Fragmenda

Scripture

Acts 1–3

Book Introduction

This Book, which, from the first ages, hath been called, THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, is not to be considered as a history of what was done by all the Apostles, who were dispersed into different nations; but only a short view of the first establishment of the Christian Church. A part of the preaching and action of St. Peter are related in the first twelve chapters; and a particular account of St. Paul’s apostolical labours in the subsequent chapters. It was written by St. Luke the Evangelist, and the original in Greek. Its history commences from the Ascension of Christ our Lord and ends in the year sixty-three, being a brief account of the Church for the space of about thirty years.

Acts 1

The ascension of Christ. Matthias is chosen in place of Judas.

1 The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach,
2 

Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.

3 

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.

4 

And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.

5 

For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.

6 

They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?

7 

But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power:

8 

But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

9 

And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 

And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.

11 

Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven.

12 

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day’s journey.

13 

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Jude the brother of James.

14 

All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 

In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty):

16 

Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:

17 

Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 

And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out.

19 

And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 

For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take.

21 

Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

22 

Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 

And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 

And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the heart of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 

To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.

26 

And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.


Acts 2

The disciples receive the Holy Ghost. Peter’s sermon to the people. The piety of the first converts.

1 

And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place:

2 

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3 

And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them.

4 

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

5 

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 

And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue.

7 

And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans?

8 

And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born?

9 

Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10 

Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome,

11 

Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 

And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another: What meaneth this?

13 

But others mocking, said: These men are full of new wine.

14 

But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and with your ears receive my words.

15 

For these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day:

16 

But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel:

17 

And it shall come to pass, in the last days, (saith the Lord), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

18 

And upon my servants indeed and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit: and they shall prophesy.

19 

And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke.

20 

The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord shall come.

21 

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 

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

23 

This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain.

24 

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it.

25 

For David saith concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved.

26 

For this my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

27 

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

28 

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 

Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David: that he died and was buried; and his sepulchre is with us to this present day.

30 

Whereas therefore he was a prophet and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne.

31 

Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell: neither did his flesh see corruption.

32 

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

33 

Being exalted therefore by the right hand of God and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear.

34 

For David ascended not into heaven; but he himself said: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand,

35 

Until I make thy enemies thy footstool.

36 

Therefore let all the house of Israel know most certainly that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified.

37 

Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren?

38 

But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 

For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.

40 

And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation.

41 

They therefore that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

42 

And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles and in the communication of the breaking of bread and in prayers.

43 

And fear came upon every soul. Many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem: and there was great fear in all.

44 

And all they that believed were together and had all things common.

45 

Their possessions and goods they sold and divided them to all, according as every one had need.

46 

And continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart:

47 

Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved.


Acts 3

The miracle upon the lame man, followed by the conversion of many.

1 

Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.

2 

And a certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple.

3 

He, when he had seen Peter and John, about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.

4 

But Peter with John, fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us.

5 

But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them.

6 

But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.

7 

And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up: and forthwith his feet and soles received strength.

8 

And he leaping up, stood and walked and went in with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.

9 

And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 

And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

11 

And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to them, to the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

12 

But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? Or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk?

13 

The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he should be released.

14 

But you denied the Holy One and the Just: and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.

15 

But the author of life you killed, whom God hath raised from the dead: of which we are witnesses.

16 

And in the faith of his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, hath his name strengthened. And the faith which is by him hath given this perfect soundness in the sight of you all.

17 

And now, brethren, I know that you did it through ignorance: as did also your rulers.

18 

But those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

19 

Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.

20 

That when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send him who hath been preached unto you, Jesus Christ.

21 

Whom heaven indeed must receive, until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the beginning of the world.

22 

For Moses said: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.

23 

And it shall be, that every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 

And all the prophets, from Samuel and afterwards, who have spoken, have told of these days.

25 

You are the children of the prophets and of the testament which God made to our fathers, saying to Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 

To you first, God, raising up his Son, hath sent him to bless you: that every one may convert himself from his wickedness.

Catechism

Catechism of the Council of Trent, Part 4, Chapter 1, Sections 9-11

That God May Be Thanked For His Favours

Finally, we pray that God may make His light to shine on the minds of all, so as to enable them to see that every best gift and e very perfect gift coming from the Father of lights, is conferred on us by Him, and consequently that temperance, justice, life, health, in a word, all goods of soul, body and possessions, all goods both natural and supernatural, must be recognised as gifts given by Him from whom, as the Church proclaims, proceed all blessings. If the sun by its light, if the stars by their motion and revolutions, are of any advantage to man; if the air with which we are surrounded serves to sustain us; if the earth with its abundance of produce and its fruits furnishes the means of subsistence to all men; if our rulers by their vigilance enable us to enjoy peace and tranquillity, it is to the infinite goodness of God that we owe these and innumerable blessings of a similar kind,­nay, those very causes which philosophers call secondary, we should regard as so many hands of God, wonderfully fashioned and fitted for our use, by means of which He distributes His blessings and diffuses them everywhere in profusion.

That The Church May Be Recognised By All

But what we most particularly ask in this Petition is that all may acknowledge and revere the spouse of Jesus Christ, our most holy mother the Church, in which alone is to be found the copious and inexhaustible fountain that cleanses and effaces all the stains of sin, and from which are drawn all the Sacraments of salvation and sanctification, those Sacraments through which, like so many sacred channels, is diffused over us by the hand of God the dew, of sanctity. To that Church alone and to those whom she embraces in her bosom and holds in her arms, appertains the invocation of that divine name, outside of which there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved.

What Sanctification Of God's Name We Should Practice

The pastor should be careful to insist particularly on the fact that it is the duty of a good son not only to pray to God his Father in words, but also to endeavour by his conduct and actions to promote the sanctification of the divine name. And would to God there were none who, though continually praying for the sanctification of God's name, yet, as far as in them lies, violate and profane it by their deeds, and by whose fault God Himself is sometimes blasphemed. It was of such as these that the Apostle said: The name of God through you is blasphemed among the Gentiles; and in Ezechiel we read: They entered among the nations whither they went, and profaned my holy name, when it was said of them: "This is the people of the Lord, and they are come forth out of his land"; for according to the sort of life and conduct led by those professing a particular religion, so precisely in the eyes of the unlettered multitude will be the opinion held of that religion and of its author.

Those, therefore, who live according to the dictates of the Christian religion which they have embraced, and who regulate their prayers and actions by its precepts, furnish others with a powerful motive for greatly praising, honouring and glorifying the name of our heavenly Father. As for us, it is a duty which the Lord has imposed on us, to lead others by shining deeds of virtue to praise and glorify the name of God. This is how He addresses us in the Gospel: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven; and the Prince of the Apostles says: Having your conversation good among the Gentiles, that they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God.