Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. ' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?"they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.Before the crucifixion the Pharisees despised Jesus, because they were afraid that he would cause problems on Passover, and the Romans through Pontius Pilate would halt the festivities that were observed during this time. After the crucifixion the Sadduces became the most outspoken against Christ because they did not believe in resurrection.
Isn't it sad that so many people just can not handle change at all, that they can put up this hard shell around their heart, and not listen to the "truths" that are being spoken around and to them. Do we really think that we are so "RIGHT" in our beliefs when we have only heard part of the story. Christ said in Luke that there was much more "truth" that he couldn't share with us yet, because we weren't ready for it. This tells me that we haven't accepted the "truths" he has given us already, that we are not ready for the next level. I plead with you all, everyone that reads this, please get your nose back in that book, put aside your preconceived notions, and open yourself to the Voice of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that you may come to know His "Truth" they way He intended you too.
Most people today never get a chance to see a miracle of this nature. How is it even possible that you could see a man every single day for 40 years being a beggar because of his paralysis and now can walk, and NOT believe and want what this man received? How is it, that they KNOW, cause you know they knew, and still try to keep Peter and John from sharing? How is it, that those who saw this miracle, can say to themselves, "it matters not, we have to keep it from spreading". I do NOT understand why they wouldn't accept, believe, and spread the message.
I know in my head, that God didn't allow their hearts to soften, so they could accept, just like he did with the Pharoah in Egypt. And I know that the Gentile inclusion was part of this plan. But why would he make his "chosen people" so hard hearted that they can't "SEE" the truth even yet? This is one of those "truths" that I will say.... "ahhhh, I see", when the answer comes, and I have complete and utter faith that it will come, when God is ready for it...
At the Azusa Street Revival, in 1915, a man lifted his deformed and mangled hand, and as the crowd watched, he regrew a new hand. I have seen miracles, I have been the recipient of miracles, but I want to see a miracle of this stature... NOT because I don't believe it's possible, but just because I want to be in the presence of the Spirit when a miracle of this type happens. I want to feel the Spirit in the air, and in the crowd, I want to feel the people believing... I SO WANT TO FEEL THE SPIRIT WHEN HE'S IN HIS FULL GLORY. NOT just in me, but in a large multitude.... IT would have to be awesome!
The Believers' Prayer
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ' 27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.It must have been an absolutely glorious time to be alive, when the Holy Spirit was so abundant and present in the lives of the Church. Notice here that it says "filled with the Holy Spirit". The Church had been baptized with the Spirit at Pentecost. NOW, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, when the time calls for it. The Holy Spirit did not just "fill" the 12, He filled Peter, and all the others after that believe, accept, and repent. The Holy Spirit will fill you and me, and take over when we stumble, guide us when we are unsure, convict us when we are wrong, love us when we are feeling unworthy, you just have to ASK...
Dear Lord, please bring revival to us, bring your FIRE, bring your Spirit and settle on all those of the Fort Smith River Valley... I want to be a part of knowing your Church the way it was during the time of Peter and John... I want to be a part of bringing the Church back to you Lord... A part of bringing your creations back to your embrace and the knowledge of your love, and commitment to them, your faithfulness to all, and the grace you have given to everyone! In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!!!
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue if everyone tried to sell everything they had and live as a Church together? Is this where the concept of "commune" comes from? Maybe they are on the right track of this point, but in the end miss the overall goal of this concept.
I think the point in current times, is that we don't need to live in excess. God is responsible for what you have, don't hoard it... use it for His kingdom!!!!
I hope that you are enjoying my in depth looks at the chapters of Acts. There is so much great information in this Book... and I am enjoying going through it. There is so much more than I could ever share here, and each time I read it, I get more and more out of it.
Marvel at the amazing things God is doing in the midst of persecution!!!*
- Thousands put their faith in Jesus!
- Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preaches with boldness.
- Peter got to preach to the priests and the political leaders.
- The Miracle was confirmed by ALL.
- The enemies of Jesus were left speechless and confused.
- The whole congregation was shaken and filled with boldness.
- God is glorified and praised.
*Shared from Timothy Team notes, Heritage Church, Van Buren, Arkansas, October 8, 2014
This happened yesterday, is happening today, and will happen tomorrow!!! BE a part of it!
No comments:
Post a Comment