IN THEIR OWN WORDS is a book about six New Testament people, who share their story and relationship with Jesus, in first person. I wrote this book to “fill in the blanks” with what we do not know from scripture. It is primarily fiction as they express their joys and sorrows, faith and doubts.
Mary fully believes Jesus is the Messiah, yet is unable to express her conviction.
James the half brother of Jesus does not believe he is the Messiah until the resurrection and then he becomes the leader of the Jerusalem church as he tries to keep it connected to Judaism.
Martha, who we read mentioned only near the end of Jesus’ life, was a believer and a major supporter.
Philip, who shows us the development of the church leadership. He is a deacon, evangelist, missionary and pastor.
Barnabas was an encourager to the struggling Jerusalem church, to Saul, to the church at Antioch, to Paul and finally to John Mark who was a child at the time of Jesus’ ministry but his mother Mary was a believer and provided a place for Jesus and the disciples to have their last supper. Mark is mentored by Barnabas and Peter and became a leader in Alexandria, Egypt where he was martyred.