Church begins

Jesus rose from the dead. For forty days, he appeared to his friends, the apostles. He told them to wait in Jerusalem. “When the Holy Spirit comes, he will give you power,” Jesus said. “Then you will tell the whole world about me.”

While they watched, Jesus was taken up to heaven. Two men in white said Jesus would come back the same way. Back in Jerusalem, his friends kept praying together.

At the festival of Pentecost, Jesus’ friends were all together. Suddenly a sound like a strong wind from heaven filled the house. What looked like flames of fire rested on each of them. The Holy Spirit filled them all and helped them speak other languages.

The sound brought a crowd of Jewish people from many countries. Each person heard Jesus’ friends praising God in their own language! Peter stood up and told the crowd about Jesus. Jesus died on a cross, but God raised him to life. Now Jesus is Lord and King at God’s right hand. He has sent the Holy Spirit, as God promised.

Peter’s words made the people very upset. “What should we do?” they asked. Peter answered, “Turn from your sins and be baptised in Jesus’ name. God will forgive you and give you the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you, your children and people far away.” About three thousand people believed and were baptised that day!

The believers learned from the apostles and prayed together. They shared what they had with anyone in need. Every day they met to praise God and eat together. The Lord kept adding people to God’s family, the church. God’s promise is for us too. When we trust Jesus, God forgives us. And God the Holy Spirit comes to live in us.