Don’t worry o’er God’s every plan,
Just the one he has for you, man.
The traitor’s gain was fast erased,
By lot and prayer he was replaced.
The Spirit came like howling wind.
They spoke so crowds could comprehend.
Then Peter preached what God devised:
To change your heart and be baptized.
Peter taught, then in Jesus’ name,
healed a man who since birth was lame.
Experts said they were a bother.
Heed not humans, but the Father.
They prayed to be both brave and wise.
They grew in faith and strength and size.
Believers all lived side by side.
One couple lied to God, then died.
The Word spread quickly, more believed.
The sick and vexed were both relieved.
The high priest jailed them with a smirk.
God led them out and back to work.
Confronted by the council still.
by Pharisees who fought God’s will.
So Peter testified again,
to change your heart, repent your sin.
Then Stephen, picked to dole out food,
Did speak the word of God when cued.
And as his eyes toward heav’n did reach,
the council stoned him for his speech.
Though strewn, the church preached as they went,
and Philip taught where he was sent.
And by the laying on of hands,
the Spirit came to foreign lands.
A vision gave St. Pete the nod
of grace for all who worship God.
Then James was killed by Herod’s scheme.
who died ignoring Elohim.
Now Saul wreaked havoc on the Way,
till traveling the road one day:
When Christ appeared in heav’nly light,
He questioned Saul and took his sight.
To Gentiles, kings and Jews God reached.
Once chief tormenter, now Paul preached.
He silenced those preventing growth.
Explained how Christ fulfilled God’s oath.
From town to town he preached the news.
Some would accept him, some abuse.
His team went where the Spirit led
from riverbank to prison bed.
Explaining Jesus’ sufferings
to those who worshipped manmade things.
In Athens, Corinth, and Achaia,
Scripture proved who was Messiah.
As God made all who touched Paul cured.
He stayed two years till all had heard.
The pattern often was the same:
He’d come to town, spread Jesus’ name,
Speak fearlessly in every place,
the gospel of our good God’s grace.
Some would believe and get the Spirit.
Others though refused to hear it.
Performing miracles divine,
He’d comfort Christians, then consign
them to the Lord, and off he’d run
to the next town, God’s will be done.
And knowing trouble lie ahead,
Friends begged “Go somewhere else instead”.
But God’s will Paul did not resist,
Jerusalem was on the list.
The mob, to anger was enticed
by those who would deny the Christ.
Before they could inflict death’s pains,
the military came with chains.
One last time Paul was arrested.
To the crowd he still attested:
"Christ suffered, died and rose again
To bring light to all girls and men.”
Four years in jail, his final chapters:
Transferred, shipwrecked, calmed his captors.
In Rome, with visits under guard,
He preached of God and Christ unmarred.
Know this truth in every nation:
God has offered you salvation.
© 2024 Jotham McCauley TheBibleRhymes.com