CHAPTER IV

PETER AND JOHN IN THE TEMPLE

THE accounts which have come down to us regarding the disciples in Jerusalem after the resurrection are among the oldest traditions of the Christian Church. Like the early narratives of the Old Testament, like the traditional histories of other religions, these accounts were circulated "orally"—that is, by word of mouth, not written down-for many years before the New Testament was written. Although the New Testament was written in Greek, there is evidence that these narratives were originally handed down in Aramaic, the language of Palestine, of Jesus and the Twelve.

"THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

Our only authority for the history of these early years is the book of Acts, the fifth writing contained in our New Testament.

The author of Acts.-This book was written by the author of the third Gospel, the evangelist Saint Luke (compare Luke 1: 1-4 and Acts 1: 1, 2), who wrote it as a continuation of the narrative of Jesus' life, and dedicated it to his friend Theophilus. Luke wrote, probably, about the year 85, though there are some scholars who hold that the date was much earlier. Luke was the friend of Paul, his traveling companion on several journeys, and "the beloved physician" who was with him even as a prisoner in Rome.

Luke's Gospel has been pronounced "the most beauti

ful book in the world," and the Acts is its fitting sequel. Writing at the late date of, say, 85 A. D., fifty years after the events described, Luke delved deeply into the history of the past, as a historian to-day would do in writing an account of the Civil War, and searched out the most trustworthy records, and oral or written, in order to "trace the course of all things accurately from the first.” Just as the first two chapters of the Gospel, so also the first twelve chapters of Acts were probably translated by Luke (or for him) out of the Aramaic language in the most charming, simple style of the whole Greek New Testament. In addition to this, he used, in the later chapters, where he describes Paul's journeys, his own diary written down at the time (see Acts 16: 1off., and note the use of "we" and "us").

Its trustworthiness and its purpose. Thus although the Acts is our only "source" for the earliest period of the church's history, we have great confidence in its narratives, for its author, Luke, was a careful, accurate, faithful student and historian of the period, who loved the church whose story he tells, and who himself shared in the great movement which brought it out of an upper room in the city of Jerusalem and planted it in the very heart of the empire. Moreover, he personally knew the great men who led this movement. As a Gentile, a physician, a student and lover of literature, a citizen of the world, he was able to see the events of the past generation in true perspective; and he was proud to trace the great expansion of Christianity in those fifty years since the crucifixion.

For that was his object in writing-to show Christianity expanding as the new world-religion, divinely revealed, spreading until it filled every part of the known world, deserving the esteem and protection of

the emperor rather than the persecution which was then breaking out, in the days of Domitian.

Condition of the church described. And although "Acts of the Apostles" is its title, it does not give all of the acts of all of the apostles. Peter and Paul are the chief characters in the story; John and James and the others take very minor parts. Nevertheless, it gives us enough to present a fairly clear picture of the condition of the church in those far-off days of its existence. For instance, at the conclusion of the account of the day of Pentecost, the following picture is sketched:

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.

"And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles. And all they that believed were together and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they partook their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved."-Acts 2:42-47.

The simplicity of life, the earnestness and devotion of the early Christians in Jerusalem are quite apparent in this picture.

THE BEGGAR AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE

One of their visits to the Temple is described in the very next chapter-a visit which had important consequences for the disciples.

Not alms but restoration.-Peter and John were going up to the Temple at one of the hours of prayer, about three in the afternoon. Now there was a man who had been lame from birth who was laid each day beside the "door of the temple which is called Beautiful," to ask alms of those who passed through. Seeing Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for alms. But the apostles had no money; and, moreover, the lame man really needed something else far more than money. Peter remembered the way in which Jesus had restored the helpless, instead of doling out alms; he remembered also the Master's command to "heal the sick." So he turned and, gazing directly at him, commanded, "Look at us!" The beggar of course expected to receive some money and readily complied. Instead, Peter said to him: "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have will I give you! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" Then, taking him by the right hand, he raised him up. At once his feet and ankles grew strong, and leaping up he first stood, then began to walk freely, and entered the Temple, walking and leaping and praising God. The people were amazed when they saw him, for everyone recognized him as the man who had sat for years begging alms beside the Temple gate and now he was walking about and praising God for his restoration!

Peter's address to the people.-Filled with wonder and amazement, the people crowded into the portico called Solomon's Porch, along the eastern side of the outer court, and waited to see what would happen next. Then Peter, as usual seizing the occasion, addressed them in simple, outspoken language.

"Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, as if it were some portent? Or why gaze at us, as if by our

own power or piety we had made the man walk? The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesuswhom you delivered up and denied before Pilate, when he was determined to release him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One (the Messiah), asking for a murderer to be released in his stead. You killed the Prince of Life! But God raised him from the dead, whose witnesses we are. And it was by faith in his name that this man was made strong, whom you yourselves see and know; yes, that faith which is through him has brought this to pass in your very presence!"—Acts 3:12-16.

Then he continues with an appeal to the consciences of his hearers.

"Brethren, I know that it was in ignorance that you crucified Jesus, as did your rulers. Therefore repent, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out . . . and that God may send you the Messiah who has been appointed, even Jesus: who must remain in heaven until the times of restoration of all things, foretold by the prophets. . . . And instead of a curse, for your rejection of the Messiah. God has in fact raised up his Servant and sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”—Acts 3: 17-26.

BEFORE THE COUNCIL

At this moment the chief priests and captain of the Temple (the head of the Temple police) and certain of the Sadducees, having heard the commotion, came upon them. These were members of the same group which had put Jesus to death. They were determined to stamp out the growing movement of his followers before any