The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-11

race are Christian.
Hiatus
We now study Acts. 6:9-l5. The cure
OF the Lame Man excited great interest The
popular, recognized religious leaders Of the
people became jealous Of the favoritism showed
the Apostles. The deeds effected by the agency
of Sis. Peter and John were SO numerous and
wonderful that the entire populace became
stirred up with awe. The reports spread
throughout the neighborns cities and towns
The miracles were performed in Solomon's
Porch, a very public place. Observers went
everywhere telling the news The prestly
authorities hierarchy decided to put q stop
to such unseemly demonstrations Not only
did the Church meet opposition from without
but, worse yet MON beers of the Church (Ananias
aud wifel fell into sin, which, left unpunished
would have brought great reproach on Chris
tianity. The Apostles attracted widespread
attention by their miracles. Many more were
added to their number. As there were greater
numbers of members and much persecution,
there was call for greater organization. Hence
it was decided To have assistants called deacous.
Among them was st. Stephen.
ARREST OF ST. STEPHEN.
Data
Acts, G:9-l5.
The Church had not yet extended beyond
Jerusalem. The trial was in the Council
Chamber. The stOning was done outside of the
city. 1853.
6: says. In those days" Probably the
Fall Of A. d. Il. We cannot be definite about
the date. Students of this paragraph need not
stumble at q variety of dates for this incident,
since each commentator must study all the
fan Il 4, lie; tvtl s.l ..,l.
The Prosecutors.
a. The Libertines. We This is the only
mention in the Bible of these persons. The
word Libertines means freedmen. The Latin
form is Ebertini 1t is supposed they were q
body Of Jews who had been taken captive by
the Romans. retained as such for time in
slavery. ultimately emancipated. and per-
mitted to return to their native country. 1t
was natural they should feel sentiment of
fraternity on account of their commonpess
Of experiences. The tendency to seek mutual
association is particularly noticed in the cases
of parties who have jointly passed through
sufseriugs. Hence we are prepared to find the
Libertines forming synagog of their own.
After their experiences of persecution from
foreigners, they wonld become very sensitive
about their own national matters, and be very
inclined to oppose any innovations of their civil
or religious customs.
b. Cyrenians. V. g. The modern Trpoi is
the ancient Cyrene; in Northern Africa: occu.
pied in ancient days by Greeks. who began as
early as b. G. 631 to colonize there; became a
Roman Province b. {. 20. Many Jews went
there to reside Simon, who was called on to
help Christ bear his cross, was native Cyren.
ian. st. Mt. 81: 30. Some Jews from Cyrenc
were in Jerusalem at the time of the Pente.
costal manifestation. Acts. 2: TO- We find
some of the Cyrenians helpful later on at Anti
och, in fact cooperating in the formation of
the Christian Church in that city. Acts, IL 20.
As cO-colonists these persons would have COM
mon sympathies and would quite naturally
have their own synagog at Jerusalem.
C. A!exandrians. Va Jewish colonists from
Alexandria. That city was founded by Alex-
ander the Great, b. &. 332. Tho ground.
plans were laid out by Alexander himself and
carried to completion by tho Ptolemies Jose.
phus says that Alexander in person assigned to
the Jews portion of the city territory. There
were almost LOCO, 900 Jews there in the time of
Philo. 1t had the greatest library in the world
at that date. The Septuagint Translation of
the Old Testament Hebrew Bible was rendered
in that city, begun b. G. 1885, A tradition
declares that the first Christian Church there
was founded by st. Mark. "Cleopatra's Nee.
die" now in Central Park, New York City. was
gotten from Alexandria. There are now
about 100000 people in that city. The law of
association would lead those of tho Jews who
returned to Jerusalem to form synagop
specially for themselves.
ii. Them Of Celicia. " g. Cclicja was n
province in the southeast part Of Asia Minor.
II was on the highway from Syria to the West
Tsrsus. the native city OF Saul tSt. Paull. was
IN that province.