Acts of the Apostles - Ferrar Fenton Bible Translation page 1146
The New Testament
32 and release from sins. And we are witnesses of these statements; also the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those obeying Him. ®¤m¤1iz1’¤ Qmmzzl. 33 When they heard this, however, they were infuriated, and were de-
34 ciding to have them executed. But one member of the senate, named Gemaliel, a Pherisee, and a. doctor of the law--who was held in high esteem among all the people-stood up and asked for the men to be sent out for a
35 short time. He then addressed them: Men of Israel, now take care of
yourselves in regard to what you in-
36 tend to do to these men. For before 37 39 our time, '1`heudas rose up, asserting himself to be somebody; with whom a number of about four hundred allied themselves : who, however, were slaughtered, and all who listened to him were scattered, and brought to nothing. After this, judas the Gali- lean rose up during the time of the census, and led people after him: he was destroyed; and as many as listened to him were dispersed. Now let me tell you, Refrain from these men, and release them. Because if this doctrine or this work should be from men, it will be wrecked; but if it is from God, you will not be able to crush it; and perhaps you may {ind yourselves the opponents of God. wb: Qpnsilzs fluggrh. They were accordingly persuaded
by him; and calling the apostles for- ward, they Bogged them, and forbade them to speak about the name of jesus, and allowed them _to go. They therefore took their departure
from the presence of the senate, de- lighted that they were considered worthy to be exposed to infamy for the sake of that Name. Yet every day, both in the temple and at home, they never ceased teaching and de· ciaring the good news that jesus is the Messiah. Wye (Election uf Qzucmts. But about this time, when the num-
ber of the disciples kept increasing, a complaint came from the Hellenists (or Grecian jews) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the disuibution of relief. The twelve then convened the body of It is not desirable that we should have to neglect the Divine teaching, in order to attend to mere money matters; therefore, brothers, choose from among yourselves seven men of at- tested character, full of spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint to look after this business. But we will ourselves constantly attend to prayer, and to the omce of teaching. And the suggestion pleased the
whole assembly: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of holy spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nico- las, a convert from Antioch, whom they presented to the apostles; and having prayed, they laid their hands upon them. And the message of God extended ;
and in jerusalem the number of dis- ciples greatly increased; besides which, very many of the priests were subdued to the faith. Qrrzst nf Stephen. Stephen, especially, full of active
benevolence, produced great and won- derful evidences for the people. Some of those, however, belonging to the synagogue known as that of the Libertinites, as well as of the Cy- renians, Alexandrians, together with some from Cilicia and Asia Minor, debated with Stephen. But they were not able to withstand thc intelligence and the spirit with which he spoke. They accordingly bribed We have heard him utter slanderous statements against both Moses and God. And they incited the people, the
elders, and the professors. And, coming upon him, they arrested him and brought him before the senate; and produced false witnesses assert— ‘ This man never ceases making statements against this Sacred Place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this jesus the Nazarene will demolish this Place, and change the constitution which has been trans- mitted to us from Moses} Then all who were seated in the
senate, looking intently upon him, saw that his-face had the appearance of the face of an angel. asked the High Priest. ll46 I0 I! I!
