Let us be strong in the Lord – Acts 04:05-07

Acts 4:5-7 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, (6) as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. (7) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

The next day, a great amount of activity took place to put an end to the teaching and preaching of the Apostles.  A galaxy of leaders was brought together in a very quick time.  The then entire leadership body of the Jews was brought together.  This was not easy.  This tells us that the leaders of the Jews were serious to put a stop to the work of His Gospel and His church. 

We have already said that the state and ‘church’, in the Jewish dispensation, were inseparable.  As we take a close look at the list of leaders, who gathered to crush the work of His disciples, we see that none of the groups within the Jewish community was left out.  All these leaders saw the ministry of the early church, as a threat that must be squashed.

Is this not familiar to us, in our present context too?  Every group, that has its own portfolios and differences have congregated to stamp out His church. 

Micah 2:1 Woe to those who devise iniquity, And work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand. 

God is angry with those who trouble His church.  II Thessalonians 1:5-10 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; (6) since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, (7) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, (8) in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (10) when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

The Bible tells us that it is a reality that the nations will rage against His church.  The kings of the earth set themselves and they counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed.  Psalms 2:1-6 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, (3) “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” (4) He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. (5) Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: (6) “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

When even the smallest group of Christ’s disciples, is attacked by those who are furious against His church, they are attacking Christ, who lives and reigns forever.

Acts 22:4-8 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, (5) as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. (6) “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. (7) And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ (8) So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

As the early church prayed, they brought all of these matters into focus.  Their prayer was not a survival prayer rather it was a prayer that came from a place of strength and power. 

Acts 4:25-30 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘WHY DID THE NATIONS RAGE, AND THE PEOPLE PLOT VAIN THINGS? (26) THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’ (27) “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (28) to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. (29) Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Let us be strong in the Lord.

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