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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
upon his heart to counsel the chief priest and rulers. Said Gamaliel,
Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this
work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God ye cannot
overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. The
evil angels were moving upon the priests and elders to put the apostles
to death; but God sent his angel to prevent it, by raising up a voice in
favor of the disciples in their own ranks.
The work of the apostles was not finished. They were to be brought
before kings, to witness to the name of Jesus, and to testify to the
things which they had seen and heard. But before these chief priests
and elders let them go, they beat them, and commanded them to speak
no more in the name of Jesus. They departed from the council praising
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God that they were accounted worthy to suffer for his dear name. They
continued their mission, preaching in the temple and in every house
where they were invited. The word of God grew and multiplied. Satan
had moved upon the chief priests and elders to hire the Roman guard
to falsely say that the disciples stole Jesus while they slept. Through
this lie they hoped to conceal the facts; but, lo, springing up all around
them were the mighty evidences of Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples
boldly declared it, and testified to the things which they had seen and
heard, and through the name of Jesus they performed mighty miracles.
They boldly placed the blood of Jesus upon those who were so willing
to receive it, when they were permitted to have power over the Son of
God.
I saw that the angels of God were commissioned to have a special
care, and guard the sacred, important truths which were to serve as an
anchor to hold the disciples of Christ through every generation.
The Holy Spirit especially rested upon the apostles, who were
witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension—important
truths which were to be the hope of Israel. All were to look to the
Saviour of the world as their only hope, and walk in the way Jesus
opened by the sacrifice of his own life, and keep God’s law and live. I
saw the wisdom and goodness of Jesus in giving power to the disciples
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to carry on the same work which caused the Jews to hate and slay him.
They had power given them over the works of Satan. They wrought
signs and wonders through the name of Jesus, who was despised, and
by wicked hands slain. A halo of light and glory clustered about the