Written by: Christine Gore

Acts 4 v 5-10
The next day the Jewish rulers, the older Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there, as well as everyone from the high priest’s family. They made Peter and John stand before them and then asked them, “By what power or authority did you do this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and you older leaders, are you questioning us about a good thing that was done to a crippled man? Are you asking us who made him well? We want all of you and all the Jewish people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified him, but God raised him from the dead. This man was crippled, but he is now well and able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus. 

Notes
The day after the crippled man had been healed, and Peter and John imprisoned, they were all hauled before a ‘court’ of religious heavy weights. Everybody who was anybody was there – including two of the men who had been involved in Jesus’ own trail – Annas and Caiaphas. The significance of their presence would no doubt have been felt by Peter and John – were they too about to face a bogus trial and a death sentence? You’ll have to wait a few days before you find out, nevertheless, at this point they were given a severe grilling. “Who on earth do you think you are?” “And by whose authority did you do this healing? We didn’t give you permission!”

I am sure Peter had to bite his tongue at this point. The Holy Spirit overruled, yet Peter’s reply pulled no punches. “By whose authority did we heal this cripple? Why, by the authority of the man that you, (yes you in particular Annas and Caiaphas), killed – Jesus Christ from Nazareth! You may have killed him but God raised him from the dead and by His name this man was healed, and we want everyone to know.” I wonder if at this point John was shaking in his boots, subtly and tact were never Peter’s strong points! 

Have you ever been in a similar position where someone has grilled you because of your faith in Jesus? How did it feel? Do you know that more Christians have been killed for their faith in the last 100 years than in all the previous centuries put together? Spend a few minutes praying for those who daily face imprisonment or death for their faith in Christ. Why not find out more about the persecuted church and pray regularly for these members of our Christian family.

Acts 4 v 11-14
Jesus is
‘the stone that you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 
Jesus is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through him.”
The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. Because they saw the healed man standing there beside the two apostles, they could say nothing against them.

Notes 
Have you ever visited a cathedral or some impressive ruins while on holiday? When I stop and look at places such as these, I’m left wondering how on earth they remain standing after all these years. The cornerstone or capstone is an important feature in such buildings, for it’s a massive stone that holds them together or it’s the final stone in the centre of an arch that prevents it from collapsing. Either way it’s a key feature in any building, without which it becomes unsafe, liable to collapse. Peter uses this graphic image from Psalm118 to describe how the Jews (the masons) had been greatly mistaken in thinking that Jesus (the stone) was of no consequence. They made a big mistake when they threw Him out with the rubbish (literally!). He is the key to the whole of life. He is in fact the key to the salvation of the world. 

The Jewish leaders were amazed by what the apostles had to say. However, they were even more astonished by who they were. “Why they are after all only ordinary blokes – uneducated and untrained fishermen! How come they are so bold and articulate?” Then they realised that Peter and John had been with Jesus.

Do you feel inadequate and ill equipped to talk to others about Jesus? Take heart from this incident, you don’t need any special training or education to speak about Him to others. If you are someone who regularly spends time with Jesus others will notice. It has been said that you can’t make someone read the Bible but you won’t be able to stop them reading your life! Does your life reflect your relationship with Jesus? Let your life speak and then use your words to back it up as God gives you the opportunities.

Acts 4 v 15-22
After the Jewish leaders ordered them to leave the meeting, they began to talk to each other. They said, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows they have done a great miracle, and we cannot say it is not true. But to keep it from spreading among the people, we must warn them not to talk to people anymore using that name.”
So they called Peter and John in again and told them not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “You decide what God would want. Should we obey you or God? We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” The Jewish leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had been done. The man who received the miracle of healing was more than forty years old.

Notes
In 1977 the founder of the Digital Equipment Corporation was recorded as saying: “There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home”. Sometimes those who should know better are incredibly short-sighted! The Jewish religious leaders, even having heard all that Peter and John had to say, are no better. They just couldn’t see any further than their own prejudices and their own reputations. All they could think about was how to silence these two troublemakers and still keep the favour of the people. They couldn’t deny what had happened to the cripple, it was the talk of the town, and there he was standing before them quite obviously healed! No they needed another plan. 

Why is it that when those in power feel threatened they so often turn to threats and strong arm tactics to get their own way? Peter, however, was not at all phased by their threats, instead he poses them a “trick” questions. “You decide what God would want – would He want us to obey you or Him?” The answer is obvious, and they receive no answer from the Jewish Leaders except more threats. 

The religious authorities at this time seemed to want to put, and keep God, in a neat box, one that they understood and could control. But God had other plans. He used those who were considered rejects and ordinary to challenge the religious status quo, and they didn’t like it. Are you tempted to put God in a box? What do you do when He works in ways that surprise you and in ways you find unacceptable or unbelievable? Ask God to give you a fresh and surprising insight into Himself today, and have the courage and faith let God out of the box!

Acts 4 v 23-26
After Peter and John left the meeting of Jewish leaders, they went to their own group and told them everything the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders had said to them. When the believers heard this, they prayed to God together, “Lord, you are the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit, through our father David your servant, you said:
‘Why are the nations so angry? Why are the people making useless plans?
The kings of the earth prepare to fight, and their leaders make plans together against the Lord and his Christ.’ 

Notes
Can you think of an incident when a friend was in a difficult situation? What happened and what did you do? Did you pray for them? On their release Peter and John head for home – back to their Christian family to tell them everything that had happened. Undoubtedly their friends were anxious about the outcome of their dealings with the authorities and had been praying hard for them (see Acts 12). 

On their return the church once more turns to prayer. They begin their prayer by acknowledging that God is the one in control – not the religious authorities – He is Lord (‘Sovereign Lord’ NIV). Then, before they begin to ask God for anything, they spend sometime remembering who God is and what He is like. First of all they acknowledge that He is the God of creation and secondly that He is the One who loves to communicate with His creatures, for He is the God of revelation. 

Through God’s Holy Spirit, David was inspired to write Psalm 2, but how is it relevant to the current situation? This psalm is a psalm about the coming Messiah (Christ) and the opposition of the nations and peoples to Him. David says it’s all in vain and that God finds their efforts, quite frankly, laughable! Do they really think that they can thwart the plans and purposes of ‘The One enthroned in heaven’? The answer is a resounding no!

Is there a situation in your life that you need to have God’s perspective on? Ask the God of creation and revelation, the Lord of all, to give you wisdom and insight that you might be able to trust that He is in control. Then spend some time praising God for who He is. 

Acts 4 v 27-31
These things really happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, those who are not Jews, and the Jewish people all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. Jesus is your holy servant, the One you made to be the Christ. These people made your plan happen because of your power and your will. And now, Lord, listen to their threats. Lord, help us, your servants, to speak your word without fear. Help us to be brave by showing us your power to heal. Give proofs and make miracles happen by the power of Jesus, your holy servant.”
After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke God’s word without fear.

Notes 
Yesterday we finished off halfway through the church’s prayer in response to Peter and John’s release. They began by remembering who God is and what He is like. He is the One in control, He is the God of creation and He is the God of revelation. As their prayer continues we see that they acknowledge that God is also the God of History. Ironically all the old enemies get together and jointly conspire against Jesus, God’s anointed. They think that they succeed and that they have their will and way with Him, but little do they realise that in fact they are only carrying out the plans of a higher authority – the very will of God.

Having fixed their hearts and minds upon the character of God the church is now ready to ask Him to act on their behalf. “Take care of their threats Lord and give us boldness and courage to speak. Show Your power through signs and wonders done in Jesus’ name. Amen”. It’s a very short petition isn’t it? Succinct and to the point. When they had finished praying, the One in control, the God of creation, revelation and history, shows up and shakes the place, and the people to their foundations! Not only did God show up, but He also answered their prayer, giving them His Holy Spirit who enabled them to fearlessly proclaim God’s word. 

Did you notice how much more time they spent concentrating on God rather than on themselves when they prayed? Think about your own times of prayer. Do you spend more time concentrating on God or on yourself? Is it time to redress the balance? Do you lack confidence when you pray? Remember who it is who hears your prayers and answers! He is your Heavenly Father. Wow! 

Acts 4 v 32-37
The group of believers were united in their hearts and spirit. All those in the group acted as though their private property belonged to everyone in the group. In fact, they shared everything. With great power the apostles were telling people that the Lord Jesus was truly raised from the dead. And God blessed all the believers very much. No one in the group needed anything. From time to time those who owned fields or houses sold them, brought the money, and gave it to the apostles. Then the money was given to anyone who needed it.
One of the believers was named Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas (which means “one who encourages”). Joseph owned a field, sold it, brought the money, and gave it to the apostles.

Notes
Did you watch Castaway on TV last year? I must confess I got completely hooked and by Christmas I was getting a daily fix! Why was it so popular? What was it that was so fascinating about watching other people’s lives? Today’s reading is like an extract from an episode of 1st Century Castaway. But this time we are eavesdropping on the early church and their daily goings on, rather than a bunch of 21st Century castaways. Nevertheless, both groups had similar aims - to create something new in the terms of community living. 
We left the believers yesterday boldly proclaiming the Gospel, today we see them boldly living out the Gospel in their ordinary lives. Actually the way they lived was more extraordinary than ordinary! For they were a community who were totally united – in their love and worship of God and their faith in Christ. They were a community who believed in equality – sharing all they had with all in need. To the point of selling their most prized possessions, such as Barnabas selling his field as an act of worship to God. Consequently they were a community blessed by God and praised by others. 

I belong to an organisation called Church Army and their motto statement is “sharing faith through words and action” and this is certainly what we see happening here. As the church proclaimed the Gospel message in their words and by their actions, many thousands came to faith. What do people see when they look at your life? Is it consistent with what you proclaim with your lips? Ask God to highlight those areas where you could do better and ask Him to give you the gift of His Holy Spirit to enable you to live in a way that draws people to faith.

Acts 5 v 1-6
But a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some land. He kept back part of the money for himself; his wife knew about this and agreed to it. But he brought the rest of the money and gave it to the apostles. Peter said, “Ananias, why did you let Satan rule your thoughts to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep for yourself part of the money you received for the land? Before you sold the land, it belonged to you. And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this? You lied to God, not to us!” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Some young men came in, wrapped up his body, carried it out, and buried it. And everyone who heard about this was filled with fear.

Notes 
Designer label goods are all the rage, but have you ever bought a cheap imitation off a market stall only to have it fall to bits a few weeks later? The story of Ananias and Sapphira is the story of such a cheap imitation. 

Yesterday we met Barnabas, who sold his field and gave it as an offering to God for those in need. No doubt he was much respected and probably even admired for his gracious generosity. Ananias and Sapphira were obviously sufficiently impressed to want to imitate his act. Maybe they were jealous of the attention Barnabas received as a consequence, or maybe they craved the admiration of others – whatever – they decided to follow suit and sell some of their land. But, and it’s a big but, they were not prepared to go the whole way, offering to God only what was left over after they had taken what they considered to be their fair share.

Peter’s response is typically blunt. “What on earth possessed you to try and pull such a stupid stunt! Who did you think you were fooling? Do you really think that you can mock God in this way with your lying and your cheap offering?” The consequences of their deceitful behaviour were both dramatic and shocking.

How does this story challenge us today? It challenges us to look again at those things we say we give to God – our time, our energy, our worship, our money, our love etc. Does God only get the left over bits after we have taken what we want? Or does He get a cheap imitation of the real thing? Spend sometime thinking honestly about those things and people that you find it hard to surrender to God. Thank Him for them and then consciously entrust them to Him.


word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text taken from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright 1993 by Word Publishing Milton Keynes