1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,640 Speaker 1: Let us pray and laid their hands on the apostles 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: and put them in the common prison. Acts five eighteen. 3 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: Holy Spirit, strengthen me as I stand in the face 4 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: of persecution and ridicule. When I decide to reach out 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: and offer a hand to those in need, when I 6 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: feel arrested and imprisoned by the isolation of others, I 7 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: will remember your sweet Spirit, and I will remember the 8 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 1: life of Jesus. Like his disciples, he endured because the 9 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: sacrifice was worth the scars, the souls were worth the scrapes, 10 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: and their freedom was worth the fight. I will not 11 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: give up until your mission is fulfilled in my life. Lord, 12 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: I will remain relentless in my pursuit of your divine presence. Therefore, 13 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: with every fiber in my being, I say bring it on, 14 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: because I am a water walking, giant, slaying, lion killing, 15 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: serpent crushing, jericho, crumbling, wall building, presence filled, anointed child 16 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 1: of God, and I won't be stopped. In Jesus' name, Amen, 17 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 18 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 19 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a year dot. 20 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 2: Com arrested and beaten. And our last story, Annonias and 21 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 2: Saffira were struck down for their false sense of holiness 22 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 2: and charity. They feigned generosity to look holy and paid 23 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: dearly for their deception. Now we see the disciples following 24 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: in the suffering of Jesus. Imprisoned and beaten, they maintain 25 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 2: a hopeful joy that goes beyond comprehension. Inspired by the 26 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:13,399 Speaker 2: Book of Acts. 27 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 28 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. In our last episode, we heard 29 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 3: how God dealt severely with Antonius and Sapphira for their 30 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,079 Speaker 3: greed and deception. He was showing the early Church and 31 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 3: us that sin is a serious subject and it is 32 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 3: costly when God's children sin. Today will hear how the 33 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 3: disciples continue to preach the risen Christ and the suffering 34 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 3: that begins as a result of proclaiming the Gospel. Despite 35 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 3: the opposition and even imprisonment. These faithful servants remain joyful 36 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 3: in their suffering as they hope and trust in the Lord. 37 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 3: And we'll hear how God uses their circumstances to bring 38 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 3: the message of salvation to more and more people listen 39 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 3: to the word of God. 40 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 2: Now it was as cold as it was dark where 41 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:12,400 Speaker 2: the disciples lay. The wet stone floors sucked the heat 42 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 2: right out of their bodies. As they shivered in their 43 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 2: prison cells. The moonlight was barely peering out of cracks 44 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 2: in the cobbled walls. The High Priest had arrested Peter 45 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,519 Speaker 2: and the others and thrown them into prison out of fear. 46 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:30,359 Speaker 2: Their movement was increasing at an unmanageable rate, and they 47 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 2: felt their power slipping through their fingers. John rested his 48 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 2: head against the stone wall and prayed with his brothers. 49 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 2: Echoes of their songs to God filled the depressing hallways. 50 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 2: Their prayers and psalms were interrupted by the creaking sound 51 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 2: of the metal doors opening. Peter looked and saw that 52 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 2: the prison doors had been opened. Peter looked to his 53 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 2: left and to his right, and saw a figure standing 54 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 2: in the shadows. He emerged from the darkness and was 55 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 2: revealed to be an an of the Lord. Leave this place, 56 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 2: but do not run away, he said. The angel's voice 57 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 2: was deep and commanding. Go out and stand boldly in 58 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 2: the temple. Speak to people all the words of life. 59 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: So the disciples escaped the prison just as the sun 60 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 2: was rising. They stood up in the temple courtyards and 61 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 2: continued to preach the message of Jesus. The High priest 62 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 2: emerged from his quarters to see Peter in the middle 63 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 2: of the yard. Seize them, he yelled, and the temple 64 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 2: guards tackled the apostles to the ground. James and John 65 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 2: had their faces shoved into the dirt. This was not 66 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: what they had in mind when they thought about following Jesus, 67 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 2: but it was better, filled with more excitement and purpose. 68 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 2: We warned you not to teach his name. Caiaphas spat 69 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: Peter thought about fighting, but then remembered the words of Jesus. 70 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 2: Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. 71 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 2: Drew a deep breath and calmly replied, we obey God 72 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 2: before men. Priest Caiaphas bubbled over in rage and had 73 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 2: the guards strike Peter in the jaw. Andrew jolted forward, 74 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:14,280 Speaker 2: but was met with a quick kick to the stomach. 75 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 2: Caiaphas leaned over to Andrew and said, I should kill you. 76 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 2: I should kill you all right. Before he was about 77 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 2: to give the word, a pharisee by the name of 78 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 2: Gammelliol rose up. Stop. He shouted, We have had false 79 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 2: prophets rise up before these men, have we not. God 80 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 2: has a way of pruning those who do not speak 81 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 2: the truth. If these men are fools, then we should 82 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 2: stay away from them. They will die eventually and their 83 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 2: movement will fade. But if these men speak the truth, 84 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 2: then it is us who are in danger if we 85 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,919 Speaker 2: strike them down. Gammelliel was a voice of reason for 86 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 2: the Pharisees and was able to keep them from killing 87 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,720 Speaker 2: Peter and the others, but not without a swift beating. 88 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,279 Speaker 2: All the disciples were taken into the courtyard and eat 89 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 2: with clubs and whips, and they were tossed by the 90 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 2: roadside to hubble home. The men lay on the ground, 91 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 2: sore and bleeding, but on each of their faces was 92 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 2: a smile. They were glad to suffer for the name 93 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:16,239 Speaker 2: of Jesus. They were glad to suffer so that others 94 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 2: might thrive. It was their honor. So each day they 95 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 2: rose up again to go preach, and each day they 96 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:27,600 Speaker 2: were either thrown in prison or beaten. This became the 97 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 2: rhythm of their life. No one had killed Christians at 98 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 2: this point until a man named Saul came. 99 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 3: Today's Bible passage begins inside a prison cell. Peter John 100 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 3: and the other apostles had not listened to the warnings 101 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 3: of the religious leaders, and they continued to preach Christ 102 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 3: and the Gospel all over Jerusalem. The high Priest and 103 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 3: the Sadducees were jealous of the influence these men were 104 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,039 Speaker 3: having on all the people, so they had them arrested 105 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,920 Speaker 3: and thrown into prison again. But God sent an angel 106 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 3: in the night to open the gates of their cell. 107 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 3: The angel told them to leave and go teach in 108 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 3: the temple court, so that people might hear all the 109 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 3: words of life. This was the driving force, the passion 110 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 3: of these men now to tell all who would hear, 111 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 3: that Jesus is Lord, and that he would make a 112 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 3: way to free everyone who trusted it him from their 113 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 3: sins and to save them forever. This was the mission 114 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 3: of Jesus, the mission that he had given them, And 115 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 3: now the disciples were carrying out this work and witness 116 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 3: of the Gospel. The next morning, when the guard went 117 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 3: to get the men out of prison to bring them 118 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 3: before the Council of the People of Israel, they found 119 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 3: only an empty cell, and when they heard the report 120 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 3: that the men were missing, everyone was perplexed, how could 121 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 3: they have escaped? Soon their questions were answered, because the 122 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:55,239 Speaker 3: apostles had not run away. They were right in the temple, 123 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 3: courageously continuing to tell people about Jesus. So they were 124 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 3: taken from there to the High Priest and the Council 125 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 3: of Religious Leaders and questioned interrogated. These religious leaders reminded 126 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 3: the apostles that they had been strictly warned and told 127 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 3: to stop talking about Jesus and proclaiming this message. But 128 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 3: Peter reminded them once again that they were to obey 129 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 3: God and not men. So they laid out the gospel, 130 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 3: how Jesus had come from God, and these very men 131 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 3: had crucified him, but he arose conquering death to bring 132 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 3: grace and forgiveness to all who would believe in him. 133 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 3: What a change has taken place in these men's lives. 134 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 3: These men who had fled in fear when Jesus was 135 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 3: taken to the cross, and hid in terror after his 136 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 3: death and burial, are now standing without fear before the 137 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 3: same men who had sent Christ to his death. What 138 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 3: was the difference the presence of Christ, the Holy Spirit, 139 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 3: the promised Helper, that Jesus had sent filled them with 140 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 3: the very power of God, so that nothing any human 141 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:05,680 Speaker 3: ruler could do to them would stop them from preaching 142 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 3: the good news. It is that same spirit to which 143 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 3: we now have available to us today in Christ. We 144 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 3: can be filled with the boldness and confidence to share 145 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 3: our faith in Christ with anyone and everyone and fulfill 146 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 3: the mission and commission of Jesus. Isn't that amazing? God 147 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 3: will use us to preach the gospel. The apostles words 148 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 3: stirred up deep anger even hatred among the council. They 149 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 3: wanted these men dead. But a lone voice of reason 150 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 3: stood up to speak. A man named Gamaliol reminded the 151 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 3: council of others who had come before and led movements, 152 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 3: and eventually these movements went away. But then Gamaleo spoke 153 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 3: these words in Acts five thirty eight to thirty nine. 154 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 3: So in the present case, I can tell you keep 155 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 3: away from these men and let them alone. For if 156 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 3: this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail. 157 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 3: But if it is of God, you will not be 158 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 3: able to overthrow them. You might even find yourself opposing God. Well, 159 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 3: his words were convincing, and the council took his advice. 160 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,720 Speaker 3: They had no reason to hold or imprison these men, 161 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 3: so they released them. But first they beat them and 162 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 3: threatened them and warned them never to speak in the 163 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 3: name of Jesus again. Well, did this stop Peter and 164 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 3: John and the rest of the apostles and the work 165 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 3: of the Church. Not at all. And rather than leave 166 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:37,559 Speaker 3: that place licking their wounds and lamenting their persecution, they 167 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:41,079 Speaker 3: rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer in the 168 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 3: name of the Lord Jesus. What the council meant for 169 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 3: intimidation was actually fuel for their fire. They went out 170 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 3: every day teaching in the name of Jesus, preaching and 171 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 3: telling more and more people what Christ could do for 172 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 3: them if they would put their faith in him. Soon, however, 173 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 3: the patience of the council would run out, and a 174 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 3: new enemy of the Gospel would emerge, a zealous young 175 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 3: rabbi by the name of Saul. We'll hear about him 176 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,679 Speaker 3: the next time. Dear God, we thank you for today's reading, 177 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 3: which reminds us that you can do great things through 178 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 3: us when we are yielded and surrendered to You. When 179 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 3: we tell people about Jesus and the power of the 180 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit, we remember that witnessing is sharing Jesus in 181 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 3: the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results 182 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 3: to God. So may we boldly witness and tell our 183 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 3: family and friends and people that we meet of the 184 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 3: love and the grace of our Lord Jesus. No matter 185 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 3: what kind of opposition or resistance we face. May we 186 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 3: be courageous in sharing Christ in Jesus's name. Amen. Thank 187 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 3: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 188 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham of Dallas, Texas. You could download the 189 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 3: Prey dot com app and make prayer and Bible study 190 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 3: the priority of your life. And if you enjoyed this podcast, 191 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 3: tell someone about it and all and let others know 192 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 3: because it is our desire to get God's word to 193 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:08,560 Speaker 3: as many people as possible, as fast as possible. And 194 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 3: if you want to know more about what it means 195 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 3: to be a Christ's follower, what it means to be 196 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 3: a disciple of Jesus, then go to Jack Graham dot org. 197 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 3: Jack Graham dot org and we have many resources that 198 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 3: are available for you there. God bless you. 199 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 2: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 200 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 2: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 201 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 4: Welcome to the previous podcast, where hope is our only bias. 202 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 4: Each day, we will unpack the most prominent stories happening 203 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,840 Speaker 4: in the news and offer a Christian perspective. We won't 204 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 4: shy away from the hard topics, and we won't dilute 205 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 4: the hopeful message of Christ. This is more than a 206 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 4: daily brief on the news. It's a way to be 207 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 4: informed and transformed. Listen to Prey News on the iHeartRadio app, 208 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,479 Speaker 4: Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.