Newsletter July 2021 Part 2

Once for all

 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (Acts 4:15-16)

     The apostles Peter and John had been arrested for proclaiming Jesus as the Saviour of Israel.  They had healed a lame man in the name of Jesus and, when a crowd gathered in amazement, they had declared that it was not by any power of their own but through faith in the name of Jesus that this man had received healing.  The same Jesus who had been crucified as a false Messiah had risen from the dead and was now working through His followers by the Spirit.

     When the religious leaders heard of it, they had them arrested and brought before their council.  The healing as such was not a problem to them; and hardly deniable.  It was the name of Jesus that offended them - the One whom they thought they had got rid of once and for all, but whom God had vindicated by raising Him from the dead.  Those who proclaimed His name needed to be silenced.  So they decided to threaten them and send them away, hoping that that would be the end.  However, Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”  (Acts 4:19-20) 

     When they were let go, the two apostles immediately went to their companions who shared their faith in the risen Lord.  And together they raised their voices to God, declaring His sovereignty and purpose (Acts 4:25-28): “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’  For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 

     They understood that God, in His wisdom and power, had allowed normally opposing worldly forces to gather together in unison to kill Jesus, not realising that, in doing so, they were fulfilling God’s plan to provide a sacrifice for sin that only He Himself could give – His beloved Son.  The One they wanted to get rid of once and for all became the ultimate sacrifice – giving His life once, for all.

     And they also understood their role in God’s purpose: to proclaim His name, beginning in Jerusalem and continuing until all the world would hear the message of salvation through Jesus.  Their prayer therefore was not for relief from the threats of the religious leaders but for boldness to continue what they knew they were called to do, knowing that God would continue to confirm His word through the power of His Spirit, not their own power and ability (Acts 4:29-30): “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”  And God heard their prayer and granted their request (v.31): And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

     As our world is becoming increasingly hostile to the gospel message of salvation through Jesus alone, and normally opposing forces are joining together against His people, what will our response be?  Will we be silenced through fear?  Or will we, like these early disciples, recognise that we are on the side of the sovereign God, called to play our part in the fulfilment of His purpose – that all will hear and receive salvation through faith in the One who died – once, for all.