"Who hath saved us, and called us with an
holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus before
the world began, But is now made manifest
by the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
who hath abolished death, and hath brought
life and immortality to light through the
gospel," 2 Timothy 1:9-10

Getting letters like this from Paul, the early
Christians followed the truth of Jesus' re-
surrection with joy.