THE

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

CHAPTER I.

CHRIST'S LAST INTERVIEW WITH HIS DISCIPLES, AND ASCENSION.

For what purpose did Christ enjoin his disciples to wait at Jerusalem, previous to entering on their public ministry?

4. Being assembled together with them, [He] commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father; which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.

5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

How were the authority and extent of their mission explained to them?

8. Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth..

After Jesus was taken up into heaven, and a

cloud received Him out of their sight; what was the promise they received when warned to depart?

10. While they looked steadfastly towards heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

11. Which also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

In what manner did the disciples select one of their number to fill up the place of the apostate Judas ?

23. They appointed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus; and Matthias.

24. And they prayed, and said : Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two Thou hast chosen ;

25. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

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26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

CHAPTER II.

THE APOSTLES FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT,

After what manner did the disciples partake of the influence of the Holy Ghost on the day of pentecost?

1. And when the day of pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire; and it sat upon each of them.

4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

How did the multitude express their astonishment, on hearing the Gospel each in his own longue?

7. They were all amazed, and marvelled, saying one to another: Behold! are not all these which speak Galileans?

8. And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and

the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,

10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, and in the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11. Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

What was the prophecy which Peter declared was then fulfilled.

16. This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel :

17. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit 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 :

18. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

What did Peter declare concerning the resurrection of Jesus?

22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words : Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know;

23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge of God, ye have

taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain :

24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.

29. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on his throne:

31. He seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ; that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

How were the Jews affected by Peter's preaching?

37. They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles : Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Recite Peter's answer to this their earnest enquiry.

38. Peter said unto them: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus. Christ, for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.