When false teachers began teaching that the Gentile believers needed to observe Old Testament laws to be saved, the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they concluded that justification comes through faith alone, not by works of the law. Paul addressed the same issue when he wrote to the believers in Galatia.

Paul traveled with Barnabas on his first missionary journey. Wherever Paul went, his purpose was to boldly preach the good news of Jesus Christ. God did miracles of healing and other signs through Paul to show that what Paul was preaching was true. Some people believed and others did not. In both Iconium and Lystra, unbelieving Jews stirred up violence, and the two apostles moved on.

Sinners are saved by grace through faith, not by works of righteousness. But God works in the lives of all believers to accomplish his good works. Believers demonstrate their faith through obedience to God’s commands. While good works cannot earn salvation, true faith will result in righteous living.

Peter had a vision from God which taught him that salvation through Jesus Christ wasn’t just for the Jews. When he was called to Cornelius’ home, Peter explained the gospel to the Gentiles gathered there. All those who heard the truth believed, received the Holy Spirit, and were baptized.

Jesus appeared to Saul in a bright light as he approached Damascus. Saul had intended to hunt down and arrest the followers of Jesus, but when he was confronted with the truth of who Jesus is, Saul became a believer. His life changed from a persecutor to a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he endured many trials for preaching the truth.

The followers of Jesus were being persecuted in Jerusalem for their faith and belief in Jesus Christ. However, God used it for good. The Christians were scattered as they left their homes to avoid the persecution. And as they moved, the gospel moved with them and spread quickly. In addition to this, God used Philip in a special way. Philip preached to the Ethiopian official who believed, was baptized, and likely took the gospel back to Ethiopia.

Soon after Pentecost, the apostles began to experience persecution because they preached the truth in the name of Jesus Christ. They were able to stand firm and even rejoice in their sufferings because they were empowered with the promised Holy Spirit. The first martyr, Stephen, gave his life to proclaim the truth.

The Holy Spirit came to the disciples while they were waiting in Jerusalem. They were transformed and empowered by him. Believers today receive the seal of the Holy Spirit when they are saved. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence that the believer is a new creation in Christ.

Jesus’ last command to his followers was that they preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. All believers share in that same responsibility and are called to go to all nations with the gospel of truth. This is important because the gospel is the good news, and it alone can bring eternal life. After giving these final instructions, Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to many of his disciples in various ways. He offered instruction, reassurance, proof, and encouragement. He also demonstrated forgiveness and grace in the restoration of Peter, who had denied Jesus on the night of his arrest. Jesus proved to his followers that he had defeated death.

The women went to Jesus’ tomb early on Sunday morning. They found the stone to the tomb rolled away, the tomb empty, and an angel of the Lord there. The angel told them Jesus was risen from the dead. On their way to tell the disciples, they saw Jesus and worshipped him. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is important because it provides an inheritance for believers—a living hope—eternal life with God.

Jesus was unjustly tried, beaten, and mocked. A crown of thorns was placed upon his head, and he was told to carry his cross to Golgotha. On the cross, Jesus suffered the Father’s wrath and paid the penalty for sin. Knowing that he had completed the task the Father had sent him to do, Jesus said, “It is finished,” and died.

After Jesus had spent some time in prayer, Judas arrived with a band of soldiers to betray Jesus. The soldiers arrested Jesus and took him before Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter followed Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest, but when asked if he knew Jesus, Peter denied his Lord. When he realized what he had done, he wept over his sin.

As Jesus and his disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for God the Father to guard the disciples and to sanctify them. He also prayed for future believers—that all his followers would be unified and that through them the world would know Jesus was from the Father.

Just before Jesus was betrayed in the garden, he shared his last Passover meal with his apostles. The blessing and eating of this meal together pointed to the suffering he was about to endure on the cross. Jesus commanded them to continue to use bread and wine to remember his sacrifice.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day—the scribes, chief priests, and the Pharisees—had made the traditions and commands of men equal to the commands of God. Jesus showed them the error in their thinking, pointed them back to the Word of God as the authority, and rebuked them for leading others astray.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem for the final time, he fulfilled prophecy by riding a colt as his disciples flocked to meet him. The crowds celebrated Jesus’ arrival and honored him by spreading cloaks and palm branches on the ground before him. Jesus cleansed the temple once again and accepted praise from the children, despite the religious leaders’ indignation.

A review of Lessons 151–159.

The rich ruler came to Jesus thinking he could earn eternal life with his own righteous actions, but he went away sad when Jesus asked him to give up what he treasured more than God—his wealth. Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector in Jericho, and he climbed a tree to see Jesus as he passed by. Jesus called to Zacchaeus and announced he would come to his house. Unlike the rich ruler, Zacchaeus responded joyfully and demonstrated his repentance by repaying anyone he had cheated and giving half of his possessions to the poor.