Unlikely Leaders

Peter and John Freed From Prison

This chapter is based on Acts 5:12-42.

In Christ’s strength the disciples went out to tell the story of the manger and the cross and to triumph over all opposition. From their lips came words of divine eloquence that shook the world. ULe 30.1

In Jerusalem, where deep prejudice and confused ideas prevailed about Him who had been crucified as a criminal, the disciples told the Jews of Christ’s mission, His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Priests and rulers were amazed to hear the bold testimony. The power of the risen Savior had truly fallen on the disciples. Along the streets where they were to walk, the people laid their sick “on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by” (NRSV). Crowds gathered around them, and those who were healed glorified the name of the Redeemer. ULe 30.2

As the Sadducees, who did not believe in a resurrection, heard the apostles declare that Christ had risen from the dead, they were enraged. If the apostles were allowed to preach a risen Savior, the sect of the Sadducees would soon become extinct. The Pharisees knew that the disciples’ teaching tended to undermine the Jewish ceremonies. Now both Sadducees and Pharisees determined that the disciples should be stopped. Filled with resentment, the priests put Peter and John in prison. ULe 30.3

Those whom the Lord had entrusted with truth had proved unfaithful, and God chose others to do His work. The unfaithful leaders would not even admit the possibility that they did not rightly understand the Word or had misinterpreted the Scriptures. What right do these teachers have, they said, some of them just fishermen, to present ideas contrary to the doctrines that we have taught the people? ULe 30.4

The disciples were not frightened. The Holy Spirit brought to their minds the words Christ had spoken: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” “The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.” “These things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.” (John 15:20; 16:2, 4.) ULe 30.5