The Detailed Explanations

Of The

Early Growth And Spread

Of

Christianity

By

The Twelve Apostles

The Establishment Of The Christian Church

The First Church

Jesus Christ established the first Christian church, with Himself as the foundation stone, and with the twelve Apostles as the pillars. Many others were also members. Many of them were Apostles, Disciples and Saints.

After the death of Jesus Christ, we continued as one church with Apostle Simon Peter as the head.

On the Pentecost Day, many more people were added to the church, because they saw and believed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Disciples and Saints, being convinced by the amazing signs and wonders from God.

Apostle Peter Appointed As The Head Of Christianity

By Apostle Peter

When Jesus Christ was concluding His work here on earth, He called me three times, “Peter, do you love me?” He called me three times, so that the message shall be in mind, because the duty is steadfast, and the assignment and announcement was not what came suddenly or by chance. It had being destined already. The duty was important and steadfast.

Immediate Developments

Of The

Christian Church

Pilate Protects The Christians
The fact that Jesus had arisen from the dead was not denied by many of the rulers of the Israelites.
And Pilate gave an order that the followers of the Nazarene be not molested in their worship any place in his domain.

Special Note

In the writings below, all the bold text need explanations. The clear explanations are now included in this book called, The Detailed Explanations Of The Early Growth And Spread Of Christianity.

Prologue

The former account I (Luke) made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He had through the Holy Spirit given commandments to the Apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, death and resurrection, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for fourteen days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, after his resurrection.

The Tittle And Authors

The former account I (Luke) made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

…..

But the bible account, according the author of The Acts Of The Apostles is grossly incomplete and inaccurate. Besides, the title, The Acts Of The Apostles, was forged, because ourselves, The Twelve Apostles, called the book we wrote,

THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST

The Teachings Of The Apostles

This book by the Twelve Apostles contained The Teachings Of Jesus Christ and The Growth And Spread Of Church.

The Holy Spirit Promised

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which, “He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "You are not yet able now to know the times or seasons which the Father has scheduled in His own authority. But you shall receive powers of the Holy Spirit when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

About The Times And Seasons

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "You are not yet able now to know the times or seasons which the Father has scheduled in His own authority. But you shall receive powers of the Holy Spirit when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

The Apostles, Disciples and Saints were then expecting Jesus Christ to restore the freedom of Israelites from the Roman Empire. They did not know that the ways of God are different from the ways of man. Likewise, the way God counts time is different from the way humanity count time. They thought that the work of salvation is one day’s work, without knowing that thousands of years of works are involved, many processes and procedures are involved, many judgements and considerations are involved and divisions of labour of the various Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven are also involved. The Apostles, Disciples and Saints did not comprehend all these involvements. That was why Jesus Christ said to them, “You are not yet able now to know the times or seasons which the Father has scheduled in His own authority”.

Jesus Ascends To Heaven

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He ascended to heaven, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

The cloud that received Him was not the ordinary cloud. It was Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven, who appeared to the Apostles, Disciples and Saints in the form of cloud. Remember that Archangel Raphael appeared to the Israelites in the form of pillar of fire in the night and pillar of cloud during the day.

The Upper Room Prayer Meeting

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath Day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and meditation, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus.

A Sabbath Day's Journey

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath Day's journey.

The people of God are not allowed to travel very long distances on the Sabbath Day. Only a minimum distance, enough for a person to get to the temple of God is allowed. Such minimum distance is called a Sabbath Day’s journey.

Mathias Physically Takes His Spiritual Position

Spiritually, Matthias was always numbered among the Twelve Apostles, though physically, it might have seemed that he was not among them. He was already an apostle of Jesus Christ, because He had many apostles apart from the Twelve Apostles. Just as it was in the time of Prophet Samuel, when King David was already, spiritually, the king of Israel, while King Saul physically was as if he was still the king of Israel.

The Day of Pentecost was near at hand and every one was looking for a manifest of Spirit power. Now, in Jerusalem the eleven had met to choose a man to fill the place of Judas who betrayed his Lord. And Peter said, “The Lord called to this ministry twelve men as twelve foundation stones on which the Christian temple should be built. This Judas who betrayed his Lord, has gone to his own place beyond the veil. Of him the prophet wrote:

His habitation shall be desolate.

No man shall dwell therein.

His office let another take.

From those who have accompanied us from Gigal, where the harbinger baptized by immersion, until this day, shall one be chosen to complete the number twelve, to fill the place from which our brother by transgression fell.”
And then the eleven spent a long, long time in prayer, and when they cast their lots, Matthias, from the valley of the Nile, was chosen for the place.”

Matthias was an Israelite indeed. But he was learned in all the wisdom of Egyptian schools, and he had taught the mysteries of Mizraim in Jericho. He was among the first to greet the harbinger, among the first to recognize the Nazarene as Christ, the son of God. He had been with the Christian band in all their journeys in the land of Galilee, Judea and Samaria. A messenger was sent, who found Matthias, and he came and joined the eleven, and for a time the twelve were lost in silent prayer.

What evidences show that Matthias was already an apostle, spiritually; before he was became recognized, physically?

All the time Jesus was referring to the twelve apostles, His statements showed that the twelve apostles were always complete in number and all were holy men of God. His statement showed that there was no evil in the any of the twelve apostles. It means that Matthias was all the while one of the apostles. Judas should not be counted as one of the apostles, because he did not do the work of the apostles. All the time he was with Jesus and the apostles and disciples, Judas was serving as a secret a agent to the chief priest, elders, Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes. By their fruits you shall know them, and by their works you shall confirm them.

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the Apostles, Disciples and Saints (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry."

(The money which he rejected was used to purchase a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

"For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

'Let his dwelling place be desolate,

And let no one live in it';

and,

'Let another take his office.'

"Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and Apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

The Names Of The Twelve Apostles

The Christians who had come from Galilee and places in Judea, about six score, were there, and Peter told them of Matthias, and how, by lot, he had been chosen an apostle of the Lord. The Christians all were glad and praised the name of God. And Miriam sang a song of praise.

These are the names of the twelve apostles of the Lord:

1. Apostle Simon Peter.

2. Apostle John De Beloved.

3. Apostle John De First.

4. Apostle Jude.

5. Apostle Judas Didymos Thomas.

6. Apostle Matthew.

7. Apostle Bartholomew.

8. Apostle James De First, the half-brother of Jesus.

9. Apostle Mathias.

10. Apostle Philip.

11. Apostle Andrew.

Apostle James De Zealot, meaning James De Evangelist

Anointing Of The Holy Spirit On The Pentecost Day

The full account is included as a separate chapter.

A Lame Man Healed

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give 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 ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Preaching In Solomon's Portico

A portico is simply means an entrance way with roof above it, usually in the front of a house.

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

"Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' To you first, God, having raised up Jesus Christ, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

Peter And John Arrested

The congregation dismissed and everyone went to his house. But as the Apostles Peter and John were going on their way after the dismissal, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

How The Holy Spirit And Angels Convert People

By Apostle Peter

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and on that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Apostle Peter: You congregation read that we taught and many people repented and joined the church. All of them did not repent and join in one day, as was falsely recorded in the forged bible. It took many days, weeks, months, and even years. As the Holy Spirit was spreading, entering the hearts of people, making them to know the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, even so people were repenting and joining the church, from time to time. And the Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven were showing people signs and wonders, various signs at their homes, on the roads, in their workplaces and in diverse places.

The same Holy Spirit and Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven brought them into the one church of God, so that the Apostles, Disciples and Saints could teach the many converts, confirm the same good news and various signs. That was why it was possible for many people to believe. The Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven were at work, casting out evil spirits and demons from people, removing the spirit of stubbornness, performing deliverances and spiritual works by various signs.

If the Holy Spirit and Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven had not done all these things works, both spiritually and physically, people would not have believed. And up till today, their deliverance would not have being possible and done.

Beware Of False Records

Apostle Peter: Therefore, the children of God should be very careful of written statements, which are not true. The bible record said that many people were converted in the same one day. It was not true.

Imprisonment

By Apostle Peter

Apostle Peter: The imprisonment was true.

The Head: There is no benefit in it, when the ministers of God are being arrested and imprisoned. It causes delays, and makes many children of God to shy away, to abandon the works of God.

Addressing The Sanhedrin

And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

The Name Of Jesus Forbidden

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Prayer For Boldness

And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your son, David, have said:

'Why did the nations rage,

And the people plot vain things?

The kings of the earth took their stand,

And the rulers were gathered together

Against the Lord and against His Christ.'

"For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Why A Ministers Of God May Be Imprisoned

By Apostle Peter

Apostle Peter: Why a minister of God may be arrested and imprisoned?

The Head: Sometimes, number 1, it is used to test and confirm a person’s faith and trustworthiness. But the current age of the world, needs everything to support, facilitate the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, for at least the children of God to know the truth.

Apostle Peter: Son of man, number 2, the fact is that the first people to know God should follow God. In both thorns and in bristles, we shall follow God. On the dry land. In both wet and dry seasons, ourselves shall follow God.

Another point, number 3, is to teach the coming future generations.

Son of man, number 4, before the imprisonment, Jesus Christ told us about it. He made us to know the sufferings involved. It was ourselves that suffered to clear the way for others to follow, for the future Christians. We encountered and fought against the kingdom of darkness, principalities and powers, forces of darkness and powers of darkness, for the children of God to become free from demonic slavery and captivity, both in hell fire and here on earth.

Number 5, that is why ourselves have cancelled arrest and imprisonments. This is one great benefit. As ourselves have cancelled them, we have used the power of the Holy Spirit to cancel them. There shall be nothing again like imprisonments, persecutions, assassinations, kidnappings, because the time for it has gone. And ourselves move from stage to stage.

The current stage is the sage of freedom and liberty. Son of man, the children of God in this world now, if they had listened to the Holy Spirit, they would have passed many stages. Even their current stage is by the power of Jesus Christ. Just by grace and not by merit. They have not merited it at all. And it is by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Number 6, all these ministers of God, including the true and the false, all of them would have being killed by now, by their enemies. By now, there would have being nothing like Sabbath, which this DivineBase Ministry stands for.

Number 7, if we had looked at the face of people, if we had not made efforts to spread the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, humanity would have forgotten about God. Ourselves, the Apostles, Disciples and Saints, would have being in heaven, resting. But where shall the kingdom come from?

Number 8, our efforts, the efforts of the Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven, the efforts of children of God and ministers of God, are still needed, to make the kingdom of God established and manifest, for the children of God to attain heaven and inherit their kingdom.

Number 9, God does not do things in bits, anyhow and anytime. He orders all His things in sequence. Another thing, the future benefit, is that the future generations shall hear about DivineBase Ministry. A hero and a warrior without history, that hero and warrior is not a good one. History, history, history is necessary.

Sharing In All Things

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the Apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the Apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the Apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles' feet.

Lying To The Holy Spirit

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the Apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?"

She said, "Yes, for so much."

Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power In The Church

And through the hands of the Apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Holy Spirit And Angels Use Shadows

Apostle Peter: Even so in those places, where the bible authors wrote that Peter’s shadow was healing sick people. Son of man, I did not write this in my books, because it was not myself that was doing the healings.

Our spiritual levels and vibrations were changing. In some places, the Angels sent by God took possession of us, to perform deliverances, healings, signs and wonders. The Angels changed our spiritual vibrations. And at those times, our spiritual levels changed from 20% to 100%. Many of the works that we were doing were not being done by our own power. We did not even know when many works – deliverances, healings, signs and wonders – were being done. It was when people gave testimonies that we knew what the Holy Spirit and Hosts of Angels have done.

I was not saying or writing about the healings by shadow, so that people would not be coming to me, disturbing and asking for healing, when the Holy Spirit and Hosts of Angels were not there present.

People thought that the shadow was healing people always. It was not true. When myself sat down to eat, even if a person passed twenty times, the person remained not healed and eventually went home with his sickness. When I was sleeping, even if you touched or embraced me, no healing took place.

The Head: That is one of the things which the world of humanity do not know. By this ignorance, both the ministers of God and children of God deceive one another.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the Apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles On Trial Again

But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!" Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"

Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"

But Peter and the other Apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Gamaliel's Advice

When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the Apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it — lest you even be found to fight against God."

And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the Apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Seven Chosen To Serve

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the Apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused Of Blasphemy

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Stephen's Address: The Call Of Abraham

Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?"

And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.' Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. 'And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,' said God, 'and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.' Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

The Patriarchs In Egypt

"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to the Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

God Delivers Israel By Moses

"But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose who did not know Joseph. This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

"Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?' But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?' Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.

"And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, 'I am the God of your fathers — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses trembled and dared not look. 'Then the Lord said to him, "Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt."'

"This Moses whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

Israel Rebels Against God

"This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.'

"This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:

'Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,

O house of Israel?

You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,

And the star of your god Remphan,

Images which you made to worship;

And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.'

God's True Tabernacle

"Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house.

"However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

'Heaven is My throne,

And earth is My footstool.

What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,

Or what is the place of My rest?

Has My hand not made all these things?'

Israel Resists The Holy Spirit

"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."

Stephen The Martyr

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Detailed Explanations About St Stephen

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Saul Persecutes The Church

Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Christ Is Preached In Samaria

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

The Sorcerer's Profession Of Faith

But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

The Sorcerer's Sin

Now when the Apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."

Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."

So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

About The Man Simon

By Apostle Peter

Apostle Peter: Simon believed, but he had no portion among the children of God, because he was not one of the children of God. Son of man, a person fails the law just by one thing. Just by one thing, a person provokes the anger and wrath of God. And it is one thing that a person will do and it will please God.

What Simon did was bad, because the spirit of pride was in him. Also, all the various things which he put in himself have not being removed. He was not yet perfect, because he had not grown up in spirit. That is why we do say that Christianity is not by the mouth, not just by claiming to be a Christian.

The Head: Many people who are called Christians are not Christians, because they do not abide in the everlasting paths of righteousness and Covenant System Of Worship.

Apostle Peter: It was true that Simon repented and followed the Apostles, Disciples and Saints. But that had not made him perfect. What he said were very bad. His words showed that himself could not do the work of God, even if he was given the chance. If he had being given the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of God, he could not have done the work very well.

The same bad character is still present in the midst of humanity, nowadays.

Son of man, all the people, who behave like that, they are answering the children of God in the mouth. Such a person has not started the journey, at all. The Holy Spirit has not stayed in the person, even for a single day. It is by this that you shall know the people, who are making efforts, and those who are not making efforts. Simon was only convinced, but not converted, and not among the Apostles, Disciples and Saints.

After the encounter, it took several months, before he could come out to the outside. He was not sick and was not lame. But the Angels struck down his spirit. As the Angels did to Zechariah by tying up his tongue and throat, even so the Angels struck down Simon, both spiritually and physically. And after several months, he could come out to the outside. That was when he joined the Christians.

If we had said this so easily, another person would have done the same thing, behind us, where we are not present. The person would behave like Judas Iscariot. It was true that he asked us to pray for him, but without the anger and wrath of God, and without the warning from the Angels, he would not have known the bad thing he did.

Christ Is Preached To An Ethiopian

Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."

So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

So He opened not His mouth.

In His humiliation His justice was taken away,

And who will declare His generation?

For His life is taken from the earth."

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"

Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may."

And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

Ethiopian Eunuch

Apostle Peter: In his encounter with Philip, first deliverance was performed on him, on the same day. He received cleansing – deliverance, spiritual works, purification and sanctification – before he was baptized.

Conversion Of Saul On The Damascus Road

The Head: At Times, it seems as if God does not answer prayer.

Apostle Peter: But God hears prayer. Before you say your prayer, God has already known your intention. The children of God do not know that ourselves, were praying about Saul. When he was battling against the Christians, we were praying to God to arrest him. We gathered together, prayed and made various deliberations.

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Jesus Christ appeared to Saul. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"

Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias."

And he said, "Here I am, Lord."

So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."

Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?"

But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul Escapes Death

Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Saul At Jerusalem

And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

Details Of The Life And Works Of St Paul De Evangelist

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The Church Prospers

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

The Church Had Peace

That record is not true, because there was never a time there was peace, because persecutions were many. It was only in the midst of the Christians that there was peace, and not among the people around them. The Christians had peace, because the Holy Spirit was coming in their midst. There were persecutions, maltreatments and mockeries.

Aeneas Healed

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

People Did Not Turn To The Lord

Apostle Peter: The people did not turn to God.

If they had turned to the Lord, what have they achieved?

Where are they?

Many of them are not in heaven. Many of them were sent back to the world.

The Head: Many of them did not make the Gospel of Truth and Salvation to remain steadfast and spread. They heard and received the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, but did not utilize it and did not spread it.

Apostle Peter: In many places, where it is written that people turned to the Lord, it meant that they were surprised, because they had never seen such great signs and wonders. That does not mean that they had repented. It does not mean that they feared God.

Son of man, when you give something to a person, what the person never expected, he will go back and think about it.

The Head: He will behave in such ways to show you that he has welcomed the gift and is surprised.

Apostle Peter: But go inside the person, you will discover that he has no Holy Spirit in himself.

If the people had turned to the Lord, what did they do?

Where was their efforts?

Did they make the Gospel of Truth and Salvation to spread all over the world, and to all the ends of the earth?

Dorcas Restored To Life

At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt 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. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

Necessary Considerations Before Praying For People

Apostle Peter: The evil spirits did not allow Dorcas to come back to life. Before I prayed for her, there was judgement in spirit. After the judgement, the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon her. When the power of the Holy Spirit entered her body, vibration came into myself.

When I knelt down to pray for her, myself asked questions. I asked her questions in spirit. Physically, people saw me asking her questions. But in spirit, she was hearing the questions, because she had come in in spirit.

I asked her, who are you?

For me to know who she was in spirit. It was not what people said that should be followed, done. I asked this question, because the Holy Spirit had come in to give revelation of who she was. The Angels gave various explanations about her. That was before myself prayed for her to come back to life, for her to rise and start doing her work. She was the type of person that the world needed. When such people are many, the work of righteousness shall progress.

Son of man, Dorcas was a saint from heaven, but her work here on earth was not then complete. That was why she rose, came back to life.

When she rose up, I prayed for her again, before I left her house.

Son of man, how many times shall a person be prayed for?

The Head: It should be from time to time.

Frequency Of Prayers

Apostle Peter: Yourself answered very well. Listen o o o!

It was true that myself prayed for her. As I was spraying for her, as I was going, or before I went, to any place that the Holy Spirit asked me to go to, I usually prayed.

Ancestral Idols And Misdeeds

Son of man, various families have foundational curses, which the family know about or do not know about. There are attacks from evil spirits and various evil spirits working for them, which many of the family members do not know about. Before a minister of God shall go into any compound, to remove one thing, spiritual inquiries have to be first conducted, concerning the time and place.

As the temple is, all the temple and fullness thereof belong to God. If any person removes a candle, the Hosts of Angels and Saints of Heaven will follow the person and ask him about the candle, because the candle belongs to God.

Also, there are ancestral idols, evils and abominations committed by the ancestors or present generations, which may be known to the public or not.

Necessary Protection

Before I prayed for her and before left her house, I first covered myself with the Blood of Jesus.

The children of God who are weak, are not striving in spirit. After performing deliverances and spiritual works, when the children of God go home, the evil spirits and demons come to attack the children of God. If the evil spirits do not attack the person directly, they attack any person or thing close to the person. Or, the evil spirits may wait for the person along the roads and pathways. The evil spirits may destroy something, strike a person or something. The ministers of God have to know all these things and be watchful.

Therefore, always use the Consuming Fire, Blood of Jesus and Thunder and Lightning to protect yourselves, by spraying the holy waters all over your body or by washing yourselves with the holy waters.

Cornelius Sends A Delegation

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?"

So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Summoned To Caesarea

Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?"

And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you." Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Meets Cornelius

And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am your fellow saint." And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"

So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

Preaching To Cornelius' Household

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all — that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

The Holy Spirit Falls On The Gentiles

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Sons Of God

Son of man, I told you that we, The Twelve Apostles, made efforts. Therefore, we are no longer servants of God. We are sons of God.

Fellow Saints And Apostles

The person, Cornelius, was a saint. The simple word I had to use was to say, “I am your fellow saint, a fellow child of God. Do not worship me. Rise up.”

How could I have said ordinary man, because I knew that I was greater than all the men there present. My power of the Holy Spirit and theirs are not the equal. My and their works are not the same.

The Head: And you have gone very far in spirit, far ahead of them.

Apostle Peter: It is true. Even those people knew that the Apostles were no longer ordinary men, because the signs and wonders which God was using the Apostles to do, showed that the Apostles were no longer ordinary human beings.

Corrections have to be made, so that the children of God shall know what they should know. As the congregation grow in spirit, the Angels gave them powers of the Holy Spirit and spiritual levels. The children of God have to know this, make use of it and tell others about it. It is very important to tell others about spiritual levels and promotions.

A saint should say, “A fellow saint,” if the person were talking to another saint. And an Apostle shall say, “A fellow Apostle,” if he were talking to another Apostle. There should be respect, so that the children of God shall know. The people who are entitled to various positions and places should be respected.

All the names – Apostles teachers, saints, etc – are very great things in spirit and in heaven. As their efforts are, even so are their promotions. They are promoted on merit. It is only here in this world that all things are disorganized without sequence, as if there are no processes and procedures. It is not good, and it should not be the case, that in the things of God, all things are disorganized.

Here on earth, people call themselves various titles, but in spirit, you are what you are.

The Meanings Of “Kill And Eat” Vision

The Head: The various types of animals show the children of God in various nations of the world.

Apostle Peter: Yourself answered very well.

Son of man, listen. The power of the Holy Spirit depends on a person’s spiritual level and personal efforts. The Angels examined myself, from time to time. The vision was about a work, which the Holy Spirit wanted to give to me, but myself was not qualified to do the work. The work was to take the Gospel of Truth and Salvation to the Gentiles, to receive the gentiles, the peoples of various other nations, into the Christians fold. The animals refer to the Gentiles and their various behaviours. But myself could not do the work.

I went with them to Joppa, but I did not continue and complete the work, because it was not my work. The sheet came down here times, before it went back to heaven.

It was St Paul De Evangelist that did the work. He took the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, on missionary journeys, to the Gentile nations.

I could not do the work, because my rites of holiness were different. There are various types of rites of holiness. I did not want to do the work, because of various types of rites of holiness. Every work which a person does comes from the heart.

Myself was a man of anger, easily provoked. There are people who easily tolerate and those who do not easily tolerate at all. St Paul De Evangelist tolerates and accommodates easily. But myself does not tolerate every person I see.

You saw that the Angels directed Cornelius to call me. It was not easy to call me. After telling me, myself would not say yes, immediately. I would tell them to go, and then I would go into prayers, for many days. It was only when the Angels said that I should go that I usually went.

That is what you children of God should know about. I did not do the work unto the Gentiles, to tolerate and accommodate. But, St Paul could come into a place or group, whether the people observe the rites of holiness or not. He can take water from the people and drink, but myself could not do so.

St Paul would see a shrine, enter there and eat, before he converts them. But, myself will not even enter the shrine at all. It was only when the pagans come out of their shrines, that I will see them and convert them. That was why myself could not kill even one of the animals.

Peter Defends God's Grace

Now the Apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"

But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.' But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these sibrethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Barnabas And Saul At Antioch

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Relief To Judea

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Herod's Violence To The Church

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter Freed From Prison

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel."

Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place.

Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Herod's Violent Death

Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country.

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.