WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.960 in a year. Today's reading is from the book of 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:13.660 Acts, chapters 3 through 5. Chapter 3 Now Peter 00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:16.100 and John went up together to the temple at the 00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:18.780 hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:21.379 man lame from his mother's womb was carried, 00:00:21.579 --> 00:00:24.260 whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:27.660 which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:30.039 who entered the temple. who, seeing Peter and 00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:32.979 John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:36.619 And fixing his eyes on him with John, Peter said, 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:40.140 Look at us. So he gave them his attention, expecting 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:42.600 to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:46.200 Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:48.859 have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:52.369 of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him 00:00:52.369 --> 00:00:54.990 by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately 00:00:54.990 --> 00:00:58.789 his feet and ankle bones received strength. So 00:00:58.789 --> 00:01:01.810 he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered 00:01:01.810 --> 00:01:04.909 the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising 00:01:04.909 --> 00:01:07.810 God. And all the people saw him walking and praising 00:01:07.810 --> 00:01:11.489 God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging 00:01:11.489 --> 00:01:14.750 alms at the beautiful gate of the temple. And 00:01:14.750 --> 00:01:17.030 they were filled with wonder and amazement at 00:01:17.030 --> 00:01:20.159 what had happened to him. Now as the lame man 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:23.420 who was healed held on to Peter and John, all 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:25.760 the people ran together to them in the porch, 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:28.939 which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. So 00:01:28.939 --> 00:01:31.299 when Peter saw it, he responded to the people, 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:34.739 Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:37.980 why look so intently at us, as though by our 00:01:37.980 --> 00:01:40.959 own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:44.159 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:47.040 of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:49.799 whom you delivered up and denied in the presence 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:52.260 of Pilate, when he was determined to let him 00:01:52.260 --> 00:01:55.079 go. But you denied the Holy One and the just, 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:58.000 and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 00:01:58.180 --> 00:02:00.900 and killed the Prince of Life, whom God raised 00:02:00.900 --> 00:02:03.980 from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:07.400 his name, through faith in his name, has made 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:11.419 this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, 00:02:11.479 --> 00:02:14.229 the faith which comes through him. has given 00:02:14.229 --> 00:02:17.189 him this perfect soundness in the presence of 00:02:17.189 --> 00:02:20.110 you all. Yet now, brethren, I know that you did 00:02:20.110 --> 00:02:23.689 it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But 00:02:23.689 --> 00:02:26.150 those things which God foretold by the mouth 00:02:26.150 --> 00:02:28.669 of all his prophets, that the Christ would suffer, 00:02:28.849 --> 00:02:32.620 he has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:35.479 converted, that your sins may be blotted out, 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:38.439 so that times of refreshing may come from the 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:41.400 presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:44.460 Christ, who was preached to you before, whom 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:47.479 heaven must receive until the times of restoration 00:02:47.479 --> 00:02:50.960 of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:53.659 of all his holy prophets since the world began. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:57.270 For Moses truly said to the fathers, The Lord 00:02:57.270 --> 00:03:00.270 your God will raise up for you a prophet like 00:03:00.270 --> 00:03:03.469 me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in 00:03:03.469 --> 00:03:06.530 all things whatever he says to you. And it shall 00:03:06.530 --> 00:03:09.469 be that every soul who will not hear that prophet 00:03:09.469 --> 00:03:12.530 shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. 00:03:12.930 --> 00:03:16.030 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those 00:03:16.030 --> 00:03:19.169 who follow, as many as have spoken, have also 00:03:19.169 --> 00:03:22.310 foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets 00:03:22.310 --> 00:03:24.949 and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, 00:03:25.110 --> 00:03:28.620 saying to Abraham, and in your seed all the families 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:31.979 of the earth shall be blessed. To you first God, 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:35.300 having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:38.240 to bless you, in turning away every one of you 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:44.539 from your iniquities. Chapter 4 Now as they spoke 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:46.960 to the people, the priests, the captain of the 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:49.939 temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:52.120 greatly disturbed that they taught the people 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:54.879 and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.939 dead. And they laid hands on them and put them 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:00.919 in custody until the next day, for it was already 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:03.639 evening. However, many of those who heard the 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:06.099 word believed, and the number of the men came 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:09.039 to be about five thousand. And it came to pass 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:11.840 on the next day that the rulers, elders, and 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:15.379 scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.540 John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:20.620 family of the high priest, were gathered together 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:23.480 at Jerusalem. And when they had said them in 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:26.360 the midst, they asked, By what power or by what 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:29.300 name have you done this? Then Peter, filled with 00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:31.980 the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:35.199 people and elders of Israel, If we this day are 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:38.259 judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:41.240 by what means he has been made well, let it be 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:44.139 known to you all and to all the people of Israel. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:47.120 that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:50.259 whom you crucified, whom God raised from the 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:53.620 dead, by him this man stands here before you 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:57.480 whole. This is the stone which was rejected by 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:00.459 you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:03.779 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there 00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:06.420 is no other name under heaven given among men 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:09.639 by which we must be saved. Now when they saw 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:12.519 the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:15.259 that they were uneducated and untrained men, 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:18.180 they marveled, and they realized that they had 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:21.399 been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been 00:05:21.399 --> 00:05:23.879 healed standing with them, they could say nothing 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:26.819 against it. But when they had commanded them 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:29.759 to go aside out of the council, they conferred 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:32.360 among themselves, saying, What shall we do to 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:35.160 these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle 00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:38.279 has been done through them is evident to all 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:40.699 who dwell in Jerusalem. and we cannot deny it. 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:43.680 But so that it spreads no further among the people, 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:46.660 let us severely threaten them, that from now 00:05:46.660 --> 00:05:50.620 on they speak to no man in this name. So they 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:52.579 called them and commanded them not to speak at 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:55.600 all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter 00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:58.139 and John answered and said to them, Whether it 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:00.100 is right in the sight of God to listen to you 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:03.399 more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:06.379 speak the things which we have seen and heard. 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:09.170 So when they had further threatened them, They 00:06:09.170 --> 00:06:11.949 let them go, finding no way of punishing them, 00:06:12.029 --> 00:06:14.709 because of the people, since they all glorified 00:06:14.709 --> 00:06:18.170 God for what had been done. For the man was over 00:06:18.170 --> 00:06:20.810 forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing 00:06:20.810 --> 00:06:24.290 had been performed. And being let go, they went 00:06:24.290 --> 00:06:26.730 to their own companions and reported all that 00:06:26.730 --> 00:06:29.310 the chief priests and elders had said to them. 00:06:29.509 --> 00:06:31.870 So when they heard that, they raised their voice 00:06:31.870 --> 00:06:35.569 to God with one accord and said, Lord, you are 00:06:35.569 --> 00:06:38.910 God, who made heaven and earth and the sea. and 00:06:38.910 --> 00:06:41.529 all that is in them, who by the mouth of your 00:06:41.529 --> 00:06:44.370 servant David have said, Why did the nations 00:06:44.370 --> 00:06:47.889 rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings 00:06:47.889 --> 00:06:50.509 of the earth took their stand, and the rulers 00:06:50.509 --> 00:06:53.769 were gathered together against the Lord and against 00:06:53.769 --> 00:06:57.490 his Christ. For truly against your holy servant 00:06:57.490 --> 00:07:00.949 Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius 00:07:00.949 --> 00:07:03.889 Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, 00:07:04.050 --> 00:07:06.689 were gathered together to do whatever your hand 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:09.839 and your purpose determined before to be done. 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:13.300 Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant your 00:07:13.300 --> 00:07:16.060 servants that with all boldness they may speak 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:18.920 your word, by stretching out your hand to heal, 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:21.920 and that signs and wonders may be done through 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.939 the name of your holy servant, Jesus. And when 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:27.319 they had prayed, the place where they were assembled 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:30.240 together was shaken, and they were all filled 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:32.459 with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:36.300 of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:38.860 who believed were of one heart and one soul. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:41.639 Neither did anyone say that any of the things 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:45.120 he possessed was his own, but they had all things 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:48.000 in common. And with great power the apostles 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.680 gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:54.699 Jesus. And great grace was upon them all, nor 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:57.839 was there anyone among them who lacked. For all 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:01.060 who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, 00:08:12.670 --> 00:08:28.889 Chapter 5 But a certain man named Ananias, with 00:08:28.889 --> 00:08:31.850 Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. But he 00:08:31.850 --> 00:08:34.470 kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also 00:08:34.470 --> 00:08:36.990 being aware of it, and brought a certain part 00:08:36.990 --> 00:08:39.730 and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter 00:08:39.730 --> 00:08:43.149 said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart 00:08:43.149 --> 00:08:45.669 to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part 00:08:45.669 --> 00:08:48.350 of the price of the land for yourself? While 00:08:48.350 --> 00:08:51.370 it remained, was it not your own? And after it 00:08:51.370 --> 00:08:54.470 was sold, was it not in your own control? Why 00:08:54.470 --> 00:08:56.309 have you conceived this thing in your heart? 00:08:56.700 --> 00:09:00.200 You have not lied to men, but to God. Then Ananias, 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:03.279 hearing these words, fell down and breathed his 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:06.559 last. So great fear came upon all those who heard 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:09.419 these things. And a young man arose and wrapped 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:12.700 him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.820 it was about three hours later when his wife 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:18.360 came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:21.500 answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:25.539 for so much. She said, Yes, for so much. Then 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:28.039 Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:30.759 together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:33.360 the feet of those who have buried your husband 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:36.019 are at the door, and they will carry you out. 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:39.360 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:42.460 breathed her last. And a young man came in and 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:45.299 found her dead, and carrying her out, buried 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:48.500 her by her husband. So great fear came upon all 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:51.399 the church, and upon all who heard these things. 00:09:52.090 --> 00:09:54.570 And through the hands of the apostles many signs 00:09:54.570 --> 00:09:57.389 and wonders were done among the people, and they 00:09:57.389 --> 00:09:59.750 were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 00:09:59.990 --> 00:10:02.789 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the 00:10:02.789 --> 00:10:05.750 people esteemed them highly. And believers were 00:10:05.750 --> 00:10:08.750 increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of 00:10:08.750 --> 00:10:11.549 both men and women, so that they brought the 00:10:11.549 --> 00:10:14.210 sick out into the streets and laid them on beds 00:10:14.210 --> 00:10:17.110 and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter 00:10:17.110 --> 00:10:20.860 passing by might fall on some of them. Also a 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:22.940 multitude gathered from the surrounding cities 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:26.080 to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.659 who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:32.320 were all healed. Then the high priest rose up 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:34.620 and all those who were with him, which is the 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:37.200 sect of the Sadducees, and they were filled with 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:40.220 indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:43.299 and put them in a common prison. But at night 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:45.519 an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:48.600 and brought them out and said, Go stand in the 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.990 temple. and speak to the people all the words 00:10:50.990 --> 00:10:53.830 of this life. And when they heard that, they 00:10:53.830 --> 00:10:56.070 entered the temple early in the morning and taught. 00:10:56.370 --> 00:10:59.389 But the high priest and those with him came and 00:10:59.389 --> 00:11:01.730 called the council together with all the elders 00:11:01.730 --> 00:11:04.049 of the children of Israel and sent to the prison 00:11:04.049 --> 00:11:06.830 to have them brought. But when the officers came 00:11:06.830 --> 00:11:09.330 and did not find them in the prison, they returned 00:11:09.330 --> 00:11:12.009 and reported, saying, Indeed, we found the prison 00:11:12.009 --> 00:11:14.830 shut securely and the guards standing outside 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:17.840 before the doors. But when we opened them, we 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.639 found no one inside. Now when the high priest, 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:23.120 the captain of the temple, and the chief priests 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.279 heard these things, they wondered what the outcome 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.820 would be. So one came and told them, saying, 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:32.539 Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:35.240 in the temple and teaching the people. Then the 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:37.639 captain went with the officers and brought them 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:40.000 without violence, for they feared the people, 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:42.620 lest they should be stoned. And when they had 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:45.139 brought them, they set them before the council. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:48.279 And the high priest asked them, saying, Did we 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:50.919 not strictly command you not to teach in this 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:54.179 name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:56.620 your doctrine and intend to bring this man's 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:59.620 blood on us. But Peter and the other apostles 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:03.159 answered and said, We ought to obey God rather 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:06.539 than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:10.039 whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:12.759 has exalted to his right hand to be prince and 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:15.629 savior. to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness 00:12:15.629 --> 00:12:19.370 of sins. And we are his witnesses to these things. 00:12:19.669 --> 00:12:22.529 And so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has 00:12:22.529 --> 00:12:25.330 given to those who obey him. When they heard 00:12:25.330 --> 00:12:27.809 this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 00:12:28.009 --> 00:12:30.909 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee 00:12:30.909 --> 00:12:33.909 named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in 00:12:33.909 --> 00:12:36.470 respect by all the people, and commanded them 00:12:36.470 --> 00:12:39.429 to put the apostles outside for a little while. 00:12:39.610 --> 00:12:42.440 And he said to them, Men of Israel, Take heed 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:44.779 to yourselves what you intend to do regarding 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:48.899 these men. For some time ago, Judas rose up claiming 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:52.600 to be somebody. A number of men, about 400, joined 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:55.279 him. He was slain and all who obeyed him were 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:58.240 scattered and came to nothing. After this man, 00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:01.480 Judas of Galilee, rose up in the days of the 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:04.419 census and drew away many people after him. He 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:07.299 also perished and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:10.830 And now I say to you, Keep away from these men 00:13:10.830 --> 00:13:13.929 and let them alone. For if this plan or this 00:13:13.929 --> 00:13:17.149 work is of men, it will come to nothing. But 00:13:17.149 --> 00:13:20.610 if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest 00:13:20.610 --> 00:13:23.970 you even be found to fight against God. And they 00:13:23.970 --> 00:13:26.350 agreed with him. And when they had called for 00:13:26.350 --> 00:13:28.690 the apostles and beaten them, they commanded 00:13:28.690 --> 00:13:30.830 that they should not speak in the name of Jesus 00:13:30.830 --> 00:13:33.590 and let them go. So they departed from the presence 00:13:33.590 --> 00:13:36.129 of the council, rejoicing that they were counted 00:13:36.129 --> 00:13:39.419 worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:42.100 in the temple and in every house they did not 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:45.659 cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:53.019 I hope you enjoyed today's reading as much as 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:55.139 I did and I look forward to seeing you again 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:57.580 tomorrow to continue on our journey. God bless 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.639 you and have a great day.