Church grows

More and more people believed in Jesus. But a man called Saul tried to stop them. He dragged believers off to prison. Many had to leave Jerusalem. Everywhere they went, they told people about Jesus.

Saul set off to arrest believers in Damascus. On the way, a light from heaven shone around him. A voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you fighting against me?” It was Jesus! For three days Saul could not see. Then Jesus sent a believer to help him see again. Saul began telling people that Jesus is the Son of God.

Cornelius was a Roman army officer who prayed to God. He was not Jewish, so Jewish people were not supposed to visit him. But God told Peter, one of Jesus’ first followers, to visit him. As Peter talked about Jesus, the Holy Spirit came on everyone listening. God was showing that the good news is for everyone!

Saul had another name, Paul. He travelled far, telling people about Jesus. In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and locked in prison. Around midnight they were praying and singing to God. Suddenly an earthquake shook the prison. The doors opened and everyone’s chains came undone!

The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “We are all here!” Shaking, the jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” That night he and everyone in his house heard about Jesus, believed and were baptised.

Paul also wrote letters to churches, and many are in our Bible. They tell us Jesus died and rose again to rescue people from every nation. Now the good news has spread all over the world. It has reached our country, our church and us! Everyone who trusts in Jesus belongs to God’s family.