In Jerusalem, 30 A.D., Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. There he revealed that Judas Iscariot would betray him.

    Later in the evening in the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed, high priests and soldiers including Judas came to arrest him.  They brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate, who initially didn’t want to allow the people to execute him. But due to pressure and pleas from the mob and the priests, he gave in.  Jesus was cruelly beaten, and a crown of thorns was pressed on his head.  That night he was nailed to the cross at Golgotha along side two thieves. Nine hours later he died and was entombed.  Solider guarding the entrance to the cave where he was interred didn’t prevent his resurrection three days later.

    Forty days after his resurrection, he ascended into heaven.  Nevertheless, his disciples kept on preaching his word and ten days later, 120 of the believers were assembled in the "upper room", where they were praying.  Suddenly a sound of wind filled the room, and the Holy Spirit, like flames of fire, rested on their heads.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and were able to speak in different languages.  Out into the streets they went, preaching, and all the people, even those who spoke foreign languages, understood them.  They were also able to heal the sick, blind and the lame.

    At this time the disciples started to live together in community.  All their possessions were pooled, and they held all things in common as the Holy Spirit compelled them.  The money from the items they sold was given to the disciples, who provided for all according to their needs.  They lived communally, sharing all things in common as Hutterites do today in their colonies.

    Persecution against Christians began and Christian were arrested everywhere; however, the church kept on growing rapidly. Among those arrested was Steven, the first martyr, who was stoned to death.  Observing the stoning was Paul, the greatest Christian-hater and persecutor you could find at that time. On the way to Damascus where Paul went in search of Christians, a bright light from heaven fell upon him and he was struck blind.  Jesus spoke with him and told him to go to Damascus and wait for instruction there.  A few days later after receiving instructions, Paul converted to Christianity and sailed all over the world to proclaim the Word of God.  He made three missionary trips which sent him all around the known world.  Later, around 64 AD, he was beheaded in Rome.

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