The Bible Story Part 264

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men buried {345} Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging out men and women committed them to prison.

(The martyrdom of Stephen gave a fresh impulse to the new faith. The disciples had been content to stay in Jerusalem, and preach to their own people. But persecution drove them out of the city, so that the gospel came to a wider circle of hearers. We shall see, as the story goes on, how Philip was directed to the officer of Queen Candace, and how Peter, against his will, at first, was sent to the Roman captain. So the new faith broadened, not as the apostles planned, but as G.o.d willed.)

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V

SIMON THE SORCERER

_The New Faith Spreads. The Story of the Man of Samaria Who Wished to Use It for His Own Selfish Advantage_.

They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. And the mult.i.tudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. For from many of those who had unclean spirits, those spirits came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who before this in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming that he himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that power of G.o.d which is called Great."

And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of G.o.d and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. And Simon also himself {347} believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of G.o.d, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

But Peter said unto him, "Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of G.o.d with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before G.o.d. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."

And Simon answered and said, "Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me."

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VI

PHILIP AND THE QUEEN'S OFFICER

_How the New Faith Came to a Servant of a Queen_.

An angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: into the desert."

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an officer of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."

And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?"

And he said, "How can I, except some one shall guide me?" And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

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 before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth."

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And the officer said to Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other?"

And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this pa.s.sage of scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the officer saith, "Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the officer, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the officer saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and pa.s.sing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

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VII

PETER AND DORCAS

_How Peter Restored a Good Woman to Life_.

And it came to pa.s.s, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, that is, Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and deeds of charity which she did. And it came to pa.s.s in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, intreating him, "Delay not to come on unto us."

And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise."

And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the disciples and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. And it came to pa.s.s, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

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GENERAL VIEW OF LYDDA

From a photograph belonging to Miss Julia W. Snow, and used by her kind permission.

Lydda, the ancient Lod, is a village in the plain of Sharon, ten miles southeast of Joppa. It was an important town in early days, being on the caravan route between the East and Egypt, and a place where the caravans rested and refitted. It was thus the center of a considerable business. It was here that Peter healed Aeneas, and from this place he was summoned to Joppa by the death of Dorcas.

[End ill.u.s.tration]

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VIII

PETER AND THE ROMAN CAPTAIN.

_Peter's Vision. How a Valuable Recruit Was Enlisted for the New Faith_.

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the company called the Italian company, a devout man, and one that feared G.o.d with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to G.o.d always. He saw in a vision about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of G.o.d coming in unto him, and saying to him, "Cornelius."