The Acts of the Apostles Author(s): White, Ellen Gould Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: This book is the fourth volume in White©s five-volume series entitled The Conflict of the Ages. The series tells the story of Christian history as told in the Bible, beginning from Gen- esis and ending in Revelation. The Acts of the Apostles covers the Great Commission to the visions given to John the Revelator, i.e., from the Book of Acts to the Book of Revelation. Her interpretation of history and the Bible is quite original, and provided a theological foundation for the forming of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. White©s unique and often controversial ideas address issues relevant to Christian faith and history that many of her contemporaries avoided. Although still highly criticized to this day, her work can chal- lenge readers to look at Christian perspectives on New Testament theology and the progression of history in new or alternative ways. Kathleen O©Bannon CCEL Staff Subjects: The Bible New Testament Special parts of the New Testament i Contents Title Page 1 Preface 2 Chapter 1. God's Purpose for His Church 4 Chapter 2. The Training of the Twelve 8 Chapter 3. The Great Commission 12 Chapter 4. Pentecost 17 Chapter 5. The Gift of the Spirit 23 Chapter 6. At the Temple Gate 28 Chapter 7. A Warning Against Hypocrisy 35 Chapter 8. Before the Sanhedrin 39 Chapter 9. The Seven Deacons 44 Chapter 10. The First Christian Martyr 49 Chapter 11. The Gospel in Samaria 52 Chapter 12. From Persecutor to Disciple 57 Chapter 13. Days of Preparation 63 Chapter 14. A Seeker for Truth 67 Chapter 15. Delivered From Prison 73 Chapter 16. The Gospel Message in Antioch 79 Chapter 17. Heralds of the Gospel 85 Chapter 18. Preaching Among the Heathen 91 Chapter 19. Jew and Gentile 97 Chapter 20. Exalting the Cross 104 Chapter 21. In the Regions Beyond 109 Chapter 22. Thessalonica 114 Chapter 23. Berea and Athens 119 Chapter 24. Corinth 125 ii Chapter 25. The Thessalonian Letters 131 Chapter 26. Apollos at Corinth 138 Chapter 27. Ephesus 144 Chapter 28. Days of Toil and Trial 149 Chapter 29. A Message of Warning and Entreaty 153 Chapter 30. Called to Reach a Higher Standard 158 Chapter 31. The Message Heeded 165 Chapter 32. A Liberal Church 171 Chapter 33. Laboring Under Difficulties 177 Chapter 34. A Consecrated Ministry 183 Chapter 35. Salvation to the Jews 190 Chapter 36. Apostasy in Galatia 195 Chapter 37. Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem 198 Chapter 38. Paul a Prisoner 203 Chapter 39. The Trial at Caesarea 213 Chapter 40. Paul Appeals to Caesar 218 Chapter 41. “Almost Thou Persuadest Me” 220 Chapter 42. The Voyage and Shipwreck 223 Chapter 43. In Rome 227 Chapter 44. Caesar's Household 234 Chapter 45. Written From Rome 238 Chapter 46. At Liberty 246 Chapter 47. The Final Arrest 248 Chapter 48. Paul Before Nero 250 Chapter 49. Paul's Last Letter 253 Chapter 50. Condemned to Die 259 Chapter 51. A Faithful Undershepherd 262 Chapter 52. Steadfast Unto the End 270 Chapter 53. John the Beloved 275 Chapter 54. A Faithful Witness 279 Chapter 55. Transformed by Grace 284 Chapter 56. Patmos 289 iii Chapter 57. The Revelation 294 Chapter 58. The Church Triumphant 302 Indexes 307 Index of Scripture References 308 Index of Pages of the Print Edition 312 iv This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. The mission of the CCEL is to make classic Christian books available to the world. • This book is available in PDF, HTML, ePub, and other formats. See http://www.ccel.org/ccel/white/acts.html. • Discuss this book online at http://www.ccel.org/node/3012. The CCEL makes CDs of classic Christian literature available around the world through the Web and through CDs. We have distributed thousands of such CDs free in developing countries. If you are in a developing country and would like to receive a free CD, please send a request by email to [email protected]. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a self supporting non-profit organization at Calvin College. If you wish to give of your time or money to support the CCEL, please visit http://www.ccel.org/give. This PDF file is copyrighted by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. It may be freely copied for non-commercial purposes as long as it is not modified. All other rights are re- served. Written permission is required for commercial use. v Title Page Title Page THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES by ELLEN G. WHITE This is a public domain book, published in 1911. The author Ellen G. White was one of the early women writer in the his- tory of America. The raw etext was provided by the Trustees of Ellen G. White Publications, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Springs, Maryland 20904. May 6, 1994. contact: [email protected] (See-Wei Toh) This text is in the public domain, posted to wiretap MAY 1994. v 1 Preface Preface The Acts of the Apostles PREFACE The fifth book of the New Testament has been known from ancient times as The Acts of the Apostles; but this title cannot be found in the book itself. One of the earliest manu- scripts, the Codex Sinaiticus, gives as the title the simple word Acts, with no mention of the apostles. There is a reason for this. Acts was intended to be more than a brief history of the service rendered by the twelve disciples, much more than the principal events in the lifework of its four leading characters, Peter, James, John, and Paul. The book of the Acts was written by “the beloved physician,” Luke, a Gentile convert, for the whole church, Jews and Gentiles alike. While it covers a period of a little more than three decades, it is filled with important lessons for the church in every age. In the book of the Acts God clearly indicates that the Christian today shall experience the presence of the same Spirit who came with power at Pentecost and fanned the gospel message into a flame. The acts of the Holy Spirit through Peter and Paul, John and James, and others, can be re- peated in the modern disciple. The abruptness with which the book of Acts closes is not accidental; it deliberately suggests that the thrilling narrative is unfinished, and that the acts of God through the Spirit are to have their sequel throughout the Christian dispensation—each successive gen- eration adding a chapter full of beauty and power to the one that preceded it. The acts recor- ded in this remarkable book are in the truest sense the acts of the Spirit, for in apostolic times it was the Holy Ghost who appeared as the counselor and helper of the Christian leaders. At Pentecost the praying disciples were filled with the Spirit and preached the gospel with power. The seven men chosen as deacons were “full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.” vi Acts 6:3. It was the Holy Spirit who led in the ordination of Saul (9:17); in the acceptance of Gentiles into church fellowship (10:44–47); in the separation of Barnabas and Saul for missionary work (13:2—4); in the Council of Jerusalem (15:28); and in Paul's missionary journeys (16:6, 7). Another time when the church suffered intensely at the hands of Roman and Jewish persecutors, it was the Spirit who sustained the believers and kept them from error. The Acts of the Apostles was one of the last books written by Ellen G. White. It was published a few years before her death. It is one of the most illuminating volumes that came from her prolific pen. The average reader will find in it light for Christian witnessing. The message of the book is up to date, and its relevancy is reflected in the effort of the author to show that the twentieth century will witness a bestowal of spiritual power exceeding that of Pentecost. The work of the gospel is not to close with a lesser display of the Holy Spirit's power than marked its beginning. 2 Preface That the reader might participate in this re-enactment of the glorious scenes of the early church and at the same time be preserved from the subtle counterfeits of the enemy of souls is the prayer and earnest wish of— The Publishers. vii 3 Chapter 1. God©s Purpose for His Church Chapter 1. God's Purpose for His Church Chapter 1 God's Purpose for His Church The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His suf- ficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to “the principalities and powers in heavenly places,” the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10. Many and wonderful are the promises recorded in the Scriptures regarding the church. “Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Isaiah 56:7.