INTERTESTAMENTAL HISTORY

spirit gave the utterance, (Acts 2:4). The Prophets of the Old Testament prophesied, wrote, and dreamed of this great event, but never lived to see their prophecy fulfilled. A small group of 120 that followed Jesus during his ministry went to Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Father, (Luke 24:49-53). The 120 consisted of 12 Apostles (Matthias being chosen to take the place of Judas lscariot), and 108 disciples. The 120 that tarried at Jerusalem for the Holy Ghost were the followers of Jesus during His 3-1/2 years of ministry. The 120 received the Holy Ghost at the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Then 3,000 received the Holy Ghost at the close of Peter’s first message on the Day of Pentecost when he declared, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call,” (Acts 2:39). These 3,120 members came from all walks of life. Some were doctors, lawyers, tax collectors, scribes, priests, fishermen, farmers, shepherds, businessmen, housewives, etc. The first New Testament Church began with 3,120 members. The plan of salvation was given in answer to the question of the multitude in Acts 2:37, (...Men and brethren, what shall we do?” The Apostle Peter answered the question with Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. We have the essential condition of the Church in Acts 2:41-47: Faith, Apostolic doctrine, Lord’s Supper, and public worship.

10. CHAPTER III - The Lame Man Healed.

Peter and John went up to the temple to pray; and at the Gate Beautiful, a lame man was healed, causing a multitude to gather; and Peter preached to them Jesus, the Messiah, a resurrected Christ, his death, burial and resurrection.

11. CHAPTER IV - 5.000 Converts.

The priest and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees rose up against them, being grieved that they preached through Jesus, the resurrection. Peter and John were arrested and put in hold until the next day, but about 5,000 men were converted.

12. CHAPTER V - Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, sold their possessions, kept back part of the price, and brought a certain part and laid it at the Apostles’ feet. Peter said, “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost”, and Ananias hearing this fell down dead. Three hours later, his wife came and repeated the story of Ananias and she fell dead.

13. CHAPTER VI - Seven Deacons Chosen.

At this time there arose a disturbance in the Church in Jerusalem by the Grecians accusing the Church of neglecting their widows in the daily ministration. The Grecians were Hellenistic Jews who sojourned in countries where the Greek language was spoken, and probably many of them knew no other language. They are