Acts 30,0001 One morning Susan and Laura were going to school. 2 On the way they met a student who was in tears as she walked to school. She was having problems at home, and was having difficulties with her school work. 3 When she saw Susan and Laura, she asked them for help with a test. 4 Susan looked straight at her, as did Laura. Then Susan said, “Look at us!” 5 So the girl gave them her attention, expecting to get some help from them.
6 Then Susan said, “I cannot help you with your test, I do not have good enough marks. But I can tell you who can help you, and help you with all of your life.” 7 Taking her by the arm, Susan proceeded to tell her about Jesus of Nazareth, and how He can help her at school and at home. 8 Then she went with them into school. 9 Over the next few days, when all the students saw her, 10 they recognized her as the same girl who used to be in tears and sit alone, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at the change that had happened to her.
Susan Speaks to the Students
11 All the students came to them in the school. 12 When Susan saw this, she said to them: “Friends, why does this surprise you?” And she proceeded to tell them over a long time all about Jesus and how he has the power to change the lives of everyone. Susan taught them a lot that they did not normally hear in school.
Acts 30,001
Susan and Laura before the Principle
1 The Principal and the Vice-Principals of the school and the teachers came up to Susan and Laura while they were speaking to the students in school. 2 They were greatly disturbed because Susan and Laura were teaching the students, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Susan and Laura and, because it was afternoon, they put them in detention after school. 4 But many of the students who heard the message believed.
5 The next day the Principal, the Vice-Principals and the teachers met at the school. 7 They had Susan and Laura brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Susan, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Principal and Vice-Principals and teachers! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a girl who was having trouble at home and at school, and are being asked how it came about that she has become a happier girl and a better student, 10 then know this: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that she stands before you changed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the text book you teachers rejected,
which has become the cornerstone of education.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to us by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Susan and Laura and realized that they were in grade 10, ordinary students, they were astonished and they took note that these girls loved Jesus. 14 But since they could see the girl who had changed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them out while they discussed together in private. 16 “What are we going to do with these girls?” they asked. “Everyone in the school knows they have helped this student to improve, and we cannot deny it. She is a much better girl than before. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the students, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Susan and Laura replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the students were praising God for what had happened. 22 For everyone saw how much nicer was the girl who had been changed.
The Believers Pray
23 On their release, Susan and Laura went back to their own people – St. Paul’s youth group – and reported all that the Principal and Vice-Principal and the teachers had said to them. 24 When St. Paul’s youth group heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouths of your servants:
“‘Why do the schools rage
and the teachers plot in vain?
26 The Principals rise up
and the teachers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 
No comments:
Post a Comment