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GETTING STARTED
Loading the player...Jesus gave them more than proof that he was alive, he also gave them a promise, the promise of a supernatural new power at work in their lives.
Full of fear one day and then full of courage so soon after, you have to ask ‘where did that power come from?
- Apostles - Men who saw the risen Jesus and were chosen by him to start and support worldwide Christianity.
- The Holy Spirit - Also known as God the Spirit. Invisible, personal, actively in the world and life of every Christian.
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PIT STOP
Finish this sentence. A Christian is someone who
A Christian is someone who has put their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. They are trusting in what Jesus has done on the cross to get them to heaven. A Christian has had their sins forgiven and is in a relationship with God.
Is there any evidence (proof) for life after death?
Jesus was seen alive by many eyewitnesses after his death. On one occasion Jesus was seen by more than 500 people at the same time. There is real proof that he was alive after his death!
One day the disciples were in hiding, a few days later they were changing the world. How do you explain that transformation?
Next stepThe only explanation that makes any sense is that Jesus actually rose from the dead.
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BACK ON TRACK
Loading the player...Wait for my Holy Spirit and then go change the world. The risen Jesus gave them a job to do, a new direction to take and an amazing new purpose to fulfil.
What they thought was a dead end turned out to be an open door to a whole new and exciting future.
- Power to make a start
- Power to make a progress
- Power to make a difference
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FINDING DIRECTION
The city of Jerusalem was packed with people for a national festival, so Peter, one of Jesus’ followers took the opportunity to tell the crowds the good news about Jesus. The response was amazing!
Acts Chapter 2 verse 37-31
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
What must the people do and what will they receive? (v38)
They must repent (turn away from their sin and turn to God) and be baptised (be dunked in water as a public way of showing that they had become a Christian). They also received God’s powerful Holy Spirit, who came to live inside them.
Peter told them to ‘repent’ that means to turn from their sin or to change direction. What might that look like in your life?
Only you can answer this question. Be honest and be brave, don’t let anyone or anything stop you from turning to God to be saved.
Jesus gave his disciples and these first believers his powerful Holy Spirit, but what about us? (v39)
The Holy Spirit (God’s personal and powerful invisible presence) was not only promised to these people but is for all who put their faith in Jesus.
In verse 40, Peter pleaded with them, he begged them to believe. Why would he do that?
This is urgent and important; it’s the biggest decision anyone has to make.
What do you think is the scariest thing about becoming a Christian?
Some people are afraid to become a Christian because of what their friends or family might say. It’s true that if you become a Christian that some might make fun or stop being your friend.
Jesus has risen from the dead and has promised his Holy Spirit to every Christian. How could these two facts help us to face our fears?
If Jesus is more powerful than death then he is more powerful than anyone who makes fun of you or picks on you. If God’s Spirit lives in you then God is always with you as a friend, wherever you go and whatever you go through.
More than three thousand people accepted (believed) the message about Jesus that day. Is this a message you are now ready to accept for yourself? Is it a message you are prepared to share with others?
Next stepGod offers you forgiveness as a free gift, he promises you his powerful Holy Spirit, rescue from the punishment of sin and a guaranteed place in paradise when you die. Don’t walk away from this amazing new life you could have. Put your faith in Jesus. If you’ve not done so already then here is a prayer that you might like to pray:
Dear God, I’m so sorry that I’ve been going my own way up until now. Sorry for pushing you out of my life. I know I need to change lanes and get off this wide road that leads to destruction. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place, and for paying the price my sin deserves. Please forgive me. I want to accept that amazing free gift you are offering me, so I’m ready right now to turn away from my sin and turn to Jesus for my new life and my new start. Thank you, God!
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ARE WE THERE YET?
Loading the player...The disciples found the power to make a new start, the power to make progress and the power to make a difference in this world and so can you!
If you were to set out in search for the meaning to life and the truth about God, where would you begin?
- Revelation
- Evidence
- Sin
- Judgement
- Identity
- Mission
- Power