AFTER JESUS’ DEATH and resurrection, his apostles, first scattered by the cross but then united by the empty tomb, became bold in their witness. Their faith and principled convictions are recorded in scripture as a witness for us during times when we feel overwhelmed by the power of the enemy of our souls.
Peter and John had previously been arrested and threatened by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Amongst themselves, in the immediate aftermath of a healing miracle performed by the two apostles, the council concluded, “To stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (Acts 4:17)
They commanded Peter and John “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18), but they both replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19) The council, conflicted in their choices of action by the notoriety of the miracle, threatened them and let them go. “They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” (Acts 4:21-22)
Peter and John reported what happened at the Sanhedrin to the other followers of Jesus, and together they prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30) And immediately, “the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31) These events united all the believers in one mind and Spirit, and in common cause.
The power of God was displayed as “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people.” (Acts 5:12) The news about these things spread further, and “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” (Acts 5:16)
The growing movement incited the rage of the high priest and his associates in the Sanhedrin council, so “They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.” (Acts 5:18) But God’s purposes were not to be denied—miraculously, “During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people all about this new life.’” (Acts 5:19-20) And at daybreak, that is exactly what they did, proclaiming the name of Jesus and the new life to be found in him.
The high priest called a meeting of the full Sanhedrin council in the morning, and sent guards for the apostles to be brought to them. The guards returned from the jail empty-handed. “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” (Acts 5:23) Just then, “someone came and said, ‘Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.’” (Acts 5:25)
The apostles were brought in and questioned by the high priest. “‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,’ he said. ‘Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.’” (Acts 5:28) Peter responded, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29) And once again, he speaks in the power of the name of Jesus. “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.” (Acts 5:30) Made even more furious, the council “wanted to put them to death.” (Acts 5:30)
One of the most respected members of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel, ordered the apostles removed, and then addressed the council. He began by recalling other well-known failed reform attempts by religious zealots, all of which had come to nothing. He then said, “Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39) His argument persuaded the more thoughtful members, but nonetheless, “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” (Acts 5:40)
The apostles left, “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:41) And their witness became unrelenting: “they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:42)
The apostles and other early followers of Jesus were not perfect in their faith and obedience, just as we are not. But they were perfected for God’s purposes through their trials as they were encouraged and empowered by the acts of the Holy Spirit in their life circumstances. God’s grace and power were given as needed at each point of conflict as they acted in faith. Jesus told them, as he tells us, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 17:7) And he adds, “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 16:23)
As these early believers were strengthened through their trials, their faith and obedience increased, and God enabled them to accomplish even greater things in Jesus’ name. So also it is for us. If we are able to hear God’s voice, he will always call us to trials we don’t understand or feel adequate to accomplish. When we feel dwarfed by the size of the trial, simply turn away from its seemingly vast scope and listen to the voice of the Lord. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” (Mark 11:23)
There is power in the name of Jesus.
Q. Is my mountain greater than Jesus’ name?