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The 1st
Chapter
In the former treatise (dear friend Theophilus) I have written
of all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day in the which
he was taken up, after that he, through the holy ghost, had given
commandments unto the Apostles, which he had chosen: to whom also he
showed himself alive after his passion by many tokens, appearing
unto them forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God, and
gathered them together, and commanded them, that they should not
depart from Jerusalem: but to wait for the promise of the father,
whereof you have heard of me. For John baptised with water: but you
shall be baptised with the holy ghost, and that within this few
days. When they were come together, they asked of him saying: Lord
will you at this time, restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he
said unto them: It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons
which the father has put in his own power: but you shall receive
power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And you shall be
witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry and in Samary, and
even unto the worlds end.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was
taken up, and a cloud received him up out of their sight. And while
they looked steadfastly up to heaven as he went, behold two men
stood by them in white apparel, which also said: you men of Galile,
why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come, even as you have seen him go
into heaven.
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from mount Olivete, which is
near to Jerusalem, containing a Saboth days journey. And when they
were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter
and James, John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartlemew and
Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas,
James son. These all continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication with the women and Mary the mother of *Jesu, and with
his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples
and said (the number of names that were together, were about an
hundred and twenty) you men and brethren, this scripture must have
needs been fulfilled which the holy ghost through the mouth of David
spoke before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For
he was numbered with us and had obtained fellowship in this
ministration. And the same has now possessed a plot of ground with
the reward of iniquity, and when he was hanged, burst asunder in the
midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it is known unto all the
inhabiters of Jerusalem: in so much that, that field is called in
their mother tongue, Acheldama, that is to say, the blood field.
It is written in the book of Psalms: His habitation be void,
and no man be dwelling therein: and his *Bishopricke let another
take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us, all the
time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning at the
baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us,
must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection.
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas (whose surname
was Justus) and Matthias. And they prayed saying: you Lord which
know the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have
chosen that the one may take the room of this ministration and
Apostleship, from the which Judas by transgression fell, that he
might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots, and the
lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven Apostles.
*Jesu: Hebrew
name of Jesus. *Bishopricke (place among the Apostles)
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The 2nd
Chapter
When the fiftieth day was come, they were all with one accord
together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven,
as it had been the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they sat. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues,
like as they had been fire, and it sat upon each of them: and they
were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, even as the spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, which
were of all nations under heaven. When this was noised about the
multitude came together and were astonied, because that every man
heard them speak his own tongue. They wondered all and marvelled
saying among themselves: Behold, are not all these which speak, of
Galile? And how hear we every man his own tongue wherein we were
born? Parthians, Medes and Elamites, and the inhabiters of
Mesopotamia, of Jury, and of Capadocia, of Ponthus and Asia, Phrigia,
Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the parts of Lybia which is beside
Syrene, and strangers of Rome, Jewes and converts, Greeks and
Arabians: we have heard them speak with our own tongues the great
works of God. They were all amazed, and wondered saying one to
another what means this? Other mocked them saying: they are full of
new wine.
But Peter stepped forth with the eleven, and lift up his voice,
and said unto them: you men of Jewry, and all you that inhabit
Jerusalem: be this known unto you and with your ears hear my words.
These are not drunken, as you suppose: for it is yet but the third
hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet
Joel: It shall be in the last days says God: of my spirit I will
pour out upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will
pour out of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. And I
will show wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath,
blood and fire, and the vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood before that great and notable day
of the Lord come. And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the
name of the Lord, shall be saved.
You men of Israel hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth a man
approved of God among you with miracles, wonders and signs which God
did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know: him have you
taken by the hands of unrighteous persons, after he was delivered by
the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified
and slain: whom God has raised up and loosed the sorrows of death,
because it was impossible that he should be holden of it. For David
speaks of him. Before hand I saw God always before me: For he is on
my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart
rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover, also my flesh shall rest
in hope, because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will
suffer (allow)
your holy, to see corruption. You have showed me the ways of life,
and shall make me full of joy with your countenance.
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch
David. For he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre remains
with us unto his day. Therefore seeing he was a Prophet, and knew
that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins
should sit on his seat (in that Christ should rise again in the
flesh) he saw before: and spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that
his soul should not be left in hell: neither his flesh should see
corruption. This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are
witnesses.
Since now that he by the right hand of God exalted is, and has
received of the father the promise of the holy Ghost, he has shed
forth that which you now see and hear. For David is not ascended
into heaven: but he said, The Lord said to my Lord sit on my right
hand until I make your foes your foot stool. So therefore let all
the house of Israel know for a surety, that God has made the same
Jesus whom you have crucified, Lord and Christ.
When they heard this they were pricked in their hearts, and
said unto Peter and unto the other Apostles: you men and brethren,
what shall we do? Peter said unto them: repent and be baptised every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and you shall receive the gift of the holy ghost. For the promise
was made unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar,
even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other
words bare he witness and exhorted them saying: Save yourselves from
this *untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his
preaching, were baptised: and the same day, there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.
And they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayer. And fear came over every soul.
And many wonders and signs were showed by the Apostles. And all that
believed kept them selves together, and had all things common, and
sold their possessions and goods, and departed them to all men, as
every man had need. And they continued daily with one accord in the
temple, and brake bread in every house, and did eat their meat
together, with gladness and singleness of heart praising God, and
had favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
congregation daily such as should be saved.
* untoward:
unfavorable, contrary
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The 3rd
Chapter
Peter and John went up together into the temple at the ninth
hour of prayer. And there was a certain man halt from his mothers
womb, whom they brought and laid at the gate of the temple called
beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple. Which
same when he saw Peter and John, that they would into the temple,
desired to receive an alms. And Peter fastened his eyes on him with
John and said: look on us. And he gave heed unto them, trusting to
receive something of them. Then said Peter: Silver and gold have I
none, such as I have, give I you. 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 anklebones received
strength. And he sprang, stood and also walked, and entered with
them into the temple, walking, and leaping and lauding God.
And all the people saw him walk and *laud God. And they knew
him, that it was he which sat and begged at the beautiful gate of
the temple. And they wondered and were sore astonied at that which
had happened unto him. And as the halt which was healed, held Peter
and John, all the people ran amazed unto them in Solomons porch.
When Peter saw that, he answered unto the people. you men of
Israel, why marvel you at this, or why look you so steadfastly on
us, as though by our own power or holiness, we had made this man go?
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers has
glorified his son Jesus, whom you delivered, and denied in the
presence of Pilate when he had judged him to be loosed. But you
denied the holy and just, and desired a murderer to be given you,
and killed the Lord of life, whom God has raised from death, of the
which we are witnesses. And his name through the faith of his name,
has made this man sound, whom you see and know. And the faith which
is by him, has given to him this health in the presence of you all.
And now brethren I *wot well that through ignorance you did it,
as did also your heads. But those things which God before had
showed, by the mouth of all his Prophets, how that Christ should
suffer, he has thus wise fulfilled. Repent you therefore and turn,
that your sins may be done away, when the time of refreshing comes,
which we shall have of the presence of the Lord, and when God shall
send him, which before was preached unto you, that is to *wit Jesus
Christ, which must receive heaven until the time that all things,
which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the
world began, be restored again.
For Moses said unto the fathers: A Prophet shall the Lord your
God raise up unto you, even of your brethren like unto me: him shall
you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. For the
time will come, that every soul which shall not hear that same
Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Also all the
Prophets from Samuel and from that time, as many as have spoken,
have in like wise told of these days.
You are the children of the Prophets, and of the covenant,
which God has made unto our fathers, saying to Abraham: Even in your
seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. First unto you
has God raised up his son Jesus, and him he has sent to bless you,
that every one of you should turn from your wickedness.
*laud
(celebrate, glorify) *wot (know) wit (know it sharply )
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The 4th
Chapter
As they spoke unto the people, the Priests and the ruler of the
temple, and the Saduces came upon them taking it grievously that
they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from
death. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold until the
next day: for it was now even tide. How be it many of them which
heard the words, believed and the number of the men was about five
thousand.
And it chanced on the morrow that their rulers and elders and
Scribes, as Annas the chief Priest and Caiaphas and John and
Alexander and as many as were of the kindred of the high Priests
gathered together at Jerusalem, and set the other before them, and
asked: by what power or what name have you done this, sirs?
Then Peter full of the holy ghost said unto them: you rulers of
the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day are examined of the
good deed done to the sick man, by what means he is made whole: be
it known unto you all, and to the people of Israel, that in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, and whom God raised
again from death: even by him does this man stand here present
before you whole. This is the stone cast aside of you builders,
which is set in the chief place of the corner. Neither is there
salvation in any other. Nor yet also is there any other name given
to men wherein we must be saved.
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood
that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled, and
they knew them, that they were with *Jesu: and beholding also the
man which was healed standing with them, they could not say against
it. But they commanded them to go aside out of the council, and
counselled among themselves saying: what shall we do to these men?
For a manifest sign is done by them, and is openly known to all them
that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But that it be
noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them
that they speak from now on to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them that in no wise they
should speak or teach in the name of *Jesu. But Peter and John
answered unto them and said: whether it be right in the sight of
God, to obey you more than God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak
that which we have seen and heard. So threatened they them and let
them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the
people. For all men lauded God for the miracle which was done: for
the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing
was showed.
As soon as they were let go, they came to their fellows, and
showed all that the high Priests and elders had said to them. And
when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one
accord, and said: Lord, you are God which have made heaven and earth
the sea and all that in them is, which by the mouth of your servant
David have said: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine
vain things. The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers came
together, against the Lord and against his Christ.
For of a truth, against your holy child Jesus whom you have
anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and
the people of Israel gathered themselves together, for to do
whatsoever your hands and your counsel determined before to be done.
And now Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto your servants
with all confidence to speak your word. So that you stretch forth
your hand, that healing and signs and wonders be done by the name of
your holy child Jesus. And as soon as they had prayed the place
moved where they were assembled together, and they were all filled
with the holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God boldly.
And the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and
of one soul. Also none of them said, that any of the things which he
possessed, was his own: but had all things common. And with great
power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus. And great grace was with them all. Neither was there any
among them, that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or
houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were
sold, and laid it down at the Apostles feet. And distribution was
made unto every man according as he had need.
And Joses which was also called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that
is to say the son of consolation) being a Levite, and of the country
of *Cypers, had land, and sold it and laid the price down at the
Apostles feet.
*Jesu: Hebrew name of Jesus. *Cypers,
(Cyprus) |
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The 5th
Chapter
A certain man named Ananias with Saphira his wife sold a
possession, and kept away part of the price (his wife also being of
counsel) and brought a certain part, and laid it down at the
Apostles feet. Then said Peter: Ananias how is it that Satan has
filled your heart, that you should lie unto the holy ghost, and keep
away part of the price of the livelihood. Pertained it not unto you
only, and after it was sold, was not the price in your own power?
How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have
not lied unto men, but unto God. When Ananias heard these words he
fell down and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on all them
that these things heard. And the young men rose up, and put him
apart, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it fortuned as it were about the space of three hours after
that his wife came in, ignorant of that which was done. And Peter
said unto her: Tell me, gave you the land for so much? And she said:
you for so much. Then Peter said unto her: why have you agreed
together, to tempt the spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them
which have buried your husband, are at the door, and shall carry you
out. Then she fell down straightway at his feet and yielded up the
ghost. And the young men came in, and found her dead, and carried
her out and buried her by her husband. And great fear came on all
the congregation, and on as many as heard it.
By the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders showed
among the people. And they were all to gether with one accord in
Solomons porch. And of other durst no man join himself to them:
neverthelater the people magnified them. The number of them that
believed in the Lord both of men and women, grew more and more: in
so much that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them
on beds and pallets, that at the least way the shadow of Peter when
he came by, might shadow some of them. There came also a multitude
out of the cities round about, unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks,
and them which were vexed with unclean spirits. And they were healed
every one.
Then the chief Priest rose up and all they that were with him
(which is the sect of the Saduces) and were full of indignation, and
laid hands on the Apostles, and put them in the common prison. But
the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought
them forth, and said: go, step forth, and speak in the temple to the
people all the words of this life. When they heard that, they
entered into the temple early in the morning and taught.
The chief Priest came and they that were with him, and called a
council together, and all the elders of the children of Israel, and
sent to the prison to fetch them. When the ministers came and found
them not in the prison, they returned and told saying: the prison
found we shut as sure as was possible, and the keepers standing
without before the doors. But when we had opened, we found no man
with in. When the chief Priest of all and the ruler of the temple
and the high Priests heard these things, they doubted of them,
whereunto this would grow.
Then came one and showed them: behold the men that you put in
prison, stand in the temple, and teach the people. Then went the
ruler of the temple with ministers, and brought them without
violence. For they feared the people, least they should have been
stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the
council. And the chief Priest asked them saying: did not we straitly
command you that you should not teach in this name? And behold you
have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and you intend to bring
this mans blood upon us.
Peter and the other Apostles answered and said: We ought more
to obey God than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom
you slew and hanged on tree. Him has God lift up with his right
hand, to be a ruler and a saviour, for to give repentance to Israel
and forgiveness of sins. And we are his records concerning these
things and also the holy ghost whom God has given to them that obey
him. When they heard that, they clave asunder: and sought means to
slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named
Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in authority among all the people and
commanded to put the Apostles aside a little space, and said unto
them: men of Israel take heed to your selves what you intend to do
as touching these men. Before these days rose up one Theudas
boasting him self, to whom resorted a number of men, about a four
hundred, which was slain, and they all which believed him were
scattered abroad and brought to nought. After this man, arose there
up one Judas of Galile, in the time when tribute began, and drew
away much people after him. He also perished: and all even as many
as harkened to him, are scattered abroad.
And now I say unto you: refrain yourselves from these men, let
them alone. For if the counsel or this work be of men, it will come
to nought. But and if it be of God, you cannot destroy it, least
haply you be found to strive against God. And to him they agreed,
and called the Apostles, and beat them, and commanded that they
should not speak in the name of *Jesu, and let them go.
And they departed from the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. And daily in the
temple and in every house they ceased not, teaching and preaching
Jesus Christ.
*Jesu: Hebrew name of Jesus (exact
spelling) |
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The 6th
Chapter
In those days as the number of the disciples grew, there arose
a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows
were despised in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the
multitude of the disciples together and said: it is not *meet that
we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables. Wherefore
brethren look you out among you seven men of honest report and full
of the holy ghost and wisdom, which we may appoint to this needful
business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to
the ministration of the word. And the saying pleased the whole
multitude. And they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the
holy ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and
Permenas, and Nicolas a convert of Antioch. Which they set before
the Apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith. And Stephen full of faith and power, did
great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose
certain of the Synagogue which are called Libertines and Syrenites,
and of Alexandria, and of Cilicia, and Asia, and disputed with
Stephen. And they could not resist the wisdom, and the spirit, with
which he spoke. Then sent they in men, which said: we have heard him
speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they
moved the people and the elders and the scribes: and came upon him
and caught him, and brought him to the council, and brought forth
false witnesses which said. This man ceases not to speak blasphemous
words against this holy place and the law: for we heard him say:
this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change
the ordinances which Moses gave us. And all that sat in the council,
looked steadfastly on him, and saw his face as it had been the face
of an Angel.
*meet
(worthy) |
Chapters 1-6 |
7-10 |
11-16 |
17-22 |
23-end
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