Acts 4-6
November 25, 2014


Peter and John have become famous because of the power of the Holy Spirit working through them.  and Peter has gone beyond famous to rock star status.   People line the streets to see him.  They bring ill family members out so that Peter's shadow can fall on them.   They might have done the same thing for Jesus, but I don't remember reading it.  In any case, Peter and his companions are fast becoming a problem for the establishment.    So when they heal a crippled beggar it draws a huge crowd.  The crowd follows them up onto the temple mount, and John and Peter begin teaching everything that Jesus taught them.  They are standing in Solomon's Colonnade,  which is a large area of huge stone columns on one side the temple mount.   When the Pharisees and the teachers of the law see that the crowd is looking to Peter and John and not to them, they become insanely jealous.   This pride and lust for power and control never comes from God.   Jesus taught that we should be humble.  He taught that we should celebrate everyone who is spreading the Gospel, not be in conflict or competition with them.   The Pharisees reveal their true character by their actions.

When Peter is confronted by them, he doesn't pull any punches.  I am amazed at his boldness in front of these men who just exercised their power to have Jesus killed a couple of months earlier.   Peter clearly must have no fear of death.  Gone is the man who is afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of Jesus.   The Pharisees bring false witnesses to level charges against the apostles.   I suspect that same strategy is still being used today.   I wonder how many times our leaders (who often seem to be drunk with lust for power and control) have used their influence to squash opposition from Christians.   What happens in secret inside the United States happens blatantly abroad.   Jesus told us it would happen this way. "if they hate you, remember they hated me first".

When Peter and John are beaten unjustly, they don't file any charges, or try to incite a riot or begin a rebellion.  Instead, they celebrate!   In their way of thinking, they have been counted worthy of a great honor.  The honor of suffering for their faith, just like Jesus.

Honestly, I think this mindset is what we as American Christians need to be assimilating.  We are used to being in power and in control.  It positions us incorrectly to reflect the attributes of the Master.   Our role is to serve others, share with one another and suffer willingly.    When this happens, the Gospel spreads like wildfire.    It could be that our great success and wealth in the United States have actually dampened the work of the Holy Spirit.

PR