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43. The Church Begins
What the Story Says
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Why did the believers constantly gather together in Jerusalem?
They continually gathered together to pray (See: 43:01).
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What happened to the believers as they were gathered together during Pentecost?
As the believers were gathered together, the house was filled with the sound of a strong wind and something like flames of fire appeared over their heads. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages (See: 43:03).
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What astonished the crowd when they came to see the believers?
They heard the believers speaking in the native language of each person in the crowd (See: 43:04).
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How did Peter reply when the crowd said the believers were drunk?
Peter told the crowd that they were not drunk, but that this was the Spirit of God poured out on the believers as the prophet Joel had said long ago (See: 43:05).
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According to Peter, how did God the Father honor Jesus?
God the Father honored Jesus by making him sit at his right hand, and by making him both Lord over everything and the Messiah (See: 43:06, 43:07).
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When the people asked Peter what they should do, how did he reply?
Peter told them to repent so that God would forgive them and to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (See: 43:11).
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How many people believed what Peter preached and became disciples of Jesus that day?
About 3,000 people believed Peter and became disciples of Jesus (See: 43:12).
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What did the new believers do together in Jerusalem?
They continued to listen to the teaching of the apostles. They also met, ate, and prayed together. And they continually praised God together and shared everything they had with each other (See: 43:13).
What the Story Means to Us
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What was the main thing the believers continually did when they gathered together?
Prayer was very important to the believers. They continually gathered together to pray to God as a group, in addition to praying individually. Perhaps that is why God did such powerful works among them.
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How did the gift of speaking in other languages help the believers proclaim the message of Jesus?
The people in Jerusalem knew the believers could not speak the native languages of everyone in the crowd. When they heard and saw them do this, they knew it was a miracle. Therefore, they were ready to listen to Peter as he preached to them. They could also speak to any person from any language group about Jesus, and that person would understand completely what they said.
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What did Peter tell the crowd about Jesus?
Peter told them that they had crucified Jesus, but that God had raised him from the dead just as the prophets had said he would. Peter and the believers were eyewitnesses of this. Peter also said that God had honored Jesus by making him sit at his right hand in heaven, and that it was Jesus who was sending the Holy Spirit.
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How did people respond to Peter’s message?
God caused the people to be deeply moved so that they asked Peter what they should do. God will not always cause people to respond in this way, but on that occasion, 3,000 people believed the message and repented.
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How did the people of Jerusalem react when they saw that the believers continually met together to pray, praise God, and share with each other?
When everyone in Jerusalem saw how the believers treated each other and praised God, they thought well of them, and many more people became believers.
Summary
After Jesus went up to heaven, the believers continually met to pray together. Soon God sent the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work in them. He enabled them to speak in the native language of every person to whom they spoke. People were amazed at this. They listened to Peter as he told them that Jesus, whom they had crucified, had become Lord and Messiah and had sent the Holy Spirit to do this. When they heard this, 3,000 immediately believed in Jesus and were baptized. As they continued to meet together, other people saw how they praised God and helped each other. As a result, the church continued to grow.