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Chapter 34—Loyalty to God Under Persecution
This chapter is based on
Acts 5:12-42
.
The apostles continued their work of mercy, in healing the af-
flicted and in proclaiming a crucified and risen Saviour, with great
power. Numbers were continually added to the church by baptism,
but none dared join them who were not united heart and mind with
the believers in Christ. Multitudes flocked to Jerusalem, bringing
their sick and those who were vexed by unclean spirits. Many suf-
ferers were laid in the streets as Peter and John passed by, that their
shadows might fall upon and heal them. The power of the risen
Saviour had indeed fallen upon the apostles, and they worked signs
and miracles that daily increased the number of believers.
These things greatly perplexed the priests and rulers, especially
those among them who were Sadducees. They saw that if the apos-
tles were allowed to preach a resurrected Saviour, and to do miracles
in His name, their doctrine that there was no resurrection of the dead
would be rejected by all, and their sect would soon become extinct.
The Pharisees saw that the tendency of their preaching would be to
undermine the Jewish ceremonies and make the sacrificial offerings
of none effect. Their former efforts to suppress these preachers
had been in vain, but they now felt determined to put down the
excitement.
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Delivered by an Angel
The apostles were accordingly arrested and imprisoned, and the
Sanhedrin was called to try their case. A large number of learned
men, in addition to the council, were summoned, and they counseled
together what should be done with these disturbers of the peace.
“But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and
brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to
the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they
entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.”
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