Pastor’s Storybook I–8
A few days later Mr. Wise arrives at the woodworking shop and tells Learner, “I’m soon going to move to another area of the country. I hope to leave a congregation of believers here first. You have heard the good news of Jesus. You know our need for the one true God and how He sent Jesus to rescue us from sin and death. Did you talk to Sara about showing your faith with baptism?”
“Yes. We both believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection bring us forgiveness and new life. But I want to learn more about baptism.”
“Listen,
then to How Paul Met Jesus.”
Please find in Acts 22:1-16:
What was Paul doing to Christians before he met Jesus?
Who spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus?
What did Paul need to do to become an obedient follower of Jesus?
Mr. Wise summarizes the story while he helps Learner finish a chair. “Paul put many Christians in jail before he met Jesus. He thought he was serving God by trying to stop the Christians. He did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. He thought Christians were liars. But the risen Jesus spoke to Paul. Paul was blinded until a prophet of God came to heal him. The prophet told him to get up, be baptized, and wash away his sins, calling on the name of Jesus. The prophet told Paul he would witness to all men about what he had seen and heard.”
Mr. Foolish rushes into the shop and starts to speak, but sees Mr. Wise and stops. He listens for a while, and then says, “Do not hurry into these things, Learner. Think it over. Do not get carried too far away with this Jesus religion. It will interfere with your life!”
Mr.
Wise prays silently to God, and then relates How Jesus Went up into
Heaven.
Please find in Luke 24:36-53 what Mr. Wise asks Learner:
What did Jesus do to show His disciples that He was not a ghost?
What specific historical events does Jesus instruct us to proclaim as news to all nations?
What wonderful thing did Jesus promise to send His followers?
Mr. Wise ends the story as Learner and Mr. Foolish listen in the shop: “Jesus was taken up into heaven as a man. Angels promised that He would come back in the same way. (Acts 1:8-11) Meanwhile, Jesus gave His followers a job to do and sent them His Holy Spirit from on high to empower them to do the job. This job is for us today also. He promised to give to us power to do it from heaven, which comes through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Our job is to tell all people about Jesus, especially about His death and resurrection, and to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins.”
Mr. Foolish says, “Then Jesus is a long way off now. I’m leaving. You men are becoming too fanatical about religion.”
Mr. Wise pays him no attention and tells Learner, “One day Jesus will come back and raise His followers from the dead, so that we can all live forever with Him where He is (John 14:3). Learner, are you ready to take this step toward God? Listen to the voice of Jesus. Confess your sins and be baptized, washing away your sin in Jesus’ name (Acts 22:16).”
“I know in my heart that this is true. My family and I will obey Christ. We will be baptized. And I have already begun telling our friends about Jesus.”
Do what Mr. Wise asks Learner to do:
Memorize Matthew 28:18-20.
Tell others what you have seen and heard about Jesus.
Praise God for the day when He will come back to take His followers home with Him.