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Day 97 Acts 5:17 Then the high priest rose, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” 21 When they heard it, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 When the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? Look, you filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!" 29 Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose, claiming to be somebody. Many men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose in the days of the census and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him dispersed. 38 Now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” 40 They agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. 41 They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Many people have claimed to be the Messiah. They drew followers to themselves, and enclosed themselves in compounds, teaching their followers false doctrine. In my lifetime, Jim Jones took his church to Guyana, where a mass suicide took place. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, lived in a compound in Waco, Texas. In 1993 a siege took place by the Bureau of Alcohol and Firearms and the FBI. After fifty-one days, they killed David and set the compound on fire. There are others, but these two are the most famous in my lifetime. After arresting Peter and John, the high priest told them they were not to preach about Jesus. They told the high priest they were to obey God, not men. After putting them out of the chamber, Gamaliel stood and talked to his fellow priests and told them about several people who had gained a following. When they died, nothing came of their followers who scattered to the wind. Gamaliel told them that if Jesus was just another person like them, nothing would come of their teaching. However, if Jesus was the real deal, they would find themselves fighting against God. When they called Peter and John before them, they beat them and told them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Peter and John left them, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. Then they continued teaching about Jesus from house to house. As Christians, do you have the boldness of Peter and John to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone who will listen? Or do you sit back and let someone else teach about Him? Many churches are filled with Christians who sit under their ministers, listen to good sermons, then go home and do nothing about what they heard. Their family, friends, and neighbors know they go to church, but never hear a word from them about what they heard. They clamp their mouths closed and never tell another soul about what they heard or how they became Christians. Are you one of those Christians who never open their mouths to talk about the good news of Jesus Christ? Or are you one of the Christians who rejoice in what you heard and tell everyone you know about Jesus and what He did for you? Is everyone you know aware of your many blessings and what Jesus does for you when you pray for different problems in your life? Do they see, ask questions, and become believers too? You are either one or the other. Peter and John rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ. If someone threatened you, beat and tortured you for the gospel, would you rejoice to be counted worthy to preach the gospel? Would you continue to tell everyone what Jesus did for you? From a poem written by C.T. Studd, comes two familiar lines: Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only what you do for Christ will last. Open your mouth. Tell others about Jesus and don’t be afraid of the outcome. The Holy Spirit will tell you what to say and Jesus will keep you safe when you do. For even if you die for the gospel of Jesus Christ, you win. You will be with Jesus in heaven for eternity. You have nothing to fear from man. They cannot harm your soul. Let’s pray: Father, open my mouth. Let me tell others what You did for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 21 October 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.