[99. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit]
At His ascension Jesus had said to the apostles: John baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days hence. Until this came to pass, they were to abide at Jerusalem. On one of these days they chose one of the disciples named Matthias to be apostle in the place of Judas.
On the morning of the day of Pentecost, ten days after the ascension, the apostles were assembled as usual. And suddenly there came from heaven the sound as of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues as of fire, parting asunder; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now, there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews from every nation. When this sound was heard, they came together and said: What is this? Are not all these men Galileans? And how hear we then every man in our own language speaking the mighty words of God? But Peter, standing up, spake forth unto them saying: Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, sitteth now at the right hand of God, and has poured out His Holy Spirit. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and they said: What shall we do? Peter answered: Repent ye, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. They then that received the word were baptized on the same day, about three thousand souls.
And all that believed were daily together in prayer, and in breaking the bread in the Lord’s Supper. They sold their possessions, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day the Lord added others to the congregation. (Acts 2.)
[100. The Apostles Before the Council]
Peter and John went up to the temple to pray. A man that had been lame from his birth was sitting outside the door asking alms. Peter said: Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that I give thee: In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise and walk! And immediately he leaped up, and entered with them into the temple and praised God. And many were baptized.
But the priests and the scribes laid hands on the apostles and took them before the council. And they threatened them to preach no more in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered: Judge ye whether it be right to hearken unto you rather than unto God. Afterward they concluded to kill the apostles; but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, who was held in honor of all the people, arose and said unto them: Refrain from these men, and let them alone: For if this counsel be of men, it will be overthrown: but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them. To him they agreed, yet beat they the apostles, and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus. And the apostles departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name; and they ceased not to preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 3-5.)
[101. Stephen]
When the congregation increased the apostles said: Choose seven men as overseers for the poor, for it is not fit that we should forsake the Word of God and serve tables. And the congregation chose Stephen and six others; and the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them.—Stephen was full of faith and power and wrought great wonders among the people. And certain scribes arose and disputed with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they seized him and brought him before the council, and they suborned false witnesses, who said: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against the temple and against Moses. Stephen made a speech and showed that the Jews had always resisted God. When they heard this, they were enraged; but Stephen looked steadfastly up into heaven and said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. But they rushed upon him and cast him out of the city and stoned him. But Stephen prayed: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Those who stoned Stephen laid down their garments at the feet of a young Pharisee named Saul. And Saul was consenting unto his death. (Acts 6-7.)