CHAPTER IX

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THE FIRST PERSECUTION.

ACTS iv. 1-3, 5-7.

St. Peter's Teaching in Solomon's Porch and the Captain of the Temple--The Romans and Jewish Law--Discovery of Temple Tablet--The Sadducees and the Work of Opposition--Sadduceism and Modern Theories--Sceptics and Religious Intolerance-- Pliny and the Martyrs--Trial of the Apostles--Constitution of the Sanhedrin--Sadduceism and the Priesthood--St. Peter's Defence and Christ's Promise--Afford no Support to Unprepared Teaching in Ordinary Life--St. Peter and the Power of Christ's Name--The Sanhedrin and Miracles--The Jews and Magic--Reverence towards the Name of God--Early Symbolism and Christ's Name--Salvation through Christ and the Wider Hope 173-192

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