28 MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION 



returned to their homes carried with them the out- 

 line of the Christian faith, and thus paved the 

 way for the planting of the Church in subsequent 

 days. 



The growth of the Church in Jerusalem became 

 so marked that the most violent means were re^ 

 sorted to by the Jewish priests and rulers to check 

 it, but the persecution of its members only led to 

 its rapid extension to other parts, for when com- 

 pelled to leave Jerusalem they went to other 

 districts of Judea, and even beyond, preaching the 

 Gospel. No power could now check the growing 

 society, for under the inspiration of the Holy 

 Ghost men were filled with the most fervent zeal 

 for the proclamation of the tidings of salvation, 

 and felt called upon to devote their energies, their 

 talents and their lives, to making that salvation 

 known both to their brethren and to those of other 

 nations. 



After a time it pleased God to convert Saul of 

 Tarsus and to commission him as an apostle to the 

 Gentiles, and thus still greater impetus was given to 

 the Church's growth. 



The main sources of information respecting the 

 progress of Christianity in the age of the apostles is 

 the account given by St. Luke, and known as the 

 Book of the Acts of the Apostles. 



Other sources of information are the Epistles of 

 the New Testament, the incidental allusions con- 



