Acts 4:1-3 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, (2) being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (3) And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
We just concluded the study of the powerful message of Peter and John to a Jewish audience. This was a wake-up call for the Jews. This message had deep applications for them as a people and as a nation. Let us always keep in mind that under the Jewish dispensation, “church” and state were identical. No one could be a member of one without also being a member of the other.
The message of Peter and John was a spiritual message calling for repentance, return and restoration with God. At the same time, it was also a political message for the nation. God calls us to be both kings and priests.
Considering the significance of the message, the leaders should have been glad that they were now warned and that people were turning to God. Instead, they were indignant and arrested Peter and John, placing them in custody.
This is a phenomenon that has existed from the very beginning of time when Cain killed Abel. What is the root of this reality? It is the problem of faith. This is what the Lord warned His disciples against. Matthew 16:11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?— but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.“_
What is the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees? The Lord reprimanded His disciples for their lack of faith. It was this matter of lack of faith that Jesus referred to as the leaven of Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? The sin of unbelief is the leaven of the leaders.
The Lord was put to death on the cross by the leaders because of their unbelief. Matthew 26:3-4 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, (4) and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.
Throughout His teaching, the Lord had prepared His disciples that the leaders would do them much harm, because of their unbelief. Matthew 10:16-17 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (17) But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
He had prayed for them, as He sent them into the world. John 17:15-18 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
The Lord Jesus is praying for us that we will remain true to our faith in Him.
Apostle Paul, before his conversion and as a leader of the Jews, did much harm to the church of Jesus Christ. Paul, who was Saul, had not yet come to faith in Jesus. Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Paul and his co-workers were hauled before the leaders, several times. On each of these occasions, they testified to Christ and to His resurrection from the dead. Acts 24:14-15 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. (15) I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
The Lord had also told us that on these occasions when we as His disciples are dragged before the leaders, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to testify to Christ. Luke 21:12-15 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. (13) But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. (14) Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; (15) for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Let us be prepared that in 2023, we can expect that we as His church will be pulled up before leaders because of their unbelief. Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Let us continue in the faith.
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