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.).

1. [DICTA PROBANTIA]

APOSTOLI MIRACULA. SECTIO 1.1

Apostoli nominantur, Act. Apost. 1:13, 26.

Quod Judas proditor crepuerit medius, et effusa sint omnia viscera ejus, Act. Ap. 1:16, 17, 18, 19.

Multa miracula et signa per Apostolos facta sunt, Act. Apost. 2:43.

Petrus et Johannes sanaverunt claudum sedentem [ad] januam Templi, unde omnes attoniti, at cum sacerdotes audiverunt illos praedicantes de Jesu, intulerunt illis manus et injecerunt in custodiam, et postea comminati illos propter populum dimiserunt illos, Act. Apost. 3:1 ad 20. Cap. 4, seq:

Quod miraculum hoc factum sit in Nomine Jesu Christi, 4:10, 30.

Miracula multa ab Apostolis, Act. Apost. 5:12, 15, 16. sed usque a Sacerdote magno posuerunt eos in custodia, et tametsi inde ab angelo miraculose educti sunt, sed usque verberati sunt, et comminati ne praedicarent de Jesu, vers: 29 ad 40.

Stephanus etiam fecit signa magna et miracula, Act. Apost. 6:8.

Miracula a Philippo, Act. Apost. 8:6, 7, 13.

Simon magus in Samaria se magnum fecit, dicens hic est virtus Dei magna, sed graviter increpatus est a Petro, Act. Apost. 8:9, 10, seq: 20 ad 24.

Miracula a Petro facta, et quoque quod mortuum excitarit in vitam, Act. Apost. 9:33, 34, 36 ad 42.

Miraculum Pauli, quod quidam factus caecus, Act. Apost. 13:11, tum alia, Cap. 19:11, 12. Cap. 20:9, seq: 28:3, seq: 28:8.

Miracula facta a discipulis, et cum Paulo, Act. Apost. 14:3, 8 ad 10, 19, 20. Cap. 16:25, 26, seq.

Generally, doors in the Bible represent the initial desires for good and concepts of truth that introduce us to new levels of love and understanding, and even to the Lord Himself. Since a “house” represents a person’s desires, affections and passions, the door serves to introduce true ideas that can put those desires into action.

In John 10:7, the door signifies the Lord, who is good itself and truth itself. (Arcana Coelestia 2356[2])

In Revelation 3:8; 4:1, the door signifies admission to the arcana of heaven revealed. (Apocalypse Explained 260[2])

The meaning depends on context, of course. For example, references to doorposts and lintels are making a distinction between introductory goods and introductory truths. And, in Sodom, Lot's house had two doors -- an inner one and an outer one. When, in Genesis 19:6, Lot tried to convince the men of Sodom not to attack the angels visiting him, he went outside the inner door, but stayed inside the outer door. There, the outer door represents a desire for good that is resistant to the falsity represented by the men of Sodom; the inner door represents true ideas springing from that desire for good. Someone nurturing a desire for good could be admitted through the first door, but would have to learn the truth about how to express that desire before being admitted through the second.

(References: Genesis 19)