The Acts of the Apostles

THE SOURCES AND THEIR VALUE 181
own, and
—
Suvajmei jmeyaXr] cLTreSlSouv to jmaprvpiov
01 OLiroarToXoL tov Kvplov hjcrov Ti/S" avaa-raarecog (iv.
31-33).
7. Because of this grand spirit of self-sacrifice no
the appalling episode of Ananias
one lacked anything ;
and Sapphira ; the great fear of the whole Church ^
because of the apostolic power of St. Peter (iv. 34—
V. 11).
8. Many signs and wonders are now wrought by the
Apostles'* hands among the people (Xao?—in contrast
with €KK\ij(TLa) ; they were all together in Solomon**s
Porch ; the people hold them in high honour and
reverence ; their number increases ; St. Peter performs
many miracles of healing ; even from the toimis outside
Jerusalem many sick folk and those possessed with
daemons were brought to him (v. 12-16).
Here we have a narrative marked by consistency
and logical connection in the succession of events.^
If we now turn to chaps, ii. and v. 17—42, we read
as follows :
—
1. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in visible
form in the morning [where ? in what connection or
for what reason ? Is it because the day of Pentecost
was being fulfilled ?] ; immediate result : \aXeiv
erepai^ y\(jo(Tmakes its first appearance quite abruptly.
^ It is noteworthy that in these passages our Lord is four times
called 6 7ra?s GeoO. It is possible to eliminate from this connection
the story of Ananias and Sapphira ; whether it ought to be eliminated
is a question which, in my opinion, cannot be decided. As an
especially appalling instance of apostolic power it is quite in place
in the context.