Year 2, Week 40, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 40, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Acts 4-5.

Today’s reading continues with the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts is a selective history of the early church, which demonstrates how Jesus, by the Spirit, empowers His followers to continue His work. While the Book of Acts traces the early history of the church in general, eventually, as the history unfolds, there will be a strong focus on the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Continuing the narration of Peter’s healing of the man who could not walk as well as Peter’s message to the crowds concerning Christ, Act 4 notes the response of the Jewish religious council: “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening” (Acts 4:1-3). Peter uses the occasion to say more about Christ: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 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” (Acts 4:8-10). While Acts 4 ends with a specific example of generosity in the church’s commitment to care for the needs of others, Acts 5 opens with a tragic episode of deceit within the church that resulted in sober discipline: “When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it” (Acts 5:5). Acts 5 concludes with increased persecution toward the church even as the church flourished: “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” (Acts 5:41-42).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the commitment of the Apostle in the face of opposition: “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, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). The Jewish religious council were taken back by words spoken by Peter and John: “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” (Acts 4:13). The reply by Peter and John was the response to the demand by the Jewish religious council to stop talking about Jesus: “So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). For the reason that Peter stated in his message, the Apostles felt compelled to continue speaking of Jesus: “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” (Acts 4:12). Yes the message of the Apostles was creating havoc, but it was also bringing about salvation: “But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).

But as the Apostles continued proclaiming the Gospel, the Jewish religious council increased their opposition: “But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison” (Acts 5:17-18). Yet, the Lord sprung the Apostles out of jail and instructed them to resume preaching: “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach” (Acts 5:19-21a). While the Jewish leaders were searching the jail for the Apostle, word came to them that the men they were looking for were in the Temple preaching. As the Jewish leaders reiterated their demand that the Apostles should stop proclaiming things about Christ, Peter responded with a word about Christ: “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:29-32). The Jewish religious leaders were so furious that they wanted to immediately kill the Apostles, but they were talked out of it by one of their own by an appeal to wait and see: “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:38-39a). And while the Jewish leaders did not kill the Apostles, they did beat them: “So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go” (Acts 5:39b-40). But the Apostles responded to their beating with joy: “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe