1 00:00:00,470 --> 00:00:03,270 Speaker 1: For we can't help telling the things which we saw 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:09,860 Speaker 1: and heard. Acts 4.20 Heavenly Father, your love and faithfulness 3 00:00:10,539 --> 00:00:15,540 Speaker 1: are undeniable, and we are compelled to proclaim your greatness. 4 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: Thank you for the countless ways you have blessed us, 5 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:23,020 Speaker 1: for your presence in our lives, and for the hope 6 00:00:23,270 --> 00:00:26,750 Speaker 1: that you bring. We are in awe of your mighty works, 7 00:00:27,570 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 1: from the beauty of creation to the gift of salvation 8 00:00:31,620 --> 00:00:36,550 Speaker 1: through Jesus. Fill our hearts with joy and gratitude that 9 00:00:36,610 --> 00:00:40,909 Speaker 1: we may always speak of your goodness to others. Let 10 00:00:41,010 --> 00:00:44,750 Speaker 1: our lives be a testimony to your love, grace, and 11 00:00:44,830 --> 00:00:50,880 Speaker 1: truth that you are forever worthy of praise. In Jesus' 12 00:00:50,940 --> 00:00:52,220 Speaker 1: name we pray. 13 00:00:53,060 --> 00:00:53,340 Speaker 2: Amen. 14 00:00:55,820 --> 00:00:59,210 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 15 00:00:59,250 --> 00:01:04,449 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for our mini-series on the 16 00:01:04,550 --> 00:01:08,590 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 17 00:01:09,170 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: we would love it if you left a review. Doing 18 00:01:12,660 --> 00:01:17,980 Speaker 1: so makes a huge impact on our team. Peter and 19 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,740 Speaker 1: John watched Ira escort Terza out of the temple courts 20 00:01:22,140 --> 00:01:26,530 Speaker 1: with immense satisfaction. They resumed their discussion with the crowd. 21 00:01:27,470 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 1: answering questions and sharing the same lessons and parables Jesus 22 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: had once shared with the disciples. Life in the Spirit 23 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:40,740 Speaker 1: was unprecedented, and their soul's contentment in listening to his 24 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: indescribable promptings was unmatched. 25 00:01:45,050 --> 00:01:48,610 Speaker 3: Oh, that never gets old. I'd capture moments like this 26 00:01:48,670 --> 00:01:51,510 Speaker 3: in a bottle if I could. It does make me 27 00:01:51,550 --> 00:01:54,790 Speaker 3: miss Jesus, though. I know he's with us in spirit, 28 00:01:54,870 --> 00:01:56,230 Speaker 3: but it's still. 29 00:01:56,870 --> 00:01:57,390 Speaker 2: different. 30 00:01:58,270 --> 00:01:59,790 Speaker 3: But I know that doesn't mean it's bad. 31 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:04,530 Speaker 1: Peter appreciated John's willingness to process his emotions out loud. 32 00:02:05,310 --> 00:02:07,970 Speaker 1: He had always aimed to be more stoic in his 33 00:02:08,050 --> 00:02:12,850 Speaker 1: mental proceedings, believing the strong, succinct type was more fitting 34 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:15,940 Speaker 1: of the rock of the group. Despite his inner wrestling, 35 00:02:16,460 --> 00:02:18,980 Speaker 1: he did his best to be what he assumed others 36 00:02:19,139 --> 00:02:22,900 Speaker 1: wanted him to be. But ever since his restoration, he 37 00:02:22,940 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: had learned that he didn't need to be anything but 38 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,020 Speaker 1: what Jesus called him to be. He let his guard 39 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:32,260 Speaker 1: down and happily reciprocated John's honesty. 40 00:02:32,700 --> 00:02:36,100 Speaker 4: I can definitely see why Jesus said having his spirit 41 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:40,060 Speaker 4: would be better, but I can't say I'd call it easier. 42 00:02:41,860 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 4: But I suppose he never promised it would be easy, 43 00:02:46,260 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 4: just better. And that's more than enough for me. 44 00:02:50,380 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 3: Well, it looks like the Lord will put that to 45 00:02:52,020 --> 00:02:55,180 Speaker 3: the test. It appears we have some familiar company. 46 00:02:59,310 --> 00:03:01,780 Speaker 5: If you want to live the life of Jesus, you 47 00:03:01,810 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 5: have to expect to be treated like Jesus, and that's 48 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:08,860 Speaker 5: for better or for worse. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. 49 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 5: I'm Zach from Pray.com, here to guide you through another 50 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,359 Speaker 5: story inspired by the Book of Acts. How's the Book 51 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:15,980 Speaker 5: of Acts about Jesus, you may ask? 52 00:03:16,460 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: Everything. 53 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 5: The Book of Acts shows us how we, the church, 54 00:03:19,740 --> 00:03:23,060 Speaker 5: people mobilized by the Spirit of Christ, are an extension 55 00:03:23,180 --> 00:03:26,700 Speaker 5: of Jesus' ministry. Today, we're diving into a story inspired 56 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:30,410 Speaker 5: by Acts 4, verses 1-22. where we find Peter and 57 00:03:30,450 --> 00:03:33,940 Speaker 5: John on trial, not for a crime, but for a miracle. 58 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,580 Speaker 5: They healed a man, and you'd think that that would 59 00:03:36,620 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 5: be cause for celebration, right? 60 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 6: Wrong. 61 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:43,060 Speaker 5: Not for the religious leaders, anyways. No, they're deeply disturbed 62 00:03:43,140 --> 00:03:47,110 Speaker 5: because Peter and John are preaching about Jesus, and more scandalously, 63 00:03:47,550 --> 00:03:49,390 Speaker 5: about his resurrection from the dead. 64 00:03:54,850 --> 00:03:55,390 Speaker 6: You there! 65 00:03:56,050 --> 00:03:57,500 Speaker 4: Are you responsible for this? 66 00:03:58,380 --> 00:04:01,860 Speaker 7: What cause could be so important to create such a 67 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,340 Speaker 7: disturbance in the Lord's house? 68 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,980 Speaker 1: The apostles glanced knowingly at one another. They had witnessed 69 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:13,340 Speaker 1: Jesus address these exact types of questions without revealing an 70 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: ounce of fear. Peter and John mimicked their master's confidence. 71 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,539 Speaker 1: In their younger years, they would have attributed such brute 72 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 1: boldness to naivete. But the warm washing of immense serenity 73 00:04:26,900 --> 00:04:30,650 Speaker 1: their hearts felt told them that this was nothing shy 74 00:04:31,270 --> 00:04:32,670 Speaker 1: of the spirit within them. 75 00:04:32,970 --> 00:04:36,380 Speaker 3: By the power of Jesus of Nazareth, a lame man 76 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 3: was healed this day. And by that same power, the 77 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 3: dead shall be raised to life. We stand here today 78 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:46,780 Speaker 3: preaching repentance and the kingdom of God. 79 00:04:47,380 --> 00:04:50,690 Speaker 1: The Sadducees scoffed at John, spitting derision. 80 00:04:52,510 --> 00:04:56,550 Speaker 7: We know not of a lame man being healed. to 81 00:04:56,610 --> 00:05:00,130 Speaker 7: claim the dead shall be raised to life? Young man, 82 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 7: surely any respecting Jew knows there's no such resurrection of 83 00:05:05,860 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 7: the dead. Not of the Lord's doing, at least. Pronounce 84 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:13,580 Speaker 7: your words and move on before things get any worse. 85 00:05:14,300 --> 00:05:18,110 Speaker 1: He hissed his venomous threat with a smug grin. The 86 00:05:18,170 --> 00:05:22,590 Speaker 1: Sadducee knew the chain of authority gave him the present advantage. 87 00:05:23,330 --> 00:05:24,490 Speaker 2: We cannot deny. 88 00:05:24,250 --> 00:05:24,950 Speaker 6: The work of God. 89 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,580 Speaker 3: Nor the truth of his word. Do what you must, 90 00:05:29,260 --> 00:05:31,940 Speaker 3: but we will not renounce Jesus or his gospel. 91 00:05:32,620 --> 00:05:35,659 Speaker 1: The Sadducee demanded the temple guard carve a path through 92 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,220 Speaker 1: the people. At once they coerced the people to move aside. 93 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:44,500 Speaker 1: The gleeful crowd quickly turned to panic, worrying that they 94 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:48,380 Speaker 1: would be the next targets. They dispersed like doves, released 95 00:05:48,420 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: from their cages. As they took flight, many of their 96 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:57,530 Speaker 1: fears subsided. as they considered the apostles' teachings. Unbeknownst to 97 00:05:57,570 --> 00:06:01,190 Speaker 1: Peter and John, hundreds of them would come to believe. 98 00:06:02,210 --> 00:06:05,969 Speaker 1: As they watched the people flutter away and escape, they 99 00:06:06,050 --> 00:06:10,130 Speaker 1: sensed that they likely wouldn't fare the same fate. The 100 00:06:10,170 --> 00:06:13,670 Speaker 1: temple guards emerged through the throngs of people, followed by 101 00:06:13,710 --> 00:06:18,050 Speaker 1: the Sadducees and priests. The apostles' accusers swung around the 102 00:06:18,110 --> 00:06:21,580 Speaker 1: others and stood face to face with them. He breathed 103 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: a terse warning down at the apostles. Renounce your words. 104 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:27,300 Speaker 6: Or else. 105 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,099 Speaker 3: We cannot and will not deny the resurrection of Jesus 106 00:06:31,180 --> 00:06:35,110 Speaker 3: or his people. If you were to silence us, even 107 00:06:35,250 --> 00:06:36,669 Speaker 3: the rocks would cry out. 108 00:06:39,050 --> 00:06:44,370 Speaker 7: We shall see about that. Guards, seize them for contempt. 109 00:06:45,010 --> 00:06:49,250 Speaker 1: Two of the guards menacingly stepped forward, casting their shields 110 00:06:49,330 --> 00:06:52,719 Speaker 1: to the ground. They quickly bound Peter and John's hands. 111 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: The leather strands coiled tightly around their wrists, nearly cutting 112 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:02,230 Speaker 1: off circulation. But even more so, they feared it was 113 00:07:02,330 --> 00:07:05,130 Speaker 1: cutting off their hope of preaching any more that day. 114 00:07:06,210 --> 00:07:09,310 Speaker 1: The two apostles were led off towards an opening set 115 00:07:09,590 --> 00:07:13,450 Speaker 1: into the inner stone wall of the courtyard. With each footstep, 116 00:07:14,180 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 1: the two men prepared for the worst. The ten other 117 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: apostles casually made their way out of the innermost courtyard 118 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: of the temple, following their prayers. They heard the thrumming 119 00:07:27,020 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: of heavy footsteps and turned to watch a trail of 120 00:07:30,300 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: temple guards march through a side door. 121 00:07:33,230 --> 00:07:35,489 Speaker 6: Looks like someone isn't having a good day. 122 00:07:36,070 --> 00:07:38,690 Speaker 2: Yeah, but let's be glad it isn't one of us. 123 00:07:39,570 --> 00:07:41,310 Speaker 6: If I didn't know he was at the Mount of 124 00:07:41,430 --> 00:07:44,490 Speaker 6: Olives with your brother, I'd have guessed John had gotten 125 00:07:44,550 --> 00:07:48,090 Speaker 6: into trouble again. No, I will admit, we've aged. 126 00:07:50,660 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: The two chuckled as only older brothers can, reminiscing of 127 00:07:54,780 --> 00:07:58,300 Speaker 1: Peter and John's younger days when they had a propensity 128 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: for shenanigans. 129 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 3: Speaking of, I'm surprised they didn't make it for prayer. 130 00:08:02,870 --> 00:08:05,810 Speaker 2: Hopefully they're back at the house, otherwise they'll be caught 131 00:08:05,890 --> 00:08:06,590 Speaker 2: out in the dark. 132 00:08:06,990 --> 00:08:09,950 Speaker 1: The apostles stopped in the marketplace to purchase some food 133 00:08:10,050 --> 00:08:13,930 Speaker 1: for a humble meal. The money was still tight. They 134 00:08:13,950 --> 00:08:17,230 Speaker 1: weren't quite as impoverished as they once were. now that 135 00:08:17,290 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: believers throughout the city opened their doors to break bread 136 00:08:20,940 --> 00:08:23,620 Speaker 1: with one another. They had settled into a habit of 137 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:28,060 Speaker 1: making their way to various parts of Jerusalem, extending their 138 00:08:28,140 --> 00:08:32,130 Speaker 1: reach as far as possible. But today they gladly went 139 00:08:32,190 --> 00:08:35,830 Speaker 1: back to the privacy of their rented room. Upon arrival, 140 00:08:35,970 --> 00:08:39,670 Speaker 1: Andrew and James took note of the darkened windows, a 141 00:08:39,730 --> 00:08:42,130 Speaker 1: sign that they were the first to return to the house. 142 00:08:43,140 --> 00:08:45,459 Speaker 1: They gently tapped on the wooden planks of the door. 143 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:51,090 Speaker 1: No response. They cautiously stepped in to the dim entryway. 144 00:08:51,710 --> 00:08:56,250 Speaker 1: Their suspicions were confirmed. Peter and John never made it home. 145 00:08:56,850 --> 00:08:59,809 Speaker 3: If they weren't at prayer and they're not here, could 146 00:08:59,830 --> 00:09:01,650 Speaker 3: they have decided to spend the night at the Mount 147 00:09:01,690 --> 00:09:02,270 Speaker 3: of Olives? 148 00:09:03,050 --> 00:09:07,190 Speaker 6: I suppose it's possible. Maybe they missed sleeping under the stars. 149 00:09:08,110 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 6: We can check it out in the morning. I, for one, 150 00:09:10,770 --> 00:09:12,780 Speaker 6: have grown quite used to sleeping in a bed. 151 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,860 Speaker 1: James slung his bag to the floor. removed his sandals, 152 00:09:17,500 --> 00:09:20,089 Speaker 1: and rinsed his feet in the basin of water posted 153 00:09:20,130 --> 00:09:23,309 Speaker 1: at the door. He knew John could fend for himself. 154 00:09:24,190 --> 00:09:26,730 Speaker 1: He found his way to his room and climbed into 155 00:09:26,790 --> 00:09:30,410 Speaker 1: his cot. He uttered his prayers, thanking the Lord for 156 00:09:30,429 --> 00:09:34,199 Speaker 1: the day, and making petitions for a restful night's sleep. 157 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 1: As his head hit the pillow, his heavy eyelids gave 158 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:43,890 Speaker 1: way to lucid dreams. Andrew found himself far from James' serenity. 159 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:47,660 Speaker 1: He too believed Peter would be all right, but he 160 00:09:47,700 --> 00:09:51,319 Speaker 1: felt it was an older brother's unspoken job to worry 161 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:56,030 Speaker 1: about the well-being of their little siblings, even in adulthood. 162 00:09:57,070 --> 00:09:58,650 Speaker 1: He pulled up a chair on the side of the 163 00:09:58,690 --> 00:10:02,140 Speaker 1: room and rested his elbow. on the unstable side table 164 00:10:03,100 --> 00:10:06,700 Speaker 1: rocking it slowly back and forth against the ground he 165 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 1: entered into rhythmic prayers his inner dialogue with the father 166 00:10:10,730 --> 00:10:13,650 Speaker 1: gave way to faint thoughts of what might have happened 167 00:10:13,809 --> 00:10:18,010 Speaker 1: to Peter as the pitch of night loomed Andrew slipped 168 00:10:18,090 --> 00:10:25,820 Speaker 1: silently into a deep sleep. The temple guards opened the 169 00:10:25,860 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 1: cell gates. They creaked heavily against the rusted hinges. Evening 170 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:33,980 Speaker 1: prohibited them from calling together the other leaders for a 171 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:37,420 Speaker 1: vote on what to do with the apostles, leaving Peter 172 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 1: and John an unplanned stay in prison for the night. 173 00:10:41,700 --> 00:10:44,990 Speaker 1: The temple guards removed their leather bindings and pushed them 174 00:10:45,070 --> 00:10:48,550 Speaker 1: lazily into the decrepit cell. The look on the guards' 175 00:10:48,590 --> 00:10:52,170 Speaker 1: faces told the apostles they were supposed to be intimidated. 176 00:10:52,890 --> 00:10:56,829 Speaker 1: But Peter and John simply thanked the guards and found 177 00:10:56,910 --> 00:11:00,819 Speaker 1: seats on the damp stone floor. They examined the room 178 00:11:00,890 --> 00:11:04,540 Speaker 1: through the faint flickerings of brass lamps seated into the walls. 179 00:11:05,420 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: They couldn't help but feel like they were in a tomb. 180 00:11:08,780 --> 00:11:12,260 Speaker 1: But if their god had erupted from his stony grave, 181 00:11:13,179 --> 00:11:17,250 Speaker 1: they trusted that they would be freed from theirs. They 182 00:11:17,340 --> 00:11:21,940 Speaker 1: shifted themselves onto their knees and bowed their heads. The 183 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 1: smell of burning oil intermingled with the musk of mildew 184 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:30,850 Speaker 1: on the ground. Hardly the incense the Lord deserved during 185 00:11:30,890 --> 00:11:36,050 Speaker 1: a time of prayer. But the apostles were unfazed and 186 00:11:36,250 --> 00:11:40,599 Speaker 1: lifted their voices. They bounced back at them against the 187 00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 1: blockade of the cell. Yet the reverberations only made their 188 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:49,850 Speaker 1: prayers feel even stronger, as they echoed in their ears. 189 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:54,090 Speaker 4: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, 190 00:11:54,650 --> 00:11:58,490 Speaker 4: who brings freedom to the captives. May your servants find 191 00:11:58,550 --> 00:12:00,010 Speaker 4: strength to endure. 192 00:11:59,929 --> 00:12:01,270 Speaker 6: And peace to persevere. 193 00:12:01,990 --> 00:12:04,730 Speaker 4: Break down these walls that hinder us from spreading your 194 00:12:04,830 --> 00:12:06,530 Speaker 4: good news of salvation. 195 00:12:07,130 --> 00:12:11,179 Speaker 1: Peter paused for a brief moment, considering what he was asking. 196 00:12:11,900 --> 00:12:15,130 Speaker 1: Was this what Jesus taught them to do in times 197 00:12:15,190 --> 00:12:16,010 Speaker 1: of such trials? 198 00:12:16,510 --> 00:12:21,190 Speaker 8: Father, soften our hearts to repay the works of evil 199 00:12:21,250 --> 00:12:25,670 Speaker 8: with blessing. According to your perfect will, allow us to 200 00:12:25,870 --> 00:12:30,170 Speaker 8: lift up your holy name before the rulers and authorities 201 00:12:30,220 --> 00:12:30,939 Speaker 8: of this world. 202 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: What began as prayers of deliverance, muted into prayers of redemption, 203 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: desperate hope that the Lord would use this for his glory. 204 00:12:42,670 --> 00:12:46,700 Speaker 1: Just as the mockers at Pentecost weren't his enemies, neither 205 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:52,060 Speaker 1: were the religious leaders. They were hopelessly lost, clouded by 206 00:12:52,100 --> 00:12:55,940 Speaker 1: the wickedness of their hearts. But the light of Christ 207 00:12:56,420 --> 00:12:59,910 Speaker 1: could break the fog that clouded their minds like the 208 00:13:00,010 --> 00:13:04,510 Speaker 1: golden rays of the morning sun. Fighting off weariness with 209 00:13:04,530 --> 00:13:08,130 Speaker 1: the anticipation of seeing how the Lord would move, Peter 210 00:13:08,190 --> 00:13:13,660 Speaker 1: and John diligently prayed throughout the night. Shadows cast further 211 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:17,929 Speaker 1: down the prison corridor were the apostles' first sign of dawn. 212 00:13:18,550 --> 00:13:22,610 Speaker 1: They breathed slowly and cleared their minds. Even with their 213 00:13:22,670 --> 00:13:26,610 Speaker 1: lack of sleep, they maintained an alertness to their surroundings. 214 00:13:27,350 --> 00:13:31,109 Speaker 1: They heard footsteps clicking in the distance. They shuffled to 215 00:13:31,150 --> 00:13:35,460 Speaker 1: their feet, just as two guards rounded the corner. Unlocking 216 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 1: their cell, one of the guards grunted for the two 217 00:13:38,020 --> 00:13:41,660 Speaker 1: men to stretch out their hands. He bound them. and 218 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:45,680 Speaker 1: cocked his head, ordering them to follow him. Peter and 219 00:13:45,750 --> 00:13:49,850 Speaker 1: John reluctantly obeyed as the other guard took up the rear. 220 00:13:50,710 --> 00:13:53,950 Speaker 1: The guards led them through the labyrinth of prison cells. 221 00:13:54,809 --> 00:13:58,739 Speaker 1: They stepped out onto the open street, fresh air filling 222 00:13:58,780 --> 00:14:02,540 Speaker 1: their lungs, as they shielded their eyes from the blinding sun. 223 00:14:03,260 --> 00:14:06,660 Speaker 1: Before their eyes could adjust, the guards tugged at their 224 00:14:06,740 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: chains and led them towards the temple. 225 00:14:09,870 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 6: Hurry up. We don't have all day. You fellows sure 226 00:14:13,970 --> 00:14:20,410 Speaker 6: set off the Sadducees. I haven't seen them that mad since, well. 227 00:14:21,350 --> 00:14:24,530 Speaker 1: The guard trailed off before finishing his thought. But the 228 00:14:24,590 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: apostles knew there was only one other person who had 229 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:32,620 Speaker 1: angered the religious leaders like they had. They traveled the 230 00:14:32,660 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: rest of the way to the temple in silence. The 231 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 1: guards led Peter and John up the steps of the 232 00:14:38,820 --> 00:14:42,820 Speaker 1: mountain and wove through the crowds. They reached a stone 233 00:14:42,980 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: archway near the back of the temple grounds. Peter and 234 00:14:46,620 --> 00:14:50,940 Speaker 1: John stood just outside of it, staring into the mystery 235 00:14:51,540 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: of what lay beyond. 236 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:55,020 Speaker 6: Come on now. In you go. 237 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:59,810 Speaker 1: The apostles entered a large room, adorned with gold fixtures 238 00:15:00,090 --> 00:15:05,330 Speaker 1: and intricate tapestries along the towering walls. Two long tables 239 00:15:05,450 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: constructed of thick cedar wood sat menacingly at the far 240 00:15:09,660 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: end of the room. Between them stood a taller lectern. 241 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:17,700 Speaker 1: Its surface had been naturally polished by years of priests 242 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:23,970 Speaker 1: looming over religious proceedings. Behind the lectern sat the high priest, Annas. 243 00:15:24,890 --> 00:15:29,290 Speaker 1: Slightly lower and to his right sat Caiaphas, the same 244 00:15:29,350 --> 00:15:32,750 Speaker 1: man who resided as a high priest during Jesus' trials. 245 00:15:33,910 --> 00:15:36,690 Speaker 1: Other members of the high priest's family were scattered along 246 00:15:36,750 --> 00:15:40,650 Speaker 1: the length of the tables. Lingering in the shadows, they 247 00:15:40,710 --> 00:15:46,270 Speaker 1: spotted Ira. His eyes were red from crying. He cowered 248 00:15:46,750 --> 00:15:51,170 Speaker 1: in fear and confusion. Annas rapped sharply on his wooden 249 00:15:51,230 --> 00:15:53,850 Speaker 1: throne and called forth the accused. 250 00:15:54,490 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 2: It has been brought to our attention that these two 251 00:15:57,300 --> 00:16:02,340 Speaker 2: men have performed inexplicable works on temple grounds. Do you 252 00:16:02,380 --> 00:16:03,900 Speaker 2: deny these claims? 253 00:16:04,660 --> 00:16:05,140 Speaker 4: No, sir. 254 00:16:05,980 --> 00:16:07,500 Speaker 6: What you have heard is true. 255 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:12,220 Speaker 1: Annas leaned forward in his seat and curled his fingers atop. 256 00:16:11,940 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 2: The wooden podium. Please enlighten us. By what power and 257 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 2: in what name did you do this? 258 00:16:20,220 --> 00:16:24,260 Speaker 1: The group of religious elite had recently condemned Jesus to death, 259 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,300 Speaker 1: and they wanted to know they had the same authority 260 00:16:28,580 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: to do the same to anyone who dared stand against them. 261 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: Peter drew in a breath so deep his lungs felt 262 00:16:35,940 --> 00:16:40,620 Speaker 1: like they might burst. Upon exhaling, he felt his anxiety 263 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:45,190 Speaker 1: and fear flow out of him. He drew in again, 264 00:16:45,990 --> 00:16:51,450 Speaker 1: this time replacing the empty space with a supernatural boldness. 265 00:16:52,050 --> 00:16:55,620 Speaker 4: Rulers and elders of the people, if we are being 266 00:16:55,660 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 4: called to account today for an act of kindness shown 267 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:02,580 Speaker 4: to a man who was lame, and are being asked 268 00:17:02,780 --> 00:17:06,070 Speaker 4: how he was healed... Then let it be known to 269 00:17:06,130 --> 00:17:09,409 Speaker 4: you and all Israel. It is by the name of 270 00:17:09,510 --> 00:17:13,770 Speaker 4: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God 271 00:17:14,090 --> 00:17:17,209 Speaker 4: raised from the dead, that this man now stands before 272 00:17:17,270 --> 00:17:17,790 Speaker 4: you healed. 273 00:17:18,310 --> 00:17:22,310 Speaker 1: The mere mention of the name of Jesus rattled their bones. 274 00:17:23,490 --> 00:17:26,970 Speaker 1: Caiaphas opened his mouth to utter a retort, but Peter 275 00:17:27,030 --> 00:17:28,650 Speaker 1: gave him no such luxury. 276 00:17:29,170 --> 00:17:33,070 Speaker 4: Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become 277 00:17:33,090 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 4: the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for 278 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,780 Speaker 4: there is no other name under heaven given to mankind 279 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:42,620 Speaker 4: by which man may be saved. 280 00:17:43,180 --> 00:17:46,939 Speaker 1: A silent pause lingered in the air. They ordered the 281 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:49,859 Speaker 1: temple guards to remove Peter, John, and Ira from the 282 00:17:49,900 --> 00:17:52,860 Speaker 1: room and began muttering amongst themselves. 283 00:17:53,460 --> 00:17:58,080 Speaker 2: Are not these uneducated men? I was told they were tradesmen, 284 00:17:58,619 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 2: fishermen from Capernaum. How do they speak with such courage 285 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 2: while bound before us? 286 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:11,930 Speaker 6: There is one explanation. If they are indeed fishermen from Galilee, 287 00:18:12,369 --> 00:18:16,230 Speaker 6: as you say, it is all too likely that they 288 00:18:16,510 --> 00:18:26,199 Speaker 6: are his disciples. They undoubtedly followed the so-called rabbi before 289 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:30,090 Speaker 6: we dealt with him. As true as that might be, 290 00:18:30,650 --> 00:18:33,169 Speaker 6: the man whom the crowds know to have been lame 291 00:18:33,330 --> 00:18:37,460 Speaker 6: stands before us on his own two feet. On what 292 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:41,780 Speaker 6: possible grounds could we deny that? What can we possibly 293 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 6: do to these men that wouldn't have half of Jerusalem 294 00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:49,200 Speaker 6: beating down our doors in revolt? Their teacher didn't have 295 00:18:49,220 --> 00:18:53,990 Speaker 6: the wits about him to heed our warnings, but... Perhaps 296 00:18:54,050 --> 00:18:58,470 Speaker 6: his followers have learned better without his constant hand-holding. 297 00:18:59,450 --> 00:18:59,990 Speaker 2: Guards! 298 00:19:00,890 --> 00:19:01,890 Speaker 6: Bring them back in! 299 00:19:02,380 --> 00:19:06,140 Speaker 1: Caiaphas pounded on the table, rattling the cups of wine 300 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,940 Speaker 1: set out for them. He took a sip to satiate 301 00:19:08,980 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 1: his parched lips and settle his tempered mind. Peter and 302 00:19:13,300 --> 00:19:16,720 Speaker 1: John took dignified steps back to the center of the room. 303 00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:21,290 Speaker 1: Their continued brazen confidence riled the leaders. 304 00:19:21,869 --> 00:19:26,150 Speaker 2: In light of some undeniable evidence, we have decided that 305 00:19:26,190 --> 00:19:30,410 Speaker 2: you may go free. However, whatever you do, you must 306 00:19:30,510 --> 00:19:34,909 Speaker 2: cease from speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus 307 00:19:35,010 --> 00:19:38,410 Speaker 2: of Nazareth. Do you agree with these conditions? 308 00:19:39,190 --> 00:19:41,859 Speaker 1: John shook the chains dangling from his wrists. 309 00:19:42,619 --> 00:19:45,060 Speaker 3: Which is right in God's eyes, to listen to you 310 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:46,020 Speaker 3: or to him? 311 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:51,140 Speaker 1: No one dared respond to John's hypothetical question. For once, 312 00:19:52,020 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 1: they were on the springing end of the same types 313 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:57,540 Speaker 1: of traps they had tried to use against Jesus. 314 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:02,850 Speaker 3: You be the judges. As for us, we cannot help 315 00:20:03,310 --> 00:20:06,670 Speaker 3: but speak about what we've seen and heard. 316 00:20:07,330 --> 00:20:10,490 Speaker 1: Caiaphas kicked his chair back. and erupted to his feet. 317 00:20:11,250 --> 00:20:13,290 Speaker 1: He had had enough of their rebellion. 318 00:20:13,770 --> 00:20:17,530 Speaker 6: We don't need your permission to judge here, for the 319 00:20:17,609 --> 00:20:21,510 Speaker 6: Lord has appointed us to our roles. What can you 320 00:20:21,630 --> 00:20:28,050 Speaker 6: say of yourselves? You're nothing more than a few washed-up fishermen. 321 00:20:28,869 --> 00:20:31,710 Speaker 6: Perhaps you'd like another night in prison. 322 00:20:32,290 --> 00:20:35,930 Speaker 1: The other members of the table chanted in approval. Despite 323 00:20:35,990 --> 00:20:39,420 Speaker 1: their best efforts, Peter could see their threats were made 324 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:42,020 Speaker 1: out of desperation more than anything else. 325 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:45,659 Speaker 4: You think a night in prison could shake us of 326 00:20:45,760 --> 00:20:49,750 Speaker 4: our hope? There is one reason for our hope, and 327 00:20:49,810 --> 00:20:53,290 Speaker 4: that is the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing 328 00:20:53,330 --> 00:20:55,410 Speaker 4: you can do that could rob us of that. 329 00:20:56,090 --> 00:21:00,619 Speaker 1: The priest reasoned with themselves, but found nothing beyond empty threats. 330 00:21:01,540 --> 00:21:04,500 Speaker 1: They knew any decision they made would receive the scrutiny 331 00:21:04,700 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: of the people. Unwilling to admit defeat, they released the 332 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:14,260 Speaker 1: apostles with reluctance. They had lost this battle. But as 333 00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:18,120 Speaker 1: they watched the apostles leave the temple, they were determined 334 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:19,980 Speaker 1: to win the war. 335 00:21:27,070 --> 00:21:29,690 Speaker 5: Picture this. Peter and John are speaking to a crowd, 336 00:21:30,070 --> 00:21:32,730 Speaker 5: and the temple police, led by the captain of the temple, 337 00:21:33,050 --> 00:21:35,910 Speaker 5: along with the priests and Sadducees, storm in like they're 338 00:21:35,950 --> 00:21:38,930 Speaker 5: about to break up a rock concert. They're shouting, enough 339 00:21:38,970 --> 00:21:41,850 Speaker 5: of this, and suddenly Peter and John are grabbed, roughed up, 340 00:21:41,990 --> 00:21:43,450 Speaker 5: and thrown into jail overnight. 341 00:21:44,020 --> 00:21:44,260 Speaker 4: Why? 342 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:47,679 Speaker 5: Because they're teaching about Jesus and resurrection, two things that 343 00:21:47,700 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 5: the Sadducees in particular, who didn't believe in the afterlife, 344 00:21:50,940 --> 00:21:54,220 Speaker 5: found particularly offensive. It was kind of a double whammy 345 00:21:54,260 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 5: for the Sadducees. Not only did Jesus, when he was alive, 346 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:00,260 Speaker 5: pose a threat to their power and their influence, But 347 00:22:00,300 --> 00:22:02,780 Speaker 5: the Sadducees also really state a claim in the denial 348 00:22:02,820 --> 00:22:05,580 Speaker 5: of angels and the resurrection. And the whole story of 349 00:22:05,619 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 5: the gospel requires a lot about angels and a lot 350 00:22:08,540 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 5: about the resurrection. Yet despite the aggressive crackdown from the 351 00:22:12,180 --> 00:22:15,180 Speaker 5: man at the temple, Luke tells us that the number 352 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:19,790 Speaker 5: of believers grew to about 5,000. Isn't that incredible? The 353 00:22:19,869 --> 00:22:23,690 Speaker 5: opposition couldn't stop the gospel. It only fueled the fire. Friends, 354 00:22:23,910 --> 00:22:28,030 Speaker 5: it turns out the gospel isn't intimidated by threats. If anything, 355 00:22:28,109 --> 00:22:31,730 Speaker 5: it thrives under pressure. The next day, Peter and John 356 00:22:31,780 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 5: are dragged before the Sanhedrin. This is the same court 357 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,659 Speaker 5: that condemned Jesus to death. And talk about intimidating. It 358 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:41,200 Speaker 5: was the rulers, the elders, the scribes, and the who's 359 00:22:41,260 --> 00:22:45,679 Speaker 5: who of the religious elite. Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and 360 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:48,859 Speaker 5: a bunch of others are all there. It's like standing 361 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 5: before the Supreme Court, Congress, and your crankiest professor all 362 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:56,240 Speaker 5: at once. They demand and question Peter and John and ask, 363 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 5: by what power or by what name have you done this? 364 00:22:59,230 --> 00:23:01,889 Speaker 5: It's a loaded question, but Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, 365 00:23:01,930 --> 00:23:04,210 Speaker 5: doesn't flinch at all. He says, Did you catch that? 366 00:23:04,230 --> 00:23:06,290 Speaker 5: Peter doesn't sugarcoat it. He calls them out. 367 00:23:06,330 --> 00:23:06,409 Speaker 6: Ouch. 368 00:23:25,030 --> 00:23:27,870 Speaker 5: And then he pivots to the resurrection, whom God raised 369 00:23:27,910 --> 00:23:30,490 Speaker 5: from the dead. Double ouch for the Sadducees who didn't 370 00:23:30,510 --> 00:23:33,910 Speaker 5: believe in the resurrection. Peter is saying, the Jesus you 371 00:23:33,970 --> 00:23:36,860 Speaker 5: thought you buried is alive and well. Thank you very much. 372 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,200 Speaker 5: And then comes the climax. Peter said, nor is there 373 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:43,580 Speaker 5: salvation in any other. For there is no other name 374 00:23:43,660 --> 00:23:48,179 Speaker 5: under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Friends, 375 00:23:48,420 --> 00:23:51,419 Speaker 5: this is where Peter goes from preaching to meddling and 376 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:54,470 Speaker 5: poking the bear. The religious leaders probably would have been 377 00:23:54,530 --> 00:23:56,790 Speaker 5: content with Peter by saying, hey, we want to live 378 00:23:56,830 --> 00:24:00,010 Speaker 5: by Jesus' teachings of kindness and compassion and giving to 379 00:24:00,050 --> 00:24:03,120 Speaker 5: the poor. Is that okay with you? We're harmless. But 380 00:24:03,190 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 5: Peter declares that Jesus is the way, and there is 381 00:24:06,700 --> 00:24:10,400 Speaker 5: no other name by which you can be saved. That's bold, 382 00:24:10,780 --> 00:24:13,300 Speaker 5: but that's also the gospel. Many of us want to 383 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:16,040 Speaker 5: sugarcoat our faith. When we're faced with opposition, we want 384 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:18,880 Speaker 5: to say, well, Jesus is a really good teacher, or, well, 385 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:21,179 Speaker 5: I live by the teachings of Jesus, which is love 386 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 5: and compassion. And that's all true. We want to live 387 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:25,780 Speaker 5: by the teachings of Jesus. We want to mimic the 388 00:24:25,820 --> 00:24:30,240 Speaker 5: character of Jesus. But we can't shave off the sharp 389 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:33,350 Speaker 5: edges of the gospel just to please people or just 390 00:24:33,380 --> 00:24:36,610 Speaker 5: to be accepted by the world. Today we often hear, 391 00:24:36,950 --> 00:24:39,510 Speaker 5: all roads lead to God. But Peter stands in stark 392 00:24:39,570 --> 00:24:43,430 Speaker 5: contrast and says, no, there's one road, there's one name, 393 00:24:43,590 --> 00:24:47,359 Speaker 5: there's one Savior, Jesus Christ. And you can imagine the 394 00:24:47,390 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 5: religious leaders' faces turning redder than a ripe tomato. They 395 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:56,010 Speaker 5: hate the message. But they can't deny the miracle. Now 396 00:24:56,030 --> 00:24:58,369 Speaker 5: the religious leaders are stuck. They take a look at 397 00:24:58,410 --> 00:25:01,870 Speaker 5: Peter and John. They see their boldness. But then they 398 00:25:01,930 --> 00:25:06,090 Speaker 5: realize that they're uneducated and untrained men. They're fishermen, not scholars. 399 00:25:06,490 --> 00:25:09,390 Speaker 5: Yet they speak with a clarity and conviction that stuns 400 00:25:09,430 --> 00:25:12,639 Speaker 5: their audience. And here's the kicker. They realize that they 401 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,439 Speaker 5: had been with Jesus. That's a key quote in the 402 00:25:15,460 --> 00:25:18,139 Speaker 5: book of Acts. Friends, I want that to sink in. 403 00:25:18,660 --> 00:25:22,379 Speaker 5: These men were ordinary by profession and by lifestyle. but 404 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 5: they were extraordinary because they had been with Jesus. Wouldn't 405 00:25:26,220 --> 00:25:28,690 Speaker 5: it be amazing if people said the same about us today? 406 00:25:29,130 --> 00:25:31,169 Speaker 5: Not because we were highly educated or we had all 407 00:25:31,190 --> 00:25:35,210 Speaker 5: the answers or we were super eloquent and charismatic and well-studied, 408 00:25:35,670 --> 00:25:39,830 Speaker 5: but because it's clear we've spent time with Jesus. Boldness 409 00:25:39,910 --> 00:25:44,090 Speaker 5: isn't about personality. It's about proximity to Christ. The more 410 00:25:44,150 --> 00:25:46,690 Speaker 5: time you spend with Jesus, the more his boldness rubs 411 00:25:46,770 --> 00:25:49,790 Speaker 5: off on you. The leaders, seeing the healed man standing 412 00:25:49,850 --> 00:25:52,060 Speaker 5: right there, had no choice but to let them go. 413 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:55,950 Speaker 5: But not before issuing a command. Do not speak at 414 00:25:56,210 --> 00:25:59,270 Speaker 5: all nor teach the name of Jesus was their command. 415 00:26:00,310 --> 00:26:04,210 Speaker 5: And Peter and John's response was classic. Whether it is 416 00:26:04,350 --> 00:26:06,350 Speaker 5: right in the sight of God to listen to you 417 00:26:06,430 --> 00:26:08,949 Speaker 5: more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but 418 00:26:09,030 --> 00:26:11,300 Speaker 5: speak the things which we have seen and heard. 419 00:26:11,859 --> 00:26:12,460 Speaker 1: What boldness. 420 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,500 Speaker 5: They essentially say, we'd love to obey you, but God 421 00:26:15,540 --> 00:26:19,070 Speaker 5: outranks you. This is civil disobedience at its finest, folks. 422 00:26:19,450 --> 00:26:22,130 Speaker 5: When the government or any authority commands us to do 423 00:26:22,150 --> 00:26:25,830 Speaker 5: what God forbids or forbids what God commands, we have 424 00:26:25,869 --> 00:26:29,970 Speaker 5: to obey God. There's no negotiating about it. There's no compromise. 425 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:33,179 Speaker 5: Jesus outranks the principal of a school. Jesus outranks the 426 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:36,659 Speaker 5: city council. Jesus outranks even the president of the United States. 427 00:26:37,700 --> 00:26:39,780 Speaker 5: So what about us? Are we willing to be bold 428 00:26:39,820 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 5: like Peter and John? Are we willing to speak the 429 00:26:41,900 --> 00:26:44,659 Speaker 5: name of Jesus even when it's unpopular, even when it 430 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:48,880 Speaker 5: costs us something? Remember, boldness isn't about brashness. It's not 431 00:26:48,900 --> 00:26:51,500 Speaker 5: about arrogance. You see, Peter had to let go of 432 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 5: the sword and the pride that came with it a 433 00:26:53,660 --> 00:26:56,880 Speaker 5: long time ago. It's not about being obnoxious. It's about 434 00:26:56,920 --> 00:27:00,580 Speaker 5: being so convinced of who Jesus is that silence isn't 435 00:27:00,660 --> 00:27:03,790 Speaker 5: an option. Let's be a church that's known not for 436 00:27:03,830 --> 00:27:07,090 Speaker 5: its programs or its buildings, but for its boldness. A 437 00:27:07,130 --> 00:27:10,369 Speaker 5: church where people can say they've been with Jesus because 438 00:27:10,750 --> 00:27:12,790 Speaker 5: when we have been with Jesus, we cannot help but 439 00:27:12,890 --> 00:27:16,260 Speaker 5: speak of what we've seen and what we've heard. Thanks 440 00:27:16,300 --> 00:27:19,260 Speaker 5: again for joining us on the Jesus Podcast. You already 441 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:21,500 Speaker 5: know what to do. Leave a review if this podcast 442 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:23,699 Speaker 5: has transformed you in any way and share it with 443 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:26,500 Speaker 5: a friend so that they can also be impacted by 444 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:27,870 Speaker 5: the power of Jesus.