God sent \{someone\} to rescue his people.\par God made his Agreement \{with them\} that would continue forever.\par God’s name is amazing and holy.\par
In the time of that good ‘sprout,’\par the people of Judah will be saved.\par And Israel will live in safety.\par This will be his name:\par The Lord is our Goodness. {\cf2\super [182]} \par
“The virgin {\cf2\super [15]} will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” {\cf2\super [16]} (Immanuel means, “God with us.”)
The Pharisees {\cf2\super [169]} heard the people saying this. The Pharisees said, “This man uses the power of Beelzebul (the devil) to force demons {\cf2\super [170]} out of people. Beelzebul is the ruler of demons.”
When he found Saul, Barnabas brought him to Antioch. Saul and Barnabas stayed there a whole year. Every time the group of believers came together, Saul and Barnabas met with them and taught many people. In Antioch the followers \{of Jesus\} were called “Christians” for the first time.
Then all other people will look for the Lord (God)—\par all the non-Jewish people that are\par my people too.\par The Lord (God) said this.\par And he is the One who does\par all these things.\par \i (Amos 9:11-12)\i0 \par
In every synagogue {\cf2\super [491]} I punished them. I tried to make them say bad things against {\cf2\super [492]} \{Jesus\}. I was so angry against these people (believers) that I went to other cities to find them and hurt them.
Jesus is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through Jesus!”
In the past I spoke against Christ and persecuted him and did things to hurt him. But God gave me mercy because I did not know what I was doing. I did those things when I did not believe.