Original subtitles

Keep me safe, my God...

...for in You I take refuge.

Have you heard of the Jesus followers?

- The Jesus followers? - Shh! Abigail.

What?

Of course I've heard of them, they're all over the streets.

Not just in the streets.

They're in the synagogues.

-Which ones? -Several.

Now they're in the Freedmen Synagogue.

If they're not in yours yet, they will be soon.

Ministering?

They might as well be.

They ask the ministers questions they can't respond to,

and then offer answers themselves.

The Temple won't allow that--

It's been happening for weeks. No one's stopped it.

The miracles, Abigail.

The words they use. When they speak, you just feel...

What?

So you believe them?

Between us?

I'd like to.

Talia! What does your father say?

He hates it.

He hates all the speakers,

but the one that interrupted today...

I knew him-- I mean, when I was a kid--

But now he's such a great teacher.

He recites scripture with ease.

I think I saw him call on his Jesus and then heal someone.

It's as if his Messiah is standing right next to him,

whispering the words in his ear.

- Talia, don't talk like that. - Excuse me!

And don't be fooled.

Some of those followers will have been preparing for this for a long time.

No. That's exactly what I'm saying.

I knew this one and he was normal.

Perfectly ordinary.

Up until a few months ago, no one was talking about Stephen.

What did you just say?

Should I explain that again, or would you like me to continue?

Objection!

Is this really in line with the teachings of Moses?

Stop asking him questions!

Moses spoke of the son of Eve that would crush the evil underfoot and--

He was talking about the Imperium.

-Do not engage with him. -But it's more than the Imperium.

It's the daily war, our unrelenting bend to sin.

Ritual can't atone for us.

But the Royal Priest offers us grace and forgiveness

if we accept His sacrifice, if we--

Isn't the Royal Priest the High Minister? Caiaphas?

That's a royal priest, but not the Royal Priest.

Jesus is the Royal Priest as promised in Genesis.

And God calls us each to be a temple.

Do you have anything to add?

-Yeah, sure, I can go-- -Not you!

Right. Yeah.

-How can we be a temple? -Like a building.

A temple is where God's spirit dwells, and the Holy Spirit is available--

-Can I ask you a question? -Yep. What's your name?

No! No! No!

This is a synagogue!

There will be no more questions for him.

If anyone has a question, they can ask Minister Noam.

Why are you not speaking?!

Stephen?

Talia.

It's been ages.

Why do you talk like that now?

Like what?

You were so quiet.

How'd you get so--

Come along.

I think she wanted to speak.

How many times do you have to be told?

Follow your mother's example, Stephen.

Stay away from here.

-Hello. -Hey! Good morning.

Ohh... Good to see you.

-Go inside and lock the door. -Okay, yeah.

- Little James? - Mm?

Why didn't we think of speaking in synagogues?

Shouldn't we be having these ideas before newer members?

Why?

Jesus spoke in synagogues.

Yes, Thomas, he spoke in synagogues and the ministers were outraged.

Well, look at them now.

Minister...

minister, minister.

They're all turning to the faith.

You sound surprised.

Yeah, 'cause they're ministers.

Well, I hope we're ready for what it means.

What? Do we have to start wearing robes?

No.

But if we're going to their sacred spaces it won't be long before they come to ours.

Get out.

You are released, Saul.

You are stripped of your station.

We're finished.

Saul?

Saul!

Saul, are you listening to me?

You need to do something today, brother.

Our faith is my life, Eliza.

I can't just distract myself with empty activities.

-I just meant you could unpack. -I'm not staying.

Where are you gonna go?

Did you go through my stuff?

Asher!

Have you gone through your uncle's teachings again?

Sorry, Uncle Saul.

Hurry up.

- Are you gonna try and get your job back? - Please, not now.

You should speak to Gamaliel.

-Or I could-- -Don't you dare, sis.

I mean it.

He's done with me. They all are.

If it's your faith you need then go be ministered to.

You could go to the family synagogue.

-Are they there? -Not every day.

-That's the best we can hope for, is it?! -Stop.

They shouldn't be anywhere ever!

Why does nobody understand this?

It's wrong.

They are wrong.

I listened first, to the minister,

watched the congregation,

someone asked a question about the oppression of our people,

and I was straight in.

Oh! And there was this scary moment where somebody asked a question about Jesus

and I had no idea what to say...

and then it was just there.

Like you said.

And once I started talking I just couldn't stop, you know?

- I do. -More people listened than the first time

which is encouraging.

Some asked me to come back...

and some told me not to.

Hmm. When will you go?

At the end of the week again.

I'll refocus on the Lower Streets and my groups here for a few days.

What?

The way you care about people, it...

seems effortless.

It, um... it sometimes feels overwhelming.

How do you mean?

Stephen.

Hey, James.

You guys okay?

Yeah, yeah, we're good.

Did you need me?

No. Um...

Yes. Uh...

The family you brought back the other day, um, they have some questions.

I told them I could answer, but they'd prefer--

-I'll head down now. -Okay. Cool.

Thanks, James.

-Oh, thank you. -We can speak later.

Stephen!

Hey, buddy!

Wanna come speak to some new people?

-Yeah, yeah! -Yeah!

What?

You tell me.

Please have your identification cards ready

whether you are going to the Temple or to the Upper Streets.

Next.

Destination and purpose?

Upper Streets. Visiting a friend.

All clear.

Go.

Next.

Where have you been?

Is everything okay?

You told me Stephen was safe.

People are talking about him. People I know.

They're saying he's making noise at synagogue.

He's been teaching their members.

You never told me about that.

You said it was the streets.

He's at your Libertine Synagogue. I'd hoped you'd hear him for yourself.

You're still not going.

Did you get a chance to study the passages we spoke about?

-Tell me how he is. -I can talk you through them if you'd li--

This is not why we meet. Tell me how he is.

Stephen is doing great.

He's growing as a speaker, the followers trust him as a leader,

and he's still staying with that friend I told you about, Philip.

And he's spending more and more time with his mentor, Peter.

This Peter, is he like you?

He knew your Messiah?

He's one of the twelve, yeah.

I think I should tell Stephen we've been meeting.

He should know I've been keeping you up to date.

What did your mother say, when you told her you'd met the Messiah?

She ran to Him.

She asked Him if my brother and I could be sat on His left and right side

as He was crowned King.

What did He say to that?

He said she didn't know what she was asking for.

And He asked if...

What?

If we were ready to take on the same suffering that He would take.

You can tell Stephen.

And when you do...

there's something else I need you to say.

Hey...

You're wondering if they've come to hear from the cult followers.

Sadly, I think some have.

Mm.

I'm Abdiel.

Saul.

You're new here?

Not exactly new, no.

I came here as a boy with my parents.

Until recently, I'd been a traveling minister for the Temple.

Obadiah's boy.

Saul of Tarsus.

You knew my father?

A little.

He spoke of you fondly.

He was a good man with strong faith.

A righteous man.

They're not here.

Most likely seducing the weak-minded in the markets.

I'm not looking for the followers.

Where is the synagogue's teacher?

Oh! Stephen.

Someone wants to talk to you.

Minister?

Minister Noam.

I knew the first time you spoke that it was true.

Tried to disprove it, searched the texts,

but it's all there.

The sacrifice.

The death that gives new life.

I've studied it every day for years.

Once I got it, once I really got it...

And that day you spoke about the Holy Spirit,

I went home and I prayed...

I-I asked and...

Oh, it's all a mess really.

People will be so disappointed, but I can't seem to care, not when...

He came.

We waited and He came here.

To us.

Did you ever meet Him?

No, I didn't.

But you feel like you know Him?

Exactly that.

I want to see Him.

I missed it this time, but I want to see Him someday.

In this life or the next.

Thank you. Thank you.

-It's-- Absolutely. -Yes, excellent.

-Thank you. Thank you. -Very happy for you.

We have to make a stand.

Minister Gamaliel!

Mara. Is everything alright?

Are you busy, sir?

Not particularly.

There's a commotion outside.

People insist on talking to a member of the Sanhedrin.

Uh, perhaps you should find your captain?

I was told it's not a Guard matter.

Where is it?

Coms-office.

-I don't usually deal with-- -It's really not that far, sir.

Oh. Okay, okay.

In a queue, please.

They're reporting that their places of worship have been invaded by heretics.

More and more people are coming to complain each day.

We are aware of the situation. It's been handled.

You mean the complaint forms?

I don't think it's working, sir.

The individuals involved are being monitored.

Why monitoring?

We have the Guard. We could stop them.

I can tell you, too, have strong feelings on the matter.

Many people do, sir.

They just worry voicing them will mean they're cast out.

We at the Temple are in agreement.

The followers pose no real threat, and to respond with force

would send a message that this is something that matters.

Believe me, Mara, if the wrong people think that,

our Temple Guard won't be able to stop what comes next.

Follow your orders.

Try not to worry.

It will blow over soon.

Do you really believe that, Minister?

I really do.

Gentlemen.

Oh, excuse me.

So where do you think Yusef is?

Sorry?

Of Arimathea?

Jesus' tomb.

You're not meant to know about that.

Oh, Caiaphas trusts me.

Besides, you know, technically, we have the same status now.

I was actually just stopping you to say thank you.

For what you did.

Genuinely.

Your opinion matters to the Temple

and I know I wouldn't have this Sanhedrin appointment

if not for you.

I'm grateful you backed me.

Or rather, didn't back Saul.

So if there's anything you ever need from me,

please don't hesitate to ask.

Actually, I do need something.

We're looking for Minister Saul.

Sanhedrin's orders.

Saul.

Is there a problem?

These heathens are destroying our way of life!

Destroying everything--

The High Minister is not available.

How many synagogue members must come here before you listen to us?!

How many more ministers must we all lose before you do something?!

Did you really need to send a Temple guard to summon me?

Minister Saul has arrived, Minister Anani--

Yes, I can see that.

Leave us.

-You look aimless. -What do you want, Nai?

You're not going to congratulate me on my win?

Very well.

Have a seat then.

Or stand. That'll show me.

What's it like to be a minister without a station?

-You called me here to gloat? -No, no, no. I'm genuinely asking.

Because what you were doing before, stationed in rural districts,

that was unfortunate, but no station?

-That's just embarrassing. -I'll be off now.

Would you like a job, Saul?

What job?

The Libertine Synagogue in the center,

it's lost its teacher.

I'm aware.

Do you know why?

I mean, yes and no.

Point is, I have a job vacancy to fill, and I think you should take it.

It's very easy.

Serve the community, teach the scriptures,

and most importantly, keep out of trouble.

You'll have a Temple-given station

and you can... shave.

No.

Fine. Don't shave.

No to the job.

Because I've offered it to you?

Because it won't fix the problem.

You really are your own worst enemy.

What does that mean?

Are you a minister of the faith, Saul?

Are you?

Because you often forget what that means.

At this moment, the people need to be guided in their belief

by someone devout and unyielding,

and for all your faults, I'll admit those are qualities you possess.

I'm offering you a way back in.

Take it.

At the very least so you get your Temple quarters back.

I feel sorry for anyone who has to host you.

Your contract.

All you have to do is sign and hand it in to the Coms-office.

I'll think about it.

You have tomorrow to think, but I expect an answer the following morning.

Be smart, Saul.

Surprise me.

Did he accept the job?

So you're the reason he doesn't knock.

-Minister Gamal-- -Yes. Thank you.

I'm not even going ask why you have your own receptionist.

Sadducee.

Will he do it?

I gave him tomorrow to decide,

we'll know by assembly the following morning.

It'll be good for him and the Libertines, but Saul is stubborn.

If he says no, you'll need to try harder to convince him.

Wait, listen.

I appreciate your hand in my appointment so I will do my best.

But seriously, Minister Gamaliel,

if you care so much about your protégé,

why did you throw him to the dogs?

Keep me safe, my God,

for in You I take refuge.

Without you, God, nothing makes sense.

Lord...

I want to know You like they do.

I want to know You, Jesus.

- And I want to-- - Talia?

What did you just say?

What did you just say?!

Yeah, it's a good idea.

We can bring it up in the briefing tomorrow.

Where have you been?

You guys seen Stephen?

Um, he's at the Lower Streets, preaching.

What, now?

Group of them. Why?

For years, centuries, we'll sacrifice a lamb at Passover.

This is God's plan.

Jesus is that lamb, sacrificing Himself...

I'll be right back.

Talia?

What are you doing in the Lowers at this time?

-Your family will be worried. -I needed to find you.

What is it?

You're coming back this week, aren't you?

You have to come.

I was going to, yeah.

Members from different houses are going to start blocking you all from entering,

but no matter what happens, Stephen, you can't let it stop you.

-Blocking us how? - I want to hear.

We want to hear, many of us. So-So...

So please, you have to come back this week.

Um...

Okay, I'll try.

I will.

Are you okay?

-I need to get back home. -No, Talia, wait.

Will it work?

Of course it will work.

As long as we are all prepared to do what it takes.

But I for one refuse to stand idle

as the fragile defect to a make-believe messiah.

So it is simple.

And if the Temple insists on ignoring us...

we only have one option.

So they're gonna start blocking us?

That's what Talia said.

Violently?

Okay, so we keep clear of the synagogues and we stick to the streets.

-But I said I'd go back. -Let's see what happens first.

If it's dangerous for our people to be in there, then it's off the table.

-The streets are working. -Really working.

-It's hard for us to keep up. -Yeah.

Actually, some of us wanted to bring that up.

Bring what up?

There is a growing number of people who are just finding our base.

-Yeah. -Safe to say

not everyone will come with good intentions.

Okay, so what do we need? Better security?

A different warehouse? A bigger warehouse?

-Than this place? -Perhaps I--

Maybe we need to think bigger than the capital.

Explain that to me?

It's time to start doing what Jesus told us to do.

He told us to wait here.

He said to wait until we had received the gift of the Spirit.

That was Shavuot.

That was nearly a year ago.

What then?

So...

we do the other thing he told us to do.

Make disciples of all men.

-Wait, you mean-- -He said go to Judea,

Samaria, to the ends of the Earth.

Instead of one warehouse here, it should be lots of houses everywhere.

We could send people further out to teach the faith

and to establish more communities.

It's safer than staying here on the Temple's doorstep.

Are we all gonna go?

I don't know.

-I'll go. -Ah. Hmm.

What? It's loud here.

I'd probably go. You know, back and forth.

-I'd go. -Okay, can we just--

The more experienced followers should go first.

Oh, was that comment Spirit-led or was that you?

We both know the answer to that. I want to see the world.

We'd mix people up.

Back and forth like Andrew said, everyone.

The old and the new.

-Okay. -Okay, great.

You wanna go?

I think so.

If I can.

Pray about it.

If that's where the Spirit sends you, you're with me.

Stephen? Can I talk to you for a sec?

Sure. What's up?

Hey! Is everything okay?

He's fine.

It's the synagogues.

Stephen was right, they're blocking us.

How bad is it?

Go on, tell them.

Well, I thought it'd be fine, but when I got there today

there was a line of people stood at the door like a barricade,

all shouting that they were guarding the house

on behalf of the Temple.

Some I'd never seen before.

Quite a few people came back this morning saying they had the same.

They looked shaken.

Is everyone hurt?

No.

Tell them what you did, Ade.

What?

I tried to...

jump over the members.

Jump?

Fly.

S-Sorry, what?

I quoted the scriptures.

Said I would soar like an eagle, took a running jump, and...

tried to fly.

And this is how you mentor, is it?

I'm handling it.

But I didn't realize we were expected to babysit these people.

How was I supposed to know that if I looked away for two seconds--

We need to be more careful.

Spread the word.

No forcing ourselves into synagogues.

We keep our people safe and we focus on streets.

Obadiah's boy.

Abdiel.

Peace be upon you.

Making more complaints?

We're receiving them.

If anyone's place of worship is invaded, they can report to us here.

We'll see to it they're kept out.

I'm impressed.

Really.

It's nothing.

You should hear what's coming.

-Will you be at service tomorrow? -Yes.

We could use you.

If you are willing.

I'm willing.

Well, think about it first.

What we're planning is reckless.

The Temple won't like it, but...

it'll send a very clear message.

Tell me what I need to do.

I didn't know you come here.

Oh, yeah.

All the time.

I can go if you wanna be alone.

No.

No. I'm glad you're here.

Do you remember the sermon you gave up there?

Not all of it.

One of the guys wrote some of it down, though.

I remember loads.

Word for word.

And I can still see it.

That was the greatest day of my entire life.

One of mine too.

James has been meeting my mum to tell her how I've been.

That's nice, isn't it?

Sounds very James.

She wants me to come home.

He told you that?

She asked him to.

She told him to tell me that she'd heard what the city was saying.

And that she'd been thinking about these words in Isaiah.

You know,

"Our weaknesses He carried; our sorrows that weighed Him down.

And we thought that His troubles were a punishment from God but He was"--

"But He was pierced for our rebellion,

crushed for our sins,

beaten so we could be whole,

whipped so we could be healed.”

She looked at that

and she said she might not believe it...

but she'd like to.

And she might not understand me...

but she would listen to me.

She told him to tell me that I was still her son.

After Shavuot I was prepared to lose everything.

I still am.

But maybe...

maybe I get to keep her.

So you're going back home?

Yep. I'm gonna go home,

gonna teach my mum about Jesus,

I'm gonna lay hands on her and she's gonna be filled with the Holy Spirit.

I'm happy for you, my friend.

I can drive you tonight.

Oh, thank you, but it's fine.

I'll head there tomorrow after synagogue.

I thought we weren't preaching at synagogues anymore.

I know, I know. But I'm not gonna teach inside.

I'm just gonna go to the service and then speak to members afterwards, that's it.

- Stephen. - I have to.

It's Talia, she...

she looked afraid.

It's on the way home.

If they don't let me in, I'll just go.

You can't go alone.

The apostles go out alone all the time.

-Still-- -And God's always with them.

He always shows up.

What if I go with you?

I was supposed to be with Mary tomorrow but perhaps...

I'll be careful, friend. Don't even think about it.

Pass us that.

Come in.

-Hey. -Hey.

How'd it go today?

Fine.

You accepted the job?

I handed in the contract.

That's great. That's...

And you start tomorrow?

Maybe Asher and I can come--

Let me get acquainted first, Eliza.

Okay.

Fine.

This is good.

Mum would be proud.

And Dad.

Okay. Um, goodnight. Yeah.

Night.

Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge.

Do not leave me.

- Good morning, Minister. - Any messages?

Minister Saul left this with Coms-office.

Brilliant.

Without you, God, nothing makes sense.

Give me courage to speak.

-Ready? -Ready.

Give me the right words.

Did he accept the job?

I'd give up if I were you.

He said no?

Read it.

Your boy is guided by hatred.

And it will be his downfall.

Remind me to love like You.

And when I lose my words...

do not leave me, God.

Service, please.

Don't leave me.

I have something I'd like to say to the congregation.

I-1, um...

- I've heard-- - Why do you get to speak?

Exactly.

We were told that the congregation weren't allowed to.

The congregation can speak, as long as their words are in line with our laws.

He's not allowed to speak.

We agreed only the minister should address the congregation.

And...

where is the minister?

Um... that's what I'd like to talk about.

Um... why Minister Noam left.

Because I have heard...

I have heard...

Well?

Go on.

I believe Minister Noam left because--

Minister Noam left because he heard words that changed him,

and you're asking him to pretend he hasn't.

He left because you're demanding he call the truth heresy.

You're insisting he call the ultimate sacrifice a defeat.

And you want him to make the name of Jesus offensive here,

when this is where it should be celebrated.

We should celebrate a dead man?

You should humble yourself before a risen King.

You dare say that here?

Boldly.

It's you that should be careful.

You mock your life's atonement.

My atonement?

You manipulate my people.

You promise them the forgiveness of a crucified and false messiah

when all they'll receive is judgment from a principled and holy God.

And you think you're fighting for our faith...

but you're fighting against it.

The same voice you're trying to silence

is the one that constantly calls your name.

There are some other people who have something to say--

-Stephen, you should go! -Quiet, you!

You shouldn't have come! You have to leave!

Now.

We have some things we'd like you to address.

-What is it? What's wrong? -Your son, he needs help.

I-I'm so sorry.

-My son? -It's all my fault! It's all my fault!

What they're saying, I never said that.

He says he never said it.

Yes, he did!

-I never said that. What I-- -This man hates our people.

He told me Moses was not a man of God.

He said the Temple would be destroyed!

I can clarify anything you don't understand,

but I can't address things that I haven't said.

He said it. I heard him!

If this man has voiced anything else you consider blasphemy then speak now.

- Blasphemy! - Blasphemy!

You want me to defend myself against lies?

No.

We want you defend yourself before the Sanhedrin.

None of it's true, but it doesn't matter.

He's going to have to answer for it. You have to hurry.

-Answer to who? -They're going to issue a public arrest.

They're going to take him to the Temple!

You have to get help!

This man is a stain on the Jewish faith!

He is a mocker of traditions practiced by our fathers!

His words are an abomination!

You stand with him or you stand with God!

Seize him.

Those who fear God will take this man to the Temple

and demand he face the law.

If they cannot control him...

Well...

Where are your words now then?

The next time you speak, it will be before the Sanhedrin.

If that's where He's sending me, that's where I'll go.

To the Temple!

Don't leave me, God. Don't leave me.

Don't leave me, God. Don't leave me.

Don't leave me, God. Don't leave me.

Don't--

Stephen!