4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they enquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- v2. The Sadducees initiated the persecution of the Apostles. They were Israelite’s ruling class and did not believe in Christ’s resurrection. With the death of Jesus, their trouble was over, or so they thought. Instead, Jesus was risen. Can we ignore the Saviour like the Sadducees did and hope that our troubles are over?
- v4. They killed Jesus, arrested apostles. But they could not stop the truth from spreading nor imprison the gospel. 5000 people heard the gospel and believed. After more than 2000 years, the gospel has not failed to spread because what we believe is true and is from God. It is worthy to be preached and passed on with enthusiasm and joy. The Sadducees and those who do not believe cannot escape their trouble in the future. Jesus will certainly return.
- v8. This was a repeat of the scene of when Jesus was tried and was the same question that Jesus had been asked. Peter and John were cornered. It didn’t matter if they panicked or not as the Holy Spirit filled Peter to help him to witness that Jesus was the Saviour. The presence of the Holy Spirit was the driving force behind spreading Jesus’ good news.
- v19. We know what is right in God’s eyes only if we know Him. Peter and John could not help but to speak out about what they had seen and heard. The Sadducees and the people in the Sanhedrin knew Moses’ Law very well. They saw the miracle with their own naked eyes, but decided not to accept Jesus as the Saviour. They became a group of well-educated simpletons. We can communicate with God through Jesus Christ and we will understand the bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I hope I will not be a well-educated and stubborn simpleton.
submitted by Mei
PRAYING IN FAITH
For Yourself
Pray that I will not be afraid of hardships and persevere on with the work God has given me.
For Your Five
Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill their hearts. Let them experience the presence of God and fill them with peace and joy.
For Our Church
Pray that the Holy Spirit will recharge us and we will spread the gospel energetically.