The Acts of the Apostles
The Holy Ghost will empower you to tell people about me.
Key words
- Apostle: any of the twelve men who Jesus Christ chose to teach other people about Christianity
Pentecost was the day when the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles.
- Verify: to prove that something exists or is true, or to make certain that something is correct
The results will need to be independently verified by experts.
- Persecute: cruel treatment because of race, religion, or political beliefs
She claimed the government was persecuting its opponents.
- Preach: to give a religious speech
During the sermon, he preached about the need for forgiveness.
- Vouch: to be able from your knowledge or experience to say that something is true
As a medical examiner I can vouch that his death was accidental.
Read the article to find the answers
- Who wrote the Acts of the Apostles?
- What does the Acts of the Apostles tell the story of?
- Why did Saul go to Damascus?
- What did he do when he got there?
Luke
Luke carefully researched the testimonies of those who witnessed the life of Jesus to verify their stories. He was also a regular traveling companion of the Apostle Paul. He was the first Christian historian and wrote The Acts of the Apostles which tells the story of how the Holy Ghost empowered the apostles to spread the Gospel throughout the world.
Saul
Saul was full of anger and wanted to arrest and punish anyone who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. On his way to Damascus in search of Christians, he was surrounded by a light from heaven. He fell to the ground and heard a voice speaking to him:
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. You cannot resist my call. Get up, go into the city, and I will tell you what you must do.
Saul was blinded by the light, so his companions led him to Damascus.
Ananias
Ananias lived in Damascus and was a strong believer in Jesus. In a vision, Jesus called to him and said:
Go to Saul of Tarsus. He has seen you in a vision, lay your hands on him to restore his sight.
Ananias replied:
Lord, I've heard about this man and the harm he has done to your followers in Jerusalem. He has authority from the chief priests to arrest those who believe in you.
Jesus reassured him:
I have chosen him to work for me. I have appointed him to preach to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel.
Ananias entered the house, and laid his hands on Saul. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, he regained his sight, and was baptized.
Saul preaches about Jesus
Saul stayed in Damascus with the local disciples and began preaching in the synagogues, saying that Jesus is the Son of God. The people were amazed and asked:
Isn't this the same man who persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem? Hasn't he come here to arrest Christians?
The Jewish community plotted to kill Saul, so the disciples helped him to escape.
Saul returns to Jerusalem
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, the disciples there were afraid of him. They thought he might still be an enemy in disguise. But Barnabas vouched for Saul, explaining how boldly he preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
Saul then fearlessly preached about Jesus to the Greek-speaking Jews who wanted to kill him. To avoid being killed, he returned to his home town of Tarsus and changed his name to Paul, and Christianity rapidly grew throughout the region.
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Do you know the Bible passage quoted at the top of this article?
- Do you know any famous historians from ancient times?
- Who were the first Christians in your country?
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