10 carry thee out. Then she fell down immediately at his feet, and expired. And the young men came in, and found her dead; and carry11 ing her out, buried her by her husband.* And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12

And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were wrought among the people; (now they were all of one accord in Solomon's 13 porch. And as to the rest, none durst join himself to them: but the people magnified 14 them. And believers were the more added

to the Lord, even multitudes both of men and 15 women.) So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter pass16 ing by, might overshadow some of them. A multitude from the neighboring cities came also to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and those who were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

17

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him; who were of the sect of the Sadducees; and were filled with indig18 nation, and laid their hands on the apostles, 19 and put them in the common prison. But the

angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by

*These judgments were designed to prevent all hypocrisy and insincerity in the followers of Christ; and they shew also the great sin of falsehood.

↑ That is, all the disciples were in Solomon's porch and of one mind. But others dare not join them, merely on account of their popularity and miracles, being deterred by the awful destiny of Ananias and Sapphira,

20 night, and brought them forth, and said, Go,

stand and speak in the temple to the people all 21 the words of this life.* And when they heard ' that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to 22 have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they 23 returned, and told, 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 whether this would prove 25 to be a fact. Then one came and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching 26 the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence. (For they feared the people, lest they should 27 have been stoned.) And when they had

brought them, they set them before the coun28 cil. And the high priest asked them, saying, Did we not strictly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine,

* That is, all the doctrines relating to this immortal life revealed by Christ.

29

and intend to bring this man's blood

us.*

upon

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than 30 men. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree; 31 Him God hath exalted to his right hand to be

a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to 32 Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33

When they heard this, they were cut to the 34 heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then a certain Pharisce, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was esteemed by all the peo.. ple, stood up in the council, and directed to put 35 the apostles out a short time. And said unto the council, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye intend to do touching 36 these men. For before these days rose up Theudas pretending to be some great one; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain; and all who obeyed him, were scattered, and brought 37 to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew

*The chief priests and rulers probably supposed the people might be satisfied that they had taken the life of an innocent man and a prophet, and would therefore destroy them as murderers.

† A teacher of the Mosaic law; under whom Paul was educated and instructed in the religious customs and traditions of the Jews.

Judas and those of his party opposed the Roman taxes.

away much people after him: he also perished; and all who obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 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 ye be found also to fight against God.* 40 And they yielded to his advice, 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 thought 42 worthy to suffer shame for his name.

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

1

CHAP. VI.

AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the He

* Gamaliel was, like Nicodemus, a man of candour and moderation: But it would seem not of sufficient firmness. He must have been convinced that Christ was a true prophet; and not therefore to be compared to the leaders of men whose object was worldly power and influence. He should have been decided in espousing the cause of the apostles. + That he was the Messiah of whom their prophets had written, and whose coming the Jews were expecting.

Those Jews who lived in the provinces of Greece, and spoke that language. They are so called to distinguish them from the Jews who lived in Judea. The gospel was not yet preached to heathens.

brews, because their widows were neglected 2 in the daily ministration. Then the twelve apostles called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fitting that we should leave the word of God, and serve ta3 bles.* Wherefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of fair reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may ap4 point over this business. 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 Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, 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 8 were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9

Then there arose some of the synagogue of the Libertines,† and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing

* Omit preaching, and serve at the tables of the poor. Pompey, the Roman general, carried many Jewish eaptives into Italy. Their descendants are supposed to have had their freedom, and to be here intended.