From Swedenborg's Works

 

Scriptural Confirmations #1

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Scripture Confirmations of New Church Doctrine [Brief Latin Title: Dicta Probantia]

1. The Apostles; Miracles

The apostles are named (Acts of the Apostles 1:13, 26).

Judas the traitor burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out (Acts of the Apostles 1:16-19).

Many miracles and signs were done by the apostles (Acts of the Apostles 2:43). Peter and John healed the lame man sitting at the gate of the temple, therefore all were astonished, but when the priests heard them preaching about Jesus, they laid hands upon them, thrust them into prison, and afterwards having threatened them sent them away because of the people (Acts of the Apostles 3:1-20; 4). This miracle was done in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles 4:10, 30).

Many miracles done by the apostles (Acts of the Apostles 5:12, 5:15, 5:16), but yet they were put in prison by the high priest, and although they were led out thence by an angel miraculously, yet they were beaten, and warned not to preach concerning Jesus (verses 29-40).

Stephen also did great signs and miracles (Acts of the Apostles 6:8).

Miracles done by Philip (Acts of the Apostles 8:6, 7, 13).

Simon the sorcerer made himself great in Samaria, saying, here is the great power of God; but he was severely reproved by Peter (Acts of the Apostles 8:9, 10 seq., 20-24).

Miracles done by Peter, and also that he raised the dead to life (Acts of the Apostles 9:33, 34, 36-42).

The miracle of Paul, that a certain man was made blind (Acts of the Apostles 13:11); also others (Acts of the Apostles 19:11, 12; 20:9 seq.; 28:3 seq., 8).

Miracles done by the disciples, and with Paul (Acts of the Apostles 14:3, 8-10, 19, 20; 16:25, 26 seq.).

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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.

The Bible

 

Acts of the Apostles 20

Study

   

1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

2 When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.

3 When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.

6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.

7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.

8 There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.

9 A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

10 Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, "Don't be troubled, for his life is in him."

11 When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.

12 They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.

13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.

14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene.

15 Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

18 When they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,

19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;

20 how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,

21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.

22 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;

23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

24 But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

25 "Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,

27 for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

32 Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing.

34 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

37 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.