Jesus

51"You are stubborn people. Your hearts and ears are shut. You always push away the Holy Spirit. Your fathers did it, and you do it too."

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

NoteThe King James calls them "stiffnecked." It means stubborn, like an animal that will not turn its head. Ears and hearts being shut means they would not listen. The Holy Spirit is God himself, close to people and helping them.

52"Your fathers were cruel to every prophet. They killed the ones who said the Righteous One was coming. Now you have handed him over and killed him."

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

NoteBeing cruel to prophets meant hurting them or locking them up. The Righteous One is a name for Jesus. Righteous means always doing what is right.

53"God's law was given to you through angels. But you have not obeyed it."

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

NoteGod's law is the set of rules God gave Moses for the people to live by.

54When the leaders heard this, they were very angry. They ground their teeth at him.

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

NoteGrinding your teeth together is something people did when they were very angry.

55But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up into heaven. He saw the shining glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God's right side.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

NoteSitting or standing at a king's right side was the place of greatest honor. Stephen is saying Jesus is beside God in that special place.

56He said, "Look! I see heaven opened. I see the Son of Man standing at God's right side."

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

NoteSon of Man was the name Jesus most often used for himself.

57Then they shouted very loudly and covered their ears. They all rushed at him together.

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

NoteThey covered their ears because they did not want to hear another word. To them Stephen's words sounded like an insult to God.

58They dragged him out of the city and threw stones at him. The men who spoke against him laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

NoteThrowing stones at someone was how people put a person to death long ago. The men who spoke against Stephen threw the first stones. They took off their outer coats first so they could throw harder. This young man Saul is the one later called Paul.

59While they threw the stones, Stephen prayed. He said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60Then he knelt down and cried out loudly. He said, "Lord, do not blame them for this sin." After he said this, he died.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

NoteThe King James says he "fell asleep." That was a gentle, quiet way of saying that he died.

1Saul was still saying angry things about the followers of Jesus. He even wanted them killed. He went to the high priest, the top leader at the temple.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

NoteSaul is the same man who is later called Paul. Many people then had two names, one Jewish and one Roman. The high priest was the top leader at the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was the big building where Jewish people worshiped God.

2Saul asked him for letters to the meeting places in Damascus. Then, if he found any men or women who followed the way of Jesus, he could tie them up. He would bring them back to Jerusalem.

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

NoteA synagogue was a meeting place. Jewish people gathered there to pray and hear God's words. The letters worked like a permission slip from the high priest. They told the leaders in Damascus that Saul was allowed to do this. "This way" was an early name for people who followed Jesus.

3Saul was on the road, coming close to Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed all around him.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

NoteDamascus was a big city far north of Jerusalem. Walking there took about a week.

4He fell down on the ground. He heard a voice say, "Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me?"

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus. You are hurting me. Kicking against a sharp stick only hurts you."

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

NoteThe King James says "kick against the pricks." A prick was a sharp stick. Farmers used one to poke an ox and keep it walking. If the ox kicked back, it only hurt its own foot. It was an old saying about fighting something far stronger than you.

6Saul was shaking and amazed. He said, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" The Lord said, "Get up and go into the city. Someone will tell you what to do."

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7The men walking with Saul stood still. They could not say a word. They heard the voice, but they saw no one.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8Saul got up from the ground. He opened his eyes, but he could not see. So the men led him by the hand into Damascus.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9For three days he could not see. He did not eat or drink anything.

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

34Then Peter began to speak. He said, "Now I really understand. God does not treat one kind of person better than another."

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Note"No respecter of persons" means God has no favorites.

35"In every nation, God welcomes anyone who honors him and does what is right."

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36"God sent his message to the people of Israel. It is the good news of peace, which comes through Jesus Christ. He is Lord of everyone."

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Note"The children of Israel" means the Jewish people. "Christ" is not a last name. It means the one God chose for a special job.

37"You know that message. It spread all through Judea. It began in Galilee, after John taught the people and baptized them in water."

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

NoteBaptizing means dipping a person in water. It showed they were sorry and starting fresh with God. John did this in a river. Judea and Galilee were two parts of the land where Jesus lived.

38"God gave Jesus of Nazareth the Holy Spirit and great power. Jesus went from place to place doing good. He healed everyone the devil had hurt, because God was with him."

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Note"Anointed" means oil was poured on someone's head. It showed God had picked them for a special job. The King James says "Holy Ghost." Ghost was an old word for spirit. Nazareth was the town where Jesus grew up.

39"We saw everything Jesus did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree."

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

NoteHanging him on a tree means the cross. The cross was made of wood.

40"But on the third day God raised him back to life. God let him be seen."

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41"Not everyone saw him. Only we saw him, the people God had chosen long before. We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42"He told us to tell the people this news. God chose him to be the judge of everyone, both the living and the dead."

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

NoteThe King James says "quick and dead." Long ago, "quick" meant alive.

43"All the prophets said this about him. Prophets were people who told others what God said. Everyone who trusts in him has their sins forgiven because of him."

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Note"Remission of sins" means the wrong things you did are forgiven.

23God promised to send Israel a Savior from David's family, and he did. That Savior is Jesus. A Savior is someone who rescues people.

Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

NoteThe King James says "of this man's seed." Seed here means a person's children, and their children after them.

24Before Jesus began his work, John told all the people of Israel to turn away from their sins. He told them to be baptized, which means being washed in water to show their hearts had changed.

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

NoteThis is John the Baptist. Repentance means being sorry for wrong and turning away from it.

25As John was finishing his work, he said, "Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. Someone is coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his shoes."

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

NoteUntying a guest's sandals was a job for the lowest servant in the house. John meant he was not even that important next to Jesus.

26"Brothers, children of Abraham's family, and all of you who worship God, listen. This message about being saved was sent to you.

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

NoteAbraham lived hundreds of years before. Jewish people counted him as their first father.

27The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know who Jesus was. They did not understand the prophets' words, even though those words are read every Sabbath. By saying Jesus was guilty, they did just what the prophets said would happen.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28They could find no reason to put him to death. Even so, they asked Pilate, the Roman ruler, to have him killed.

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

NotePilate was the Roman governor. Only he could order someone put to death.

29They did everything that was written about him. Then they took his body down from the tree and laid it in a tomb.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

Note"The tree" means the wooden cross Jesus was killed on. The King James word "sepulchre" means a tomb, a room cut into rock.

30But God raised him from the dead.

But God raised him from the dead:

31For many days he was seen by the people who came with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they tell everyone what they saw.

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

NoteGalilee was the part of the country where Jesus grew up and taught. A witness is someone who saw a thing happen and can tell about it.

32We are bringing you good news. God made a promise to our fathers long ago.

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33He has kept that promise for us, their children, by raising Jesus back to life. The second psalm says this: "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

NoteThe Psalms are songs and prayers in the Bible. There are 150 of them. "Begotten" is an old word meaning born as someone's child.

23I am passing on to you what the Lord gave me. On the night Jesus was handed over to his enemies, he took bread.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

Note"Handed over" means one of Jesus' friends told his enemies where to find him. That happened the night before Jesus died.

24He thanked God, then broke the bread. He said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me."

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

NoteBread then was a flat round loaf. You tore it apart with your hands instead of slicing it. Jesus meant the bread stood for his own body.

25After the meal he took the cup the same way. He said, "This cup is God's new agreement, made with my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me."

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

NoteThe cup held wine, which people drank at meals. An agreement is a promise between two sides. Jesus meant God was making a brand new promise to people.

26Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are telling about the Lord's death. You do this until he comes back.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

3I received this message myself, and I passed it on to you first of all. Christ, God's chosen one, died to take away our sins. The holy writings said this would happen.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Note"Christ" is a title, not a last name. It means the special king God chose. The "scriptures" were the holy writings, the older part of the Bible.

4He was buried. On the third day he was raised back to life. The holy writings said this too.

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

NoteThe third day counts the day Jesus died as day one.

5Then he let Cephas see him. After that, his twelve close followers saw him.

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

NoteCephas was another name for Peter, one of Jesus' closest friends. "The twelve" were the twelve men Jesus picked to be with him.

6After that, more than five hundred believers saw him at one time. Most of them are still alive. Some have died.

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Note"Fallen asleep" is a gentle way of saying they had died.

7After that, James saw him. Then all the apostles saw him. Apostles were the men Jesus sent out to teach.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

NoteThis James was Jesus' brother. "Apostles" means men sent out to tell people about Jesus.

8Last of all, he let me see him too. I was like a baby born at the wrong time.

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

NotePaul saw Jesus long after the others did. He says he was like a baby born at the wrong time. He means he joined the group in an odd way.

5Think and act the same way Christ Jesus did.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6Jesus had everything that makes God, God. But he did not hold on tightly to being equal with God.

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

NoteThe King James says Jesus was "in the form of God." It also says he "thought it not robbery" to be equal with God. That means he did not grab it and clutch it for himself.

7Instead he gave all of that up. He took the place of a servant. He was born as a human being like us.

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

NoteA servant was someone who worked for another person and obeyed them. Servants were often the lowest people of all.

8He lived as a man. He made himself low. He obeyed God all the way to death. He even died on a cross.

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

NoteA cross was made of two wooden beams. Roman soldiers nailed people to a cross to kill them. It was the most shameful way to die back then.

9So God lifted Jesus up to the highest place of all. God gave him the name that is greater than every other name.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

NoteBack then a person's name stood for who that person really was. So the greatest name means the greatest place of all.

10God did this so that everyone bends the knee at the name of Jesus. That means everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

NoteBending the knee means kneeling down in front of someone. People did this to show that a king was in charge. "Under the earth" was their way of saying people who have already died.

11Everyone will say out loud that Jesus Christ is Lord, the one in charge. This brings honor to God the Father.

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

NoteLord was the word for a master or a king. It means someone you listen to and obey.

1Many people trusted God before us. They are like a huge crowd around us. So let us drop everything that weighs us down. Let us drop the sin that trips us so easily. Let us keep running the race God has set for us.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

NoteSin means doing or saying what is wrong. Long ago, runners took off their heavy clothes before a race. Then they could run fast without tripping.

2Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the one who starts our trust in God and finishes it. He knew a great joy was coming. So he put up with the cross and did not care about the shame. Now he sits at God's right side, in the place of highest honor.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

NoteA cross was two heavy wooden beams. Roman soldiers nailed people to a cross to kill them. It was slow and painful, and people thought it was shameful.

3Think about Jesus. Bad people said cruel things against him, and he kept going. Think about him, so you do not get tired inside and give up.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.