Acts 5:17-42 NIV
The apostles were elated because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. That sounds reasonable. But, I'm not so sure if I would be elated. They were persecuted for the Name. They were ordered not to be talking about this Jesus any longer and thrown into jail for the Name. Angels came and released them. They were then flogged for continuing to spread the Good News in the Name of Jesus Christ. They suffered much and came through it all still thanking and praising God for and in the Name of Jesus.
Yet, this morning I find myself feeling very sorry for those who persecuted the apostles. To have witnessed the Christ working through them and still denying Christ is a very sad thing. Such a waste of time and energy it is to try to deny the truth.
The Pharisee, Gamaliel, finally persuaded the Sanhedrin to let the apostle's go by saying to them: "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (vs 38-39) So what do you think? The apostles were not stopped. Two thousand years later the Good News is still being shared around the world. For those who persist in trying to stop the Name: give it up. It is from God and you will not be able to stop it.
God's Peace - Pr. J
The apostles were elated because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. That sounds reasonable. But, I'm not so sure if I would be elated. They were persecuted for the Name. They were ordered not to be talking about this Jesus any longer and thrown into jail for the Name. Angels came and released them. They were then flogged for continuing to spread the Good News in the Name of Jesus Christ. They suffered much and came through it all still thanking and praising God for and in the Name of Jesus.
Yet, this morning I find myself feeling very sorry for those who persecuted the apostles. To have witnessed the Christ working through them and still denying Christ is a very sad thing. Such a waste of time and energy it is to try to deny the truth.
The Pharisee, Gamaliel, finally persuaded the Sanhedrin to let the apostle's go by saying to them: "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (vs 38-39) So what do you think? The apostles were not stopped. Two thousand years later the Good News is still being shared around the world. For those who persist in trying to stop the Name: give it up. It is from God and you will not be able to stop it.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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