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A 'greatly disturbed' Sanhedrin
- Read Acts chapter 4 verses 1-22
- The priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees...
were greatly disturbed. This was the first, but by no means the last
time we hear of the apostles coming across the authorities. It was the
Sadducees who were particularly concerned with the subversive teachings
of the apostles. These were the ruling class of wealthy aristocrats who
collaborated with the Romans, they were not looking for a Messiah, as
they believed the Messianic time had already begun and theologically
did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
- Just by being the person transformed by the Holy Spirit, Peter had
done things and spoken in ways that challenged the Sadducees in their
beliefs, traditions and comfortable way of life. It's easy to
understand why they were greatly disturbed. But they were also
impressed by the courage of Peter and John and the eloquence of
"unschooled, ordinary men" and perhaps somewhat ominously made a note
that these men had been with Jesus. The message of Christ still
challenges people today - our beliefs and our way of life - following
him means changes and for some the price is just too high.
- Whatever the concerns of the Sanhedrin, the evidence was
indisputable: they could see the man who had been healed standing there
with them, there was nothing they could say. And for many of the crowd
at Solomon's Colonnade that was enough: many who heard the message
believed and their number grew to about five thousand. Eloquence and
fine arguments have their place, but perhaps the biggest test for
Christianity today is "Does it work?"
- Questions to consider:
- How has the Holy Spirit challenged our way of life - what we
believe, what we do and say?
- Who or what has helped us to see that Christianity "works"?
- Prayer
- Unchanging God, we thank you for the signs around us of your Holy
Spirit at work: in people, in organisations, in countries - keep us
watching and praying for your kingdom to come in our world and in our
lives. Amen.
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