worshipers, they called them saints. For these men and women had hearts purified by faith in Jesus, and therefore they also lived holy lives, as true saints do. The apostles at Jerusalem were pleased to hear that there were many disciples, or saints, in other cities throughout the land. Sometimes they visited them and encouraged them to serve the Lord. One day while Peter was visiting the saints in Lydda, a city near the Great Sea, he saw there a man named Aeneas who had been sick with palsy for eight years and unable to leave his cot. Peter looked with pity upon the poor man, and then he said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you well! Rise up, and make your bed." Aeneas was glad to hear these words. He believed them, and when he tried to raise himself strength came into his feeble body at once and he was made perfectly well. This was the first miracle Peter performed at this place, and many people who knew Aeneas believed in the Lord. They met with the saints to worship God and to hear Peter preach the gospel story. In a city called Joppa, not far from Lydda, was another company of believers. Among them was a woman named Dorcas, who by her kind words and helpful deeds had brought gladness to many poor people. And every one who knew Dorcas loved her dearly. While Peter was stopping with the saints in Lydda, Dorcas fell sick. Soon her sickness became so severe that she died. Her death brought great sorrow to the hearts of her friends, for they thought they could not spare such a good woman as she had been. The saints in Joppa felt unwilling to have her taken away from them. They had heard that Peter was at Lydda, and at once they sent for him to come quickly. When the messengers returned from Lydda, Peter was with them. They brought him to the house where Dorcas had died and led him to the room up-stairs where she was lying. Many of Dorcas' friends stood about him, weeping bitterly. And widowed mothers brought garments which Dorcas had made for them and for their children to show these things to Peter. They wanted him to understand how much they still needed this good woman to encourage them and help them out of their troubles. Peter knew what Jesus would have done in a time like this. He knew Jesus was touched with the sorrow of others, and his own heart, too, was touched. he commanded every one to leave the room, and when he was alone with the dead body he prayed. Then turning toward the body he said, "Tabitha, arise!" And the woman opened her eyes. Seeing Peter, she sat up, and he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then he called the saints and poor widows to reenter the room. How happy they were to see their dear friend alive once more! The news of this wonderful miracle spread rapidly through Joppa, and many people became interested. When they heard the gospel preached they also believed in the Lord and were saved from their sins. And Peter stayed for a long time in this city by the Great sea, stopping at the home of a man who was called Simon, the tanner. Tomorrow: The Great Sheet Let Down from Heaven; Peter & Cornelius

Saul Persecuting the Christians, and His Dramatic Conversion

Saul Persecuting the Christians, and His Dramatic Conversion Acts 9:1-20

With a blinding light from the sky, came a voice from Heaven, saying, "Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting me?" SAUL, THE YOUNG Pharisee, was a Jew. Although his home was in another country, he had come to Jerusalem when a boy to study the Jews' religion, and now he was a very strict Pharisee. He believed in the law of Moses, and he thought the new religion of Jesus would destroy this law which God gave to Moses. Therefore he was angry with the believers in Jesus, and he wished to be rid of them all. The chief priests and scribes were glad to have such an earnest young man as Saul take their part and defend their cause. They gave him permission to treat the disciples shamefully, hoping in this way to discourage others from accepting the new teachings. And so it was that Saul labored night and day working and planning how he might destroy the church in Jerusalem. Because of his work the prison-houses were crowded with men and women who clung to their faith in Jesus, but no longer were there listening crowds standing in the temple to hear the apostles teach. Saul had indeed stopped the public worship of these people, and he thought he had done a good work. About this time news came to Jerusalem that the religion of Jesus was spreading in other cities. Instead of destroying it, the enemies were only scattering it farther and causing it to increase faster than before. What should they do? Saul, the Pharisee, became more angry than ever. "I will stop this crazy religion yet!" he cried; and, rushing to the high priest, he asked permission to go as an officer to a Gentile city called Damascus and search among the Jews there for disciples of Jesus. He planned to kill them or bind them as prisoners and carry them back to Jerusalem. No doubt he hoped to visit every city and every village where the believers had gone to teach about Christ, and destroy the meetings as he had broken up the religious worship in Jerusalem. The high priest wrote letters to the rulers of the synagogs in Damascus, telling them about Saul's purpose and commanding them to help Saul find the believers who might be in the city. These letters Saul took, and calling some friends he started at once on the long journey to Damascus. The road they traveled led north from Jerusalem and passed through numbers of villages and towns. By and by he came near to Damascus, the Gentile city where a large number of Jews had accepted the new faith. Messengers from Jerusalem had already arrived to warn the disciples in Damascus about Saul's work. They told about his bitter hatred of believers everywhere. And they told also of his soon coming to Damascus with letters from the high priest to the rulers of the synagogs, commanding that every believer in Jesus should be punished or imprisoned. And the believers wondered what they should do, for they feared the wrath of this proud young man. On the last day of that journey the company of riders from Jerusalem were nearing the great wall of Damascus when suddenly they stopped. A light from the sky, brighter than the shining noonday sun, had smitten them and struck them to the ground. And with the light came a voice from heaven, which only Saul understood though his companions heard the sound. This voice said, "Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting me?" Now Saul was greatly surprised. He had thought he was defending the true religion when he opposed the believers in Jesus. And he cried out, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are fighting against. It is hard for you to oppose me." Like a flash of lightning Saul remembered how cruelly he had treated men and women who believed in this Jesus. He saw how wicked he had been. Now he cried out, "What shall I do, Lord?" Jesus answered, "Rise up and go into Damascus; there you shall be told what you must do." So Saul rose up; but he could not see which way to go, for the great light had blinded his eyes. The men who were with Saul had also seen the light, but they were not blinded by its brightness. They, too, rose up, trembling with fright, and led him by the hand into the city. Here they took him to the house of a man whose name was Judas, and left him there. Three days passed by, and Saul sat alone in dark blindness. He would neither eat nor drink, for his sorry of heart was great. He saw himself a very wicked man, not a righteous person at all, though he was a famous Pharisee. Then one night God gave him a vision. In the vision he seemed to see a believer named Ananias coming to put his hands on the blinded eyes that they might have sight again. And sure enough, there was in the city of Damascus a believer named Ananias. This man also had a vision from God. And in the vision he heard God's voice calling, "Ananias!" He answered, "Here I am, Lord," The voice said, "Rise up, and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man called Saul, of Tarsus, the city where he was born, for this man is praying. And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." These tidings surprised Ananias. He could hardly believe what he heard, for he knew of Saul, the great persecutor of believers everywhere. Now he exclaimed, "Lord, I have heard many things about this man, how much evil he has done to those at Jerusalem who believe in Jesus; and even here he has been given power to make prisoners of all the believers he can find." But God answered, "Go your way as I have commanded; for Saul is a chosen servant of mine to carry my name to the Gentiles and even before kings of the earth, as well as to the Jews. And I will show him how he must suffer great things for my sake." Ananias was no longer afraid to obey, for he believed the words God had spoken to him. So he rose up at once, and went out to search for Saul. And when he found the blind visitor in Judas' home he spoke to him kindly, saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road when you were coming to this city, has sent me that you might receive your sight, and receive the Holy Spirit." Then he placed his hands upon Saul, and what seemed to be scales fell from the blinded eyes of the stricken man. Now Saul could see again, and he rose up to be baptized. He was eager to do the things that would please God, and no longer did he feel hatred in his heart to any one. His friends brought food to him, and when he ate of it, strength came into his body. Then he went to the synagogs, not to seize the believers in Jesus, but to worship with them. And he began at once to teach those who crowded to see him that Jesus is the Christ, whom God had sent to be the Savior of men. Tomorrow: Paul in Damascus - Let Down in a Basket and Rescued

The Ethiopian Eunuch - Philip Preaches to a Stranger on a Lonely Road

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Ethiopian Eunuch - Philip Preaches to a Stranger on a Lonely Road Acts 8:26-40

Philip asks the man in the chariot, "Do you understand what you are reading?" AFTER PETER AND John went back to Jerusalem, one day an angel spoke to Philip and told him to leave Samaria too and go on an errand. Philip did not know just what the errand would be, but he rose up at once to obey the angel's command. Along the dusty road he traveled, going south till he came to Jerusalem. Still farther south he went, not stopping to visit the apostles or any of his friends in the city. Now the road began to lead toward the desert of Gaza, and few people went that way. But Philip was not the only traveler on the road that day. Ahead of him, riding in a chariot, was a stranger who had come many, many miles to worship God at the temple in Jerusalem. This stranger was from the land of Ethiopia, and he was an officer of the queen of the country. He had heard about the true God and he wished to become a worshiper of that God. He had come all the long way from Ethiopia, and now he was returning again to his homeland. God saw the desire in this man's heart to worship him in the right manner. He knew the rulers in Jerusalem would not help the man to understand the true religion, so he sent Philip on this errand to preach to the stranger. When Philip saw the chariot, God by his Spirit caused him to understand why he had been sent. So Philip ran to catch up with the chariot. While in Jerusalem this Ethiopian had bought a copy of the Scriptures to take with him to his own land. And as he rode along he read aloud from God's Book. When Philip came near he heard the man reading from the book of prophecy that Isaiah had written. Philip walked along beside the chariot and listened. Presently he asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The Ethiopian looked up quickly, and seeing Philip, replied, "How can I understand when I have no one to teach me?" He then invited Philip to ride with him in the chariot and tell him the meaning of the strange words he had just read. These are the words he read of Isaiah's prophecy: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he opened not his mouth, His story who can tell? For his life is taken from the earth." "About whom is the prophet writing?" asked the Ethiopian, "is it of himself or some other man?" Then Philip began at that very scripture to preach to him about Jesus; for Isaiah had used those words to describe how Jesus would be treated by his enemies. The story of Jesus was new to the Ethiopian. He listened eagerly, and believed every word of this strange preacher who rode beside him in the chariot. He knew now that his long journey to Jerusalem had not been made in vain, for he was learning the very thing he had longed to understand. As they rode along the highway they came to a place where there was water. The Ethiopian thought at once of what Philip had told him about baptism, so he said, "See! here is water; why may I not be baptized?" Philip answered, "If you believe with all your heart you may be baptized just as others who believe." And the man replied, "I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." At this he commanded the servant who drove the chariot to stop, and he stepped out with Philip and went down with him into the water. And Philip baptized him there. When they were coming out of the water the Spirit of God caught away Philip, and the Ethiopian saw him no more. But he went on his homeward journey rejoicing because he had found the true religion. Now he knew that his sins were forgiven through faith in Jesus' blood. And now he, too, could tell others about the gospel story. After this had happened Philip came to a place called Azotus, and as he went he preached the gospel in every city along the way, until finally he came to Caesarea, a city on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Tomorrow: Saul Persecuting the Christians, and His Dramatic Conversion

Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit Acts 8:1-25

Peter looks at Simon and says, "You wicked person! May your money be lost with you if you think God's gifts can be bought." IN THE CITY of Samaria, about thirty miles north of Jerusalem, lived a man whose name was Simon. For a long time this man had made the people of Samaria believe he was some great person. He would perform cunning tricks before them, which they could not understand. And they thought he had received power from God to do these things. But Simon was a very wicked man, and he had received power from Satan instead of from God. One day a preacher came to Samaria from Jerusalem. This preacher was Philip, one of the seven men whom the multitude had chosen to help care for the poor widows. No longer was he needed in Jerusalem to do this good work, for the multitude of believers were now scattered, and very few remained in Jerusalem with the apostles. After Stephen's death the enemies of Jesus had grown bold and they had tried to destroy the new religion by troubling the believers. Some they had caught and thrown into prisons. Saul, the young Pharisee who stood by watching when Stephen was being stoned, now became one of the bitterest enemies. He went from house to house, searching for men and women who worshiped with the apostles, and when he found them he shut them up in prison. Because of these things the believers no longer met each day to worship in the temple, and many of them left Jerusalem and went to live in other cities. The men and women who fled from Jerusalem did not run away to hide like cowards. They did not feel sad because they were believers in Christ. Everywhere they went they talked to other people about Jesus, and soon the new religion began to spread faster than ever. And so it was that Philip came to preach the gospel in Samaria. The people of Samaria listened closely to Philip's preaching. They had never heard the gospel story before. Now they saw Philip work miracles among them in the name of Jesus, and they wondered at the great power God had given to him. Many of them believed in Jesus when they saw the sick and the lame healed through faith in Jesus' name. And they paid no more heed to Simon, whom they had thought to be a great man before Philip came, for now Philip was doing greater things than Simon had ever done. Simon, too, came to hear Philip preach and to see the miracles he performed. He watched this preacher from Jerusalem heal the sick and cast out evil spirits. He saw him cause even the lame to walk. And he knew the power Philip had was greater than his own, so he joined the company of believers in Samaria and was baptized with them. But all the while he had never repented of his sins and wickedness. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Philip's preaching in Samaria had caused many people to accept Jesus as the Savior, they sent Peter and John to visit them. And these two men came to tell them more about the power of God, for as yet none of the Samaritans had received the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John prayed for them and laid their hands on them, God gave the Holy Spirit to the Samaritan believers too. Simon looked on with increasing wonder when he saw how Peter and John prayed and laid their hands on these people who received for Holy Spirit. He thought in his heart, "If only I had such power I might again seem to be a great man among these people. Perhaps I can persuade these visitors from Jerusalem to sell this power to me." So he came to the apostles, saying, "I will give you money if you will sell me this power to lay my hands on whomever I please that they may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter looked at Simon and said, "You wicked person! May your money be lost with you if you think God's gifts can be bought. You do not have any part in this work, for your heart is not right in God's sight. Unless you repent of your sins and pray God to forgive your wicked thoughts you will be lost, for now you are bound fast with sin as with a chain." Simon was frightened when he heard Peter's words. Even yet he did not understand, for he did not know how God could make his heart right. So he asked Peter to pray for him, that he might not be lost. But we do not know that he ever repented of his sins and turned to God. After their visit in Samaria, Peter and John returned again to Jerusalem, passing through other villages along the way and preaching the gospel to all who would listen. And all the while more believers were being added to God's church; for wherever people believed in Jesus as their Savior from sin they became members of the church of God. Tomorrow: The Ethiopian Eunuch - Philip Preaches to a Stranger on a Lonely Road

The Stoning of Stephen

The Stoning of Stephen Acts 6:1 to Acts 8:2 As Stephen is stoned, his courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" THE NUMBER OF disciples, or believers in Jesus, had now reached many thousands, and among them were Jews from different parts of the world. Some were called Grecians because they lived in countries where the Greek language was used, which they also spoke, and others were called Hebrews because they used the Hebrew language and lived in Palestine. There had been an unfriendly feeling between the Grecian Jews and the Hebrews for a long time. Now in this great company of believers in Jesus this unfriendly feeling tried to show itself. Among the poor widows it seems that the needs of the Grecian ones were being overlooked. Their Grecian friends saw this, and began to complain that they were not being cared for properly. The apostles heard this complaint, and at once they called the multitude of believers together, and said: "It is not right that we should spend all our time looking after the needs of the poor. We must preach the gospel. There are other faithful men among you who can attend to this matter of caring for the needy ones. Choose out seven wise men who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and let them do this work, that we may have more time to pray and to preach." This plan pleased all the people, both the Hebrews and the Grecians, so they close seven faithful men to divide the money among those who had need. These men they brought before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them. Stephen was the first man whom they chose for this work. Another man was named Philip. These two men were also preachers of the gospel. About the other five we hear but little. From the first Stephen's great faith in God showed itself by the miracles he performed among the people. And he spoke boldly about Jesus to those who hated the believers, for the Holy Spirit gave him courage to do this. In Jerusalem was a synagog where the foreign Jews met together to study the Scriptures. Here Stephen went to preach the gospel. And certain men who were leaders of the synagog argued against this teachings and tried to prove that Jesus is not the Christ. But they could not prove their argument, for God gave Stephen great wisdom to declare the truth about Jesus. When these evil-minded men saw that Stephen had spoken wisely they were angered, and at once they planned to destroy this faithful man. Calling some friends who were not careful to speak the truth, they hired them to publish among the Jews that Stephen was teaching against the law of Moses, and was speaking evil words against the temple. As soon as the rulers and scribes heard this report they caught Stephen and dragged him into the council-room where the apostles had been tried. There they surrounded him, and questioned him about the things they heard. Stephen was not afraid to speak bravely to these enemies of the truth and right. He talked very earnestly to them about their fathers who had lived long ago. He repeated to them the familiar story of the Israelites, beginning with the time of Abraham. He showed them how their fathers had disobeyed God's laws and refused to listen to God's prophets, even when God had blessed them so much. As Stephen talked, his face began to shine like an angel's. Those who stood in the council-room saw the heavenly light, but they gave no heed to it. When he told them about the sins of their fathers, the rulers grew angry. Their eyes flashed wickedly, and Stephen knew they were even then thinking how to kill him. Still he was not afraid. Looking up, he saw the heavens open and Jesus, the Savior, standing by the great white throne. God permitted him to see this wonderful glimpse of heavenly glory that he might have more courage to face his enemies. Then he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." These words filled the rulers with great fury, and they rose from their seats, stopped their ears, and cried out against him. Then, like blood-thirsty animals, they rushed upon him and dragged him out of the council-room, and outside the city gate. Here those who had spoken false words against him took off their garments, threw them down at the feet of a young Pharisee name Saul, and picked up stones to hurl at Stephen. But even here Stephen's courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down, and while the stones struck his body he prayed, just as Jesus prayed when he hung on the cross--"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And after this he fell asleep in death, the first one to be killed by God's enemies in their effort to destroy the church of God. Some men who had known Stephen heard about his death, and they took up his mangled body and buried it tenderly. Then they mourned for him with loud and bitter cries, for they had loved this earnest young man who gave up his life to defend the gospel. Tomorrow: Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit

As Stephen is stoned, his courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" THE NUMBER OF disciples, or believers in Jesus, had now reached many thousands, and among them were Jews from different parts of the world. Some were called Grecians because they lived in countries where the Greek language was used, which they also spoke, and others were called Hebrews because they used the Hebrew language and lived in Palestine. There had been an unfriendly feeling between the Grecian Jews and the Hebrews for a long time. Now in this great company of believers in Jesus this unfriendly feeling tried to show itself. Among the poor widows it seems that the needs of the Grecian ones were being overlooked. Their Grecian friends saw this, and began to complain that they were not being cared for properly. The apostles heard this complaint, and at once they called the multitude of believers together, and said: "It is not right that we should spend all our time looking after the needs of the poor. We must preach the gospel. There are other faithful men among you who can attend to this matter of caring for the needy ones. Choose out seven wise men who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and let them do this work, that we may have more time to pray and to preach." This plan pleased all the people, both the Hebrews and the Grecians, so they close seven faithful men to divide the money among those who had need. These men they brought before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them. Stephen was the first man whom they chose for this work. Another man was named Philip. These two men were also preachers of the gospel. About the other five we hear but little. From the first Stephen's great faith in God showed itself by the miracles he performed among the people. And he spoke boldly about Jesus to those who hated the believers, for the Holy Spirit gave him courage to do this. In Jerusalem was a synagog where the foreign Jews met together to study the Scriptures. Here Stephen went to preach the gospel. And certain men who were leaders of the synagog argued against this teachings and tried to prove that Jesus is not the Christ. But they could not prove their argument, for God gave Stephen great wisdom to declare the truth about Jesus. When these evil-minded men saw that Stephen had spoken wisely they were angered, and at once they planned to destroy this faithful man. Calling some friends who were not careful to speak the truth, they hired them to publish among the Jews that Stephen was teaching against the law of Moses, and was speaking evil words against the temple. As soon as the rulers and scribes heard this report they caught Stephen and dragged him into the council-room where the apostles had been tried. There they surrounded him, and questioned him about the things they heard. Stephen was not afraid to speak bravely to these enemies of the truth and right. He talked very earnestly to them about their fathers who had lived long ago. He repeated to them the familiar story of the Israelites, beginning with the time of Abraham. He showed them how their fathers had disobeyed God's laws and refused to listen to God's prophets, even when God had blessed them so much. As Stephen talked, his face began to shine like an angel's. Those who stood in the council-room saw the heavenly light, but they gave no heed to it. When he told them about the sins of their fathers, the rulers grew angry. Their eyes flashed wickedly, and Stephen knew they were even then thinking how to kill him. Still he was not afraid. Looking up, he saw the heavens open and Jesus, the Savior, standing by the great white throne. God permitted him to see this wonderful glimpse of heavenly glory that he might have more courage to face his enemies. Then he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." These words filled the rulers with great fury, and they rose from their seats, stopped their ears, and cried out against him. Then, like blood-thirsty animals, they rushed upon him and dragged him out of the council-room, and outside the city gate. Here those who had spoken false words against him took off their garments, threw them down at the feet of a young Pharisee name Saul, and picked up stones to hurl at Stephen. But even here Stephen's courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down, and while the stones struck his body he prayed, just as Jesus prayed when he hung on the cross--"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And after this he fell asleep in death, the first one to be killed by God's enemies in their effort to destroy the church of God. Some men who had known Stephen heard about his death, and they took up his mangled body and buried it tenderly. Then they mourned for him with loud and bitter cries, for they had loved this earnest young man who gave up his life to defend the gospel. Tomorrow: Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit

The Apostles Are Imprisoned

The Apostles Are Imprisoned Acts 5:12-42

An angel frees the apostles from prison. NEWS OF THE apostles' teaching was now talked about on every street in Jerusalem, and even in the cities round about people were hearing how the mighty power of God was being shown through these fearless men. Daily more believers were being added to the church, until it numbered several more thousands. And the great miracles performed by the apostles in the name of Jesus were also talked of everywhere. So wonderfully did the power of God to heal rest upon these men that sick folk were brought and laid in the streets where even the shadow of Peter passing by might fall upon them. And from other cities and towns sick people were brought and people who were trouble by evil spirits; and every one was healed. Now the wicked Jewish rulers were becoming more angry everyday. They saw how the works of Jesus were steadily spreading farther and farther. They saw how the people were honoring these apostles and the Christ they taught more than they were honoring the Jewish rulers themselves. And they said, "We must do something at once to crush this new teaching out of the land." So they caught the apostles and threw them into prison, locking them securely inside. "Now," they said to each other, "We shall see what comes of their followers. Soon those crazy people will forget, and we shall be rid of this excitement.?" Night came on, and the rulers went home to rest, believing they would soon see the end of this trouble. But while they slept an angel from heaven touch the iron doors of the prison and passed inside to speak to the apostles. He told them to return again to the temple and speak boldly to the people who met there. And he led them from the prison into the cool night air of the quiet street. Then he left them, and they went to their own homes to rest. Early the next morning the high priest and his wicked counselors met together and prepared to conduct a trial. They sent officers to the prison to bring the apostles, but the officers returned alone. "We found the keepers standing before the prison doors, and the doors were tightly locked," they said; "but when we entered the room no one was there." Now the high priest and the other rulers were perplexed. They wondered what had happened to the men whom they had shut up the night before. But while they were talking about the matter, some one came to tell them that the apostles were again in the temple, teaching the people as bravely as ever. The rulers were afraid to seize the apostles roughly, for they knew the multitude who stood listening were friendly to these men and they thought the multitude might stone them if they knew of their wicked plans. So they sent officers to take them quietly and bring them to the council-room. When the apostles came, the rulers looked angrily at them and asked, "Did we not strictly command you to teach no more in Jerusalem concerning this man Jesus? And now why is it that you fill all the city with your doctrine, telling the people that we are guilty of the blood of this man?" But Peter and the other apostles stood up boldly, and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up this Jesus whom you killed and hanged on a tree. And God has made of this same Jesus a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and the forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to them who obey him." When the rulers heard these words they were filled with fury, and they talked excitedly among themselves. They wanted to turn the apostles over to the Romans at once, or kill them some other way. Then one of their number, a more thoughtful man, stood up and asked that the apostles be dismissed from the room for a few moments. While they were outside he spoke to his fellows in words like these: "Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these men. Let them alone; if their work is of men it will finally come to an end of itself, but if it is of God you can not overthrow it, and if you try to do so you will be found to be fighting against God." Because this speaker was a very wise man, and much honored as a teacher of the law, the others listened to him, and decided that it would be best to let the apostles live. But their anger against the apostles was not lessened, and they called them into the council-room once more and gave them severe beatings. Then they sent them away, commanding them to teach or speak in the name of Jesus never again. With bleeding backs the apostles departed from the presence of the wicked rulers. But as they went they rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake. They knew their own suffering were slight compared with the suffering which their master had born for the sins of all men, and they did not expect to be treated better by these enemies than their master had been. Again they returned to the temple, and daily they continued to teach there and in the homes of the people concerning the Savior, Christ the Lord. Tomorrow: The Stoning of Stephen

Ananias and Sapphira, Two Hypocrites in the Early Church

Ananias and Sapphira, Two Hypocrites in the Early Church Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:11

Peter Said, "You are not lying to men, but to God." When Ananias heard these words he fell backward and died. THE PEOPLE WHO now worshiped with the apostles numbered about five thousand, many times more than those one hundred and twenty who were together praying on the morning when the Holy Spirit was given. This throng of believers met to worship God on the porch of the temple, called Solomon's porch, where Peter had preached after the lame man was healed. In all this great number of people the selfish spirit was not shown. Some had little wealth, and others had none. Still others had plenty and enough to spare. Those who had plenty share with those who had none, and every one's needs were supplied. Love in their hearts for their fellow men caused the rich to be kind to the poor, and to take care of them as if they were needy brothers. Many of the rich sold their houses and their farms. Then they brought the money to the apostles to divide among the poor people who worshiped with them, that none should need to be hungry or left without shelter. In the company of worshipers were a man and his wife whose names were Ananias and Sapphira. These people saw the others bringing their money to the apostles and they decided to sell their property also. But they did not want to give all the money to the apostles. Now, the tempter who came to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden whispered to this man and his wife. They listened, and he said: "Sell the property if you wish, but keep back some of the money, and say that you are giving it all. Peter and the other apostles will believe that you have given all just as the others are giving their all, and they need not know you have kept back a part of yourselves." Ananias and his wife thought the plan was a good one. They agreed together to tell the apostles they had brought all the money. And when the day came Ananias hurried to the apostles, carrying his bag of gold. Now it was wrong for them to keep back part of the money, and then pretend to give all. God saw the desire in their hearts to deceive the apostles and appear very self-sacrificing, and he was not pleased. Ananias brought his bag of gold to the apostles and laid it down before them, saying he had sold his property and had brought the money to them. A guilty feeling stirred in his heart, but he looked at the apostles, expecting them to praise him for his self-denial. Instead of praising him,, Peter looked squarely at him and said, "Ananias why as the tempter filled your heart with the thought to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back a part of the price? While the money was in your hands it belonged to you and why have you thought to deceive us by pretending to bring all when you have really brought only a part? You are not lying to men, but to God." When Ananias heard these words he fell backward and died. And the people who were present feared greatly, because they saw what a terrible thing it is to try to deceive God. Some young men who were sitting near by rose up and took the dead man's body away to bury it. Three hours passed by, and Sapphira, not knowing what had happened to her husband, came into the room where the apostles were staying. Peter saw her and knew she was Ananias' wife. He called her to him, and she came forward, possibly expecting him to praise her for the self-sacrifice she and her husband had made. But Peter did not look pleased. He asked, "Did you and your husband sell your property for this sum of money?" She saw the amount, and she answered, "Yes." Then Peter said, "How is it that you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also to your grave." Sapphira fell down before Peter when she heard these words, and died on the same spot her husband had died on. And the young men came in, picked up her body, and carried her out to bury her beside her husband. Great fear came upon all the other people of the early church, and upon those who were not believers in Jesus. And every one was afraid to pretend to be numbered among the believers unless he really knew his sins had been forgiven. Tomorrow: The Apostles Are Imprisoned