CHAPTER LIV.

Ananias and Sapphira.-Among those who brought the price of their lands into the common treasury, was a man named Ananias. This man with Sapphira his wife, having sold their land, laid a part of the money at the apostles' feet, having agreed together to keep back part of the price, though they pretended they gave the whole.

But Peter knowing this, said, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart, to lie to the Holy Ghost? In this thing, thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." And Ananias hearing these words, fell down and died.

About three hours after, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in, and in answer to Peter, told a similar lie to that which had been told by her husband. Then she also fell down dead, and was carried out and buried beside her husband.

Then great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Spread of the truth.-After this, many wonderful things were done by the apostles, and many were added to the church of those who believed, multitudes were healed of divers diseases, and sick people were brought into the streets, that at least the shadow of Peter might fall on them and heal them. Many also were brought from the cities round about Jerusalem, and were healed every one.

The Sanhedrim. Then the high priest and the Sadducees arose, being filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and said, "Go, stand and · speak in the temple all the words of this life."

When the council assembled the next day to ex

amine the prisoners, the officers came, saying, "The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors, but when we had opened, we found no man within."

Now while they doubted, whereunto this would grow, one came, and said, " Behold the men whom ye put in prison, are standing in the temple, and teaching the people."

Then went the officers, and brought them without violence.

The examination.-And they said to the apostles, "Did not we straitly 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."

Then the apostles said, "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted to be a prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and the forgiveness of sins, and we are his witnesses, and the Holy Ghost also, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

The word of Gamaliel.-When they heard these words, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Then stood up a certain Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in reputation among the people, and he commanded to put forth the apostles a little while.

Then he said, "Ye men of Israel, take heed, what ye do to these men. For before these days, rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody, who was slain with four hundred men that joined him. After this man rose Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him, he also perished, and all who obeyed him came to nought."

Now I say unto you, "Refrain from these men, and let them alone, for if this counsel be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found to fight against God."

And to him they agreed, and when they had beaten the apostles and commanded them to speak no more in the name of Jesus they let them go.

And they continued daily teaching in the temple, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

The seven deacons chosen.-And when the number of the disciples multiplied greatly, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve spake unto the disciples, saying, "It is not right that we should leave the word of God to serve tables." Look out from among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Then they chose Stephen and Philip, and Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch; and the apostles prayed, and laid their hand upon them.

Increase of the church.-Now the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Preaching of Stephen.-And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people, and many Jews of different sects disputed with him, but they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spake.

Then they bribed men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God."

Trial and martyrdom.-Then they stirred up the people, and the rulers caught him and brought him before the council, and then false witnesses said, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law."

Stephen made a noble defence, in which he recited the chief events in the history of the Jews, and declared that they had always persecuted those who were sent to preach righteousness to them, which cut the rulers to the heart.

Then they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," and then he died.

EXERCISES ON CHAPTER LIV.

What persons are mentioned as selling their lands?
How did Ananias and Sapphira sin?

What was their fate, and the result of this?

What is said about the shadow of Peter? How did the rulers shew their indignation? Why were they not kept in prison ?

What reply did Peter make to the Sanhedrim?

What remarkable speech did Gamaliel make? What plan did he recommend?

What murmuring arose among the disciples? How was the defect to be remedied?

Name the seven deacons who were chosen? What is said of the increase of the church? Which deacon distinguished himself by his works?

Of what did the Jews accuse him? What was done to Stephen? What were his last words?

CHAPTER LV.

The Persecution.-After the death of Stephen, there arose in Jerusalem a spirit of persecution against the disciples of Christ, and all except the

apostles were scattered abroad, throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. And Saul, who became afterwards the apostle Paul, was present at the stoning of Stephen, and consented to his death. He made great havoc in the church, but those who were persecuted went everywhere preaching the word of the Lord.

The gospel in Samaria.-The first city in which great success followed was Samaria, where the people with one accord received the gospel, and there was great joy in that city. Of which, when the apostles heard, they sent Peter and John to instruct them; and they prayed for the Samaritans, and the Holy Spirit was given unto them.

Simon the sorcerer.-Now there was among the converts, one Simon a sorcerer, who had beforetime bewitched the people.

When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands heavenly gifts were conferred, he offered them money to give him the same power. But Peter said, "Thy money perish with thee," and so rebuked him that he entreated the apostles to pray that he might be forgiven.

Philip and the eunuch.-Then an angel of the Lord commanded Philip to go southward toward Gaza, where he met with an Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. Philip, at his request, went with him, and explained to him the gospel, so that the eunuch believed, and was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing in Jesus Christ.

Conversion of Saul.-Not content with persecuting the believers in Jerusalem, Saul obtained letters of authority to go to Damascus, that he might bring any back as prisoners whom he found there. On his way thither, a great light came suddenly upon his company, and he was struck blind. And he heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest