Study Desk

Joseph was among them. The missionaries called him Barnabas. His name means Son of Comfort. He was from the family group of Levi and from the country of Cyprus.

A man by the name of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land.

He kept back part of the money for himself. His wife knew it also. The other part he took to the missionaries.

The young men got up and covered his body and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in. She did not know what had happened.

At once she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in, they found that she was dead. They took her out and buried her beside her husband.

They brought the sick people and laid them on the streets hoping that if Peter walked by, his shadow would fall on some of them.

The leader of the house of God took his men and got them. They did not hurt the missionaries because they were afraid the people would throw stones at them.

God raised this Man to His own right side as a leader and as the One Who saves from the punishment of sin. He makes it possible for the Jews to be sorry for their sins. Then they can turn from them and be forgiven.

We have seen these things and are telling about them. The Holy Spirit makes these things known also. God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him."

Remember that many years ago a man called Theudas made himself out to be someone great. He had about 400 followers. He was killed. His followers were divided and nothing came of his teaching.

After him, Judas of the country of Galilee gathered many followers. It was the time for every person to have his name written in the books of the nation. This Judas was killed also. All his followers were divided and went away.

So the missionaries went away from the court happy that they could suffer shame because of His Name.

The men sitting in the religious leaders' court were looking at Stephen. They all saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.

He went from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. After his father died, he came to this country where you now live.

God did not give him any land to own, not even enough to put his feet on. But He promised that the land would be his and his children's after him. At that time he had no children.

He helped him in all his troubles. He gave him wisdom and favor with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This king made Joseph leader over Egypt and over all the king's house.

"The second time they went to the country of Egypt, Joseph made himself known to his brothers. The family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh.

Joseph asked his father Jacob and all his family to come. There were seventy-five people in the family.

"At that time Moses was born. He was beautiful in God's sight. He was fed in his father's house for three months.