This is a story about repression and the thing which struck me was how little man’s politics and the psychology of power has changed in 2,000 years. In society we burden ourselves with many levels of this that span the range from what we call “spin” and “political rhetoric” all the way to propaganda and outright lies.
“When [the priests and Sadducees] saw the man who had been cured standing beside [Peter and John], they had nothing to say in opposition … For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through [Peter and John], we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn [Peter and John] to speak no more to anyone in [the name of Jesus].”
Truth has ultimate power. Yet somehow in society we create situations where communication of it is not in the best interests of some, often those who appear to hold political power over us. Actions follow to “protect” that political power and a muddy morass of confusion and deception follow. So many times we wish that the myriad persistent voices attempting to influence us would just shut up.
Yet we are somehow able to recognize what is truth and what is fabrication - this is God’s grace and a gift of the Holy Spirit. In the passage God shook the earth as a sign that the disciples were on the right track. We will most likely have to listen more carefully to a quiet internal voice yet the outcome is the same.
We pray, “…Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hands to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus,”
5The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is
'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.'
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16They said, "What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." 18So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.
23After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples imagine vain things?
26The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.'
27For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
32Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"). 37He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
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