They Believed!

Read: Acts 4: 1-4
Focus on vs.4 “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

 

Have you ever had pure intentions to help people be delivered from hopeless situations? Although this may be true for you, there are always church spectators in the environment cautiously and enviously watching your every step. Peter and John were in the mode of spiritual filling and blessings! People came from everywhere! Priests were there! The captain of the temple was there! Captain is another word for Chief of the temple police. He was the second-ranking official to the High Priest (MacArthur Study Bible). The Sadducees were also there. They denied the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 23:8; Matt. 3:7) because the Pentateuch did not teach it (Matt. 22:23-33). These hopeless spectators intentionally stirred up confusion and discord among the people. Be mindful that whenever you fulfill God’s will, miserable people will try to damper your call and the message you bring. Misery loves company! We know this from the disciples’ interaction with Jesus before his death. Judas was at every meeting. He was in the midst of the healing service and most likely laid hands on people. However, he did not believe Christ’s claims as the Messiah. His heart was defiled, so his fleshly motives got the best of him, and he betrayed our Lord. If you follow Jesus Christ (disciple of Jesus Christ), not just a learner (disciple of people), you will face opposition as Jesus did. You are not exempt from opposition (John 15:18)! Bottom line!

 

Peter and John were on the right track. People were being healed, inspired, and delivered. However, The Sadducees were disturbed by these apostles' teachings and proclamations of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. They could not handle the truth of the gospel. Remember, Jesus was arrested and executed as a blasphemer because of his proclamation as Christ, the anointed Son of God! The Sadducees distracted the message and put Peter and John in prison. This is a word! Fleshly people will try to stop the message of Christ! “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). They will try to shut you up! They are pure speculators trying to play checkers with your life. However, God is the Chess Ruler! These simple people are no match for our Lord! He is greater! “Greater is He who lives in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Yes, they detained the apostles until the next day when they would have to go before the council (4:15). There will be friction and conflict, but God will bless Kingdom works no matter who comes against it! He will shut the mouths of the lions! Many who heard the word of the Lord believed! This is our bottom line! We preach the gospel of Jesus Christ so that others can experience God’s love and grace. The people believed! Our motive is that all who hears the gospel will repent and be changed! Amen!

 

John prayed, and I pray: “that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2) in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

Encourage and Be Encouraged!

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