The Early Church

For of a truth there assembled together in this city against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,

To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done.

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants that with all confidence they may speak thy word,

By stretching forth thy hand to cures and signs and wonders, to be done by the name of thy holy Son, Jesus.

And when they had prayed, the place was moved wherein they were assembled: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they spoke the word of God with confidence.

And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul. Neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed was his own: but all things were common unto them.

And with great power did the Apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord: and great grace was in them all.

For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things they sold,

And laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need.

And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas (which is, by interpretation, The son of consolation), a Levite, a Cyprian born,

Having land, sold it and brought the price and laid it at the feet of the Apostles.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land,

And by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles.

But Peter said: Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost and by fraud keep part of the price of the land?

Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? And after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.

And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost. And there came great fear upon all that heard it.

And the young men rising up, removed him, and carrying him out, buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.

And Peter said to her: Tell me, woman, whether you sold the land for so much? And she said: Yea, for so much.

And Peter said unto her: Why have you agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door: and they shall carry thee out,

Immediately, she fell down before his feet and gave up the ghost. And the young men coming in found her dead: and carried her out and buried her by her husband.

And there came great fear upon the whole church and upon all that heard these things.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

But of the rest no man durst join himself unto them: but the people magnified them.

And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord was more increased: