A MESSENGE FOR PETER

After the resurrection of Jesus, and after Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit, God worked miraculously through the Apostles. “Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles … They would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed” (Acts 5:12-16). Wow!

There was great joy as the church was growing by leaps and bounds. I can imagine that singing would break out on street corners as Christ-followers met, prayed, and rejoiced to see God’s handiwork. These were extraordinary times.

But … not everybody was happy. The religious establishment wasn’t. They had sought the death penalty for Jesus. They had gleefully watched Him die. He was gone, but His faithful followers wouldn’t shut up.  

“Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail” (Acts 5:17-18). Peter and John, and maybe others, were cast into the prison. Why? Because they were preaching about Jesus. They were proclaiming His sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His victorious resurrection. They were teaching that He, and He alone offered eternal life by faith in His Holy Name!

While they languished in prison, a messenger from Heaven appeared. “An angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life’ ” (Acts 5:19-20). The angel’s message was clear and powerful… it was good news of great joy! “You can trust the Lord! Don’t run away and hide from the Jewish leaders. Don’t worry! Don’t keep quiet. Preach! Preach Jesus… and when you’re through, preach Jesus some more!”

“Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach” (Acts 5:21). It wasn’t the first time they had been sent to jail… and it wouldn’t be the last.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).