none; but such as I have, give I unto thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And leaping up, he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God; and they knew that it was he who used to sit for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him. And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them, into the portico which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he spake to the people, saying, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as if it was by our own power or holiness, that we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified* his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and ye killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses. And his name, and the faith which this man had in it, have made him strong, whom ye see and know; yea, faith in him hath given to this man perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God had shewed before, by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ would suffer, he hath thus fulfilled. Repent ye, there God glorified Jesus by this miracle, which was wrought in his name. fore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshment [that is, of rest and happiness] shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send forth Jesus Christ, who was before appointed for you." THE DEATH OF ANANIAS AND SAP- (Acts iv. 32-37, v. 1-11.) AND the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart and one soul; nor did any of them say that aught of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and there was great favour towards them all. Neither was there any among them in want, for as many as were possessed of lands and houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (that is, the Son of Consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But a certain man, named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled thy heart to deceive the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, was it not thine own? and even after it was sold, was not the price of it still in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast lied not so much to men as to God." Ananias, on hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose, bound him up in grave clothes, and carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about the space of three hours afterwards, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. And Peter said, "Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?" And she said, "Yes! for so much." Then said Peter unto her, "How is it that ye have agreed together to try the spirit of the Lord ?* Behold, the feet of those who have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out." Then she fell down straightway at his feet, and gave up the ghost; and when the young men * That is, to try whether that Holy Spirit, with which we are filled, knows the truth or not. |