Q Read the entire book of Acts. What does it teach about the conviction of those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, and how does their commitment to a personal belief add to the credibility of faith in Jesus? In the first paragraph, give a brief summary of the ministry of one of the following persons that no one else has covered: • Peter • John • James • Stephen • Barnabas • Priscilla or Aquila • Saul/Paul • Silas How were they different? How were they similar? What allowed them to work together? What does the content from the Epistle readings add to your understanding ofsome of these characters? Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:1-11 describe Jesus’ ascension. Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection to life, He bodily ascended to heaven to prepare a place for believers. From there He lives, rules, and reigns, protecting His Church and governing the world, until an unknown day when He will return to judge the living and the dead. Rather than remaining physically on earth to be a ruling monarch, He chose to empower His disciples and apostles to live and lead for Him. In the second paragraph, discuss how the spread of Christianity might reflect (or not reflect) the growth of a start-up industry. In the third paragraph, describe why the early Christians were persecuted, and what it meant for the growth or stifling of the church. Different religious adherents (not only Christians) are persecuted for their faith. The Bible does not encourage the persecution by Christians on others or of Christians by others. However, Jesus warns that Christians should expect to be persecuted and suffer for the sake of their adherence to the faith. Visit persecution.com and read about some of the modern persecution of Christians taking place. What are your thoughts?