MAY 8 READING…ACTS 4
The opposition to the Jesus and the Gospel is real. Those who are most vehemently opposed to Jesus have murderous hearts. All around the world we have brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives stand in peril simply because they believe in Jesus. I am convinced that if it were legal to kill Christians in America as they do in other countries, those who hate Jesus would have us killed. In our reading Peter and John are brought into custody by the religious authorities. Both of the high priests that convicted Jesus were there to try both Peter and John. These leaders were upset because Peter had healed the lame man…and they wanted to know by whose authority, that is, in whose name did you do this. Without hesitation, Peter says, “it's by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, the One who rose from the dead, that this formerly lame man stands before you whole.” Though the authorities were incensed, the situation did not allow them to punish Peter and John, so they commanded them to no longer speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter declares that they would obey God, and not men… for they had no option on whether or not to speak God’s truth. The persecution of the first church intensified and caused them to pull together and take care of each other’s needs. The church even sold their possessions in order that no one did without the things they needed. You see, their love for Jesus, and their love for one another, was greater than any material possession they owned. Persecution is coming…commands to stop preaching the Word of God is coming…we will obey God, not men.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…ACTS 5
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