Jesus’ Resurrection to Paul’s Imprisonment



On the third day after his death, Jesus was resurrected. On that day he appeared to his followers five different times. Jesus continued to appear to them for 40 days. Then, while some of his disciples watched, Jesus ascended to heaven. Ten days later God poured holy spirit on Jesus’ followers waiting in Jerusalem.

Later, enemies of God had the apostles thrown into prison, but an angel freed them. The disciple Stephen was stoned to death by opposers. But we learn how Jesus chose one of these opposers to be his special servant, and he became the apostle Paul. Then, three and a half years after Jesus’ death, God sent the apostle Peter to preach to the non-Jew Cornelius and his household.

About 13 years later Paul began his first preaching trip. On his second trip Timothy joined Paul. We learn how Paul and his traveling companions had many exciting times in serving God. At last, Paul was put in prison in Rome. Two years later he was set free, but then he was put in prison again and killed. The events of PART 7 happened over a period of about 32 years.

Story 102

Jesus Is Alive

DO YOU know who the woman and the two men are? The woman is Mary Mag´da·lene, a friend of Jesus. And the men in white clothing are angels. This little room that Mary is looking into is the place where Jesus’ body was put after he died. It is called a tomb. But now the body is gone! Who took it? Let’s see.

After Jesus dies, the priests say to Pilate: ‘When Jesus was alive he said that he would be raised up after three days. So command that the tomb be guarded. Then his disciples can’t steal his body and say that he has been raised from the dead!’ Pilate tells the priests to send soldiers to guard the tomb.

But very early on the third day after Jesus had died an angel of Jehovah suddenly comes. He rolls the stone away from the tomb. The soldiers are so afraid that they can’t move. Finally, when they look inside the tomb, the body is gone! Some of the soldiers go into the city and tell the priests. Do you know what the bad priests do? They pay the soldiers to lie. ‘Say that his disciples came in the night, while we were asleep, and stole the body,’ the priests tell the soldiers.

Meanwhile, some women friends of Jesus visit the tomb. How surprised they are to find it empty! Suddenly two angels in bright clothing appear. ‘Why are you looking for Jesus here?’ they ask. ‘He has been raised up. Go quickly and tell his disciples.’ How fast the women run! But on the way a man stops them. Do you know who it is? It is Jesus! ‘Go tell my disciples,’ he says.

When the women tell the disciples that Jesus is alive and they have seen him, the disciples find this hard to believe. Peter and John run to the tomb to look for themselves, but the tomb is empty! When Peter and John leave, Mary Mag´da·lene stays behind. That is when she looks in and sees the two angels.

Do you know what happened to Jesus’ body? God caused it to disappear. God did not raise Jesus to life in the fleshly body in which he died. He gave Jesus a new spirit body, as the angels in heaven have. But to show his disciples he is alive, Jesus can take on a body that people can see, as we will learn.

Matthew 27:62-66; 28:1-15; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-12.

Story 103

Into a Locked Room

AFTER Peter and John leave the tomb where Jesus’ body had been, Mary is left there alone. She begins to cry. Then she bends over and looks inside the tomb, as we saw in the last picture. There she sees two angels! They ask her: ‘Why are you crying?’

Mary answers: ‘They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him.’ Then Mary turns around and sees a man. He asks her: ‘Who is it that you are looking for?’

Mary thinks the man is the gardener, and that he may have taken Jesus’ body. So she says: ‘If you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him.’ But, really, this man is Jesus. He has taken on a body that Mary does not recognize. But when he calls her by her name, Mary knows this is Jesus. She runs and tells the disciples: ‘I have seen the Lord!’

Later in the day, while two disciples are walking to the village of Em·ma´us, a man joins them. The disciples are very sad because Jesus has been killed. But as they walk along, the man explains many things from the Bible that make them feel better. Finally, when they stop for a meal, the disciples recognize that this man is Jesus. Then Jesus disappears, and these two disciples quickly go all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the apostles about him.

While that is going on, Jesus appears also to Peter. The others get excited when they hear this. Then these two disciples go to Jerusalem and find the apostles. They tell them how Jesus also appeared to them on the road. And just when they are telling about this, do you know the amazing thing that happens?

Look at the picture. Jesus appears right there in the room, even though the door is locked. How happy the disciples are! Isn’t that an exciting day? Can you count the number of times that Jesus has appeared by now to his followers? Do you count five times?

The apostle Thomas is not with them when Jesus appears. So the disciples tell him: ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But Thomas says he will have to see Jesus himself before he believes it. Well, eight days later the disciples are together again in a locked room, and this time Thomas is with them. Suddenly, Jesus appears right there in the room. Now Thomas believes.

John 20:11-29; Luke 24:13-43.

Story 104

Jesus Returns to Heaven

AS THE days pass, Jesus shows himself to his followers many times. Once about 500 of the disciples see him. When he appears to them, do you know what Jesus talks to them about? The kingdom of God. Jehovah sent Jesus to the earth to teach about the Kingdom. And he keeps on doing this even after he is raised up from the dead.

Do you remember what God’s kingdom is? Yes, the Kingdom is a real government of God in heaven, and Jesus is the One God chose to be king. As we have learned, Jesus showed what a wonderful king he will be by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and even raising the dead to life!

So when Jesus rules as king in heaven for a thousand years, what will it be like on the earth? Yes, the whole earth will be made into a beautiful paradise. There will be no more wars, or crime, or sickness, or even death. We know this is true because God made the earth to be a paradise for people to enjoy. That is why he made the garden of Eden in the beginning. And Jesus will see to it that what God wants done is finally carried out.

The time now comes for Jesus to go back to heaven. For 40 days Jesus has been showing himself to his disciples. So they are certain that he is alive again. But before he leaves his disciples he tells them: ‘Stay in Jerusalem until you receive holy spirit.’ The holy spirit is God’s active force, like blowing wind, that will help his followers to do God’s will. Finally, Jesus says: ‘You are to preach about me to the most distant parts of the earth.’

After Jesus says this, an amazing thing happens. He begins going up into heaven, as you can see here. Then a cloud hides him from sight, and the disciples don’t see Jesus again. Jesus goes to heaven, and he begins to rule over his followers on earth from there.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Revelation 21:3, 4; Acts 1:1-11.

Story 105

Waiting in Jerusalem

THESE people here are Jesus’ followers. They have obeyed him and stayed in Jerusalem. And while they are all waiting together, a loud noise fills the whole house. It sounds like a rushing strong wind. And then tongues of fire begin to appear over the heads of each one of the disciples. Can you see the fire over each one of them? What does it all mean?

It is a miracle! Jesus is back in heaven with his Father, and he is pouring out God’s holy spirit on his followers. Do you know what this spirit causes them to do? They all begin to speak in different languages.

Many people in Jerusalem hear the noise that sounds like a strong wind, and they come to see what is happening. Some of the people are from other nations who have come here for the Israelite feast of Pentecost. What a surprise these visitors receive! They hear the disciples speaking in their own languages about the wonderful things that God has done.

‘These people are all from Gal´i·lee,’ the visitors say. ‘How is it, then, that they are able to speak in these different languages that belong to the countries where we come from?’

Peter now stands up to explain to them. He raises his voice and tells the people how Jesus was killed and that Jehovah raised him from the dead. ‘Now Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of God,’ Peter says. ‘And he has poured out the promised holy spirit. That is why you have seen and heard these miracles.’

Well, when Peter says these things, many of the people feel very sorry about what was done to Jesus. ‘What should we do?’ they ask. Peter tells them: ‘You need to change your lives and be baptized.’ So on that very day about 3,000 people get baptized and become followers of Jesus.

Acts 2:1-47.

Story 106

Set Free from Prison

LOOK at the angel here holding open the door of the prison. The men he is setting free are Jesus’ apostles. Let’s find out what led to their being put in prison.

It has been only a short time since the holy spirit was poured out on Jesus’ disciples. And this is what happens: Peter and John are going into the temple in Jerusalem one afternoon. There, near the door, is a man who has been crippled all his life. People carry him here every day so that he can beg for money from those going into the temple. When he sees Peter and John, he begs them to give him something. What will the apostles do?

They stop and look at the poor man. ‘I have no money,’ Peter says, ‘but I will give you what I have. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk!’ Peter then takes the man by the right hand, and at once he jumps up and begins walking. When the people see this, they are amazed and very happy for this wonderful miracle.

‘It is by the power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, that we did this miracle,’ Peter says. While he and John are speaking, some religious leaders come along. They are angry because Peter and John are telling the people about Jesus’ being raised from the dead. So they grab them and put them into prison.

The next day the religious leaders have a big meeting. Peter and John, along with the man they healed, are brought in. ‘By what power did you do this miracle?’ the religious leaders ask.

Peter tells them that it is by the power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead. The priests do not know what to do, for they cannot deny that this wonderful miracle really happened. So they warn the apostles not to talk about Jesus anymore, and then let them go.

As the days go by the apostles keep on preaching about Jesus and healing the sick. News about these miracles spreads. And so even crowds from the towns around Jerusalem bring sick ones for the apostles to heal. This makes the religious leaders jealous, so they grab the apostles and put them into prison. But they don’t stay there long.

During the night God’s angel opens the prison door, as you can see here. The angel says: ‘Go and stand in the temple, and keep on speaking to the people.’ The next morning, when the religious leaders send men to the prison to get the apostles, they are gone. Later the men find them teaching in the temple and bring them to the San´he·drin hall.

‘We gave you strict orders not to teach about Jesus anymore,’ the religious leaders say. ‘But you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.’ Then the apostles answer: ‘We must obey God as ruler rather than men.’ So they keep right on teaching the “good news.” Isn’t that a fine example for us to follow?

Acts chapters 3 to 5.

Story 107

Stephen Is Stoned

THE man kneeling here is Stephen. He is a faithful disciple of Jesus. But look at what’s happening to him now! These men are throwing big stones at him. Why do they hate Stephen so much that they are doing this terrible thing? Let’s see.

God has been helping Stephen to do wonderful miracles. These men don’t like this, and so they get into an argument with him about his teaching the people the truth. But God gives Stephen great wisdom, and Stephen shows that these men have been teaching false things. This makes them even angrier. So they grab him, and call in people to tell lies about him.

The high priest asks Stephen: ‘Are these things true?’ Stephen answers by giving a fine talk from the Bible. At the end of it, he tells how bad men hated Jehovah’s prophets long ago. Then he says: ‘You are just like those men. You killed God’s servant Jesus, and you have not obeyed God’s laws.’

This makes these religious leaders very angry! They grind their teeth in rage. But then Stephen lifts his head up, and says: ‘Look! I see Jesus standing at the right side of God in heaven.’ At this, these men put their hands over their ears and rush at Stephen. They grab him and drag him outside the city.

Here they take their coats off and give them to the young man Saul to take care of. Do you see Saul? Then some of the men begin throwing stones at Stephen. Stephen kneels down, as you can see, and he prays to God: ‘Jehovah, do not punish them for this bad thing.’ He knows some of them have been fooled by the religious leaders. After that Stephen dies.

When someone does something bad to you, do you try to hurt them back, or ask God to hurt them? That’s not what Stephen or Jesus did. They were kind even to those who were unkind to them. Let’s try to copy their example.

Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-60.

Story 108

On the Road to Damascus

DO YOU know who that is lying on the ground? It is Saul. Remember, he’s the one who watched the coats for the men who stoned Stephen. Look at that bright light! What’s happening?

After Stephen is killed, Saul takes the lead in hunting for Jesus’ followers to hurt them. He goes into one house after another and drags them out and throws them into prison. Many of the disciples flee to other cities and begin to declare the “good news” there. But Saul goes to other cities to find Jesus’ followers. He is now on his way to Damascus. But, on the way, this is the amazing thing that happens:

Suddenly a light from the sky flashes around Saul. He falls to the ground, as we see here. Then a voice says: ‘Saul, Saul! Why are you hurting me?’ The men with Saul see the light and hear the sound of the voice, but they can’t understand what is being said.

‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asks.

‘I am Jesus, the one you are hurting,’ the voice says. Jesus says this because when Saul hurts Jesus’ followers, Jesus feels as if he is being hurt himself.

Saul now asks: ‘What shall I do, Lord?’

‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ Jesus says. ‘There you will be told what you must do.’ When Saul gets up and opens his eyes, he can’t see a thing. He is blind! So the men with him take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus.

Jesus now speaks to one of his disciples in Damascus, saying: ‘Get up, An·a·ni´as. Go to the street called Straight. At the house of Judas ask for a man named Saul. I have chosen him to be a special servant of mine.’

An·a·ni´as obeys. When he meets Saul, he lays his hands on him and says: ‘The Lord has sent me that you might see again and be filled with holy spirit.’ At once something that looks like scales falls from Saul’s eyes, and he is able to see again.

Saul is used in a mighty way to preach to people of many nations. He becomes known as the apostle Paul, whom we will learn a lot more about. But first, let’s see what God sends Peter to do.

Acts 8:1-4; 9:1-20; 22:6-16; 26:8-20.

Story 109

Peter Visits Cornelius

THAT is the apostle Peter standing there, and those are some of his friends behind him. But why is the man bowing down to Peter? Should he do that? Do you know who he is?

The man is Cornelius. He is a Roman army officer. Cornelius doesn’t know Peter, but he was told to invite him to his house. Let’s find out how this came about.

The first followers of Jesus were Jews, but Cornelius is not a Jew. Yet he loves God, he prays to him, and he does many kind things for people. Well, one afternoon an angel appears to him and says: ‘God is pleased with you, and he is going to answer your prayers. Send some men to get a certain man named Peter. He is staying in Jop´pa at the house of Simon, who lives by the sea.’

Well, right away Cornelius sends some men to find Peter. The next day, when the men are getting near to Jop´pa, Peter is on the flat roof of Simon’s house. There God makes Peter think that he sees a large cloth coming down from heaven. In the cloth are all kinds of animals. According to God’s law, these animals were unclean for food, and yet a voice says: ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

‘No!’ Peter answers. ‘I have never eaten what is not clean.’ But the voice tells Peter: ‘Stop calling unclean what God now says is clean.’ Three times this happens. While Peter is wondering what it all means, the men sent by Cornelius arrive at the house and ask for Peter.

Peter goes downstairs and says: ‘I am the man you are looking for. Why have you come?’ When the men explain that an angel told Cornelius to invite Peter to his house, Peter agrees to go with them. The next day Peter and friends leave to visit Cornelius in Caes·a·re´a.

Cornelius has gathered together his relatives and close friends. When Peter comes, Cornelius meets him. He falls down and bows at Peter’s feet, as you see here. But Peter says: ‘Rise; I myself am only a man.’ Yes, the Bible shows that it is not right to bow down and worship a man. We should worship only Jehovah.

Peter now preaches to those gathered. ‘I see that God accepts all people who want to serve him,’ Peter says. And while he is talking, God sends his holy spirit, and the people begin to speak in different languages. This amazes the Jewish disciples who came with Peter, because they thought that God favors only the Jews. So this teaches them that God does not view people of any one race as better or more important to God than people of any other race. Isn’t that something good for all of us to remember?

Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18; Revelation 19:10.

Story 110

Timothy—Paul’s New Helper

THE young man you see here with the apostle Paul is Timothy. Timothy lives with his family in Lys´tra. His mother is named Eu´nice and his grandmother Lo´is.

This is the third time that Paul has visited Lys´tra. About a year or so before, Paul and Bar´na·bas first came here on a preaching trip. And now Paul has returned again with his friend Silas.

Do you know what Paul is saying to Timothy? ‘Would you like to join Silas and me?’ he is asking. ‘We could use your help in preaching to people in faraway places.’

‘Yes,’ Timothy answers, ‘I would like to go.’ So soon afterward Timothy leaves his family and goes with Paul and Silas. But before we learn about their trip, let’s find out what’s been happening to Paul. It’s been about 17 years since Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus.

Remember, Paul came to Damascus to hurt Jesus’ disciples, but now he is a disciple himself! Later some enemies plan to kill Paul because they don’t like his teaching about Jesus. But the disciples help Paul to escape. They put him in a basket and let him down outside the city wall.

Afterward Paul goes to Antioch to preach. It is here that Jesus’ followers are first called Christians. Paul and Bar´na·bas are then sent out from Antioch on a preaching trip to far-off countries. One of the cities they visit is Lys´tra, the home of Timothy.

Now, about a year later, Paul is back in Lys´tra on a second trip. When Timothy leaves with Paul and Silas, do you know where they go? Look at the map, and let’s learn some of the places.

First, they go to nearby I·co´ni·um, then to a second city named Antioch. After that they travel up to Tro´as, then over to Phi·lip´pi, Thes·sa·lo·ni´ca and Be·roe´a. Do you see Athens on the map? Paul preaches there. After that they spend a year and a half preaching in Corinth. Finally they make a short stop in Eph´e·sus. Then they come back by boat to Caes·a·re´a, and travel up to Antioch, where Paul stays.

So Timothy travels hundreds and hundreds of miles helping Paul to preach the “good news” and to start many Christian congregations. When you grow older, will you be a faithful servant of God like Timothy?

Acts 9:19-30; 11:19-26; chapters 13 to 17; 18:1-22.

Story 111

A Boy Who Fell Asleep

OH! OH! What’s happening here? Is the boy who is lying on the ground hurt very bad? Look! one of the men coming out of the house is Paul! Can you see Timothy there too? Did the boy fall out the window?

Yes, that’s just what happened. Paul was giving a talk to the disciples here in Tro´as. He knew that he would not see them again for a long time because he had to leave on a boat the next day. So he kept talking until midnight.

Well, this boy named Eu´ty·chus was sitting at the window, and he fell asleep. He fell over, and right out the window, three stories to the ground below! So you can see why the people look so worried. When the men pick up the boy, it’s just as they fear. He is dead!

When Paul sees that the boy is dead, he lies on top of him and hugs him. Then he says: ‘Don’t worry. He’s all right!’ And he is! It’s a miracle! Paul has brought him back to life! A wave of joy sweeps over the crowd.

They all go upstairs again and have a meal. Paul keeps on talking until it is daylight. But you can be sure that Eu´ty·chus doesn’t go to sleep again! Then Paul, Timothy and those traveling with them get onto the boat. Do you know where they are going?

Paul is just finishing his third preaching trip, and he is on his way home. On this trip Paul had stayed three years in the city of Eph´e·sus alone. So this is an even longer trip than his second one.

After leaving Tro´as, the boat stops at Mi·le´tus for a while. Since Eph´e·sus is just a few miles away, Paul sends for the older men in the congregation to come over to Mi·le´tus so he can talk to them for the last time. Afterward, when it is time for the boat to leave, how sad they are to see Paul go!

At last the boat comes back to Caes·a·re´a. While Paul is staying here at the house of the disciple Philip, the prophet Ag´a·bus warns Paul. He says that Paul will be made a prisoner when he comes to Jerusalem. And sure enough, this is what happens. Then, after being in prison for two years in Caes·a·re´a, Paul is sent to Rome to stand trial before the Roman ruler Caesar. Let’s see what happens on the trip to Rome.

Acts chapters 19 to 26.

Story 112

Shipwrecked on an Island

LOOK! the boat is in trouble! It is breaking to pieces! Do you see the people who have jumped into the water? Some are already making it to shore. Is that Paul there? Let’s find out what’s been happening to him.

Remember, for two years Paul is held prisoner in Caes·a·re´a. Then he and some other prisoners are put on a boat, and they start for Rome. When they pass near the island of Crete, a terrible storm hits them. The wind blows so hard the men can’t steer the boat. And they can’t see the sun during the day or the stars at night. Finally, after many days, those on board give up all hope of being saved.

Then Paul stands up and says: ‘Not one of you will lose his life; only the boat will be lost. For last night an angel of God came to me and said, “Don’t be afraid, Paul! You must stand before the Roman ruler Caesar. And God will save all those who are sailing with you.”’

About midnight on the 14th day after the storm began, the sailors notice that the water is becoming less deep! Because of fear of smashing into some rocks in the dark, they drop their anchors. The next morning they see a bay. They decide to try to sail the boat right up onto the beach there.

Well, when they get closer to shore, the boat hits a sandbank and gets stuck. Then the waves begin to smash it, and the boat starts to break in pieces. The army officer in charge says: ‘All of you who can swim jump into the sea first and swim ashore. The rest of you jump in after them, and grab some pieces from the boat to hold onto.’ And that’s what they do. In this way all 276 persons who were on the boat get to shore safely, just as the angel promised.

The island is called Malta. The people are very kind, and they take care of those from the boat. When the weather gets better, Paul is put on another boat and taken to Rome.

Acts 27:1-44; 28:1-14.

Story 113

Paul in Rome

SEE the chains on Paul, and look at the Roman soldier guarding him. Paul is a prisoner in Rome. He is waiting until the Roman Caesar decides what to do with him. While he is a prisoner, people are allowed to visit him.

Three days after Paul gets to Rome he sends word for some Jewish leaders to come to see him. As a result, many Jews in Rome come. Paul preaches to them about Jesus and the kingdom of God. Some believe and become Christians, but others do not believe.

Paul also preaches to the different soldiers that have the job of guarding him. For the two years he is kept here as a prisoner Paul preaches to everyone he can. As a result, even the household of Caesar hears about the good news of the Kingdom, and some of them become Christians.

But who is this visitor at the table writing? Can you guess? Yes, it is Timothy. Timothy had also been in prison for preaching about the Kingdom, but he is free again. And he has come here to help Paul. Do you know what Timothy is writing? Let’s see.

Do you remember the cities of Phi·lip´pi and Eph´e·sus in Story 110? Paul helped to start Christian congregations in those cities. Now, while he is in prison, Paul writes letters to these Christians. The letters are in the Bible, and they are called E·phe´sians and Phi·lip´pi·ans. Paul is now telling Timothy what to write to their Christian friends in Phi·lip´pi.

The Phi·lip´pi·ans have been very kind to Paul. They sent a gift to him here in prison, and so Paul is thanking them for it. E·paph·ro·di´tus is the man who brought the gift. But he got very sick and almost died. Now he is well again and ready to go home. He will carry this letter from Paul and Timothy with him when he returns to Phi·lip´pi.

While he is in prison Paul writes two more letters that we have in the Bible. One is to the Christians in the city of Co·los´sae. Do you know what it is called? Co·los´sians. The other is a personal letter to a close friend named Phi·le´mon who also lives in Co·los´sae. The letter is about Phi·le´mon’s servant O·nes´i·mus.

O·nes´i·mus ran away from Phi·le´mon and came to Rome. In some way O·nes´i·mus learned about Paul’s being in prison here. He came to visit, and Paul preached to O·nes´i·mus. Soon O·nes´i·mus also became a Christian. Now O·nes´i·mus is sorry that he ran away. So do you know what Paul writes in this letter to Phi·le´mon?

Paul asks Phi·le´mon to forgive O·nes´i·mus. ‘I am sending him back to you,’ Paul writes. ‘But now he is not just your servant. He is also a fine Christian brother.’ When O·nes´i·mus goes back to Co·los´sae he carries with him these two letters, one to the Co·los´sians and the other to Phi·le´mon. We can just imagine how happy Phi·le´mon is when he learns that his servant has become a Christian.

When Paul writes to the Phi·lip´pians and to Phi·le´mon, he has some really good news. ‘I am sending Timothy to you,’ Paul tells the Phi·lip´pi·ans. ‘But I also will visit you shortly.’ And, to Phi·le´mon, he writes: ‘Get a place ready for me to stay there.’

When Paul is set free he visits his Christian brothers and sisters in many places. But later Paul is made a prisoner in Rome again. This time he knows he is going to be killed. So he writes to Timothy and asks him to come quickly. ‘I have been faithful to God,’ Paul writes, ‘and God will reward me.’ A few years after Paul is put to death, Jerusalem is destroyed again, this time by the Romans.

But there is more in the Bible. Jehovah God has the apostle John write its last books, including the book of Revelation. This Bible book tells about the future. Let’s learn now what the future holds.

Acts 28:16-31; Philippians 1:13; 2:19-30; 4:18-23; Hebrews 13:23; Philemon 1-25; Colossians 4:7-9; 2 Timothy 4:7-9.

Part 8


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