people, "all engaged in prayer and supplication." Peter arose in their
midst and said it was necessary to choose a man who had been faithful
in following the Savior to take the place of the traitor, Judas, in
the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. There were two names suggested, Joseph
called Barsabas, and Matthias. Knowing that the Lord should choose the
men who were to be His special witnesses, they prayed, saying, "Thou,
Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show whither of these two Thou
hast chosen." Then they "gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon
Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
[Sidenote: The Holy Ghost.]
Before nine o'clock in the morning, ten days after the Saviors'
ascension, and fifty days after the Passover associated with the
crucifixion, the apostles held a memorable meeting. As they sat "with
one acord in one place" "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting." Thus came the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost as Christ
had promised. The Comforter about which their Master had so often
spoken had at length come to them, to guide and to inspire them as
Jesus had done in person.
[Sidenote: The Gift of Tongues.]
Immediately a wonderful manifestation took place. Though nearly all
the apostles were Galileans and spoke the same language, yet when they
began to bear testimony of Christ and His Gospel, they "began to speak
with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance."
That a remarkable thing had occurred was soon noised about the city,
and people in great numbers gathered around the apostles. In the crowd
were Jews from many nations who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate
Pentecost. These spoke the language of the country from which they
came. Imagine their amazement when every one heard the Gospel preached
in his own tongue!
"Are not theses men who speak Galileans?" they asked. "Yes," was the
answer.
"Then how hear we every man in his own tongue, wherein we were born?"
As the apostles, one after another, told of the salvation of man
through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, some of the people were amazed, and
some amused, but all were perplexed.
"What does this mean?" asked some.
"They act as though they are drunken," said others.
Then Peter arose, and, in mighty power, addressed the multitude. "Ye
men of Judea," he began, "and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem; be this
known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[Sidenote: Peter's Address.]
"For these are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third
hour of the day.
"But this is what was spoken by the Prophet Joel." [1]
Undoubtedly only a small part of Peter's address is given to us; but
as we read his inspired words, and partake of the fearlessness with
which he told the Jews that they had crucified the Christ, we readily
become convinced that the weakness he manifested about a month and a
half before, has been replaced by the strength of the man of God. Then
he stammered and swore, "I know not the man;" _now_, he declared, "This
Jesus hath God raised up, whereof, we are all witnesses."
[Sidenote: His Fearlessness.]
With all the courage of his convictions, and with the power of the
Holy Ghost, he added: "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both
Lord and Christ."
As they heard of the wickedness in crucifying the Christ and of many
other sins, they desired to get forgiveness for what they had done, and
cried out to Peter--and the other apostles,
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
[Sidenote: "What Shall We Do?"]
In Peter's answer, we see the open door through which all must pass who
desire to be saved in the Kingdom of God:
"Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ,
for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost."
Then those who believed what Peter had said, were baptized; and the
little band of one hundred and twenty grew that day to three thousand
one hundred and twenty. And every day thereafter, many others became
converted, and joined the Church.
THE MAN WHO HAD NEVER WALKED.
[Sidenote: The General Meeting Place.]
About three o'clock one afternoon Peter and John were going up to the
Temple to pray. Here they came every day to meet in one accord with
the saints, and then visit "from house to house; breaking bread." Thus
the Temple seems to have been the general meeting place for the first
followers of the Redeemer. It was His house, and there they liked
to gather to worship. The main entrance to the Temple was by way of
"Solomon's Porch" through a gate that was called "The beautiful Gate."
Here gathered all the poor people--the blind, the lame, the weak, and
those who were diseased--who lived by asking alms from those who came
to the Temple.
[Sidenote: An Appeal.]
On this particular afternoon, one of these made his piteous appeal to
Peter and John. He was a man forty years old, but he had never taken
a step in his life. Friends would carry him there in the morning, and
then carry him home at night. In answer to his request for money, Peter
said, "Look on us."
[Sidenote: The Answer.]
While the man was wondering how much money the apostles would give him,
Peter added, "Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have, give I
thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Taking him by the right hand, Peter lifted him up, and immediately his
feet and ankle bones received strength.
The man was so happy that he went into the Temple leaping and praising
God for the great miracle that had come into his life.
Again the people were "filled with wonder and amazement," and gathered
in great numbers in "Solomon's Porch" staring at Peter and John,
wondering what kind of men they were.
[Sidenote: Another Powerful Address.]
Here Peter gave another great address in which he said that this man
was healed through faith in the name of Jesus Christ "whom God hath
glorified, whom ye delivered up and denied Him in the presence of
Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
"But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you; and killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised
from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." [2]
Footnotes:
1. Read the entire address as recorded in Acts 2:14-37.
2. Read Acts 3:2-26.
LESSON 12
PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED
"As no good is done, or spoken, or thought by any man without the
assistance of God, * * * so there is no evil done, or spoken, or
thought without the assistance of the devil."
[Sidenote: Peter Interrupted.]
While Peter was still preaching to the thousands assembled in
"Solomon's Porch," he saw approaching from the castle near the Temple,
the captain of the guard and his band.
The Jewish priests had become jealous, and suspicious of the apostles,
and looked with alarm at the thousands of people joining the Church.
So they decided to call out the soldiers, disperse the multitude, and
arrest Peter and John as the men responsible for all the excitement.
However, about five thousand of the people were converted that
afternoon.
[Sidenote: Imprisoned.]
So the soldiers "laid hands on them," and put them in jail, "For it was
now eventide," and, therefore, too late to take them to trial. Though
they were shut up in close cells, yet their spirits were free and their
consciences clear. They could sleep more peacefully than the priest who
had caused their arrest.
[Sidenote: Before the Sanhedrin.]
In the morning, the prisoners were taken to the Sanhedrin where sat
Annas, the high priest and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and
relatives of the high priest. These men had condemned Jesus, perhaps in
this very room, and they were determined that the preaching in the name
of Jesus of Nazareth must cease.
Others were present that morning, and among them true friends to the
apostles. One of these was the lame man, who had been healed.
[Sidenote: Curiosity and Amazement.]
As he was the innocent cause of the multitude's gathering the previous
evening, everybody seemed to be even more interested in him than in the
prisoners. He was carried, they knew, only twenty-four hours ago, to
the temple gate, and now they see him walking firmly through the crowd
to get near the apostles.
"By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" demanded one of
the judges.
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them. Ye rulers of
the people, and elders of Israel,
"If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man,
by what means he is made whole;
[Sidenote: Peter Testifies of Christ.]
"Be it known unto you all, and unto all the people of Israel, that by
the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from
the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole."
How those sinful men must have quailed as they beheld Peter's dignity,
felt his sincerity, and listened to the flashing words that pierced
their guilty souls!
He told them further that they could get no salvation unless they, too,
took upon themselves the name of Christ: "for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
What could the priests say? What could they do?
Nothing.
[Sidenote: Enemies Confounded.]
There stood the man sound and whole, who had been helpless for forty
years!
There stood Peter boldly proclaiming that the miracle was wrought in
the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom they had condemned to death.
They considered Peter unlearned, but he had confounded them all.
[Sidenote: Counsel.]
After ordering the prisoners to be taken into another room, they said
among themselves:
"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."
So, in order that the doctrine the apostles were preaching would spread
no further, they concluded to threaten Peter and John, and command them
not to speak to any man in "this name."
So they called the prisoners back and said in effect; "You must never
more speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus."
[Sidenote: Better to Obey God Than Man.]
Said the apostles, "Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken
unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
No doubt these priests would have punished the apostles then, if they
had not been afraid of the people, all of whom "Glorified God for that
which was done."
When they were let go, Peter and John went "to their own company,"
and told their friends all that had happened. When they heard it, the
saints united in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings
unto them. [3]
At this meeting there was another mighty manifestation of the Holy
Ghost, "and they spake the word of God with boldness."
DANGERS WITHIN THE FOLD
[Sidenote: Unconverted.]
But these leaders had to contend not only with enemies outside the
Church but with the scheming, dishonest people who stole their way into
the fold. There were men and women who had not repented of their sins
before they were baptized; so they did not receive the Holy Ghost.
Two of these were Ananias and his wife Sapphira.
Everybody who joined the Church had everything in common. Those who had
land and other property sold it and brought the money to the apostles.
There were no rich and no poor--all had everything that anybody else
had, and everyone possessed what belonged to all.
[Sidenote: Two Deceivers.]
Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession; but they brought only part of
the money, and said it was all. Thus they told a falsehood, and showed
themselves to be among the worst people in the world; for,
[Sidenote: The Lie Detected.]
"Who dares think one thing,
And another tell,
My soul detests him,
As the gates of hell."
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter detected the lie, and
said to Ananias,
"Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to
keep back part of the price of the land?"
"Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
[Sidenote: A Severe Punishment.]
"Thou hast not lied unto me, but unto God."
"And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost."
About three hours later, his wife came in, and told the same story as
her husband. She, too, received a divine rebuke, and paid the penalty
of her sin by giving up her life.
After that, no one dare try to deceive the apostles in giving gifts to
the Church.
This is a good lesson for all to keep in mind today especially when
paying tithing to the Lord.
Footnotes:
1. See Acts 4:23-31.
LESSON 13
PERSECUTED BUT UNDISMAYED
"Dinna curse him, sir; I have heard it said that a curse was a stone
flung up to the heavens, and most likely to return on the head of him
that sent it."
The earnestness with which Peter and the other Apostles preached the
Gospel of Jesus Christ had a wonderful effect upon the multitudes who
heard them. At Solomon's Porch, day after day, men and women heard the
Twelve testify that the Redeemer of the world had indeed come.
[Sidenote: Sick Healed.]
These testimonies were corroborated, too, by wonderful manifestations;
for "by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people." So great was the faith in the power of God 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."
Nor were the sick in Jerusalem the only persons blessed; but people
from the villages near Jerusalem who were sick and afflicted with evil
spirits appealed to the Apostles, and by the power of God, were healed.
[Sidenote: Rejoicing and Unity.]
It must have given Peter and his fellow Apostles much cause for
rejoicing to see the interest and the faith of so many thousands in
the message of Christ. What rejoicing, too, in the hearts of all those
invalids, who, made well, leaped from their couches and joined in the
praises of the Redeemer!
[IMAGE: PETER. "They brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them
on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might
overshadow some of them."]
How the Twelve must have loved each other and their hearts beat as one
as, day after day, they bore witness to the death and the resurrection
of their Lord, and received divine assurances that He was still
manifesting Himself to them through the Holy Ghost! As this Spirit
permeated those who joined the Church, no wonder that "the multitude of
them that believed were of one heart and of one soul."
[Sidenote: Hatred.]
But there were some men in Jerusalem who were made very jealous of the
Apostles, and whose hearts were filled, not with rejoicing but envy.
These were the men who had been the leaders in crucifying Jesus. It is
said that "No sooner is a temple built to God, but the devil builds a
chapel hard by;" thus while the Lord was pouring out the Spirit of love
upon those who joined the Church, the devil was pouring hate into the
hearts of those who were wicked and would not repent.
[Sidenote: Peter Imprisoned.]
So, "the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, and,
being filled with envy, laid their hands on the Apostles, and put
them in the common prison." These prejudiced and ignorant rulers were
determined to make the Twelve stop preaching Christ; because if what the
Twelve said was true, these rulers would be blamed for having put to
death the King of the Jews. But poor, puny man cannot hinder the work
of the Lord.
[Sidenote: A Miraculous Deliverance.]
Some time during the night while the prisoners were together in the
prison room--perhaps singing hymns and praying--an angel of the Lord
appeared to them. He opened the prison doors, brought them out, and
said:
"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this
life."
About this command George L. Weed writes:
"'Go'--the very word they had heard from the Lord before His ascension
to Heaven, whence He had sent His angel to repeat it in prison.
'Go'--in spite of threats and commands, of bolts and bars and prison
guards. In the name of Him who commanded you, 'Go, preach my Gospel,'
do ye 'Stand and speak in the Temple'--the very place whence ye have
been driven, Speak to the people, all who will listen, for your Master
and mine is the Savior of them all. Speak all the words of this
life--the promised future life of which the resurrection of Jesus is
the first fulfilment."
Obedient to the angel's command, the Twelve entered into the temple
early in the morning, and taught. How their message must have thrilled
the eager listeners who had assembled that early to hear the word of
God!
[Sidenote: The Jews Perplexed.]
Just as early that same morning another group of men assembled. The
high priest called his council together, "and all the senate of the
children of Israel." When this council was in readiness, the high
priest sent to the prison for Peter and his brethren. Soon the officers
returned and said:
"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."
Perplexed by this unexpected anouncement, the high priest and council
seemed to be unable to decide just what to do. While they were still
seeking for a satisfactory explanation or for the next definite step to
take, some one entered, saying:
"Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and
teaching the people."
Hearing this, the captain of the temple with his officers fetched
the Apostles before the council. But the officers took them "without
violence;" that is, without doing them any injury or without using
them roughly; "for they feared the people, lest they should have been
stoned."
As soon as the Twelve appeared, the high priest demanded:
[Sidenote: Before the Council.]
"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."
His prejudiced heart prompts him to speak of Jesus without mentioning
His name. But even in his bitterness, he bears a noted testimony of the
success of the Apostles' preaching. "Ye have filled Jerusalem with your
doctrine," said he, "and now intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
Did the high priest remember, just then, that the Jews cried at the
trial of Jesus, "His blood be upon us, and upon our children?" If so,
he must have felt fearful that the imprecation might be realized.
Then said Peter and the other Apostles:
"We ought to obey God rather than men." Manifesting as much eagerness
as the high priest had shown reluctance to name Jesus, Peter added:
[Sidenote: A Bold Speech.]
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a
tree.
"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We testify
to these things and the Holy Ghost also says they are true."
This bold speech cut the wicked judges to the heart. It made them so
angry that they talked of slaying the Twelve, just as they had killed
the Savior.
[Sidenote: Gamaliel's Defense.]
But there was one able lawyer among them who had justice in his heart.
His name was Gamaliel. He stood up among them and said:
"Put these men out of the hall for a little space."
When this was done, he continued, in effect:
"Ye men of Israel, be careful what you do to these men. If what they
are preaching is of man it will soon pass away, just as Theudas and
about four hundred who joined him were scattered and brought to naught;
and just as Judas of Galilee and those who believed in him were
dispersed.
"But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found
even to fight against God." [1]
[Sidenote: Beaten and Released.]
Gamaliel's influence prevailed; and the Apostles' lives were spared;
but they were not released until they had been beaten and commanded
not to speak in the name of Jesus. If the beating they received was a
scourging, each man was stripped to the waist, his arms tied to a low
pillar, that he might lean forward, so the whipping could more easily
strike him, and he was given thirty-nine lashes.
As the Twelve, bleeding from the wounds of the lash, left the council
chamber, their hearts were filled, not with sorrow and regret, but with
rejoicing "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
Footnotes:
[1] Read the text: Acts 5:33-39.
LESSON 14
A SPECIAL VISIT TO SAMARIA
[Sidenote: Deacons.]
As the membership of the Church increased, men were called and ordained
to various offices in the work of the ministry. Besides the Apostles,
there were Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons, etc. Among the
first to be chosen and ordained to a particular office of service in
the Church were "seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom." Their names were, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas, and Nicolas. They are called Deacons and one of their chief
duties was to oversee the distribution of food among the poor.
[Sidenote: Stephen Martyred.]
Shortly after their appointment, a bitter and cruel persecution arose
against the Church at Jerusalem during which the Saints were scattered
abroad throughout the regions of Judea, and Samaria. Stephen, "a man
full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," was stoned to death. Philip went
down to the city of Samaria, and there continued to preach Christ unto
the Samaritans.
[Sidenote: Philip.]
It seems that great power accompanied Philip's ministry, 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. And there
was great joy in that city." The people, "with one accord," heeded
Philip's message and were baptized into the Church.
[Sidenote: Authority Limited.]
But baptism by water is not sufficient. It must be followed by the
baptism of the Holy Ghost. It seems, however, that Philip, though he
had authority to baptize, did not have the right to confer the Holy
Ghost. He, therefore, probably held the office of Priest.
[Sidenote: Holy Ghost Given.]
When the news that Samaria had received the Gospel reached Jerusalem,
"Peter and John were sent unto them. Who, when they were come down,
prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost." On the heads
of these baptized believers, Peter and John then laid their hands and
conferred upon them the Holy Ghost.
[Sidenote: Pretenders.]
The Lord does not accept everyone who is baptized into the Church. Only
those who sincerely believe in Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the
World and who repent of their sins receive the Holy Ghost. Those who
are baptized without faith and repentance are mere pretenders.
One such joined the Church in England a few years ago. One day a member
seeing that the young man had no faith, asked him why he had joined the
Church.
"Oh, just to get out to America," he replied.
A little later in the conversation, he confessed to having joined the
Catholic Church, at one time, to get a string of beads! and afterward
joined the Latter-day Saints to come to Utah. Of course, it was not
long before he was excommunicated, and soon after fell into the depths
of sin and misery.
[Sidenote: Simon the Sorcerer.]
At the time Philip went to Samaria, there was a man named Simon in the
city, who was a great pretender. He claimed to be a sorcerer, and made
a great deal of money by bewitching people with his sorceries. However,
when the people heard the true Gospel, and saw miracles wrought by
the power of God, they lost interest in Simon's sorceries, and were
baptized by Philip.
[IMAGE: ST. PETER AND ST. JOHN IN SAMARIA. "On the heads of these baptized
believers, Peter and John then laid their hands, and conferred upon them
the Holy Ghost."]
"Then Simon himself believed also; and when he was baptized, he
continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the signs and great
miracles which were done." But he was not converted. His only purpose
of joining the Church was to find out how these miracles were
performed, thinking he might use them for gain.
[Sidenote: His Greed.]
When Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles' hands the
Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this
power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."
Poor, greedy man! His lust for gold led him to sacrifice even his honor!
"And hence one master passion in the breast,
Like Aaron's serpent, swallows up the rest."