BEGINNING AT THE BEGINNING Jerusalem was crowded with people from all around the Roman Empire and beyond. It was fifty days after Passover and the time for all Jews and converts to Judaism to gather for Pentecost, an annual harvest festival. But this year, 33 AD, was different from other years. Everyone was talking about the crucifixion
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of a man called Jesus, who had called himself the Son of God. Those who had been in Jerusalem then, recalled the sudden darkness on that day and the curtain in the temple being torn down the middle by unseen hands. And most unsettling were the stories that this man Jesus had come back to life three days after his terrible death. His followers claimed to have seen and talked to him before he rose up to heaven. Could all this be true? Meanwhile 120 people of Jesus’ followers were gathered in a large house near the temple. They were praying when all of a sudden a very loud sound, like a strong wind, filled the house. As they looked around at each other they could see what looked like a tongue of flame resting on each head. But it did not burn them. Instead they were filled with the Holy Spirit and given a gift to speak in
had to happen. Everyone standing in the temple courtyard could understand the message in their own language and were amazed. Some were frightened by this miracle, and some laughed. They thought Jesus’ followers were drunk. Then Peter stood up on a platform to speak to the entire crowd. The throng of people quieted down and listened intently while Peter spoke. He too told the story of Jesus, quoting verses from the Old Testament scriptures to show that this was all part of God’s plan to save his people from their sinful condition. Peter also told them that they were responsible for Jesus’ terrible death because they had refused to listen to him and accept him as the Messiah, God’s own Son. He urged them to repent of their sins and turn to God in faith, and then be baptised to show their faith publicly. The Holy Spirit gave Peter such power to speak that those that listened were convicted of their sinful hearts. That day 3,000 people believed, repented of the sins and were baptised by Jesus’ apostles. That day the early church began.
different languages. Amazed, but knowing what to do, Jesus’ followers left the house and went to the temple courtyard where thousands of people were gathered for the festival. Then each one began to speak in the language they were given, telling the story of Jesus death and resurrection and why it
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