Yesterday in our reading, Peter and John were told to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. In today’s reading, we learn that they didn’t! They continued to spread the gospel and heal people. The Bible says that multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord. How amazing is that? The high priest and the Sadducees were jealous.
Again, they arrested Peter and John. During the night, an angel of the Lord appeared, opened the prison doors, and brought them out. The angel told them to go and stand in the temple and speak to the people. When morning came, they did just that. That day, the priest called together the council, and they sent officers to the prison for Peter and John. When they got there, they didn’t find them! The officers told the council that they found the prison locked and the guards standing at the door. The captain of the temple and chief priests were confused as to how that could’ve happened. Someone came to them and told them that Peter and John were standing in the temple preaching to people. They didn’t stop doing what they knew they were supposed to. The captain and officers took Peter and John and brought them before the council. The high priest questioned why they were still teaching in Jesus’ name. Peter and John told them that they must obey God rather than men. The council was angry and wanted to have them killed! One member of the council reminded them of a man who had hundreds of people follow him. After he died, nothing came of his followers. He told them that if it was just a man doing all this work, then they would fail, but if it was truly God working in Peter and John, nothing would be able to overthrow them. The council beat them, told them not to speak of the name of Jesus, and let them go. Do you know what Peter and John did after that? They rejoiced and felt honored that they suffered for the name of Jesus. And guess what? They didn’t stop teaching and preaching about Jesus.
There are people in the world who are just like the council. They don’t believe in Jesus. It might be hard for you to teach others about Jesus, but just like Peter and John, stand strong. God is always working, and no work of His will fail.
Pray: God, help me to remember that Your plans never fail. Help me to be strong and stand up for You even when the crowd doesn’t. Amen.