disciples gathered with their companions, and from them they learned
that the Lord had really risen and that he had appeared to Simon. Then
they told of their own experience on the road, and how they knew him
when he broke the bread.
JESUS GIVES HIS LAST COMMANDS TO HIS HELPERS
While the two disciples were speaking, Jesus himself stood among them.
And they were frightened and believed that they saw a ghost; but he said
to them, "Why are you so frightened? Why do you doubt? See my hands and
my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost has not
flesh and bones as you see that I have." While they were still unable
for very joy and wonder to believe, he said to them, "Have you anything
to eat here?" And when they gave him a piece of broiled fish, he ate
before them.
Then he said to them, "This is what I told you when I was still with
you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the
prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he helped them to
understand the scriptures, and said, "It is written that the Christ must
suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that in his name all
nations must be called upon to turn from their sins and gain God's
forgiveness. You yourselves, beginning at Jerusalem, are to tell men
about these things."
Now Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, who was called "The Twin," was
not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We have
seen the Master." But he said to them, "Unless I see the marks of the
nails in his hands and put my finger where they were and put my hand in
his side, I will not believe."
Eight days later Jesus' disciples were again together, and Thomas was
with them. Though the doors were closed, Jesus came and stood among them
and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger
here and look at my hands, and put your hand here in my side. Do not be
a doubter but a believer." Thomas answered him, "My Master and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "You believe because you have seen me? Blessed are
those who believe though they have never seen me!"
[Illustration: (C) _1903, Braun Clement et Cie_
_The Walk to Emmaus_
Painted by Eugene Girardet]
Later Jesus appeared to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee, and in this
way. As Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the
sons of Zebedee, were together with two other of his disciples, Simon
Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." "We will go too," they said,
and they set out and went on board the boat; but that night they caught
nothing. At daybreak Jesus stood on the beach, though the disciples did
not know that it was he.
He said to them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" They answered,
"No." And he said, "Throw your net over on the right side of the boat
and you will catch something." So they threw over the net, and now they
could not haul it in because of the great number of fish. Then the
disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Master." As soon as
Simon Peter heard that it was the Master, he put on his fisherman's coat
(for he was stripped for his work), and jumped into the water; but the
other disciples, being only about one hundred yards from the shore, came
in the small boat dragging the net full of fish.
When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire burning, and over it a fish
cooking, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish
that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard the boat and
hauled the net ashore filled with large fish; and although there were so
many, the net was not torn. Then Jesus said to them, "Come and eat
breakfast." Not one of the disciples had courage to ask, "Who are you?"
for they knew that it was the Master. Jesus came and gave them the bread
and also the fish. This was the third time he appeared to his disciples
after he had risen from the dead.
After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you
love me more than these?" He said, "Surely, Master, you know I love
you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." Then he asked him a second
time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" And he answered, "Surely,
Master, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
Jesus said to him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me with
all your heart?" Peter was grieved because Jesus asked a third time, "Do
you love me?" And he answered, "Master, you know everything, you know
that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
And Jesus said to them, "All authority has been given to me in heaven
and on earth. Go you, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you;
and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world."
Jesus showed his disciples, by many proofs, that he still lived,
revealing himself to them during forty days and telling them about the
Kingdom of God. When he and his disciples were together he told them not
to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised--"the
promise," he said, "of which you have heard me speak; for John baptized
with water, but before many days have passed you will be baptized with
the Holy Spirit."
While they were together they asked him, "Master, is this the time when
you are going to restore the rulership to Israel?" Jesus said to them,
"It is not for you to know the time or the season which the Father has
fixed by his own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses at Jerusalem,
throughout all Judea and Samaria and to every part of the earth." When
he had said this and while they were still looking at him, he was lifted
up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were staring
into heaven, as he went up, two men clothed in white stood beside them,
who said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This
Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the
same way as you have seen him go."
On the Day of Pentecost, as they were all together, suddenly, there came
from heaven a sound like the rushing blast of a mighty wind which filled
the whole house where they were seated. And they were filled with the
Holy Spirit and began to speak in a strange way and to cry aloud and
shout.
When this was reported a crowd gathered, astonished and perplexed, and
asked one another, "What can it mean?" Others with a sneer said, "They
are full of new wine!"
But Peter, together with the eleven apostles, stood up and addressed
them: "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, understand this and
listen to what I say: these men are not drunk as you suppose, for it is
only nine in the morning, but this is what was foretold by the prophet
Joel:
"'In the last days,' God declared,
'I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions.
"'And your old men shall dream dreams,
Even upon my slaves and slave-girls
In those days I will pour out my Spirit,
And they shall prophesy.'"
"Men of Israel, hear these words: By the help of lawless men you nailed
to the cross and murdered Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was proved to be
from God through the deeds of healing and the wonderful acts which God
performed by him among you, as you yourselves know. But God released him
from the bonds of death and raised him to life, for death could not hold
him. Lifted on high at God's right hand and having received from the
Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured it upon us as you now see
and hear. Let the whole nation of Israel know beyond a doubt that God
has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
When they heard this, their conscience troubled them, and they said to
Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what are we to do?" Peter
answered, "Say that you are sorry for your sins, and let each of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven;
then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for it is promised to
you, and to your children, and to all in distant lands, to any and to
all whom the Lord our God shall call."
With many other words he warned and urged them to save themselves from
this wicked time. So those who believed what he taught were baptized;
and on that day about three thousand were added to the brotherhood.
THE HEALING OF THE LAME MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE
By agreement the believers met together daily in the Temple. They had
their meals from house to house, eating their food with gladness and
simple-heartedness, praising God and having the good-will of all the
people. Day by day God added many to the number of the saved.
One day Peter and John were on their way to the Temple for the hour of
prayer at three in the afternoon. A man who had been lame from birth,
and who was placed daily at what was called the Beautiful Gate of the
Temple, was being carried there to beg from the people who went in. When
he saw that Peter and John were about to go in, he asked them to give
him something. But Peter fixed his eyes on him, and John did also, and
said, "Look at us." And the man looked attentively, expecting to receive
something from them. Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold, but
what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up. And immediately his
feet and his ankles received strength and he leaped up, stood on his
feet, walked about and went with them into the Temple, walking, and
leaping and praising God.
When the people who saw him walking about and praising God knew that he
was the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple,
they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him;
and as he still kept close to Peter and John, the astonished crowd
rushed to them in what was called Solomon's Porch.
Then Peter said to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at
this? Or why do you stare at us as though we had made him walk by some
power or goodness of our own? The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of
Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has honored Jesus his servant, whom
you delivered up and denied before Pilate when he had decided to let him
go. But you denied the Holy and Just One and asked that a murderer be
set free and put to death the One who brings life to men! But God
brought him back from the dead, as we bear witness. Jesus, through faith
in his name, has given strength to this man whom you see and know. Yes,
it is faith in him that has made this man perfectly well in the presence
of you all.
"And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your
rulers. Turn then to God and live right lives that your sins may be
forgiven, so that God may send you strength. After raising his Servant
from the grave, God sent him first to you to bless you by turning each
of you from your wickedness."
While they were speaking to the people, they were interrupted by the
priests, the officer in charge of the Temple, and the Sadducees, who
were angry because they were teaching the people and telling how Jesus
rose from the dead. They arrested the apostles and, as it was already
evening, put them in prison until the following day.
The next morning a meeting of their rulers, elders and scribes was held
in Jerusalem at which the high priest Annas, and Caiaphas, John,
Alexander and all the members of the high priest's family were present.
They made the apostles stand before them and inquired, "By whose power
and in whose name have you done this?"
Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of
the people and elders of Israel, if we are being examined this day for a
good deed done to a lame man, to find out how he was healed, you and all
the people of Israel should know that this man stands before you
completely cured through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you
crucified and whom God raised from the dead. He is the stone despised by
you builders that has become the chief corner-stone. And salvation comes
by none other, for there is no other name under heaven revealed among
men through which we can be saved."
When they saw how bold Peter and John were and found out that they were
uneducated and ignorant men, they were astonished but they remembered
that they had been with Jesus. Ordering them to go out from the council,
they said among themselves, "What are we to do with these men? All the
people who live in Jerusalem know that a wonderful miracle has been done
by them, and we cannot deny it. But to keep this thing from spreading
any farther among the people let us stop them by threats from speaking
in the future to any one in the name of Jesus." So they called them and
ordered them not to teach nor speak a word in the name of Jesus. But
Peter and John replied, "Decide for yourselves whether it is right
before God to obey you rather than God; for we cannot give up speaking
of what we have seen and heard."
Seeing the man who had been healed standing beside them, the rulers
could say nothing. So, after further threatening them, they let them go,
being unable to find any reason for punishing them on account of the
people, for they were all praising God for what had been done.
THE GENEROSITY OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
All of the believers were as one in heart and mind; and not one of them
called what he had his own, but they all shared with one another. No one
among them was in want, for those who owned lands or houses sold them
and brought the money that came from the sale to the apostles. The money
was then given to whoever needed it. Joseph, whom the apostles called
Barnabas, sold his farm and brought the money to the apostles.
But a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some property, and
with her approval kept back part of the price and brought only a part of
it to the apostles. "Ananias," said Peter, "why has Satan put into your
heart the desire to deceive the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the
price of the land? While the land remained unsold, was it not your own?
Even after it was sold, was not the money yours to do with as you
pleased? How could you plan a thing like this? You have lied not to man
but to God." When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died; and
great fear seized all who heard of it. The younger men arose, wrapped up
the body, and carried it away to be buried.
About three hours later his wife came in, knowing nothing of what had
taken place. Peter said to her, "Tell me, did you sell the land for so
much?" And she answered, "Yes, for so much." Peter said to her, "How is
it that you two agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? The men
who have buried your husband are here at the door and they shall carry
you out." Instantly she fell dead at his feet; so when the young men
came in and found her dead, they carried her out and buried her beside
her husband.
Then great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of
these things. Many miracles and wonders were done among the people by
the apostles. Even from the towns about Jerusalem crowds gathered,
bringing sick people, and all were healed.
STEPHEN THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR
During these days, while the number of the disciples was rapidly
increasing, the Jews who came from lands where Greek was spoken began to
complain against those who were born and lived in Palestine, because
their widows were neglected when the food was given out each day.
Therefore the twelve apostles called together all the disciples and
said, "It is not right that we should give up our preaching so as to
wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven of your own number, men of good
reputation, wise and spiritually-minded, whom we will put in charge of
this work. But we will continue to give ourselves to prayer and to
preaching the good news." This plan pleased all the disciples; so they
chose Stephen, a man of strong faith and spiritual power, Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, who came from Antioch
but had become a Jew. These men they brought before the apostles, who
after praying laid their hands upon them.
And the message of the Lord continued to spread, and the number of
disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased. A large number of the
priests also accepted the faith.
Stephen, who had personal charm and power, did great wonders and
miracles among the people. Some belonging to the Synagogue of the
Libyans, and Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of
Asia began to argue with Stephen; but they were unable to get the better
of him because of the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke.
Then secretly they bribed certain men to say, "We have heard him
speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." In this way they
stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, so that they seized
Stephen and took him before the council. They also brought in false
witnesses who said, "This man is always talking against this holy place
and the law. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will
destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to
us!"
Then all who were sitting in the council fixed their eyes on Stephen and
saw that his face shone like the face of an angel. But the high priest
said, "Are these charges true?" Stephen answered, "Brothers and fathers,
listen. The Most High God does not live in houses made by men.
"You stubborn and evil-minded people! you always resist the Holy Spirit,
as did your fathers before you. Which of the prophets did they not
persecute? They also killed those who foretold the coming of the Just
One, whose betrayers and murderers you have become--you who received the
law given through angels, and have not kept it!"
When they heard these words, they were furious and gnashed their teeth
at him. But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up into heaven
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
"Look, I see heaven open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at the
right hand of God." But they stopped their ears and with a howl rushed
at him all together. Then they threw him out of the city and stoned him.
The witnesses who threw the first stones, laid their clothes at the
feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned Stephen, he prayed,
"Lord, Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down and cried aloud,
"Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge!" When he had said this, he
fell asleep. Certain devout men buried Stephen, mourning deeply for him.
But Saul consented to his murder. He also tried to destroy the church,
entering into every house, and dragging out men and women, put them in
prison.
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN
When Stephen was stoned to death a great persecution broke out against
the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered
throughout Judea and Samaria. Those who were scattered went in different
directions telling the good news about Jesus.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, where he told the people about
Jesus, the Christ. And the crowds, when they saw the miracles he
performed, paid attention to what he said. Many who could not walk or
were lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Both the men
and women who believed Philip, as he told the good news about the
Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus, were baptized.
When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had believed
God's message, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they came,
prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not
yet come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they
received the Holy Spirit.
When the apostles had told the people about Jesus and preached the word
of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem; and as they went, they told
the good news in many villages of the Samaritans. But an angel of the
Lord said to Philip, "Rise, and go south along the desert road from
Jerusalem to Gaza." As he went on his way he met an Ethiopian who had
charge of the treasures of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He had
gone to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way home. As the Ethiopian
sat in his chariot reading from the prophet Isaiah, the Spirit said to
Philip, "Go up and speak to the man in the chariot." As Philip ran up
and heard him reading from the prophet Isaiah, he asked, "Do you
understand what you are reading?" "How can I," said the Ethiopian,
"unless there is some one to tell me what it means?" So he begged Philip
to come up and sit beside him.
Now the passage of scripture that he was reading was this:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
And as a lamb is dumb before the shearer,
So he opened not his mouth."
The Ethiopian said to Philip, "I beg of you, tell me of whom is the
prophet speaking? Of himself or of some one else?" Then Philip, taking
this verse as his text, told him the good news about Jesus. As they went
along, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian said, "Here is water.
What prevents my being baptized?" So he ordered the chariot to stop, and
both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the man. After they
had come up from the water, the Spirit of the Lord sent Philip on his
way, and the Ethiopian did not see him again, but went away happy. But
Philip told the good news in every town until he reached Caesarea.
PETER AND THE ROMAN OFFICER
While Peter was going through the whole country, he stayed for a long
time at Joppa, in the house of Simon, a tanner.
Cornelius, the captain of the Italian guard, lived in Caesarea. He was a
righteous man and he and all his household worshipped God. He gave many
gifts to the poor people, and prayed to God at all times.
One day, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Cornelius had a vision;
and he saw an angel of God coming and saying to him, "Cornelius."
Looking straight at him, although he was afraid, Cornelius said, "What
is it, Lord?" The angel said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the
poor are pleasing to God. Now send men to Joppa, and bring a certain
Simon, whose other name is Peter. He is staying with Simon, a tanner,
whose house is by the seaside." When the angel who spoke to him had gone
away, Cornelius called two of his household servants, and a trusted
soldier who constantly waited on him. After he had explained everything
to them, he sent them to Joppa.
On the next day, about noon, as they were on their way, and were coming
near to Joppa, Peter went up to the housetop to pray. While he was
praying, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having found the way to
Simon's house, stood before the gate, and called out to ask whether
Simon, whose other name was Peter, was staying there. The Spirit said to
Peter, "See, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down, and do not
hesitate to go with them; for I have sent them." So Peter went down to
the men and said, "I am the man you are looking for; what do you want?"
They said, "Cornelius, a captain of the guard, a righteous man and one
who worships God and is well spoken of by all the Jews, was told by a
holy angel to send for you and ask you to come to his house, that he may
hear what you have to say." So Peter invited them in and they stayed all
night.
The next day he rose and went with them, and some of the disciples from
Joppa went with him. The next day after that, they reached Caesarea.
Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and
his near friends. When Peter came in, Cornelius met him and fell down at
his feet and worshipped him. But Peter said, "Stand up, I am only a man,
like you." After he had talked with him, he went in, and found many
people there. Then Cornelius said, "Just four days ago, in the
afternoon, I was praying in my house, when a man stood before me in
bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your
gifts to the poor are pleasing to God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call
for Simon, whose other name is Peter; he is staying in the house of
Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.' So I sent to you at once; and you have
done well in coming. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of
God, to listen to whatever the Lord has commanded you to say."
Peter said, "I see, truly, that God shows no partiality; but in every
nation, the man who reveres him, and does what is right, is pleasing to
him."