The Church of the Resurrection of Peace

12/02/08

The Acts of the Apostles-Week 6

Chapter 5

Verses 12-25

1.      verses 12-16…”…many miraculous signs and wonders…” v 12…the apostles (plural, not just Peter and John) performed many miracles (healings and evil spirits cast out are mentioned v 16). v 15…”that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on them…”  NOTE: Peter’s shadow (might this be a problem?), of course has no power, it was the faith of each person that brought the healing. Do we have any a measure of faith equal to that? Remember, the faith of a mustard seed… v 12…Again we read the mention of being of one mind as in 4:32. But is then followed by v 13…”No one else dared join them…” and then by v 14…”Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” NOTE: Remember from Chapter 1 that Christianity started out as a man only group in following the traditions of Judaism and Temple worship. The mention of women joining is a divergence from the traditions. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Look at the makeup of many of the congregations that we have attended. What is the ratio of men to women? Look at Resurrection of Peace and the ratio of women to men. Seems as the traditions of Judaism have reversed themselves.

2.      verses 17-25…the persecution (again) of the Apostles. v 17…”party of the Sadducees were filled with jealousy” Peter and the Apostles were really stealing the “thunder” of the High Priests and company.

·         vv 18-20…the arrest and release at the hands of the angel. v 18…They are arrested and seemed to go without resistance (what would have been the use to resist…death?) vv 19-20…an angel appeared and released the Apostles with a command in so many words…”Go tell the people about Jesus.”

·         vv 21-24…the High Priests send for the Apostles but they are not found in the jail with the doors locked and the jailers in place.

3.       verse 25…the Apostles are found and continue the work…”…the men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people” FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Following the directive of the angel, the Apostles returned to the telling of the message of Jesus. They fully knew they would probably be arrested or worse when they returned to the Temple. With this type of determination and fearlessness, it is no wonder that the church in the Book of Acts grew at such a great pace. But we need to also remember that the message that the Apostles were telling was new and greatly anticipated. After 2000 years, the story has been told and retold. Much of the “magic” has been lost, most especially, in the deadpan churches or by the “rules and regulations” of the modern church. How do we return the “magic” to the story of Jesus?