Acts - Week 2 / Wednesday

Reading for today: Acts 4:1-22

The time frame to keep in focus here is that these events are happening no more than two months after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Some of the same characters that were involved in the trial of Jesus are now attempting to harass the apostles.

The Sadducees believed in only the first 5 books of the Old Testament, and denied the whole idea of a resurrection. They considered teaching to be a priestly right alone, so they weren’t at all happy with these 2 guys up there “teaching.” But to further upset things, the disciples were preaching the resurrection of Jesus.

And to further complicate matters, the guy who has been healed of his crippled state is standing right beside these disciples. That makes it impossible for them to refute their teachings.

Imagine their frustration when they realize that these disciples had been with Jesus. They had been part of his “team.” Here they thought they had rid themselves of this whole problem by getting rid of Jesus, but now it is coming back to haunt them, and in increasing numbers!

It’s gone from 12 disciples to 120 in the Upper Room to 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost to 5,000 men alone, not counting women and children, on this very day. Where is this thing going to end?

Truth always seems to have a way of winning out. That’s why the truth is so important. Remember Jesus’ words in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

Tomorrow: “Fill ‘er up again!”