1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,680 Speaker 1: Let us pray and laid their hands on the apostles 2 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,799 Speaker 1: and put them in the common prison. Acts five eighteen. 3 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: Holy Spirit, strengthen me as I stand in the face 4 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: of persecution and ridicule. When I decide to reach out 5 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: and offer a hand to those in need, when I 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:26,639 Speaker 1: feel arrested and imprisoned by the isolation of others, I 7 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: will remember your sweet Spirit, and I will remember the 8 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:36,879 Speaker 1: life of Jesus. Like his disciples, he endured because the 9 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:42,279 Speaker 1: sacrifice was worth the scars, the souls were worth the scrapes, 10 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 1: and their freedom was worth the fight. I will not 11 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 1: give up until your mission is fulfilled in my life. Lord, 12 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: I will remain relentless in my pursuit of your divine presence. Therefore, 13 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: with every fiber in my being, I say bring it on, 14 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 1: because I am a water walking, giant, slaying, lion killing, 15 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: serpent crushing, jericho, crumbling, wall building, presence filled, anointed child 16 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: of God, and I won't be stopped. In Jesus' name, Amen, 17 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,119 Speaker 1: thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 18 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 19 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a year dot. 20 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 2: Com arrested and beaten. And our last story, Annonias and 21 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 2: Saffira were struck down for their false sense of holiness 22 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 2: and charity. They feigned generosity to look holy and pay 23 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 2: dearly for their deception. Now we see the disciples following 24 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: in the suffering of Jesus. Imprisoned and beaten, they maintain 25 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 2: a hopeful joy that goes beyond comprehension. Inspired by the 26 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 2: Book of Acts. 27 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 28 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. In our last episode, we heard 29 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 3: how God dealt severely with Antonius and Sapphira for their 30 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 3: greed and deception. He was showing the early Church and 31 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 3: us that sin is a serious subject and it is 32 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 3: costly when God's children sin. Today will hear how the 33 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 3: disciples continue to preach the risen Christ and the suffering 34 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 3: that begins as a result of proclaiming the Gospel. Despite 35 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 3: the opposition and even imprisonment. These faithful servants remain joyful 36 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 3: in their suffering as they hope and trust in the Lord. 37 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 3: And we'll hear how God uses their circumstances to bring 38 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,920 Speaker 3: the message of salvation and to more and more people 39 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:03,919 Speaker 3: listen to the word of God. 40 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 2: Now it was as cold as it was dark where 41 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 2: the disciples lay. The wet stone floors sucked the heat 42 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 2: right out of their bodies. As they shivered in their 43 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 2: prison cells. The moonlight was barely peering out of cracks 44 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 2: in the cobbled walls. The High Priest had arrested Peter 45 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 2: and the others and thrown them into prison out of fear. 46 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 2: Their movement was increasing at an unmanageable rate, and they 47 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 2: felt their power slipping through their fingers. John rested his 48 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 2: head against the stone wall and prayed with his brothers. 49 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 2: Echoes of their songs to God filled the depressing hallways. 50 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 2: Their prayers and songs were interrupted by the creaking sound 51 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 2: of the metal doors opening. Peter looked and saw that 52 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: the prison doors had been opened. Peter looked to his 53 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 2: left and to his right, and saw a figure standing 54 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 2: in the shadows. He emerged from the darkness and was 55 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 2: revealed to be an anil of the Lord. Leave this place, 56 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 2: but do not run away. 57 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 3: He said. 58 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 2: The angel's voice was deep and commanding, Go out and 59 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 2: stand boldly in the temple. Speak to people all the 60 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 2: words of life. So the disciples escaped the prison just 61 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: as the sun was rising, they stood up in the 62 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: temple courtyards and continued to preach the message of Jesus. 63 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 2: The High priest emerged from his quarters to see Peter 64 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 2: in the middle of the yard. Seize them, he yelled, 65 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 2: and the temple guards tackled the apostles to the ground. 66 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: James and John had their faces shoved into the dirt. 67 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 2: This was not what they had in mind when they 68 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: thought about following Jesus, but it was better, filled with 69 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: more excitement and purpose. We warned you not to teach 70 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 2: his name. Caiaphas spat Peter thought about fighting, but then 71 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 2: remembered the words of Jesus. Those who live by the 72 00:04:57,200 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 2: sword will die by the sword. Drew a deep breath 73 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: and calmly replied, we obey God before men. Priest Caiaphas 74 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 2: bubbled over in rage and had the guards strike Peter 75 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 2: in the jaw. Andrew jolted forward, but was met with 76 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:16,359 Speaker 2: a quick kick of the stomach. Caiaphas leaned over to 77 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: Andrew and said, I should kill you. I should kill 78 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,799 Speaker 2: you all right. Before he was about to give the word, 79 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 2: a pharisee by the name of Gammelliol rose up stop 80 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:30,679 Speaker 2: he shouted, we have had false prophets rise up before 81 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 2: these men, have we not? God has a way of 82 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 2: pruning those who do not speak the truth. If these 83 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 2: men are fools, then we should stay away from them. 84 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 2: They will die eventually and their movement will fade. But 85 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,160 Speaker 2: if these men speak the truth, then it is us 86 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 2: who are in danger if we strike them down. Gammelliel 87 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,320 Speaker 2: was a voice of reason for the Pharisees and was 88 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 2: able to keep them from killing Peter and the others, 89 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,600 Speaker 2: but not without a swift beating. All the disciples were 90 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 2: taken into the courtyard and beat with clubs and whips, 91 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 2: and they were tossed by the roadside to Hubble home. 92 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,359 Speaker 2: The men lay on the ground, sore and bleeding, but 93 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 2: on each of their faces was a smile. They were 94 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 2: glad to suffer for the name of Jesus. They were 95 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,039 Speaker 2: glad to suffer so that others might thrive. It was 96 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 2: their honor. So each day they rose up again to 97 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 2: go preach, and each day they were either thrown in 98 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 2: prison or beaten. This became the rhythm of their life. 99 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 2: No one had killed Christians at this point until a 100 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 2: man named Saul. 101 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 3: Came today's Bible passage begins inside a prison cell. Peter 102 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 3: John and the other apostles had not listened to the 103 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,239 Speaker 3: warnings of the religious leaders, and they continued to preach 104 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:52,719 Speaker 3: Christ and the Gospel all over Jerusalem. The high priest 105 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 3: and the Sadducees were jealous of the influence these men 106 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 3: were having on all the people, so they had them 107 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 3: arrested and thrown into prison again. But God sent an 108 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 3: angel in the night to open the gates of their 109 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 3: cel The angel told them to leave and go teach 110 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 3: in the temple court, so that people might hear all 111 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 3: the words of life. This was the driving force, the 112 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 3: passion of these men now to tell all who would hear, 113 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 3: that Jesus is Lord, and that he would make a 114 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 3: way to free everyone who trusted him from their sins 115 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 3: and to save them forever. This was the mission of Jesus, 116 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 3: the mission that he had given them, And now the 117 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 3: disciples were carrying out this work and witness of the Gospel. 118 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 3: The next morning, when the guard went to get the 119 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 3: men out of prison to bring them before the Council 120 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 3: of the People of Israel, they found only an empty cell, 121 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 3: And when they heard the report that the men were missing. 122 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 3: Everyone was perplexed how could they have escaped? Soon their 123 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 3: questions were answered, because the apostles had not run away. 124 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 3: They were right in the temple, courageously continuing to tell 125 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 3: people about Jesus. So they were taken from there to 126 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 3: the High Priest and the Council of Religious Leaders and 127 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 3: questioned interrogated. These religious leaders reminded the apostles that they 128 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 3: had been strictly warned and told to stop talking about 129 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 3: Jesus and proclaiming this message. But Peter reminded them once 130 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 3: again that they were to obey God and not men. 131 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 3: So they laid out the gospel, how Jesus had come 132 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 3: from God, and these very men had crucified him, but 133 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 3: he arose conquering death to bring grace and forgiveness to 134 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 3: all who would believe in him. What a change has 135 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 3: taken place in these men's lives. These men who had 136 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 3: fled in fear when Jesus was taken to the cross, 137 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 3: and hid in terror after his death and burial, are 138 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 3: now standing without fear before the same men who had 139 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 3: sent Christ to his death. What was the difference the 140 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 3: presence of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the promised Helper that 141 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 3: Jesus had sent filled them with the very power of God, 142 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 3: so that nothing any human ruler could do to them 143 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 3: would stop them from preaching the good news. It is 144 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 3: that same spirit to which we now have available to 145 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 3: us today in Christ. We can be filled with the 146 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 3: boldness and confidence to share our faith in Christ with 147 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 3: anyone and everyone and fulfill the mission and commission of Jesus. 148 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 3: Isn't that amazing? God will use us to preach the gospel. 149 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 3: The apostles words stirred up deep anger, even hatred among 150 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 3: the council. They wanted these men dead. But a lone 151 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 3: voice of reason stood up to speak. A man named 152 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 3: Gamaliol reminded the council of others who had come before 153 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 3: and led movements, and eventually these movements went away. But 154 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 3: then Gamaleo spoke these words in Acts five thirty eight 155 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 3: to thirty nine. So in the present case, I can 156 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 3: tell you keep away from these men and let them alone. 157 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 3: For if this plan or this undertaking is a man, 158 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 3: it will fail. But if it is of God, you 159 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 3: will not be able to overthrow them. You might even 160 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 3: find yourself opposing God. Well, his words were convincing, and 161 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 3: the council took his advice. They had no reason to 162 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 3: hold or imprison these men, so they released them. But 163 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 3: first they beat them and threatened them and warned them 164 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:26,080 Speaker 3: never to speak in the name of Jesus again. Well, 165 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 3: did this stop Peter and John and the rest of 166 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 3: the apostles and the work of the church. Not at all. 167 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 3: And rather than leave that place licking their wounds and 168 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 3: lamenting their persecution, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy 169 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 3: to suffer in the name of the Lord Jesus. What 170 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:47,400 Speaker 3: the council meant for intimidation was actually fuel for their fire. 171 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 3: They went out every day teaching in the name of Jesus, 172 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 3: preaching and telling more and more people what Christ could 173 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 3: do for them if they would put their faith in him. Soon, however, 174 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 3: the patience of the council would run out, and a 175 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 3: new enemy of the Gospel would emerge, a zealous young 176 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 3: rabbi by the name of Saul. We'll hear about him 177 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 3: the next time. Dear God, we thank you for today's reading, 178 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 3: which reminds us that you can do great things through 179 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 3: us when we are yielded and surrendered to You. When 180 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 3: we tell people about Jesus in the power of the 181 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit. We remember that witnessing is sharing Jesus in 182 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:27,439 Speaker 3: the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results 183 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 3: to God. So may we boldly witness and tell our 184 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 3: family and friends and people that we meet of the 185 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 3: love and the grace of our Lord Jesus. No matter 186 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 3: what kind of opposition or resistance we face. May we 187 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 3: be courageous in sharing Christ in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank 188 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:48,559 Speaker 3: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 189 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham of Dallas, Texas. You could download the 190 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 3: Prey dot com app and make prayer and Bible study 191 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 3: the priority of your life. And if you enjoyed this podcast, 192 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 3: tell someone about it. Let others know, because it is 193 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 3: our desire to get God's word to as many people 194 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:09,079 Speaker 3: as possible, as fast as possible. And if you want 195 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:10,679 Speaker 3: to know more about what it means to be a 196 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 3: Christ's follower, what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, 197 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 3: then go to Jack Graham dot org Jack Graham dot 198 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 3: org and we have many resources that are available for 199 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 3: you there. God bless you.