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.

There are two aspects to the life of each person. We might call them "heart" and "mind," a part of us that wants and feels and a part of us that thinks and knows. The Writings usually refer to these as the "will" and the "understanding." They are reflections, and receptacles, of the Lord's infinite love and infinite wisdom. Of the two, the heart or will is ultimately the most important. Who we actually are is determined by what we love, and the things in our heart ultimately determine our place in heaven (or hell). But the will is beyond our control; we can't force ourselves to want something good or to not want something bad; we can control our actions, but not our feelings. Because of this power, the Lord works subtly and carefully in our hearts, in ways we can't sense. Most of the work and interaction goes on in our minds through the working of what the Writings call "Divine Truth," which is essentially the Lord's entire essence expressed in a form that is compatible with our minds. When the Bible talks about the Lord's "spirit," it represents this operation of Divine Truth in our minds, the way he reaches out and embraces us, and invites us to embrace him back. And when the Bible talks about people having "spirit," it is talking about our minds when we embrace Divine Truth.