ACT SCRIPT!

THE FINAL CUT

The Crew:

Lisette Langdorf
Jenna Theisen
Ben Miller
KellEn Zanto
Erin Mortenson
Karen Willson


Acts 1

Scene 1

-Luke (narrator): In the first Book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to Heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffer he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the father.”

Scene 2

-Jesus: This is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not may days from now.

-Apostles: Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?

-Jesus: It is not for you to know the times or periods that the father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

(Jesus is lifted by a cloud, out of their sight)

Scene 3 - the apostles walking from Mount Olivet to the city and their room where they were staying. Apostles praying.

Scene 4 – Peter addressed a crowd –

-Peter: Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit revealed concerning Judas: he was a narc for those who arrested Jesus – for Judas was a member of our ministry with inside knowledge.
For it’s written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it, let another take his position of overseer.’

(Shot of Judas acquiring land for being a tattle-tale, then he falls headlong into his field and dies)

-Peter continues: We must choose another to become a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.




Acts 2

Scene 1 (Video of a crowd with the sound of the rush of violent wind, then fire tongues – some sort of force – touches people in the crowd who then start babbling in their native languages)

-One crowd member: Whose this speaking Galieans? How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native tongues? In our own tongues we hear them speaking about the God’s deeds of power. What’s up with this?

-Another crowd member: They are filled with new wine….

-Peter, standing with the apostles, says: People of MSU and all who live in Bozeman, Listen. These folk are not drunk, for it’s only 9 in the morning. For the prophet Joel told us that God will pour out his spirit upon all flesh, causing chaos, visions, and dreams; the sun will turn dark and the moon to blood. Those who call on the lord will be saved.

(Some sort of chaotic shot here)

-Peter continues: God brought Jesus of Nazareth w/ deeds of power, wonders, and signs God did through him. And you Israelites, you crucified this man, this Jesus, and killed him by the hand of those outside the law. But God raised him up, because it was impossible for him to be held in death’s power.
We are all witnesses of this Jesus God raised up, this Jesus whom you Israelites crucified, and whom God made both Lord and Messiah.

-Crowd: But brothers what should we do?

-Peter: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so your sins may be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Save yourselves from this corrupt generation!!

(The people are baptized, awe overcomes everyone as wonders and signs are done by the apostles)

Act 3

Paul and Peter Walk into the Temple.
-A poor crippled beggar approaches and asks for money.

-Peter says, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I will give to you; in the name of Jesus you stand up and walk”

-The beggar stands up and does a little dance.

-Paul and Peter invite this happy beggar into the temple with them.

-People notice the beggar skipping into the temple side-by-side with Peter and Paul.


Acts 5

Scene 1 –Ananias and Sapphira

-Ananias: Honey, I’m going to sell some property, but try to keep a small portion of the proceeds, so that we may buy a bit of extra bread.

-Sapphira: Yes dear, you do what you must.

(Ananias takes his proceeds to the apostles)

-Peter: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the profits? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to GOD!!

(Ananias falls down dead; His wife arrives three hours later)

-Peter: Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.

-Sapphira: Yes, that was the price, such and such.

-Peter: How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord tot the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out too!!

(Immediately Sapphira falls down dead; the men drag her body out)

Scene 2 The Apostles Arrested

(Video of the apostles being led to jail and locked up; In the night and Angel comes and releases them)

-Angel: Go, stand in the temple and continue your teaching.

(Shot of High Priest in courtroom, trial room, office, somewhere)

-H.P.: Bring the apostles before me!

(The Temple Police men returns empty handed)

-Policeman: We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.

-Jester (someone, nobleman): Look, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple teaching the people!

(The apostles are brought before the High Priest)

-High Priest: We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet you continue to bring this man’s blood on us!

-Peter & the Apostles: We obey God, not humans. We are witnesses to these things, God’s resurrection of Jesus whom you had killed by hanging on a tree, and the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him, is a witness too.

(This enrages the High Priest who attempts to kill the apostles but Gamaliel stops him)

-Gamaliel: Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or undertaking is of human origin it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them, but may be found fighting against God!

(This convinces the High Priest not to kill the apostles, but he still flogs them and they’re sent away)

-Apostles: Think, fellowmen, we are considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name Jesus Christ!

(The apostles rejoice and pray)

Acts 7-8

Intro [narrator?]: Stephen gives a speech to some Jews in which he tells the story of Exodus. Stephen condemns the Jews, which angers them.

Scene 1

Stephen: [to Jews] You stiff-necked people! You have failed to live righteously!

[Jews run at Stephen, take him down]

Stephen: Look! I see Jesus! [points towards the sky]

[Jews drag him away, stone him. Saul appears at the stoning, Jews lay their coats at his feet (or some other submissive behavior)]

Stephen: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! [He dies.]

Saul: Well done, Jews! This man deserved to die.

Scene 2
[at a house of Christians]

Christian 1: Poor Stephen! Such a holy man he was!

Christian 2: How sorrowful! He died a martyr!

Christian 1: No, a saint!

[enter Saul]

Saul: You there! How dare you follow this new religion! Idolaters!

[He grabs them and drags them to prison]

Interlude

Narrator: Philip goes to Samaria to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. The people of Samaria had previously thought a magician named Simon was a holy man, but Philip proves him wrong by performing miraculous deeds and converts everybody, including Simon, to Christianity. Peter and John join him in Samaria to help baptize the new converts.

Scene 3 [involving a convert, Peter, John, and Simon]

[Peter splashes water over convert’s head and lays his hands on it while Simon watches intently]

Simon: I want to do that! [He pulls out a wad of cash] I’ll pay you all of this money if you give me the power to deliver the Holy Spirit through my hands, as you have done.

Peter: Fie on you! You and your money can go die! God’s gift cannot be bought! Repent! Repent! Pray for forgiveness, you wicked, wicked man!

Simon: Oh, woe is me! Please, pray for me so God will not hate me!

Peter: [to John] Our work here is done. Let us return to Jerusalem.

Acts 9
Scene 1

[Saul enters a synagogue to talk to the high priest]

Saul: Good father, can you help my cause? I ask of you letters to bear to the synagogues at Damascus, so I can capture any who have converted to this new devil religion and bring them back to Jerusalem for persecution.

High Priest: This is a good idea. I will help you in your efforts to preserve our most holy faith.

Saul: Thank you, good man! May the God of Abraham and Isaac bless you.

Scene 2

[Saul walks down a deserted path towards Damascus with two companions; suddenly, a light from heaven flashes down on him]

[Saul falls over dramatically]

Jesus: Saul…Saul! Why do you persecute me?

Saul: Who are you, Lord? I say Lord, yet I am confused.

Jesus: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But now you see I exist in all my glory, so go enter the city, and you will receive further directions. Your mission now is to praise me, and praise me you will.

Saul: I’m blind! The glory of Jesus has blinded me! I’M BLIND!!!

[Saul’s companions look on, confused]

Companion 1: Did you see anything?

Companion 2: Not I. He must be one of God’s chosen people!

Companion 1: It’s a miracle!

Saul: Help me! I’m blind!

[Saul’s companions lead him away. Soundtrack: Party to Damascus by Missy Elliott. Musical interlude – play music as Saul is shown being laid on a bed, looking pale and confused – fade to Ananias laying in bed, sleeping]

Scene 3

[Ananias is sleeping]

Jesus: Ananias.

[Ananias looks startled, wakes up]

Ananias: Here I am, Lord.

Jesus: Get out of bed! God to Judas’ house—it’s on Straight street. Do you know where that is?

[Ananias nods, still half asleep]

Jesus: Good. At Judas’ house, you will find a man named Saul. He is currently in shock because I temporarily blinded him while proving my majesty. He will be expecting you to give him his sight back; I showed you to him in a vision.

Ananias: But Lord, I can’t go to him! I have heard how evil he is, and he has permission from the High Priest to persecute people like me!

Jesus: Don’t make me look bad. Do you think yourself to be better than me? Do as I say! I need you to help prove my majesty to Saul. He is my instrument now. I will show him what real suffering is, and all people will bow down before me when they witness Saul’s plight!

Scene 4

[Ananias is standing over Saul in bed. He lays his hands on Saul.]

Ananias: Brother Saul, it is with the power of the Lord Jesus that I give you your sight back.

[Scale-like things fall from Saul’s eyes]

Ananias: Now be baptized.

[He splashes water on Saul’s head]

Saul: [Blinking, looking amazed] Praise Jesus! I feel better already.

Narraror: And Saul went on to proclaim the word of the Lord to all who would listen.



ACT 10

-Cornelius has an angel come to him one night.

-Angel says, “your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before god. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter.”

-Cornelius does as the angel demands.

-Peter saw the Gentiles at the door and invited them in.

-The Gentiles told Peter that Cornelius was overcome by a holy spirit and asked to speak with him right away.

-Peter did not waste any time. He packed his clothes and left the very next day.

Acts 21-22 [prologue to 23]

Paul returns to Jerusalem from a crusade. He speaks with the elders there, who warn him that the Jews of Jerusalem hate him with a passion. They suggests he perform some rituals important to the Jews to improve his image. He performs the purification ritual, but the Jews try to kill him anyway. Soldiers come to Paul’s rescue, and Paul takes this opportunity to give a speech to the Jews. He announces he has been a Jew since he was born and tells the story of his encounter with Jesus. This does not impress the Jews, who get more angry with Paul. The soldiers try to beat Paul, but he uses his Roman citizenship to get out of it. The next day, Paul is sent to speak with the chief priests and town council.

Acts 23

Scene 1
[Paul stands before the council, looking at them intently. Soldiers stand next to him.]

Paul: Brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.

High Priest Ananias: [to soldiers] Strike him on the mouth!

Paul: God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You call me a criminal, but you’re breaking the law!

Soldiers: Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?

Paul: Oh, I didn’t know he was the high priest! Had I known I would not have spoken, for I know the law that says “You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.”

[Paul’s thought bubble: Aha! Some of these men are Pharisees and some are Sadducees. I will use their conflicting beliefs to my advantage.]

Paul: Brothers, I am a Pharisee. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.

[The men start to bicker among themselves—Sadducees do not believe in resurrection/angel/spirit, but Pharisees do.]

A Pharisee: We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?

[The men become violent.]

Head Soldier: [talking about Paul] Take this man to the barracks! Use force if you must.

That evening the Lord spoke to Paul, saying “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”

Scene 2
[at a gathering of Jews]

Jew 1: We must kill Paul!

Jew 2: We must! Let us agree to not eat of drink until we complete this task.

Jew 1: Good idea! Let’s go tell the chief priest and the elders.

Scene 3
[Jews stand before the elders]

Jew 1: We have vowed not to eat or drink until we kill Paul.

Jew 2: So, you should have the soldiers bring him here tomorrow.

Elder: But what will we say we need him for?

Jew 1: Say you need to question him more thoroughly.

Elder: Very well. We will do as you ask.

Paul’s sister’s son hears of this plot, and tells Paul. He then tells the head soldier (aka tribune) of the plot, who agrees not to bring Paul to the elders. The tribune then arranges for Paul to be brought to Caesarea, and writes a letter to the governor of Caesarea telling of Paul’s circumstances. Paul is brought to Caesarea and held captive there.

ACTS 25-26

[Paul is brought before King Agrippa to defend himself]

Paul: I belonged to the strictest sect of our religion as a Pharisee! We earnestly worshiped day and night when we could have been at the Club!

King Agrippa: (thinks a moment). Yes, a valid point. The Club is a tight spot…


Paul: Sure, I condemned some people to death, but isn’t that what it’s all about? Plus, is it so hard to believe God raises the dead? I was just hoping we’d be on the same wave-length …

[dead man off to the side nonchalantly revives and exits]


King Agrippa: Entertain me further with your plea, I love being the King!


Paul: So anyway I was traveling to Damascus, and God shined this huge light on me saying hey, stop condemning me, but tell other people about me -- I don’t know, he went on and on but truthfully his voice was a little overpowering and his Hebrew was rough…


[Flashback to Paul underneath a bright light. God’s voice is overly loud]


God: PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUL
PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUL

Paul: Yes?

God: PAUL. YOU ARE CONDEMNING ME MAN WHAT IS YOUR SACRIFICIAL BEEF? YOU HAVE KICKED SWIFT AT MY GOADS.

Paul: I’m sorry? (confused)

God: LISTEN TO MY LOUD OVERPOWERING VOICE, PAUL. GO TO THE GENTILES AND TELL THEM I AM AWESOME. I WILL PROTECT YOU FROM OTHER JEWS.

[back in the court of King Agrippa]


Paul: So basically I did what he said – because he’s fairly intimidating, bright lights – the voice, you know…


King Agrippa: He said that you should say we should serve him because Jesus knew you and the Jews were going to condemn him?


Paul: They’re fairly coordinated with everything…



[scene of Jesus talking on cell-phone speakerphone to God]

Jesus: Where you at!?

God: Chill.


[back in the court of King Agrippa]


King Agrippa: Paul, if you wouldn’t have pleaded to the Emperor you’d be free.
You’re really a pretty nice guy …

Paul: Awesome! Was really worried for a minute that you’d kill me…


King Agrippa: Naaahhhh….Maybe we could hang out at some arena battles sometime – couple your friends, couple of-


Paul: Ehh, not really my thing man – the whole earnest day and night worshipping, ehhh…it just wouldn’t work out…

King Agrippa: Reciting some lines in the Club too then, no doubt?


Paul: (flushed) Come on now…anyone who is anyone is in that Club and I know that you know it.

King Agrippa: [flashback/re-used old line ala cocaine is a helluva drug] Yes, a valid point. The Club is a tight spot….

[cut to a disco ball/bright lights and 20 secs worth of folk music. Scene is not necessary though]

*brief silence/zoom between Paul/King*

King Agrippa: [spins a globe beside him, randomly stops it] Very well then, I shall send you to Rome to do other things.

[everyone exits]