In Jerusalem

"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The first stage begins in one city. About one hundred and twenty believers gather in an upper room with Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers, and cast lots between Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot; the lot falls to Matthias (Acts 1:14-26).

At Pentecost the Spirit falls and Peter stands with the eleven to preach to Jews "from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5), and about three thousand are baptized in a day. A lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate is healed in the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 3:1-8), and the church grows in the shadow of the temple. Peter and John are hauled before Annas, Caiaphas and the council and told to speak no more in that name; they answer, "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20).

The young community shares everything. Barnabas sells a field and lays the money at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37), while Ananias and Sapphira lie about theirs and fall dead (Acts 5:1-10). When the Hellenists complain that their widows are neglected, seven are chosen — Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus (Acts 6:5). Gamaliel, a Pharisee respected by all the people, counsels the council to leave the apostles alone: "if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them" (Acts 5:38-39).

The era closes with the first martyr. Stephen, "full of grace and power," is seized, tried on false testimony, and answers with the whole story of Israel from Abraham to Solomon (Acts 7:2-50). As the stones fall he prays, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60), and the witnesses lay their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. The gospel is about to be driven out of Jerusalem.