The Young Church: Stories from Acts

A Healing—and Trouble

(Acts 3-4)

One afternoon, Peter and John made their way to the temple to pray. As they approached the Beautiful Gate, a familiar voice cried out, “Please, sirs, a coin!”

The voice belonged to a man who had been crippled since birth. Every day, friends carried him to the gate, where he begged for alms. Seeing Peter and John pause, he looked up with hope.

Peter’s voice rang clear: “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Peter took the man by the hand, and immediately, his feet and ankles grew strong. For the first time, he stood, then walked, then leapt in joy! Laughing, he followed Peter and John into the temple courts, praising God with every step.

The crowd was amazed. They gathered around Peter and John, marveling at the miracle. But Peter declared, “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power we made him walk? It is faith in the name of Jesus, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that has healed this man.”

Among the crowd were temple guards and Jewish leaders. Angry at this bold proclamation, they seized Peter and John, dragging them to prison. The next morning, the Council demanded, “By what power or name did you do this?”

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

The Council was astonished. These were ordinary men, untrained, yet they spoke with such authority. They could say nothing against the miracle, for the healed man stood before them. Reluctantly, they released Peter and John, warning them never to speak of Jesus again.

But Peter replied boldly, “Whether it is right to obey you rather than God, you decide. But we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

The Couple Who Lied to God

(Acts 5)

The followers of Jesus shared everything they had, ensuring that no one among them was in need. Some sold land or possessions, giving the proceeds to the apostles.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira also sold a piece of land. However, they decided to keep part of the money for themselves while pretending to give it all. Ananias brought the money to Peter, laying it at his feet.

But Peter, filled with divine insight, said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? The land was yours; you were not required to sell it. Yet you have conspired to deceive, not man, but God.”

At Peter’s words, Ananias fell down dead. Fear gripped everyone who heard the news. Young men came, wrapped his body, and buried him.

Three hours later, Sapphira arrived, unaware of what had happened. Peter asked, “Tell me, is this the amount you received for the land?”

“Yes,” she replied confidently.

Peter said, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”

Immediately, Sapphira fell dead. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these events, for they realized the holiness of God and the seriousness of their commitment to Him.

Stephen the Fearless

(Acts 6-7)

As the church grew, the apostles appointed seven men to oversee the daily distribution to the needy, allowing them to focus on preaching and prayer. Among these seven was Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

Stephen performed great wonders and signs, but his bold proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah angered certain Jewish leaders. They accused him falsely and brought him before the Council.

Stephen, filled with wisdom, declared, “You have always resisted the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did! You betrayed and murdered the Righteous One, whom God sent to save us.”

The Council erupted in fury, but Stephen, gazing into heaven, said, “I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

At this, they dragged him outside the city and began to stone him. As the rocks struck his body, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Falling to his knees, he cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Then he died.

Among those watching was a young man named Saul, who approved of Stephen’s execution.

The Ethiopian Official

(Acts 8)

After Stephen’s death, persecution scattered the followers of Jesus. Philip, one of the seven, went to Samaria, where he preached the good news. One day, the Spirit of the Lord led him to a desert road.

There, an Ethiopian official, a high-ranking servant of his queen, rode in a chariot, reading aloud from the scroll of Isaiah. Philip approached and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

“How can I,” the man replied, “unless someone explains it to me?” He invited Philip to join him.

The passage spoke of a lamb led to slaughter, silent before its shearers. The official asked, “Who is the prophet speaking about?”

Philip explained, beginning with that very scripture, how it pointed to Jesus, the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world.

As they traveled, they came to some water. The official said, “Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

They stopped the chariot, and Philip baptized him. As they came up from the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away. The official continued on his journey, rejoicing, eager to share the good news in his homeland.

These stories from Acts remind us of the power of faith, the cost of discipleship, and the unstoppable spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.