Course 3, Chapter 1: Christianity established — First Preaching of the Apostles. — First Century

1. What did the apostles do after the ascension of our Saviour?

After the ascension of our Saviour, the apostles returned to Jerusalem with the Blessed Virgin; they entered into an upper chamber, to await in prayer and meditation the descent of the Holy Ghost, whom they received on the day of Pentecost.

2. Relate the history of this miracle?

About the ninth hour of the morning: a great sound, as of a mighty wind, was heard throughout the whole house where the apostles were assembled; at the same time there appeared tongues, as of fire, which rested on the head of each of the apostles; immediately they began to speak divers tongues; and beingchanged into new men, full of zeal and courage, they went forth to preach Jesus crucified. A multitude of people having learned what had happened, came to gether into the upper chamber; there were among them men of all nations, who all understood the apostles, each one hearing his own native tongue; this miracle, with the discourse of St. Peter, converted on the spot three thousand persons.

3. What did the apostles then do? • A. The apostles baptized the new converts; and Peter and John went up to the temple, where they found a man, about forty years of age, lame from his birth, who asked of them alms.

4. What was St. Peter's reply?

St. Peter said to him: Gold or silver I have none, but what I have I give unto thee; in the name of Jesus

of Nazareth, arise and walk. And the lame man looked up, and was healed; and he entered, full of joy, into the temple with the apostles. St. Peter again preached, and this second discourse converted five thousand persons.

5. What did the chief priests do?

The chief priests and all the synagogue, alarmed at the progress of the gospel, caused the apostles to be apprehended and beaten with rods; forbidding them to preach in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The apostles answered that they ought to obey God rather than man, and continued their mission; this so exasperated the Jews, that they stoned St. Stephen to death.

6. What was the consequence of this persecution '?

It caused the gospel to be carried into other countries; for some of the disciples went into Samaria, and some into Judea, where they made a great nurnbef of conversions.

7. What were the conversions by the deacon St. Philip?

The principal were those of Simon, the magician, whom he converted in Samaria; and of tli6 minister of the queen of Ethiopia, who had gone uj/ to Jerusalem to worship the true God.

8. What did Simon, the magician, do?

St. Peter and St. John having gone down to Samaria to give confirmation to the new converts, Simon, the magician, wished to purchase from them the power of giving the Holy Ghost. For this he was reproved by St. Peter, but instead of repenting, lie became a special enemy of the apostles.

9. . Who was the most ardent persecutor of the church at this time?

The most ardent persecutor of the church was a young man named Saul. Having learned that there were many Christians at Damascus, he obtained of the high priests power to have them arrested, and brought

250 i'ATEVHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

in chains to Jerusalem; and be set out for that purpose with a number of officers under his orders.

10. What happened to him on the way?

On the way he was suddenly surrounded by a bright light from heaven, and was cast prostrate on the ground, when a voice was heard, that said to him; Saul, Saul, why persecufcst thou me? Saul, being much frightened, said: Who art thou, Lord? and the voice said: 1 am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecufest. Saul said: What wilt thou have me do, Lord? and the voice answered: Go to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. He arose, went to Damascus, and was there baptized.