Day 12: Peter and John's Bold Testimony and the Early Church's Miraculous Growth

In today's Immerse Bible reading experience, we'll explore the courageous testimony of Peter and John before the religious council and the incredible growth of the early Christian church. Starting with an account of a miraculous healing in Jerusalem, we see Peter and John questioned by the high priest and other leaders. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly proclaims that the healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ, the man whom God raised from the dead. Despite the council's attempts to silence them, the apostles continue to preach and perform miracles, resulting in many conversions and widespread praise. We also witness the unity among believers as they share their possessions and care for each other's needs. The reading concludes with the appointment of seven men to oversee the distribution of food, ensuring that the apostles can focus on prayer and teaching. This episode highlights the power of faith and the rapid growth of the early church, driven by the apostles' dedication and the Holy Spirit's guidance.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:03 Peter and John Before the Council
02:32 The Believers' Prayer for Boldness
04:24 Ananias and Sapphira
06:04 Apostles Heal Many and Face Persecution
08:50 Gamaliel's Wise Counsel
10:28 Choosing Seven to Serve
11:41 Conclusion and Farewell

Immerse contains the full text of the New Living Translation with brief introductions to each book. Nothing has been added or removed from the Bible text. Click here to look inside.

Welcome to Immerse: Messiah!

Messiah is the first of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Messiah takes the reader on a unique journey through every book of the New Testament. Each section of Messiah begins with one of the Gospels, and together they combine to provide a life-changing reading experience centered on Jesus.

This fresh arrangement of the books highlights the depth of the New Testament’s fourfold witness to Jesus the Messiah. The Son of God, who fulfills all the longings and promises of the collected Scriptures, can be experienced in Messiah through the rich variety of lenses provided by the books of the new covenant.

QUICK START GUIDE - Download from the One Million More Bibles initiative at https://onemillionmore.bible/one-million-more-resources/
3 ways to get the most out of your experience

1. Use Immerse: Messiah instead of your regular chapter-and-verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together for 8 weeks—more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open, honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Poets, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”

4 Questions to get your conversations started:

1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

The Immerse Bible Series is the proud winner of the prestigious Bible of the Year award from the ECPA Christian Book Awards. Immerse: The Reading Bible is specially crafted for a distraction-free listening and reading experience, helping you dive in and get immersed in Scripture. You’ll have a great experience using Immerse by yourself. But for an even richer experience, try reading with friends.

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience is an invitation to a different kind of community interaction with the Bible. Less like a Bible study, more like a book club.

– 8 or 16-week Bible listening plans take you through a large section of the Bible like the New Testament or the Torah
– Meet once a week for a free-flowing discussion about the text
– Wrestle with questions and celebrate ‘aha!’ moments together

Nothing impacts spiritual growth more than spending time in Scripture. Immerse removes many of the barriers that make Bible reading difficult and invites communities to become transformed together through the power of God’s word.

For more great resources for your church or small group, visit https://www.immersebible.com/

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