_CHAPTER IV.--Descent of the Holy Spirit; Ecstatical and Prophetic Phenomena_ 91 _CHAPTER V.--First Church at Jerusalem; its Character Cenobitical_ 104 _CHAPTER VI.--The Conversion of the Hellenistic Jews and Proselytes_ 122 _CHAPTER VII.--The Church considered as an Association of poor People.--Institution of the Diaconate.--Deaconesses and Widows_ 130 _CHAPTER VIII.--First Persecution.--Death of Stephen.--Destruction of the first Church of Jerusalem_ 144 _CHAPTER IX.--First Missions.--Philip the Deacon_ 154 _CHAPTER X.--Conversion of St. Paul_ 162 _CHAPTER XI.--Peace and Interior Developments of the Church of Judea_ 179 _CHAPTER XII.--Establishment of the Church of Antioch_ 196 _CHAPTER XIII.--The idea of an Apostolate to the Gentiles.--Saint Barnabas_ 206 _CHAPTER XIV.--Persecution of Herod Agrippa I._ 214 _CHAPTER XV.--Movements Parallel to, and Imitative of Christianity.--Simon of Gitto_ 226 _CHAPTER XVI.--General progress of the Christian Missions_ 236 _CHAPTER XVII.--State of the World in the First Century_ 252 _CHAPTER XVIII.--Religious Legislation of the period_ 278 _CHAPTER XIX.--The Future of Missions_ 290 _NOTES_ 305 THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.