28 And there stood up one of them named *Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his 1ability, determined to send "relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:

there were in the Church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger. do. xv 32: And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. do. xxi. 9: The same man [Philip] had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. I COR. xii. 10, 28: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy. God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets. do. xiii. 2: Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. do. xiv. 1, 6, 29, 31: Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. EPH. ii. 20: Are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. do. iii. 5: Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. do iv. 11: He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets.

* ACTs, xxi. 10: There came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.

EZRA, ii. 69: They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work. NEH. v. 8: We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen. ECCLUS. XXXV. 10: Give unto the Most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye. Toв. iv. 7, 8: Give alms of thy substance.-If thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little. 1 COR. xvi. 2: Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 2 COR. viii. 3, 4, 12: For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were

A. D. 44. 30 Which also they did, and "sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

CHAP. XII.

1 King Herod persecuteth the Christians, killeth James, and imprisoneth Peter, whom an angel delivereth upon the prayers of the Church: 20 in his pride taking to himself the honour due to God, he is stricken by an angel, and dieth miserably: 24 after his death the word of God prospereth.

NOW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands1 to vex2 certain of the Church. 2 And he killed James the "brother of John with the sword.

willing of themselves. Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 1 PET. iv. 11: If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth.

" Acts, xxiv. 17: After many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Rom. xv. 25, 26: I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 1 COR. xvi. 1, &c: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Cor. ix. 1, 2, 12: As touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. GAL. ii. 10: They would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 1 THES. i. 3: Remembering-your work of faith and labour of love. HEB. vi. 10: God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. " ACTS, xii. 25.

• See on 1 TIм. v. 1.

cup,

CHAP. XII.

a MAT.XX. 23: Ye [the sons of Zebedee] shall drink indeed of my and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. MAT. iv. 21: He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, and he called them.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. were the days of "unleavened bread.)

(Then

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter3 to bring him forth to the people.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing1 of the Church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him,' and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up,

5

3 the Passover. Gen. Wh. We. Pu. 4 instant and earnest prayer was made: 2COR. i, 11, EPH, vi, 18, 1 THES. v. 17. A. V. was about to bring. Ham. out unto the people. Co. Cr. was there present. Co. Ma.

7

© Acts, xxiv. 27: But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room; and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

dExod. xii. 14, 15: And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. do. xxiii. 15: Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib: for in it thou camest out from Egypt. e. See on JOHN, Xiii. 36.

f MAT. xxvi. 5: They said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

* See on LUKE, Xviii. 1.

1 Ps. iii. 5, 6 : I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

See on ACTs, v. 19.

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saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

8

9 And he went out, and followed him; and *wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought 'he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which "opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath "sent

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GEN. xlv. 26: Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them art. Ps. cxxvi. 1: When the LORD turned again the captivity ata, we were like them that dream. LUKE, Xxiv. 11: The words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed

MAT. iv. Zebedee, and.

4. 3, 17: He saw in a vision evidently about the Bear of the day an angel of God coming unto him, and him, Cornelius. Now while Peter doubted in hims vision which he had seen should mean, behold, Teach were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry 4's house, and stood before the gate.

do. xi. 5.

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wice earth, to show himself strong in the beheart is perfect toward him. Ps. xxxiv. 7: encampeth round about them that fear DAN. iii. 28: Then Nebuchadnezzar be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, sent his angel, and delivered his do. vi. 22: My God hath sent lions' mouths, that they have not

elier the

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his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly" affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, 'It is his angel. 12

10 to ask who was there. A. V.

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12

"I strongly. Wh. messenger. Br. hurt me. HEB. i. 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? JOB, V. 19: He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. Ps. xxxiii. 18, 19: Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. do. xxxiv. 22: The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. do. xli. 2: The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. do. xcvii. 10: Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 2 Cor. i. 10: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. 2 PET. ii. 9: The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

PACTS, iv. 23: Being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the Chief Priests and elders had said unto them.

Acts, xv. 37: Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

r Ver. 5.

*GEN. xlviii. 16: The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and.