69 BEFORE THE COUNCIL F O O T ================================
- H O L D
READING
69 BEFORE THE COUNCIL
PRAY ‘Be my rescue shelter and a strong fortress to protect me’ O God. (Psalm 71:3, GNB) —————————————————————- READ Acts 4:1-22. —————————————————————- THINK Is there, in this passage, an example for present-day Christians to follow? —————————————————————- FOCUS It had all happened before – Annas, Caiaphas and the ‘rulers and elders and scribes’ (6) had met to decide what to do with a troublesome preacher who said disturbing things about them and their ways (Mark 15:1). They had got rid of him, they thought. And now here they were, back again, facing the same problem. They no doubt thought they could easily bully these ignorant followers of Christ into submission. But what a surprise they had! For they had more than Peter to cope with (8). The Jews wanted to turn it into a case of disloyalty to the Jewish religion. But Peter began by reminding them that it was all to do with a cripple who had been healed – there was no argument about him! peter was quite direct and stated plainly that the man had been made well ‘through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – whom you crucified . . . ‘ (10). Yet in spite of all the leaders had done, salvation through Jesus could still be offered to them (12). You can sense the bewilderment of the leaders in verse 13; how could these ordinary men of no education do things they did, and how could they presume to challenge the powerful religious authorities? It was the company they kept (13)! There was no denying the fact that the lame man was changed. he could walk. ‘Proving’ that the gospel is true by speaking or writing is important’ but the proof that counts most is a life transformed – physically, morally or spiritually. —————————————————————- PRAY Pray that your life may be a demonstration that you have been with Jesus and that your friends will notice.