ACTS IV-PETER REBUKETH THE PRIESTS

Chapter 4

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1 The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon. 4 (though thousands of the people were converted that heard the word), imprison him and John. 5 After, upon examination, Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus, and that by the same Jesus only we must be eternally saved, 13 they command him and John to preach no more in that name, adding also threatening, 23 whereupon the church fleeth to prayer. 31 And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testified that he heard their prayer: confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Ghost, and with mutual love and charity.

ND as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13¶ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, 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.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak thenceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

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ACTS IV-THE APOSTLES STRENGTHENED

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things ?1

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.2

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Psalm 2, 1, etc. The Revised Version alters "child" to "servant."

The Temple Cleansed

BY FRANZ KIRCHBACH, A RECENT GERMAN ARTIST.

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"Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." -Mark, 11, 17.

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ASSING from amid the cheering multitude, Jesus went up into the Temple. The priests dared not seize Him as they had meant to do. They dared not even oppose Him, for fear of the tumult of the people. Yet all this earthly power thus suddenly thrust upon the Master was used by Him only momentarily and for a single aim. He did again, and more thoroughly, what he had done three years before on His first preaching in Jerusalem. He purged the Temple, God's house, His own house, from the abominations which had crept into it.

Not only did He drive forth those who chattered and chaffered over business bargains. There were money lenders regularly established there, with tables for their accounts and coins. These tables He overthrew, as also "the seats of them that sold doves," and swept the whole litter from the place. He would not even permit men to carry any sort of vessel through the courts, for this was contrary to the Law of Moses. And in all that He thus did, the masses cheered and upheld Him, so that the priests dared not interfere. The very children shouted after Him through the Temple, "Hosanna!" And when the priests asked Him to check what they thought unseemly noise, He answered that the babes understood Him more truly than did men.