From
now on the apostles worked in Jerusalem. They healed the sick
and gave witness to the life and death of Jesus. More and more people came to
believe. The high priests and the teachers of Israel wanted people to forget
Jesus. So they arrested the apostles, questioned them and forbade them to
teach in the name of Jesus. But the apostles did not pay attention to this
prohibition. Stephen, one of the first deacons, was stone to death. But
before he collapsed under the hail of stones he called out: I see heaven is
open. I see the Son of Man, he is standing at the right hand of God. Lord
Jesus, take me!
The
community of Jesus was persecuted in Jerusalem. All those who
acknowledged their faith were driven out of the city. But wherever they went
they proclaimed what God had done for people through Jesus Christ. And in all
these places they founded new communities.