|
|
|
|
Preaching Leads To Prison
– Acts Four –
The Apostles had healed a man at the Beautiful gate of the Temple. This provided a wonderful opportunity to preach Jesus and His resurrection. The priests and Sadducees were sad that "they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead." The result was that Peter and John were put in prison. "The inherent hatred of truth and righteousness on the part of the powers of darkness was quickly manifested in the bitter opposition encountered by the apostolic preachers of the gospel."
The growth of Christianity was well underway by this time. "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand." (Acts 4:4) The Apostles were called to answer for their authority to preach and to heal. They were asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:7) Peter and John saw this as simply another opportunity to preach Jesus.
Their accusers could not deny that a notable miracle had been done on the lame man. Yet, they charged the Apostles "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." "Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Their time in prison ended with being threatened and dismissed.
Peter and John return to the other Apostles for a period of prayer and praise to God for His goodness. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31) The result of this early persecution was that the believers were joined together in even stronger love. They cared for the poor by selling their property and goods and sharing with those that had need.
The Apostles were arrested – Acts 4:1-4: Peter and John were interrupted as they spoke about Jesus. The priests, captain of the temple and Sadducees caused the trouble. They were grieved because of the preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. The doctrine of the resurrection from the dead was a special grief to the Sadducees. The Apostles not only preached the resurrection of the dead in general, but they said that this man Jesus was raised from the dead.
Peter and John were arrested late in the day. They were kept in prison to be dealt with on the morrow. Even though Peter and John were put in prison many of those that had heard the word believed. The number of Christian men grew to be about five thousand. The apostles had literally become fishers of men!
The Apostles in court – Acts 4:5-12: The apostles were examined by the rulers, the chief priests, the Scribes, and elders of the people. They were examined with the question, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" The Holy Ghost directed the Apostles in answering for the faith. They explained that the man had been made whole in the name of Jesus. "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole." (Acts 4:10)
Jesus was shown to be a rejected stone which became the chief corner stone. Jesus is strong, durable, dependable and fit for a foundation for both time and eternity. Salvation can be found only in the name of Jesus. God resolved in His purpose that salvation would be made possible. He appointed his Son to be the salvation of the world. God saves by Him and by no other. Sadly, many reject all that Jesus, in His mercy offers.
The Apostles were threatened – Acts 4:13-22: Their persecutors were perplexed by the boldness of Peter and John. They had perceived of Peter and John as being unlearned, ignorant men. However, that is not the way they spoke before their accusers. Those that accused the apostles were unable to deny that a notable miracle had been done. After taking council together they decided that they would forbid the apostles to preach in the name of Jesus.
The Apostles asked their accusers whether they should obey their commands or the will of God. Their conclusion was that they had to speak what they had seen and heard about the resurrection. The apostles knew that souls were perishing without Jesus. They looked to Jesus Christ as the only escape from eternal ruin. They knew that there is no peace of mind or proper life conduct aside from Jesus and His truth. The court released the apostles because they were fearful of the people. They did not care if they offended God, but they were afraid of the people.
The apostles in their own company – Acts 4:23-37: When the apostles came back to their own company they: (1) reported what commands and injunctions their accusers had lain upon them, (2) reported what threatenings they had given them, (3) prayed together with the brethren, and (4) praised God. They looked upon God as their heavenly Father in Christ. He was the one to whom they looked for help, and in whom they expected safety, strength and grace. Their request was for boldness that they not be intimidated concerning preaching the Christ.
The result of their prayers was: (1) the place was shaken where they were assembled together, (2) they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and (3) they spoke the word of God with all boldness. The shaking of the house assured them that God was still with them. This was also a time of great unity in the church "One heart and one soul" described the beautiful unity of the early church. They were in total agreement in matters of doctrine. There was a perfect harmony in their practice. Their souls were knit to one another in this large body of Christians.
The liberality of fellow Christians helped meet the needs of poor brethren. Many, like Barnabas, the son of exhortation sold land or other possessions to help those that were in need. "It is quite probable that the land sold by Barnabas constituted his whole estate. Having no family dependent on him, he consecrated his life to unrequited missionary labor. "
They brought this money and laid it at the feet of the Apostles. This giving was done out of gratitude to God and sympathy for man. Others glorify God when they see the good deeds done by Christians.
If you have not started the Christian life "Today is the day of salvation." (II Corinthians 6:2.) To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30) and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) Your attitudes and actions should be molded after the example of the early Christians as they were willing both to live and to die for Jesus.
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: Baptist Hospital South: Gene Buck, Jean Gafford, and Jackson Hospital: Mary Tindal. In Need Of Prayers: Malachi Beauchamp, Charles Box Sr. (knee replacement – 9096 Rocky Ford Road, Gadsden, Alabama 35903), Carolyn Duncan, Ethel Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Evan Hartsell, Dylan Heartsell, Darlene Herring, Frank Johnson, Jessie Kennemore, Mary Lawrence, Evelyn Lewis, Mary Powell, Nettie Quintey (mother of Peggy Harper), Lydia Ann Raybon (after a few days in hospital), Grace Robinson (mother of Sue Arnold), Mary Lou Terrell, and Anna Salter. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, and Mary Lou Phelps.
2. Congratulations: Jody and Wei Barr have a baby girl, Amellia Grace. She was born April 6th. She weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces. She was 21 ½ inches long. Proud grandparents are Jerry and Joan Barr.
3. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in Iraq. (SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117th FA, APO AE09378, 3rd PLT) (b) Jason Godwin will go to Iraq in a few months. (c) Thomas Phillips as he is on a two month trip to South America.
4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: April 10th Brenda Stallings, April 12th Donald Davis, and April 13h Kenneth Jackson.
5. Thank You: Dear Church family, Thank you for the beautiful dress top you bought for me so I could look nice for my directorial picture. All of my nice clothes are now too small to fit me. Thank you for ALL you as my spiritual family have done and continue to do for me. And to add a “little good news” – I have officially been announced cured of my leukemia. After 5 ½ long years, I finally got something good to cheer about. Praise God for answering so may prayers; and thank you for praying them on my behalf. With Love, Jean Hayes
6. Great Job: Thank you to the teachers for the new bulletin boards. They look great!
7. Wowetta Gifts: Are you ready to do another shoe box project? We will prepare another shipment for Wowetta for school age children in about six weeks. There are sheets in the foyer that have the information needed for each child. Everyone may participate and prepare as many boxes as you like. Be sure and put a Bible in every box because we want to share God’s word with the children and their families. These will be due by May 14th. If you need any help preparing a box please see Lisa Bagents. **Also, we would like to prepare a box of sporting equipment for the school. Things like volley balls and nets, soccer balls and nets, basket balls and goals, pumps and needles for balls, baseballs, gloves, and bats, footballs, ping-pong paddles, balls and nets. These will be placed in a large box in the foyer.
10. Web Site: Our web is improving daily. The address is www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. Updates are frequently being made, so visit it often. The entire Revelation series is now available.
11. Area Events: (a) April 7th – Area Wide Singing – Tallassee Church of Christ – 7:00-8:00 p.m. (b) April 9th-12th – Gospel Meeting – Luverne Church of Christ – Speaker: Rusty Adair – evening services at 7:30 (c) April 10th-12th – Gospel Meeting – Fairhope Church of Christ – Speaker: Buck Hall – Time: 7:00 p.m. (see bulletin board for topics each evening) (d) April 21st-23rd – Gospel Meeting – Lineville Church of Christ – Speaker: Ken Butterworth – Time: 7:00 p.m. (e) May 6th – Ladies Day – Niceville Church of Christ, Florida – Speaker: Sheila Butt – Time: 9:00 a.m. (see bulletin board for more information) (f) June 18th-23rd – “National Worship for the Deaf” – Niceville Church of Christ – call 850-678-2911 for details. (g) July 9th-14th – Backwoods Christian Camp. (h) September 25th-27th – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Southern Christian University – (see bulletin board for speakers, topics, and time)
Leave The Critters Alone
Kindness is the first and last rule that you will be asked to follow when you attend a session at Backwoods Christian Camp (BCC). But I want to tell you about another rule that is also very important to heed while you’re there: Leave the critters alone! Because BCC lives up to the name “Backwoods,” there are certain 4-legged and 0-legged creatures (no offense, Nic) that are sometimes seen around camp. At camp, you might hear John Rice or another director explain during orientation, “If a really friendly squirrel, that looks like it’s been brushing its teeth, comes up to you and smiles real big…DO NOT PET IT!” In fact, if you see a critter like this, you are encouraged to turn away and run, and alert others to its presence so they can stay out of harm’s way.
At BCC, people are concerned about physical safety, but they care even more about the spiritual well-being of those who come. The principles behind the rule about wild animals can also be applied to spiritual dangers. The rule doesn’t say, “Get as close to the crazy squirrel as possible, and if he happens to bite or claw you, step back a little.” For obvious reasons, you should avoid him completely. The Bible says, “Abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22). The King James Version reads: “…all appearance of evil.” “Abstain” means to avoid completely. Christians are not commanded to be adventurous with evil things and see how close they can get to sin, but to stay away from it completely. We are not only to avoid committing sin, but to avoid even the “appearance of evil.” “Appearances” have got many “innocent” people into trouble.
Joseph had the right idea when Potiphar’s wife tried to lure him into sexual immorality. The Bible says that “he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house” (Genesis 39:12). We understand that being careless with things that can harm us physically is foolish. Why then, would we intentionally place ourselves in the path of spiritually destructive evils? Even though sins can appear harmless, there is nothing more deadly than the transgression of God’s commands (Isaiah 59:1-2; James 1:14-15).
- - - - Darrell Powell
-
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
Walnut Street Church of Christ
P.O. Box 551
Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551
(334-382-3001)
