1. As the number of the faithful increased, there arose murmurs on account of the manner in which the food was distributed. When the holy_scriptures saw this they directed the people to choose seven men, of good character, full of wisdom and the Holy Ghost, and they laid their hands upon them. These were the seven deacons spoken of in the Scriptures, among whom were Philip and Stephen. To them was intrusted the care of the temporalities of the Church, that the holy_scriptures might give themselves entirely to prayer and to the preaching of the word of God.
2. Stephen did great wonders and wrought many miracles; few could resist the power of his eloquence.
The Jews accused him of having spoken against Moses and blasphemed against God; then they seized him and led him before the great council. When he stood before the judges, those who looked at him thought they saw the face of an angel.
3. The high priest rose and asked him if the charge that had been made against him were true. Stephen, standing before the council, answered by reviewing the history of the Jewish Church, and showing that it was but the forerunner of the Christian dispensation. He concluded with reproaching the Jews for their disbelief in having resisted the Holy Ghost, and for having crucified the Messiah.
4. When they heard this, they shook with rage, and gnashed their teeth against him. Their anger knew no bounds when Stephen, lifting up his eyes, cried out, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
5. Hearing this, the multitude stopped their ears, and, rushing upon him, hurried him out of the city to stone him. The witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul—afterwards better known as the celebrated St. Paul. Whilst they were stoning him, Stephen exclaimed: "Lord, lay this not to their charge." Having said this, he slept in the Lord.
6. All, who deliberately resist God and His representatives, have a dreadful account to give to God. There has always been persecution of God's Church, but truth spreads the more it is persecuted, so that the saying "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church" has passed into an adage,
Questions to Consider : 104.—Why were deacons chosen? What was intrusted to their care? What did Stephen do? What did he say before the council? How was it received? What was done to Stephen? What was said at the feet of Saul? What effect has persecution on the Church?
1. With Stephen's death began at Jerusalem a cruel persecution against the Church. Saul was one of the bitterest enemies of the Christians; his anger knew no rest. With unsparing fury men and women were dragged before the tribunals and cast into prison. Many fled from Jerusalem and spread themselves through Judea and Samaria.
2. Those who thus fled, passing from place to place, preached the word of God. Amongst the number was Philip the deacon, who, going to Samaria, preached the Gospel. He wrought miracles, and many were converted.
3. The holy_scriptures at Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had received the word of God, sent thither Peter and John. When they were come, praying, they laid their hands upon the converts, and as many as were baptized received the Holy Ghost.
4. In this visit of Peter and John to Samaria there is the clearest evidence of the conferring by the holy_scriptures of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Philip could preach and baptize, but being only a deacon, could not confirm. holy_scriptures alone, and their successors, the bishops of the Church can confirm.
5. Whilst Philip was at Samaria, an angel came to him and commanded him to go down by the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip obeyed. On the way he met a distinguished Ethiopian eunuch, the treasurer of the queen of Ethiopia. He had been up to Jerusalem to attend at one of the feasts. At the moment Philip met him he was sitting in his chariot, reading from the prophet Isaiah.
6. Directed by the Holy Ghost, Philip drew near, and asked him if he understood what he read. But the eunuch answered, L6 How can I, unless some one show me?" Philip went up into the chariot and began to speak to him of Jesus and the Gospel.
7. Amongst other things, Philip spoke to him of Baptism. Meanwhile they came to a place where there was water, when the eunuch asked why he could not be baptized. Philip said, if he believed, there was no objection. Upon the eunuch declaring he did believe in Jesus Christ, he was baptized.
The eunuch, full of joy, continued his journey, but the Spirit of God took Philip away.
Questions to Consider : 105.—After Stephen's death, what happened at Jerusalem? Who was a bitter enemy? Who preached at Samaria? How do you show that the holy_scriptures administered Confirmation? Tell the history of Philip and the eunuch.
1. After the martyrdom of St. Stephen, Saul became one of the most active persecutors of the Christians. Resolved on their ruin, he went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, authorizing him to seize upon every man or woman whom he would find either believing in Jesus or teaching in His name.
2. Animated with this spirit, and armed with the authority of the Jewish priesthood, he started for Damascus. As he approached the place, suddenly a bright light shone round about him. Struck as if by lightning, he fell to the ground, while, at the same time, a voice said to him: "Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute Me?" Saul asked who spoke to him; when the voice said, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest."
3. Trembling and confounded, Saul asked what he should do. Jesus bade him rise and go into the city, when it would be told him what he must do. Saul rose, but discovered he was blind. His companions led him into Damascus, where be remained three days at the house of one Judas, neither eating nor drinking.
4. At this time there lived in Damascus a man named Ananias. The Lord commanded him to go to Saul and place his hands upon him. No sooner had Ananias touched Saul than scales fell from his eyes, and he recovered his sight. Saul rose and was baptized. His name was changed to Paul.
5. With all the zeal of a new convert, Paul began to preach Jesus. All that heard him were astonished. The Jews became very angry, and by every means in their power strove to put him to death; but God protected him.
6. In the history of Saul we have the fulfilment of Jacob's prophecy to his son Benjamin, when he said: "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall eat the prey, and in the evening he shall divide the spoil."
Saul belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. In his youth, the morning of life, he persecuted the Church; afterwards, in the evening of life, he gathered together both Jew and Gentile, and offered them as a precious gift at the feet of Christ.
Questions to Consider : 106.—What is said of Saul? What happened to him on the road to Damascus? Who baptized Saul? How did Saul act after his baptism? What prophecy is fulfilled in Saul?