The Bible Story I:

ACTS

   Ten days after Jesus ascended into Heaven, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. When a crowd gathered, Peter preached to them that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was the Lord and Christ. When they realized how great their sin was, Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin and that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Three thousand people believed and were baptized. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship and to prayer. They shared what they had with those in need. Then the church grew rapidly.

   The religious leaders opposed and persecuted the church. The apostles were threatened and beaten, but they could not help but talk about Jesus. When the disciples were forced to leave Jerusalem, they went throughout the area and talked about Jesus. A zealous Jew named Saul went about arresting disciples. Then Jesus appeared to Saul and he also believed in Jesus. Saul began to tell everyone that Jesus is the Christ.

   At first, the believers were all Jews. Then God sent Peter to preach to Gentiles at the house of Cornelius, a Roman soldier. The church rejoiced to see that God's grace had been extended to the Gentiles, too. Saul, who was also called Paul, traveled through Cyprus and into Asia Minor. He told the Jews and Gentiles about Jesus. Many people believed and many churches were started. Later, Paul spread the good news about Jesus through Asia Minor and Greece. Paul's traveling companions included Barnabas, Mark, Silas, Luke, Timothy and Titus. When Paul returned to Jerusalem, he was falsely accused by the Jews, and was sent to Rome for trial before Caesar. In spite of a shipwreck, Paul arrived in Rome and spent two years under house arrest. (Apparently he was released but later arrested again and put to death.)

Besides starting many churches, Paul wrote letters to the churches and to individual Christians.

1. To the ROMANS, Paul wrote about God's plan of salvation by grace.
2. To the CORINTHIANS, Paul wrote about dying to sin and walking in love.
3. To the GALATIANS, Paul warned against the false teaching of salvation by works.
4. To the EPHESIANS, Paul encouraged them to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
5. To the PHILIPPIANS, Paul encouraged them to walk as mature Christians.
6. To the COLOSSIANS, Paul encouraged them to put Jesus Christ first in their lives.
7. To the THESSALONIANS, Paul encouraged them to remain steadfast to the Lord in spite of persecution and false teaching.
8. To TIMOTHY and TITUS, Paul gave them instructions on leading the churches and to remain faithful to God's calling.
9. To PHILEMON, Paul asked him to forgive and welcome back a runaway slave.

• The book of HEBREWS describes how Jesus is superior to angels and to Moses, how the new covenant of grace is superior to the old covenant of law and how Jesus' death for sin is superior to animal sacrifices for sin. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith to Jesus.
• JAMES wrote a very practical book on Christian conduct.
• The apostle PETER wrote two letters encouraging Christian to remain faithful to Jesus in spite of suffering and false teaching.
• The apostle JOHN wrote three letters to encourage Christians to maintain their fellowship with God and with each other, and to avoid false teachers.
• JUDE wrote a stern warning to false teachers.