The Messengers

previously on the Witnesses in fulfillment of ancient Old Testament prophecies God sent his son Jesus to redeem Mankind and to remind them of his love this is my beloved Son talk of his teaching and the Miracles performed in his presence spreads throughout Israel and multitudes follow him while Jesus's popularity among the people is on the increase the established religious leaders known as the Pharisees oppose him Jesus of Nazareth will bring nothing but harm to our nation he must be put out of the way knowing there is a greater task ahead Jesus chooses 12 men to help him in his mission and prepares them is at hand we will go to Jerusalem and there I must be killed no Lord no while the Pharisees gloat over their Victory 3 days later Jesus triumphantly rises from the dead the Lord I saw him he's alive what at 90 years of age John imprisoned and exiled for his faith is the only Apostle of the original 12 still alive I alone of the twel remain a witness to all Jesus did and [Music] said [Music] [Music] [Music] after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ he appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days teaching them about the kingdom of God on his last day with them just before he ascended to Heaven he saido not leave Jerusalem but wait there for the promise of the Holy Spirit once it is given you will be my Witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the [Music] Earth the discip deciples did as Jesus told them this is their [Music] [Music] story that's where you going out of our way move move move back move back out of our way I say big wave move along move come on move what's happening why did they apprehend him what did he do no no I must tell the others please let me through let me through please people are being arrested all over the city I'm telling you it's only a matter of time before the authorities show up here I told you you just can't barge in here Peter Peter I tried to stop him what is it what's wrong it's James James what about him he's been arrested arrested arrested James but why what what did I tell you what did I tell you Herod de gripper will stop at nothing nothing at all let's go come [Music] on can you not keep the peace have I asked for the impossible get him on his feet I have done nothing wrong oh but you have in fact you have not ceased to do wrong since the death of your Carpenter leader how by your teaching why you continual lies about Jesus of Nazareth lies we speak of what we have seen and heard Jesus is the son of God the Messiah once and for all the man is dead crucified buried but he rose and lives [Applause] again no no Jesus is the Messiah the one who for told by the prophets he is the Messiah and I am one of his Witnesses then he will have one less you know what to do you cannot stop us you cannot stop what God is doing you might as well try and stop the rain you cannot stop us you cannot stop us stop us stop us James he was the first to be martyred yes the the first of the 12 he and I were together when Jesus called us to follow him we never looked back after his arrest I never saw him again he was a good man a man of conviction seems to me all of you were as Brave as any Soldier don't you think so pulo either that or just plain stubborn I doubt stubbornness would have held up against the threat of death well he has you convinced doesn't he in any case I can appreciate a show of Bravery even in Mad Men let's say I agree let's call you all Brave it wasn't always so what what do you mean see even he admits it you each faced prison most of you death yes after after after what after Christ sent us the promise the Baptist had said after me comes one who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire Street you will recall my story that Christ had died and risen again move along if you don't having been with us for a short time he asked us to remain in Jerusalem temp way you will be clothed with power from on high he said three dinar three we did as he B us the city is overflowing every year the Feast of unav bread draws more and more people we better hurry the others are waiting no no it's twice as much two [Music] two these mes they don't understand a word I'm saying it's the same every year here isn't it listen the man is asking for two dinari two understand no of course you don't the synagogue we had remained in Jerusalem just as Jesus had asked praying and waiting for the day of his promise when the spirit would be poured out upon [Music] us the day it came our lives changed [Music] forever [Music] oh [Music] great is the Lord and worthy to be praised pour out your spirit Upon Us prop you want to pay what no I don't what I can't make out what you're saying I what is that noise I can't hear what you're saying what is it I don't know but it seems to be coming from over there well someone needs to tell them to talk it down I can't hear myself what what is going on really at this hour of the morning but um these all galileans sadly yes but we're not all like that some of us actually work for a living what what you mean we just look at them it's obvious they drunk drunk what mean you know ah famine yes now you understand but they speak in my language and in mine they speak of God what of Salvation a messiah messiah parthians Mees hites crans Arabs we hear them declared the words of God in our languages what is this listen to me listen to me listen we are not drunk as you suppose no oh right right what you see here what you hear is what was spoken by the prophet Joel in the last days God said I will pour out my spirit on all people and your sons and daughters shall prophesy what is he talking about you wonder what this is all about how this can be I will tell you you will recall Jesus of Nazareth who walked Among Us a man approved of God by Miracles and wonders that God did through him he was handed over to you by God's plan and you with the help of wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the Cross only days ago crucified just outside the city walls yet this same Jesus this same Jesus God has raised from the dead what raised from the dead and made to be both Lord and Messiah and we we are his Witnesses we have been with Jesus before and after his death he has poured out his Spirit Upon Us impossible you expect us to believe that but look you know some of these men there was no way they could know these other languages and speak them fluently it is a sign it must be if if what you say is true please tell us what shall we do repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Forgiveness of your sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and you too will be saved [Music] about 3,000 people were added to our number that day 3,000 in one day and it was only the beginning the numbers didn't stop there it was like a flood as we grew in number we grew in the love God poured out upon us it was like nothing anyone had ever witnessed [Music] before what is this we sold our card we've seen families with needs greater than our [Music] own no one called anything their own even though those that were opposed to us could not help but Marvel at our unity and our [Music] joy please don't hurt me now now brother we're here to help you what let's tend to those wounds have you eaten today a leper no one's ever treated me kindly before thank you ah that smell get going God continued to add to our number daily arms for a poor man arms for the poor and he blessed us with powerful Miracles can you spare anything anything at all look on us oh yes thank you sir silver and gold I do not have oh but what I do have I give to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk but but I what what is that in my legs I I can feel what's happening but this this is impossible my legs I can feel my legs hey what is it what's happening that's the man who can't walk I can walk look I'm Healed praise God I can walk isn't that the man that begs here every day it can't be he's been lame since birth thank you God oh praise but look at him just look at him what is this commotion what is happening a miracle a miracle has happened I can walk no a miracle not again no these men these holy men that healed the lame man they did is not friends friends listen to us be assured that we did not heal this man it's true we did not heal this poor man but by faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth is he healed by faith in Jesus Christ no no no no no we've got to do something he healed this man amazing what you waiting for and what will you have us do with them just lock them up till tomorrow I can walk look I'm Healed what are you waiting for do it now go come with us but why what are you doing it's a miracle a miracle these men they healed me look I can walk I can walk move along now keep going nothing's happened here but some trickery and believe me we will get to the bottom of this move along [Music] now it's much too late to call an assembly now and we'll want the high priest present we shall meet tomorrow at least this arrest should discourage anyone else from trying to join these deceivers James come you need to see this right now now what is it we have some visitors well surely you can attempt to [Music] we have heard about Jesus of Nazareth and have seen the Miracles done in his [Music] name and we have come to know more and to join you all of us [Music] have we must get Peter and they've been taken away the temple guards they took them away [Music] hallelu they are here here [Music] [Laughter] Caiaphas by what Authority did you do this you mean this by what Authority you have brought us here before all of you to give you an account for an act of kindness shown to a lame man uh formerly lame man then know this that it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified but God raised from the dead that this man and stands before you whole entirely totally complete stop and there is no other name under Heaven by which we must be saved that's [Music] enough what do we to do now well uh can't we lock them up punish look at him it was no Miracle everyone knows who he is he's been out there for years and now what now he's a walking what else can we call it it was no Miracle then what was it that's enough the man stands there whole you I we cannot deny that so let's not waste our I'm trying to well perhaps yes well these these followers of Jesus they're their numbers are growing and and we don't want them to stir up trouble against us I I suggest a warning a warning you want to let them go with just a what else can we do you are released wonderful but be warned you will not speak or teach in the name of this this Jesus of Nazareth am I [Music] understood I am warning you do not test us if we have reason to apprehend you again we will not be lenient you will not find favor in my eyes do you understand me fisherman I do but answer me this which is right in God's eyes to obey you or him you be the judges because we cannot help but speak about what we have seen and and [Music] H we must bide our time they would be fools to pursue their message further don't you think get out [Music] out Lord you've heard their threats their warning that we must stop teaching in or proclaiming your name or suffer consequences Lord help us to speak your word boldly stretch out your hand to heal to show signs and wonders and greater Miracles through the name of your son Jesus yes Lord [Music] and now they have the G to meet here within our own Temple under our very noses at Solomon's porch they and their growing multitude of followers people bring the sick into the streets and lay them on mats on mats in the streets why to hear them teach worse they do it in the hopes that the fish fman Peter that as he passes by his shadow might heal them that's impossible have they gone that far Fanatics longing for his shadow to fall on them and oh well what happens when he walks by people get healed I know I know it's absurd but the talk is the sick are cured the possessed are healed the list goes on enough I have heard enough and I have had enough he's right it's time we bring a stop to this mess one way or the [Music] other and God loved us so much that he gave us his son Jesus of Nazareth that as we believe in him he may save us for it is by his grace that we are [Music] saved leave them alone the these supplies will be a real blessing to those in need and isn't it wonderful that we can bring it come with us but we haven't done anything we we just freeing supplies to the poor you're under arrest what is what's I haven't done anything [Music] please let's keep them locked away and away from the people until we can decide what to do get me out of here get me out of down [Music] quiet it's just as he told us isn't it Jesus said that those of us us that had left houses and friends and families to follow him would receive 100 times as much with persecutions it's just like he said look at how our little group has grown and how many people follow Jesus now and how often we end up here you should write your names over the door Peter and John cell at least keep blankets in the corner I'm serious it's getting cold in here touch these walls how could they even think this could stop what God is doing the guard checking the lock two doors we must be very [Laughter] dangerous let's pray Lord thank you for preparing us ahead of time we see your word fulfilled as we find ourselves in prison we trust you knowing that with you nothing shall be [Music] impossible [Music] huh you look refreshed I slept well knowing that Jesus followers were locked away exactly perhaps we can return to some semblance of normality now we got rid of the false Shepherd now it's time to deal with his sheep ah the high priest good day to you Caiaphas Dare I ask what the first order of the day is yes well top of those I have already ordered the Fanatics to be brought in and I hope my brothers that we can come up with some Innovative way to keep this problem shall we say tucked away perfect perhaps we can keep them tucked away indefinitely ah the thought here they are now prisoners they escaped theirselves whated they have no idea how what happened what happened no they what what is it what have they [Music] done as I said we found the prison shut securely and the guards we never moved from our post not once the entire night the guards were at their post right outside the door but when we open the [Music] cell empty this is impossible my Lord what can I say we did not move from our post the entire night you're lying you allowed them to Escape what did you do get drunk no no not at all we were on duty we were doing our job so what are you saying that the prisoners just disappeared my Lord what is it the men you put in prison yesterday we have found them where apprehended trying to leave the city no doubt no sir come and [Music] see [Music] God shows us how much he loves each and every one of us God knows we cannot be perfect so through Jesus Christ his son we can't help but want to share this Joy with you no matter what happens to us what God is doing is just too great for us to keep to ourselves you've seen the Miracles done in the name of Jesus shall I take them again of course you fool of course you should take them they are escaped [Music] prisoners peacefully do not harm them this mob would Stone us in a second now what why are you here what are they doing wrong they just talking to us why are you disrupting us it's all right let them come through this is madness what did they do wrong just speaking with us for once we have teachers that they take them away I don't care how you got out you were warned and yet you continue to do contrary to our commands you would fill Jerusalem with your lies teaching that Jesus of Nazareth is is the Messiah and if that weren't enough you blame us for his death were we not clear enough when we strictly commanded you not to teach in this man's name what is it about our orders that you do not understand nothing then what is the problem who should we obey what what are you talking about you tell us no you command us not to teach in the name of Jesus and yet God compels us to do so and so I ask you who should we obey you or God how dare you speak to the high priest these men should be locked up for blaspheme against the god of your fathers and his high priest the god of our fathers the god of our fathers is precisely the one who raised up Jesus from the dead Jesus whom you murdered murdered you blame us by asking for his CR fiction and thus nailing him to a cross but God has exalted him to his right hand really kapus how long are we supposed to allow this to be king and Lord to give repentance to Israel and the Forgiveness of sins forgiveness of sins blasphemy and we are his Witnesses and so is the holy spirit whom God has given to those that obey him they know the law they know what they're doing them for that get them out get them out of here you heard the high priest they must be silent made an example of I say Stone them Stone them for their blasphemy if we don't do something drastic there will be no end to this madness none I am aware of our problem but sit down all of you calm down we must than simple if I may K why are we even if I may come please let us hear what garu has to say let him speak I may calm let us reason this out calmly gleo my brothers let us be careful in what we intend to do with these men they should careful these men I said let the M speak quiet you recall that some time ago a certain theudas rose up claiming to be what somebody special and soon to our consternation 400 100 plus men joined him what happened the man was slain and all those that had followed him were scattered they came to nothing true true came to after this man came Judas of Galilee you will recall that he too convinced many people to follow him and what happened to that man H he perished as did all his followers uh get to the point now I say to you my brothers my very zealous Brothers leave these men alone leave them alone does he realize what he's saying suggest for if their work is of man it will come to nothing by itself really but and listen to me carefully he's saying but if it be of God I tell you we will not be able to stand against it l we should be found to be fighting against God against God Preposterous doia really know what he's talking I believe I believe our brother speaks wisely this is preposterous is itet is it finish you've seen to the growing number of people the crowds that have been influenced by these Men by their teaching better to allow these Fanatics to show themselves up for The Fakes they are than to raise the anger of the mobs their followers against us well it may be the wisest choice I say our brother speaks wisely let them expose themselves let the mobs be the ones to condemn them it may it may be the wi we just need patience avoid problems let them die out fine but let's first warn them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let us warn them sternly sternly enough that they know we mean business they must be letting us out it's about time let's go a gift from the Pharisees what let this serve as a warning [Music] hope you enjoyed your stay I have a feeling we'll be seeing them again [Music] Peter Peter my head let me help [Music] you I'm fine are you all right James I think I'm good for another round here lean on me oh Lord Jesus you stood firm in the face of persecution and even death give us the strength to do the [Music] [Applause] [Music] same the light Shone in darkness and the Darkness could not understand it we walked away rejoicing rejoicing really indeed it may be hard to understand but the more we obeyed what God had told us to do the greater the joy and grace God poured upon us oh physically it was painful very but God was with us we knew it and our faith in Jesus and his message didn't diminish it grew as did our boldness day after day in the temple and house to house we didn't stop teaching the message the good news of Salvation through Jesus the Messiah people's lives were changed we the 12 were no longer the only ones preaching God poured out his Spirit upon others in Mighty ways and multiplied Miracles praise God do you see how much God loves us Jesus said whatever you ask in my name that that will I do thank you Steven thank you now let's give this little one something to eat you need your nourishment too Steven you haven't stopped all day Steven Miriam my husband he's not doing well what is it we've been out of food for a few days and I don't know what to do well I do look God provided just in time but Steven I'll be back oh thank you stepen thank you as the number of Believers grew so did the need to tend to them teaching praying taking care of our poor the sick the elderly the widows it was a tremendous and evergrowing task much too big for us we needed a solution help from others we discussed and we prayed together and God soon showed us what to do we chose seven men men that had proven themselves as caring sacrificial and capable these seven proved to be just the help we needed Phillip procerus Nicor Timon hermanus Nicholas and Steven it was such an exciting amazing time we were a mixture of the most unlikely people you could imagine young and old wealthy and poor educated and unlearned even some of the priests became Believers but no Roman soldiers what but of course why soldiers were among some of the ones that Jesus himself first spoke to Jesus yes yes well I'm glad I'm not the only one I do believe pulo it all seems to make sense to me you should consider it too now you're doing the same thing he is so then well it was a time of great growth but the servant is not above his master Jesus had told us if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you yet that was not something new not for us the 12 that is but for the new Believers for for many of them it was something new the time of [Music] testing he was pierced for our transgressions the prophet Isaiah stated it very clearly and this is one of many prophecies that speak about Jesus so you're saying the Messiah the long awaited one was meant to be crucified like a common criminal how could you even think that most of us conceived the coming of the Messiah as a strong ruler that would come to enforce the law and yet the scriptures prophesy he was despised and rejected of men a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief and you insist this this prophecy refers to Jesus of Nazareth a carpenter who is sentenced to death hung upon a cross that is not quite the picture of a savior is it it depends a savior from what from Rome or a savior from our sins Jesus of Nazareth died as the Lamb of God the ultimate Passover sacrifice and he does come to reign in our hearts I've heard enough listen he's just wrong he has to be but but what well there's nothing we can say that he doesn't refute with scripture no less and it seems as you can see that people listen to him even some of our own regardless he's wrong but unless we do something he'll continue to persuade more we have to find a way to stop him come with me I believe I have a solution you heard him say that you have no doubt would I lie to you this Steven we have heard him say Blasphemous things you were there I heard it with my own ears he has spoken blasphemy against [Music] Moses and against the law you are certain I tell you that man Steven is a blasphemer then I will speak to Caiaphas immediately and anyone that receives Jesus that believes there he is take him out of the way step aside out of the way it's all right don't worry step away we have our orders what's the matter with move where are you taking them what did he do this man speaks blasphemy against Moses and against the law we have heard him we have been present are these things true is what they say true my brothers and fathers listen and think about our history how often in our past God sent Deliverance in ways which were contrary to our expectations think of of Joseph Joseph he was a great ruler a a deliverer of our people slave sold by his own Brothers to trador and if that wasn't humiliation enough he languished in prison for years placed their unjustly by his master and forgotten of all men but when the time came God raised him up to be as you say a ruler and deliverer of our people and what about Moses what about him when he announc to our forefathers that God intended to free them from Egypt how did they respond you don't know don't be impertinent who made you a ruler over us that that's what they said and yet God delivered them through great signs and wonders pestilence hail Darkness the Red Sea parting and yet what happened they rejected Moses as they traveled in the wilderness Brothers we look back on these events and Shake our heads and wonder how our fathers could have been so stubborn so resistant of the Holy Spirit was there ever a prophet in our history that our fathers didn't persecute what are you getting at our fathers even killed the prophets that predicted the coming of our Messiah are we any different is he lecturing us do you dare teach us you have killed crucified the very one whom God has sent I can see where this is going Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah came can't you see look at the Miracles done in his name The Liberation from sins that comes in Believing on him for Jesus of Nazareth stop right there he is enough the son of godem he has written his own death sentence dead look what is what is he looking at I can't see anything I I see the heavens open and Jesus the son of God standing at the right hand of God Jesus stands at the right hand of God out how could you say that out take him out you know what to do with [Music] [Music] this BL come let's [Music] gooll Lord Jesus receive my spirit do not please do not charge these people with this sin One By One The accusers those that had taken Steven's life picked up the robes they had laid at the feet of one [Music] man we thank you Lord for the way in which you continue to guide us even in the midst of so much conflict thank you for the courage you give to those that guide us please take them to the prison all of them please let us go please my child who look after my child you should have thought about that before getting involved for these people take her Joshua [Music] josua we're ready take them away I'll take 12 of the soldiers to the next location but sir we've already been to four places I don't think that sir I will not rest until we rid ourselves of these deceivers until we rid ourselves of anything contrary to God's law Saul made Havoc of the church entering every house and dragging off men and women placing them in prison take them away find out where the others are and if they won't talk make them a time of great persecution arose against us all of us and we we were all scattered it was a time of great suffering so Saul he put an end to the spreading of your message not at all what you just said that everyone was scattered their work disrupted indeed our work was disrupted and the Believers were scattered everywhere spreading the [Music] message we all like sheep have gone astray we have turned to our own way and the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all I wonder step back I I mean no harm I'm afraid we cannot say the same what is it I I meant no harm sir it's just let him speak obviously you're no match for [Music] him well the text you were reading do you understand it ah that perhaps I could if someone would explain it to me perhaps I perhaps I can help [Music] H I am under authority of gandas the queen of Ethiopia I'm afraid my guards are very zealous for my well-being as is God tell me what were you reading he was led as a sheep to the slaughter and as a lamb before for its sheer is silent so he opened not his mouth in his humiliation his Justice was taken away and who will declare his generation for his life is taken from the earth who is the prophet referring to himself or some other man I will tell [Music] you so Jesus of Nazareth he is the one the prophet speaks of here yes the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world what would stop me from being baptized right now do you believe with all your heart I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God well what are you waiting for what what happened stop stop this Caravan right a sir sir are you all [Laughter] right am I all right of course I am all right for I have found the one who was pierced for my transgressions who took my punishments and by his wounds sir I I am healed I believe with all my heart and so I baptize [Music] you in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit Jesus is the Lamb of God Jesus is the Lamb of [Music] God sh Adonai Elohim we we didn't mean to disturb your prayers I was finished we've been kept informed you've done a good job Saul Jesus the Lamb of God they teach that Jesus died for the people's sins that through him we have forgiveness with God they teach our people to turn their backs to Holy law God's law from his far as I can remember this has been my consolation my everything we have been entrusted with such a treasure such a holy treasure and I for one will do anything within my power to preserve it anything uh oh yes I well I nearly forgot the high priest he has granted your request I gather you are pleased S I beg you to pardon me off again to do God's will what a dedicated Man soul of tarus I tell you history will remember that name he is indeed a Driven Man a righteous and Driven Man we ride on immediately where to Damascus now at this hour [Music] now I will not stop until every blasphemer is imprisoned until this deception [Music] stops I will fulfill my duty to God and nothing absolutely nothing shall stop Master Saul what what is this Saul Saul why do you persecutes me Master Soul are you all right persecuted who are you I am Jesus what Jesus who is he talking to I don't see anyone Jesus get up go into the city city and there you will be told what to do [Music] Master Saul Master Soul are you all right his his eyes I I cannot [Music] see I cannot [Music] see [Music] it's been 3 days not one bite of food or a sip of water I don't know what happened to to him but ananas I have come to see Saul what you realize he's come to arrest the likes of you I don't think this is a good is that [Music] him Saul you are Saul of Tarsus I am my name is ananas I'm I have been LED here by a vision I know who you are what you have done you have arrested and imprisoned many [Music] Believers but something has happened to you now hasn't it Saul Jesus has spoken to me I Jesus has told me that he has chosen you to Proclaim his name to the Gentiles and their kings and and to the people of Israel I will show him how much he must suffer for my name he said to me it will cost you Saul it will cost you everything do you understand that brother Saul the Lord Jesus who appeared to you has also sent me that you may see again and be filled with the Holy [Applause] [Music] Spirit [Applause] [Music] Jesus Jesus members of the Jesus sect have been arrested and put away in several cities reports are that the number of gatherings have diminished or that current followers have been driven into hiding where we hope they will simply die out the threat of imprisonment or stoning has proven to be a major deterrent to any conversions good very good I must say we have one to thank for this progress Saul of Tarsus his Zeal is unmatched a starch Defender of our faith and traditions and where is he now off to Damascus to continue his mission I expect word from him any day by your permission my Lord I I have word from Damascus ah news of Saul no doubt and now for the good news no what is it no what has happened no I tell you with certainty there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved except that of Jesus of Nazareth the son of [Music] God [Music] Saul a Christian he was a new man Jesus tends to do that change [Music] people let me help you a walk would do you good so that's it that was the end no no no no that was only the beginning for Saul and for many other people so what happened what happened after that that is another story and if you come down I may just have the strength to tell you all about it [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] all [Applause] [Music] oh

Channel: Evangelical Free Bible Church (EFBC)

Views: 112,478

Keywords:

Id: uqLa66G29Jc

Length: 70min 46sec (4246 seconds)

Published: Mon Nov 20 2023