NT.filter - wmth acts:
wmth@
Matthew:7:24 @ »Every one who hears these my teachings and acts upon them will be found to resemble a wise man who builds his house upon rock;«
wmth@Matthew:18:15 @ »If your brother acts wrongly towards you, go and point out his fault to him when only you and he are there. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.«
wmth@Mark:14:7 @ For you always have the poor among you, and whenever you choose you can do acts of kindness to them; but me you have not always.
wmth@Luke:1:1 @ Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the facts which are received with full assurance among us
wmth@Luke:1:3 @ it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account,
wmth@Luke:17:3 @ Be on your guard. »If your brother acts wrongly, reprove him; and if he is sorry, forgive him;
wmth@Luke:17:4 @ and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, `I am sorry,' you must forgive him.«
wmth@John:7:4 @ For no one acts in secret, desiring all the while to be himself known publicly. Since you are doing these things, show yourself openly to the world.«
wmth@Acts:1:1 @ My former narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which,
wmth@Acts:1:2 @ after giving instruction through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom He had chosen, He was taken up to Heaven.
wmth@Acts:1:3 @ He had also, after He suffered, shown Himself alive to them with many sure proofs, appearing to them at intervals during forty days, and speaking of the Kingdom of God.
wmth@Acts:1:4 @ And while in their company He charged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promised gift. »This you have heard of,« He said, »from me.
wmth@Acts:1:5 @ For John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.«
wmth@Acts:1:6 @ Once when they were with Him, they asked Him, »Master, is this the time at which you are about to restore the kingdom of Israel?«
wmth@Acts:1:7 @ »It is not for you,« He replied, »to know times or epochs which the Father has reserved within His own authority;
wmth@Acts:1:8 @ and yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria and to the remotest parts of the earth.«
wmth@Acts:1:9 @ When He had said this, and while they were looking at Him, He was carried up, and a cloud closing beneath Him hid Him from their sight.
wmth@Acts:1:10 @ But, while they stood intently gazing into the sky as He went, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them,
wmth@Acts:1:11 @ who said, »Galilaeans, why stand looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into Heaven will come in just the same way as you have seen Him going into Heaven.«
wmth@Acts:1:12 @ Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Oliveyard, which is near Jerusalem, about a mile off.
wmth@Acts:1:13 @ They entered the city, and they went up to the upper room which was now their fixed place for meeting. Their names were Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the brother of James.
wmth@Acts:1:14 @ All of these with one mind continued earnest in prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.
wmth@Acts:1:15 @ It was on one of these days that Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren –the entire number of persons present being about 120– and said,
wmth@Acts:1:16 @ »Brethren, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled–the prediction, I mean, which the Holy Spirit uttered by the lips of David, about Judas, who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.
wmth@Acts:1:17 @ For Judas was reckoned as one of our number, and a share in this ministry was allotted to him.«
wmth@Acts:1:18 @ (Now having bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled.
wmth@Acts:1:19 @ This fact became widely known to the people of Jerusalem, so that the place received the name, in their language, of Achel-damach, which means `The Field of Blood.')
wmth@Acts:1:20 @ »For it is written in the Book of Psalms,« and
wmth@Acts:1:21 @ »It is necessary, therefore, that of the men who have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us–
wmth@Acts:1:22 @ beginning from His baptism by John down to the day on which He was taken up again from us into Heaven–one should be appointed to become a witness with us as to His resurrection.«
wmth@Acts:1:23 @ So two names were proposed, Joseph called Bar-sabbas –and surnamed Justus– and Matthias.
wmth@Acts:1:24 @ And the brethren prayed, saying, »Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, show clearly which of these two Thou hast chosen
wmth@Acts:1:25 @ to occupy the place in this ministry and Apostleship from which Judas through transgression fell, in order to go to his own place.«
wmth@Acts:1:26 @ Then they drew lots between them. The lot fell on Matthias, and a place among the eleven Apostles was voted to him.
wmth@Acts:2:1 @ At length, on the day of the Harvest Festival, they had all met in one place;
wmth@Acts:2:2 @ when suddenly there came from the sky a sound as of a strong rushing blast of wind. This filled the whole house where they were sitting;
wmth@Acts:2:3 @ and they saw tongues of what looked like fire distributing themselves over the assembly, and on the head of each person a tongue alighted.
wmth@Acts:2:4 @ They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in foreign languages according as the Spirit gave them words to utter.
wmth@Acts:2:5 @ Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every part of the world.
wmth@Acts:2:6 @ So when this noise was heard, they came crowding together, and were amazed because everyone heard his own language spoken.
wmth@Acts:2:7 @ They were beside themselves with wonder, and exclaimed, »Are not all these speakers Galilaeans?
wmth@Acts:2:8 @ How then does each of us hear his own native language spoken by them?
wmth@Acts:2:9 @ Some of us are Parthians, Medes, Elamites. Some are inhabitants of Mesopotamia, of Judaea or Cappadocia, of Pontus or the Asian Province, of Phrygia or Pamphylia,
wmth@Acts:2:10 @ of Egypt or of the parts of Africa towards Cyrene. Others are visitors from Rome –being either Jews or converts from heathenism– and others are Cretans or Arabians.
wmth@Acts:2:11 @ Yet we all alike hear these Galilaeans speaking in our own language about the wonderful things which God has done.«
wmth@Acts:2:12 @ They were all astounded and bewildered, and asked one another, »What can this mean?«
wmth@Acts:2:13 @ But others, scornfully jeering, said, »They are brim-full of sweet wine.«
wmth@Acts:2:14 @ Peter however, together with the Eleven, stood up and addressed them in a loud voice. »Men of Judaea, and all you inhabitants of Jerusalem,« he said, »be in no uncertainty about this matter but pay attention to what I say.
wmth@Acts:2:15 @ For this is not intoxication, as you suppose, it being only the third hour of the day.
wmth@Acts:2:16 @ But that which was predicted through the Prophet Joel has happened:
wmth@Acts:2:17 @ And it shall come to pass in the last days, God says, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall have dreams;
wmth@Acts:2:18 @ and even upon My bondservants, both men and women, at that time, I will pour out My Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
wmth@Acts:2:19 @ I will display marvels in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.
wmth@Acts:2:20 @ The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, to usher in the day of the Lord– that great and illustrious day;
wmth@Acts:2:21 @ and every one who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'–
wmth@Acts:2:22 @ »Listen, Israelites, to what I say. Jesus, the Nazarene, a man accredited to you from God by miracles and marvels and signs which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know, Him–«
wmth@Acts:2:23 @ delivered up through God's settled purpose and foreknowledge–you by the hands of Gentiles have nailed to a cross and have put to death.
wmth@Acts:2:24 @ But God has raised Him to life, having terminated the throes of death, for in fact it was not possible for Him to be held fast by death.
wmth@Acts:2:25 @ For David says in reference to Him,
wmth@Acts:2:26" />
wmth@Acts:2:27" />
wmth@Acts:2:28" />
wmth@Acts:2:29 @ »As to the patriarch David, I need hardly remind you, brethren, that he died and was buried, and that we still have his tomb among us.«
wmth@Acts:2:30 @ Being a Prophet, however, and knowing that God had solemnly sworn to him to seat a descendant of his upon his throne,
wmth@Acts:2:31 @ with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His body undergo decay.
wmth@Acts:2:32 @ This Jesus, God has raised to life– a fact to which all of us testify.
wmth@Acts:2:33 @ »Being therefore lifted high by the mighty hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out this which you see and hear.«
wmth@Acts:2:34 @ For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he says himself,
wmth@Acts:2:35" />
wmth@Acts:2:36 @ »Therefore let the whole House of Israel know beyond all doubt that God has made Him both LORD and CHRIST–this Jesus whom you crucified.«
wmth@Acts:2:37 @ Stung to the heart by these words, they said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, »Brethren, what are we to do?«
wmth@Acts:2:38 @ »Repent,« replied Peter, »and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, with a view to the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
wmth@Acts:2:39 @ For to you belongs the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, whoever the Lord our God may call.«
wmth@Acts:2:40 @ And with many more appeals he solemnly warned and entreated them, saying, »Escape from this crooked generation.«
wmth@Acts:2:41 @ Those, therefore, who joyfully welcomed his Message were baptized; and on that one day about three thousand persons were added to them;
wmth@Acts:2:42 @ and they were constant in listening to the teaching of the Apostles and in their attendance at the Communion, that is, the Breaking of the Bread, and at prayer.
wmth@Acts:2:43 @ Fear came upon every one, and many marvels and signs were done by the Apostles.
wmth@Acts:2:44 @ And all the believers kept together, and had everything in common.
wmth@Acts:2:45 @ They sold their lands and other property, and distributed the proceeds among all, according to every one's necessities.
wmth@Acts:2:46 @ And, day by day, attending constantly in the Temple with one accord, and breaking bread in private houses, they took their meals with great happiness and single-heartedness,
wmth@Acts:2:47 @ praising God and being regarded with favour by all the people. Also, day by day, the Lord added to their number those whom He was saving.
wmth@Acts:3:1 @ One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the hour of prayer –the ninth hour– and, just then,
wmth@Acts:3:2 @ some men were carrying there one who had been lame from birth, whom they were wont to place every day close to the Beautiful Gate (as it was called) of the Temple, for him to beg from the people as they went in.
wmth@Acts:3:3 @ Seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple, he asked them for alms.
wmth@Acts:3:4 @ Peter fixing his eyes on him, as John did also, said, »Look at us.«
wmth@Acts:3:5 @ So he looked and waited, expecting to receive something from them.
wmth@Acts:3:6 @ »I have no silver or gold,« Peter said, »but what I have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene– walk!«
wmth@Acts:3:7 @ Then taking his hand Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened.
wmth@Acts:3:8 @ Leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk, and went into the Temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.
wmth@Acts:3:9 @ All the people saw him walking and praising God;
wmth@Acts:3:10 @ and recognizing him as the man who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple asking for alms, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him.
wmth@Acts:3:11 @ While he still clung to Peter and John, the people, awe-struck, ran up crowding round them in what was known as Solomon's Portico.
wmth@Acts:3:12 @ Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. »Israelites,« he said, »why do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk?
wmth@Acts:3:13 @ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has conferred this honour on His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to let Him go.
wmth@Acts:3:14 @ Yes, you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a favour the release of a murderer.
wmth@Acts:3:15 @ The Prince of Life you put to death; but God has raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses as to that.
wmth@Acts:3:16 @ It is His name – faith in that name being the condition– which has strengthened this man whom you behold and know; and the faith which He has given has made this man sound and strong again, as you can all see.
wmth@Acts:3:17 @ »And now, brethren, I know that it was in ignorance that you did it, as was the case with your rulers also.«
wmth@Acts:3:18 @ But in this way God has fulfilled the declarations He made through all the Prophets, that His Christ would suffer.
wmth@Acts:3:19 @ Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord,
wmth@Acts:3:20 @ and that He may send the Christ appointed beforehand for you–even Jesus.
wmth@Acts:3:21 @ Heaven must receive Him until those times of which God has spoken from the earliest ages through the lips of His holy Prophets–the times of the reconstitution of all things.
wmth@Acts:3:22 @ Moses declared,
wmth@Acts:3:23" />
wmth@Acts:3:24 @ Yes, and all the Prophets, from Samuel onwards –all who have spoken– have also announced the coming of this present time.
wmth@Acts:3:25 @ »You are the heirs of the Prophets, and of the Covenant which God made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham,
wmth@Acts:3:26 @ It is to you first that God, after raising His Servant from the grave, has sent Him to bless you, by causing every one of you to turn from your wickedness.«
wmth@Acts:4:1 @ While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon them,
wmth@Acts:4:2 @ highly incensed at their teaching the people and proclaiming in the case of Jesus the Resurrection from among the dead.
wmth@Acts:4:3 @ They arrested the two Apostles and lodged them in custody till the next day; for it was already evening.
wmth@Acts:4:4 @ But many of those who had listened to their preaching believed; and the number of the adult men had now grown to be about 5,000.
wmth@Acts:4:5 @ The next day a meeting was held in Jerusalem of their Rulers, Elders, and Scribes,
wmth@Acts:4:6 @ with Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the other members of the high-priestly family.
wmth@Acts:4:7 @ So they made the Apostles stand in the centre, and demanded of them, »By what power or in what name have you done this?«
wmth@Acts:4:8 @ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he replied, »Rulers and Elders of the people,
wmth@Acts:4:9 @ if we to-day are under examination concerning the benefit conferred on a man helplessly lame, as to how this man has been cured;
wmth@Acts:4:10 @ be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that through the name of Jesus the Anointed, the Nazarene, whom crucified, but whom has raised from among the dead– through that name this man stands here before you in perfect health.
wmth@Acts:4:11 @ This Jesus is
wmth@Acts:4:12 @ And in no other is the great salvation to be found; for, in fact, there is no second name under Heaven that has been given among men through which we are to be saved.«
wmth@Acts:4:13 @ As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken –and also discovered that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools– they were surprised; and now they recognized them as having been with Jesus.
wmth@Acts:4:14 @ And seeing the man standing with them –the man who had been cured– they had no reply to make.
wmth@Acts:4:15 @ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin while they conferred among themselves.
wmth@Acts:4:16 @ »What are we to do with these men?« they asked one another; for the fact that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them is well known to every one in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
wmth@Acts:4:17 @ But to prevent the matter spreading any further among the people, let us stop them by threats from speaking in the future in this name to any one whatever.«
wmth@Acts:4:18 @ So they recalled the Apostles, and ordered them altogether to give up speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus.
wmth@Acts:4:19 @ But Peter and John replied, »Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God.
wmth@Acts:4:20 @ As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about.«
wmth@Acts:4:21 @ The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had happened.
wmth@Acts:4:22 @ For the man was over forty years of age on whom this miracle of restoration to health had been performed.
wmth@Acts:4:23 @ After their release the two Apostles went to their friends, and told them all that the High Priests and Elders had said.
wmth@Acts:4:24 @ And they, upon hearing the story, all lifted up their voices to God and said, »O Sovereign Lord, it is Thou who didst make Heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them,
wmth@Acts:4:25 @ and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather David Thy servant,
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wmth@Acts:4:27 @ »They did indeed assemble in this city in hostility to Thy holy Servant Jesus whom Thou hadst anointed –Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel–«
wmth@Acts:4:28 @ to do all that Thy power and Thy will had predetermined should be done.
wmth@Acts:4:29 @ And now, Lord, listen to their threats, and enable Thy servants to proclaim Thy Message with fearless courage,
wmth@Acts:4:30 @ whilst Thou stretchest out Thine arm to cure men, and to give signs and marvels through the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus.«
wmth@Acts:4:31 @ When they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled shook, and they were, one and all, filled with the Holy Spirit, and proceeded to tell God's Message with boldness.
wmth@Acts:4:32 @ Among all those who had embraced the faith there was but one heart and soul, so that none of them claimed any of his possessions as his own, but everything they had was common property;
wmth@Acts:4:33 @ while the Apostles with great force of conviction delivered their testimony as to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all.
wmth@Acts:4:34 @ And, in fact, there was not a needy man among them, for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the money which they realised,
wmth@Acts:4:35 @ and gave it to the Apostles, and distribution was made to every one according to his wants.
wmth@Acts:4:36 @ In this way Joseph, whom the Apostles gave the name of Bar-nabas –signifying `Son of Encouragement'– a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
wmth@Acts:4:37 @ sold a farm which he had, and brought the money and gave it to the Apostles.
wmth@Acts:5:1 @ There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property but,
wmth@Acts:5:2 @ with her full knowledge and consent, dishonestly kept back part of the price which he received for it, though he brought the rest and gave it to the Apostles.
wmth@Acts:5:3 @ »Ananias,« said Peter, »why has Satan taken possession of your heart, that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this land?
wmth@Acts:5:4 @ While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God.«
wmth@Acts:5:5 @ Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck.
wmth@Acts:5:6 @ The younger men, however, rose, and wrapping the body up, carried it out and buried it.
wmth@Acts:5:7 @ About three hours had passed, when his wife came in, knowing nothing of what had happened.
wmth@Acts:5:8 @ Peter at once questioned her. »Tell me,« he said, »whether you sold the land for so much.«»Yes,« she replied, »for so much.«
wmth@Acts:5:9 @ »How was it,« replied Peter, »that you two agreed to try an experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord? The men who have buried your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you out.«
wmth@Acts:5:10 @ Instantly she fell down dead at his feet, and the young men came in and found her dead. So they carried her out and buried her by her husband's side.
wmth@Acts:5:11 @ This incident struck terror into the whole Church, and into the hearts of all who heard of it.
wmth@Acts:5:12 @ Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles; and by common consent they all met in Solomon's Portico.
wmth@Acts:5:13 @ But none of the others dared to attach themselves to them. Yet the people held them in high honour–
wmth@Acts:5:14 @ and more and more believers in the Lord joined them, including great numbers both of men and women–
wmth@Acts:5:15 @ so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets and lay them on light couches or mats, in order that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or other of them.
wmth@Acts:5:16 @ The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.
wmth@Acts:5:17 @ This roused the High Priest. He and all his party –the sect of the Sadducees– were filled with angry jealousy
wmth@Acts:5:18 @ and laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public jail.
wmth@Acts:5:19 @ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
wmth@Acts:5:20 @ »Go and stand in the Temple, and go on proclaiming to the people all this Message of Life.«
wmth@Acts:5:21 @ Having received that command they went into the Temple, just before daybreak, and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as all the Elders of the descendants of Israel, they sent to the jail to fetch the Apostles.
wmth@Acts:5:22 @ But the officers went and could not find them in the prison. So they came back and brought word,
wmth@Acts:5:23 @ saying, »The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there.«
wmth@Acts:5:24 @ When the Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests heard this statement, they were utterly at a loss with regard to it, wondering what would happen next.
wmth@Acts:5:25 @ And some one came and brought them word, saying, »The men you put in prison are actually in the Temple, standing there, teaching the people.«
wmth@Acts:5:26 @ Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the Apostles; but without using violence; for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
wmth@Acts:5:27 @ So they brought them and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin. And then the High Priest questioned them.
wmth@Acts:5:28 @ »We strictly forbad you to teach in that name–did we not?« he said. »And see, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are trying to make us responsible for that man's death!«
wmth@Acts:5:29 @ Peter and the other Apostles replied, »We must obey God rather than man.
wmth@Acts:5:30 @ The God of our forefathers has raised Jesus to life, whom you crucified and put to death.
wmth@Acts:5:31 @ God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
wmth@Acts:5:32 @ And we –and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him– are witnesses as to these things.«
wmth@Acts:5:33 @ Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the Apostles.
wmth@Acts:5:34 @ But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes.
wmth@Acts:5:35 @ »Israelites,« he said, »be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men.
wmth@Acts:5:36 @ Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated.
wmth@Acts:5:37 @ After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.
wmth@Acts:5:38 @ And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone–for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing.
wmth@Acts:5:39 @ But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down–lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God.«
wmth@Acts:5:40 @ His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and –after flogging them– ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go.
wmth@Acts:5:41 @ They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the NAME.
wmth@Acts:5:42 @ But they did not desist from teaching every day, in the Temple or in private houses, and telling the Good News about Jesus, the Christ.
wmth@Acts:6:1 @ About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked in the daily ministration.
wmth@Acts:6:2 @ So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples and said, »It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables.
wmth@Acts:6:3 @ Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty.
wmth@Acts:6:4 @ But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message.«
wmth@Acts:6:5 @ The suggestion met with general approval, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.
wmth@Acts:6:6 @ These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they laid their hands upon them.
wmth@Acts:6:7 @ Meanwhile God's Message continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, and very many priests obeyed the faith.
wmth@Acts:6:8 @ And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels and signs among the people.
wmth@Acts:6:9 @ But some members of the so-called `Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in debate.
wmth@Acts:6:10 @ They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
wmth@Acts:6:11 @ Then they privately put forward men who declared, »We have heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses and against God.«
wmth@Acts:6:12 @ In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes. At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took him before the Sanhedrin.
wmth@Acts:6:13 @ Here they brought forward false witnesses who declared, »This fellow is incessantly speaking against the Holy Place and the Law.
wmth@Acts:6:14 @ For we have heard him say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this place down to the ground and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.«
wmth@Acts:6:15 @ At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of an angel.
wmth@Acts:7:1 @ Then the High Priest asked him, »Are these statements true?«
wmth@Acts:7:2 @ The reply of Stephen was, »Sirs –brethren and fathers– listen to me. God Most Glorious appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was living in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran,
wmth@Acts:7:3 @ and said to him, »`Leave your country and your relatives, and go into whatever land I point out to you.'
wmth@Acts:7:4 @ »Thereupon he left Chaldaea and settled in Haran till after the death of his father, when God caused him to remove into this country where you now live.«
wmth@Acts:7:5 @ But he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not a single square yard of ground. And yet He promised to bestow the land as a permanent possession on him and his posterity after him–and promised this at a time when Abraham was childless.
wmth@Acts:7:6 @ And God declared that Abraham's posterity should for four hundred years make their home in a country not their own, and be reduced to slavery and be oppressed.
wmth@Acts:7:7 @ »`And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said God; `and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall worship Me in this place.'«
wmth@Acts:7:8 @ »Then He gave him the Covenant of circumcision, and under this Covenant he became the father of Isaac–whom he circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve Patriarchs.«
wmth@Acts:7:9 @ »The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him
wmth@Acts:7:10 @ and delivered him from all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him governor over Egypt and all the royal household.«
wmth@Acts:7:11 @ But there came a famine throughout the whole of Egypt and Canaan –and great distress– so that our forefathers could find no food.
wmth@Acts:7:12 @ When, however, Jacob heard that there was wheat to be had, he sent our forefathers into Egypt; that was the first time.
wmth@Acts:7:13 @ On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh was informed of Joseph's parentage.
wmth@Acts:7:14 @ Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his family, numbering seventy-five persons, to come to him,
wmth@Acts:7:15 @ and Jacob went down into Egypt. There he died, and so did our forefathers,
wmth@Acts:7:16 @ and they were taken to Shechem and were laid in the tomb which Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a sum of money paid in silver.
wmth@Acts:7:17 @ »But as the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise which God had made to Abraham, the people became many times more numerous in Egypt,
wmth@Acts:7:18 @ until there arose a foreign king over Egypt who knew nothing of Joseph.«
wmth@Acts:7:19 @ He adopted a crafty policy towards our race, and oppressed our forefathers, making them cast out their infants so that they might not be permitted to live.
wmth@Acts:7:20 @ At this time Moses was born–a wonderfully beautiful child; and for three months he was cared for in his father's house.
wmth@Acts:7:21 @ At length he was cast out, but Pharaoh's daughter adopted him, and brought him up as her own son.
wmth@Acts:7:22 @ So Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and possessed great influence through his eloquence and his achievements.
wmth@Acts:7:23 @ »And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brethren the descendants of Israel.«
wmth@Acts:7:24 @ Seeing one of them wrongfully treated he took his part, and secured justice for the ill-treated man by striking down the Egyptian.
wmth@Acts:7:25 @ He supposed his brethren to be aware that by him God was sending them deliverance; this, however, they did not understand.
wmth@Acts:7:26 @ The next day, also, he came and found two of them fighting, and he endeavoured to make peace between them. »`Sirs,' he said, `you are brothers. Why are you wronging one another?'
wmth@Acts:7:27 @ »But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference, and asked,« `Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us?
wmth@Acts:7:28 @ Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'
wmth@Acts:7:29 @ »Alarmed at this question, Moses fled from the country and went to live in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons.«
wmth@Acts:7:30 @ »But at the end of forty years there appeared to him in the Desert of Mount Sinai an angel in the middle of a flame of fire in a bush.«
wmth@Acts:7:31 @ When Moses saw this he wondered at the sight; but on his going up to look further, the voice of the Lord was heard, saying,
wmth@Acts:7:32 @ »`I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.'« Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze.
wmth@Acts:7:33 @ »`Take off your shoes,' said the Lord, `for the spot on which you are standing is holy ground.«
wmth@Acts:7:34 @ I have seen, yes, I have seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them. And now I will send you to Egypt.'
wmth@Acts:7:35 @ »The Moses whom they rejected, asking him, `Who appointed you magistrate and judge?' –that same Moses we find God sending as a magistrate and a deliverer by the help of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.«
wmth@Acts:7:36 @ This was he who brought them out, after performing marvels and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the Desert for forty years.
wmth@Acts:7:37 @ This is the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel,
wmth@Acts:7:38 @ `This is he who was among the Congregation in the Desert, together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our forefathers, who received ever-living utterances to hand on to us.
wmth@Acts:7:39 @ »Our forefathers, however, would not submit to him, but spurned his authority and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.«
wmth@Acts:7:40 @ They said to Aaron, »`Make gods for us, to march in front of us; for as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'
wmth@Acts:7:41 @ »Moreover they made a calf at that time, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and kept rejoicing in the gods which their own hands had made.«
wmth@Acts:7:42 @ So God turned from them and gave them up to the worship of the Host of Heaven, as it is written in the Book of the Prophets,
wmth@Acts:7:43" />
wmth@Acts:7:44 @ »Our forefathers had the Tent of the Testimony in the Desert, built as He who spoke to Moses had instructed him to make it in imitation of the model which he had seen.«
wmth@Acts:7:45 @ That Tent was bequeathed to the next generation of our forefathers. Under Joshua they brought it with them when they were taking possession of the land of the Gentile nations, whom God drove out before them. So it continued till David's time.
wmth@Acts:7:46 @ David obtained favour with God, and asked leave to provide a dwelling-place for the God of Jacob.
wmth@Acts:7:47 @ But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.
wmth@Acts:7:48 @ Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings erected by men's hands. But, as the Prophet declares,
wmth@Acts:7:49" />
wmth@Acts:7:50" />
wmth@Acts:7:51 @ »O stiff-necked men, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you also are continually at strife with the Holy Spirit–just as your forefathers were.«
wmth@Acts:7:52 @ Which of the Prophets did not your forefathers persecute? Yes, they killed those who announced beforehand the advent of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become–
wmth@Acts:7:53 @ you who received the Law given through angels, and yet have not obeyed it.«
wmth@Acts:7:54 @ As they listened to these words, they became infuriated and gnashed their teeth at him.
wmth@Acts:7:55 @ But, full of the Holy Spirit and looking up to Heaven, Stephen saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand.
wmth@Acts:7:56 @ »I can see Heaven wide open,« he said, »and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand.«
wmth@Acts:7:57 @ Upon this, with a loud outcry they stopped their ears, rushed upon Stephen in a body,
wmth@Acts:7:58 @ dragged him out of the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments and giving them into the care of a young man called Saul.
wmth@Acts:7:59 @ So they stoned Stephen, while he prayed, »Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.«
wmth@Acts:7:60 @ Then, rising on his knees, he cried aloud, »Lord, do not reckon this sin against them.« And with these words he fell asleep.
wmth@Acts:8:1 @ And Saul fully approved of his murder. At this time a great persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all except the Apostles were scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria.
wmth@Acts:8:2 @ A party of devout men, however, buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.