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.

Peter -- born Simon, son of Jonah -- one of Jesus's disciples, is one of the Bible's most important figures. He was, according to three of the four Gospels, the first man called by Jesus to be a disciple, and he is clearly identified by Jesus as the leader of the group. His name, given to him by Jesus, is from the Greek word for "rock," which Jesus explains by saying "upon this rock I will build my church." He would go on to be one of the founders and patriarchs of the early Christian church, and is regarded by Catholics as the first pope.

When he is mentioned in the Gospels, Peter ordinarily symbolizes faith. On a spiritual level, Peter represents "truth from good," or true principles that are centered on the purpose of being good and doing what is good. In its highest state, this would be divine truth, ideas of love expressed directly by the Lord; in its lowest state it would be rules for life that need to be accepted and obeyed. The reason this is such a key concept -- and that Peter is such a crucial figure -- is that truth of this kind is the first thing we need to begin a spiritual journey to the Lord. At such an early stage we are burdened with desires for evil and can't trust our feelings and emotional reactions, but we can raise our minds above those desires and recognize the truth about the Lord and life. That way we can compel ourselves to do what is right and fight the desires to do evil; if we do that with commitment, trust, and hope in the Lord, He will slowly remove those evil desires until we become angelic, doing what's good out of love. But it all has to start with Peter -- the solid, unmoveable stone of truth that is the only worthy foundation for life.