Jesus’s Apostles Lead His Church
Teaching, baptizing, healing, and sharing everything
After Jesus returned to His Father in Heaven, the Apostles were the leaders of the Church. They taught the Savior’s gospel, invited people to join His Church, and did many miracles with God’s power. Jesus promised to help them by sending the Holy Ghost.
Because Judas had died, there were only eleven Apostles. The Apostles prayed to know who God wanted to replace Judas and be a special witness of Jesus Christ. God chose a man named Matthias. He became one of the Twelve Apostles.
On a special Jewish holiday, the Apostles were together in Jerusalem. Suddenly, it felt like a wind from heaven filled the house. They saw light like fire resting on them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Because of the Holy Ghost, they could speak in other languages.
When people in Jerusalem heard about this, a large crowd gathered. Even though the people in the crowd were from many countries and spoke different languages, they each heard what the Apostles said in his or her own language. The people were amazed!
Peter stood and spoke to the crowd. He told them about Jesus Christ. He bore his testimony that Jesus is the Savior and had been resurrected.
When the people heard this, they felt that they needed to change. They asked the Apostles what they should do.
Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” About 3,000 people were baptized and joined the Church that day.
Later, Peter and John went to the temple. They saw a man who could not walk. He sat there every day, asking people for money.
The man asked Peter and John for money. They stopped and looked at him. Peter said, “Look on us.”
Peter said that they didn’t have silver or gold. But they had something better. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” he said, “rise up and walk.” Peter helped him stand. For the first time in his life, the man could walk! He was so happy he jumped and walked into the temple with Peter and John.
The people were amazed. Peter told them that it wasn’t his power or John’s power that healed the man. He was healed by the power of Jesus Christ and faith in Him. Peter told them to repent and believe in Jesus.
Some of the leaders of the Jews didn’t like what Peter and John were teaching. They said that no one was allowed to teach about Jesus.
Peter and John said they would obey God, and God wanted them to tell people what they knew about Jesus Christ.
The Apostles kept teaching the Savior’s gospel with great power. More and more people joined His Church. They were filled with the Spirit. They loved each other and shared everything. They sold what they had and gave the money to the Apostles to give to the poor.