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the law by the ministry of angels, and have not kept it."

over him. 3 But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house; and, dragging out men and women, he committed them to prison.

54 AND as they heard these things, they were cut to their hearts; and gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, 4 NOW, therefore, the discibeing full of a holy spirit, look-ples being scattered abroad, ed up stedfastly into heaven, they went through the country and saw the glory of God, and preaching the glad tidings of Jesus standing on the right the word. hand of God; 56 and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one consent; and, casting him out of the city, they stoned him. 58 And the witnesses laid down their mantles at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul: 59 and so they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."* 60 And he kneeled down, and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And, having said this, he fell asleep.

CH. VIII. 1 Now Saul was gladly consenting to his death.

AND on that day there was a great persecution against the church, in Jerusalem: and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Now some devout men prepared Stephen for his burial, and made great lamentation

5 Then Philip went down to a city of Samaria, preaching to them the Christ. 6 And the multitudes attended, with one consent, to the things spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the miracles which he did. 7 For impure spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that had them: and many that were sick of the palsy, and that were lame, were cured. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there had been before, in that city, a certain man called Simon, using magic, and amazing the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was some great one. 10 To whom [all] attended, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God, which is called great." 11 And they attended to him, because for a long time he had amazed them by magical arts. 12 But, when they believed Philip who preached the glad tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were bap

"He called on the Lord Jesus; the vision of whom, ver. 56, seems to have been renewed for the purpose of giving this first martyr comfort and support." Newcome. "This address of Stephen to Jesus when he actually saw him, does not authorize us to offer prayers to him, now he is invisible. See Lindsey's Ans. to Robinson, p. 86-89. " Im. Ver. Note.

+"Probably by a superior acquaintance with the powers of nature and the efficacy of me dicines." New come.

Then even Simon himself believed: and when he was baptized, he continued stedfastly with Philip; and, beholding the signs and [great] miracles which were done, he was amazed.

ized, both men and women. 13 the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me." 25 So these, when they had borne witness to and declared the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

14 Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John: 15 who when" they came down, prayed for them that they might receive a holy spirit: for as yet it had fallen on none of them; 16 (but they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then the apostles put their hands on them, and they received a holy spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that by the putting on of the apostles' hands the holy spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me also this power, that, on whomsoever I put my hands, he may receive holy spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, " Thy money persh with thee; because thou last thought to purchase the gift of God with money. 21 Thou hast no part or lot in this natter: for thy heart is not ight before God. 22 Repent herefore of this thy wickedless; and pray God, if perhaps he thought of thy heart may e forgiven thee: 23 for I pereive that thou art in the gall f bitterness, and in the bond iniquity." 24 Then Simon nswering, said, "Pray ye to

26 NOW an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Arise, and go towards the south, to the road which goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza; which is a desert way." 27 And he arose and went: and behold a eunuch of Ethiopia of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, and entrusted with all her treasure,who had been to worship at Jerusalem,28 was on his way home, and was sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the spirit said to Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to that chariot." 30 And Philip ran thither, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless some one guide me?" And he desired Philip to get up, and sit with him,

32 Now the place of the scripture which he was reading was this. "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and, as a lamb is dumb before his shearer, so he openeth not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation, his condemnation was extorted; and who can describe the

*See Dodson's Isaiah in loc.

wickedness of his generation?* "Saul, Saul, why persecutest for his life is taken from the thou me?" 5 And he said, earth." 34 And the eunuch "Who art thou, Sir?" And speaking to Philip, said, "I [the Lord] said, "I am Jesus pray thee, of whom speaketh whom thou persecutest. 6 But the prophet this? of himself, rise up, and go into the city; or of some other man?" 35 and it shall be told thee what Then Philip opened his mouth, thou must do." 7 And the men and began from this part of who journeyed with him rescripture, and preached to him mained mute, hearing a sound, the glad tidings of Jesus. 36 but seeing no one. 8 And Saul And as they were going on their arose from the ground; and way, they came to some water: opening his eyes, he saw no and the eunuch said, "See, here one: but, leading him by the is water; what hindereth my hand, they brought him into being baptized?" 38 Then he Damascus. 9 And he was three commanded that the chariot days without sight; and neither should stand still: and they two ate nor drank. went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and Philip baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more: for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and, passing through, he preached the gospel in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.

10 Now there was a certain

disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him, in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, Lord, here am I." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth: 12 and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias; who came

CH. IX. 1 NOW Saul, still breathing out threats and slaugh-in, and put his hand on him. ter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high-priest, 2 and desired of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus; that if he found any of this religion, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 And, as he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him: 4 and falling upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him,

that he might recover his sight." 13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Je rusalem: 14 and here he hath authority from the chief-priests to bind all who call themselves by thy name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go: for he is to me a chosen vessel, to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings, and the sons of Is

"So yevεx, ch. xiii. 36, is used for the race of men with whom David lived." Newcome.

rael; 16 for I will show him | tempted to join himself to the what things he must suffer on disciples: but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 Then Barnabas took him and brought

account of my name." 17 Then, Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and having put

his hands on him, he said, "Bro-him to the apostles; and relatther Saul, the Lord hath sent me, (even [Jesus,] who appeared to thee on the road as thou camest,) that thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with a holy spirit." 18 And immediately, there fell from his eyes, as it were, scales; and he recovered his sight, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And taking food, he was strengthened.

Now he was some days with the disciples, that were at Damascus. 20 And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said, " Is not this he who destroyed those who call themselves after this name, in Jerusalem, and came hither for this purpose, that he might carry them bound to the chief-priests?” 22 But Saul increased more in strength, and perplexed the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this man is the Christ.

23 And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 (but their lying in wait was known by Saul :) and they watched the gates day and night, that they might kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall, in a basket. 26 And coming to Jerusalem, he at

ed to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, who had spoken to him; and how he had spoken freely at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he consorted with them at Jerusalem; 29 [and] spake freely in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he talked and disputed with the Hellenists; but they tried to kill him: 30 which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 THEN the churches had quiet throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, being edi fied,and walking in the fear of the Lord; and they were filled with the comfort of the holy spirit.

32 AND it came to pass that, as Peter went through all parts, he came down to the saints also who dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he met with a certain man named Eneas, who was sick with the palsy, and had kept his bed eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, "Eneas, Jesus the Christ, cureth thee: arise, and make thy bed." And he arose immediately. 35 And all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 NOW there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which, being interpreted into Greek, signifieth Dorcas,*

Tabitha is a Syriac word, and Dorcas a Greek word, both signifying an antelope. The name here is expressive of beauty; as "antelopes are particularly remarkable for their beautiful eyes,`` See Parkhurst.

this woman abounded in good, the day, an angel of God, who

works and in deeds of charity came in unto him, and said to which she performed. 37 And him, "Cornelius." 4 Then he, it came to pass, in those days, looking stedfastly at him, and that she was sick and died: so being afraid, said, " What is it, when they had washed her, they Sir?" And he said to him, laid her in an upper room, 38 "Thy prayers and thine alms And as Lydda was near Joppa, are come up for a memorial the disciples, who had heard before God. 5 And now send that Peter was there, sent to men to Joppa, and send for Sihim [two men]; desiring him mon, whose surname is Peter: that he would not delay coming 6 he lodgeth with one Simon a to them. 39 Then Peter arose, tanner, whose house is by, the and went with them. And when sea-side." 7 And when the anhe was come, they brought him gel who had spoken to him was into the upper room and all gone, he called two of [his] the widows stood by him weep-household servants, and a deing, and showing the vests and vout soldier of those who atmantles which Dorcas made tended him; 8 and, having told while she was with them. 40 them the whole matter, he sent But Peter, having sent them all them to Joppa. out, kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes: and, beholding Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and, having called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass that he remained many days in Joppa with one Simon a tan

ner.

CH. X. 1 NOW there was a certain man in Cesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italian; 2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household; who likewise gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God continually 3 he saw in a vision | clearly, about the ninth hour of

9 Now on the morrow, as they journeyed, and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 And he became very hungry, and wished to eat: but while they were making ready, he fell into a trance; 11 and saw heaven open, and somewhat descending like a great sheet, [bound together] by the four corners, [and] let down to the earth: 12 in which were all kinds of four-footed beasts [of the earth,] [and wild beasts,] and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came. a voice to him, "Arise, Peter; slay and eat." 14 But Peter said, “ By no means, Lord: for I have never eaten any thing common or unclean." 15 And the voice spake to him again a second time, “What God hath cleansed, that regard thou not

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