Acts 5:27-32 The Message (MSG) 27-28 Bringing them back, they stood them before the High Council. The Chief Priest said, “Didn’t we give you strict orders not to teach in Jesus’ name? And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying your best to blame us for the death of this man.” 29-32 Peter and the apostles answered, “It’s necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail.”
I love this story. I love how the apostles couldn’t keep from sharing God’s message, Jesus’ story, his good news! They had been placed in prison and yet, here they are teaching again as they were told to do by the angel who set them free. It’s hard for the Chief Priest to understand. To understand one, how they got out of the prison and two, that they didn’t flee to safety! Instead, they are preaching and in the temple, right out in the open! I love the apostles' reply. They answer to God, not man. They answer their call to ministry wholeheartedly! They will not be swayed.
Almighty God, Help us to be brave. Fill us with your spirit and give us the words and life to share and the courage to do so. Amen.
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Amen. The verse that came into my mind after reading this blog is Mathew 10:32-33; it challenges us to always confess and testify about His wondrous work and His goodness to others that we may encounter in life. Jesus being our intercessor to the Father, makes it possible for the Father to know us— only through Him our intercessor. Simply by us ‘disciples and apostles’ letting the world know about the gospel and Jesus Christ. For such a time is this!
Amen. The verse that came into my mind after reading this blog is Mathew 10:32-33; it challenges us to always confess and testify about His wondrous work and His goodness to others that we may encounter in life. Jesus being our intercessor to the Father, makes it possible for the Father to know us— only through Him our intercessor. Simply by us ‘disciples and apostles’ letting the world know about the gospel and Jesus Christ. For such a time is this!
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