Living in Jerusalem I was present for the Lord’s crucifixion. What great sorrow it causes me to remember that day. The city was in chaos. Those who followed Christ had scattered and all seemed lost. He was to be hung on a cross so that he would be cursed by God. How could we not wonder if he was truly doing the work of God when he cried out “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me” but so it was written and had to be that we may all be forgiven. However all the more joy it brings to my heart to remember his resurrection. We did not know what to think about the news of his empty tomb but the word spread was quickly spreading that many had seen him after his death, the holes form his crucifixion still marked his as well as the cut form the spear. After this his teachings were more clear than ever. How could we deny the burning truth inside of us?
Out of the founders of the Christian church in Jerusalem I was among the first to accept Jesus as the coming Christ, so proclaimed and promised by the LORD in the ancient writings of our forefathers. I embraced his teachings and aided my brothers in spreading Jesus’ teachings so that all the world may hear of the good news even though many still opposed the teachings of Jesus in Jerusalem and sought to prosecute us, chief among them Soul who would eventually be unable to deny the truth. I was well respected among my brothers in the church at Jerusalem because they considered me a prophet. As the church grew and enemies rose up to cause our brothers to stumble I was elected to spread the decrees of the Jerusalem conical to our brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia because in me was found an ability to mediate between the our brothers form Jewish and gentile decent.
For a time I traveled with Paul spreading the word until we reached Macedonia where I stayed as Paul went on. Later I rejoined Paul at Corinth and we preached the good news together for some time. I even aided Paul in the composition of several of his letters. Paul and I were cast into prison together in Philippi for our service to our LORD. Such were the times that we were in constant danger. As Jesus told us, those who hated him would hate us. However we did not fear men or any mortal danger because we knew that God was the ultimate authority and we would not be harmed unless it was our time to join him. We rejoiced because we say the spirit of the LORD take root in thousands of people. No mortal danger could discourage us as we continued our work.
Even in prison Paul and I praised God for his work in our lives. No bars, nor walls, or any other earthly thing can come between the LORD and us. During one such time of praise God began to shake the land and the door to our prison cell was opened. So impressed was our Jailer by God’s might that he wished to submit himself to Christ Jesus so that he and his family could receive salvation. From there we would continue to spread the word of God. Opposition followed us wherever we went. False teaching continually had to be put down. Many of brothers had a hard time letting go of the old laws and traditions. They felt that salvation came largely impart form following the mosaic law. Still others denied the divinity of Jesus saying that God come to be with him at his baptism and left before his death. If that were so than how could the word have truly been made flesh.
We had much encouragement form our bothers in many of the gentile churches that resisted these teachings and generously gave to cause of the LORD. Truly blessed are to live in such an age.
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