| Prison is not very nice. Do not let people tell you it | | | | received more and more of the wind of the Spirit. |
| is all right these days in prison. certainly the prison | | | | Peter and John are called in, and commanded not |
| situation in Scotland is much much better than | | | | to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter |
| what it was like in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. In | | | | and John reply - "Judge for yourselves. We cannot |
| Acts Chapter 4, in our New Testament, these | | | | help speaking about what we have seen and |
| two disciples of Jesus Christ, Peter and John, are | | | | heard." Again, note the two elements - seeing and |
| in prison. | | | | hearing. |
| They were seized and incarcerated in this | | | | They threatened them further, then released |
| Jerusalem jail, simply because a man in his 40's | | | | them. Remember Jesus was threatened too right |
| who had never walked had been healed, and they | | | | at the very beginning of His Ministry. |
| explained that the Risen and Living Lord Jesus | | | | This Jerusalem court wanted to punish Peter and |
| Christ was behind the healing. | | | | John. Why? Because all the people were praising |
| They are brought in before the religious | | | | God! These religious leaders were more upset |
| authorities - that is, before the same people who | | | | now than when Jesus had been physically going |
| had been responsible for crucifying Jesus. Jesus | | | | around Jerusalem. |
| had been in this court. These 'judges' were the | | | | Jesus had warned His disciples they would be |
| wealthiest and most influential in the nation. | | | | hated and despised. From the earliest days, |
| If JESUS were alive, and this is now some 8 or 9 | | | | disciples of Jesus Christ have been social misfits. |
| weeks after the crucifixion, what were the | | | | You will not fit in. You will be different. It is |
| implications for these men who had plotted and | | | | noticeable already. |
| planned to have Jesus Christ silenced and killed? | | | | Yet, when you follow Jesus you can go |
| When Peter open his mouth, the Holy Spirit fills | | | | anywhere, and be used by God. |
| him. Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit. This does | | | | There are three groups represented here. |
| not make him say or do silly things. | | | | 1. The Priests. They were the official teachers and |
| If people say or do silly things, let them not | | | | would lead the services. When you are leading |
| attribute it to the Holy Spirit. | | | | services with thousands present you can feel |
| Peter is reasonable, respectful, and he sticks to | | | | pretty important, but now there are thousands |
| the facts. Peter is a good and faithful witness, | | | | crowding around the disciples of Jesus. This rival |
| when he is filled with the Holy Spirit, and while he | | | | growing group is a very real threat. |
| is filled. He is rational, factual and non-emotional. He | | | | 2. The captain of the Temple guard. It was his |
| is also challenging, and pointing to Jesus, as he | | | | job to keep the peace and keep everything calm, |
| speaks about the need of salvation, and where | | | | formal and religiously acceptable. 120 disciples had |
| salvation can be found. | | | | just interrupted one service, and now, this healed |
| These religious leaders recognised that before | | | | man has caused upset. "Why are you disturbing |
| them stood two very courageous men. They had | | | | the peace? Why can't you go elsewhere? These |
| not been to college. They were quite ordinary | | | | are not easy sentiments to hear, but see the |
| men, but the authorities took note that they had | | | | Hand of God in this. No man would try to start of |
| been with Jesus. That is what made the | | | | a new religion in this manner. What a way to |
| difference. | | | | introduce a new movement. |
| That is the only way by which they could put the | | | | 3. The Sadducees. They were the 'theologians'. |
| change in these men into words. They were not | | | | They did not believe in the supernatural, in the |
| in a position to use concepts like Holy Spirit, but | | | | resurrection, nor miracles. Peter and John had just |
| they were aware of a difference - a courage - a | | | | wrecked their theology. This is something the Holy |
| boldness - a power - a grace. | | | | Spirit can do. |
| Are those around us aware that we are | | | | On being released, Peter and John go back to the |
| different? And, if so, do they know why? | | | | Fellowship, and report what they had been |
| Next to them stood the man who had been | | | | through. There is no self-pity, or feeling sorry for |
| healed. He was present. His healing lasted. Two | | | | themselves, and when the believers heard their |
| fishermen are in court on trial before a learned | | | | story, they launched out in prayer. |
| band of 70 lawyers. | | | | You didn't have to say anything to motivate |
| They put out Peter and John, to confer in private. | | | | these people to pray. They did not need to be |
| What are we going to do? News had spread fast | | | | coaxed to pray. We have some words of that |
| regarding the miracle, and "we cannot deny it"! | | | | prayer, and they pray for great boldness. "Heal, |
| What are we going to do to stop this thing from | | | | perform miracles and wonders, through the Name |
| spreading? There's another question. Why did God | | | | of JESUS." The meeting place was shaken. They |
| not just intervene at that moment, to say, "Call | | | | were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the |
| My work 'this thing!" He didn't. | | | | Word of God boldly. |
| They decide. We will warn them. That will put the | | | | There are principles in this passage, which we |
| wind up them. Well, it did in a sense, as they | | | | need to know, and know with assurance. |