Jesus has given up His life to ransom the souls of men, but death could not hold Him. Risen again, He promises a power that will come over His people.
Despite the joy that He is alive and interceding in the heavenlies on their behalf, heartache has...
Smack dab amid Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander in Jerusalem, stood John and Peter. Their night had been spent in silent prayer. They had known that persecution was to come, Jesus had told them, but already?
"By what power, or by what name have you done these things?"
Jesus had promised another thing. In that very hour, He would be with them and tell them what to say, and He is not a man that He should lie. Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost opened his mouth, and the Lord filled it, "Rulers and elders if you're examining us because of the good deed done to Azaria, of how he is healed, I will tell you. Let all men know it is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified and whom God raised from the dead, this is through Him alone Azaria is healed. Jesus, the stone that the builders rejected is the Head of the Corner! Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Alexander raised a brow. These men, so bold, were uneducated! How was it that they spoke so clearly and efficiently? And they marveled, one and all, taking knowledge of them, that they'd been with Jesus. Besides, with Azaria standing with them, they couldn't say anything against it!
"Go out of the council!" Caiaphas snapped, waiting until they were gone aside to speak privately to the council. "What are we going to do with these men? Many have seen this miracle they have done. We can't have it spread further."
"Let's threaten them. Tell them they must never speak of Jesus' Name again." Annas suggested.
"Come!" Annas ordered.
"We forbid you to ever speak, nor teach in the Name of Jesus. Ever again!"
"Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye," John spoke up.
"We can't help but speak the things we've seen and heard!" Peter added.
Alexander lowered his brows until his eyes nearly disappeared. A permanent frown would surely be formed, "Beware should you go against our orders and speak His Name ever again." There was nothing they could punish them for, with Azaria there as a living witness to the power and majesty in the Name of the Lord Jesus, people were glorifying God. Had he not been there, as proof, having been lame for over forty years, things might have been different. They'd simply not give up hope of going after the apostles again. From the objection Peter had made, they had no intention of stopping. Regardless of the consequences.
Samuel didn't catch the rest of the threatening, slipping out from the council, heading straight to Joel and Mavy's house. He knew Estelle cared for him and didn't want her to worry more then she needed to.
Robert jumped at the sound of a fist pounding at the door, hurrying to answer.
"Rob," Mavy hissed. "Don't just answer! It's not safe!"
"Who is it?" Robert's voice sounded out.
"Samuel!"
He'd scarcely given his name when the door opened just wide enough to slip the man in.
Estelle's face washed over with relief, "Oh Samuel," she breathed.
"They've been freed. Heavily threatened, even as I slipped out, but they are free."
"Thank You Father," Mavy murmured.
"Lord," Joel prayed aloud over the small gathering, "Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."
All lent their voices in glorifying God in the city, praising God for the freedom of John and Peter. Meetings took place where they came to pray together, and when they had made an end to praying, the place shook where they were assembled, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Those that feared the Lord of heaven continued to live even as a community. Everything they did, they worked at with all their might, serving others even as they would serve God Himself, doing all things for His glory. There was no lack among the people of God. None felt out of place to receive or give out, it came naturally. Those who had land sold it, simply laying the sale money at the apostle's feet for them to use as the Lord led. Thankful praise was heard among them, with only a small amount of wariness. It could have been much worse. They'd simply be careful and use wisdom, not drawing too much attention to themselves as they went about their business as usual.
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