the    sides

This is part of a weekly e-vo series through the New Testament book of Acts. Today is from Acts 4.

Peter and John’s actions land them in jail. They are tried by the same men that sent Jesus to the cross.

What is baffling about the exchange is how the court never once disagrees or tries to disprove Peter and John’s claim that Jesus resurrected from the dead or the healing. Instead, the court admits that they are between a rock and a hard place. Peter lays it all out for them - this guy was healed by the power of Jesus - yeah, that Jesus. You remember the one you condemned to death and had crucified? He rose again and he’s the only way to God.

Guess who was probably in the audience? Guess who probably even had a hand in the arrest of Peter and John? Saul. Crazy, huh? Here are Peter and John with evidence that couldn’t be contradicted, plainly telling the truth and listening to it all is the future missionary to the Gentile world and author of half of the New Testament.

The only response they could muster in light of the truth were threats. Some things just never change.

Last thing I notice in the chapter is how stress and persecution brought the church together. They shared trials, money, and meals. They needed each other and they wanted each other. It’s hard to reach that place in affluent, comfortable western Christianity. And I think we’re less fortunate because of that.