14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought those who were ill into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least PETER’S SHADOW might fall on some of them as he passed by. Acts 5
People were so desperate for the healing of loved ones that they laid them where even Peter’s Shadow might fall on them. God’s Power was being manifested in an amazing way.
16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were ill and those tormented by impure spirits, and ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED. Acts 5
As in the days of the Lord, crowds gathered from far away, seeking help from the servants of God and they were ALL HEALED.
17 THEN the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 ‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘AND TELL THE PEOPLE ALL ABOUT THIS NEW LIFE.’
Trouble came quickly for those daring to offer a new alternative to the common religious practices. JEALOUSY followed by JAIL, but that very night an angel set them free and told them to go back to the Temple Courts and tell the people again! ALL BELIEVERS have a testimony, a witness to what God has done for us personally. God may be speaking to us today to go and speak to someone(s) about this New Life we’ve entered into. We may experience opposition but the angel said, ‘Go and tell people’ or at least someone. Many times God’s Spirit comes alongside to help AFTER WE’VE STEPPED OUT.
The religious rulers were astonished to find the apostles were free and testifying again about Jesus.
28 ‘We gave you strict orders NOT TO TEACH IN THIS NAME,’ he said. ‘YET YOU HAVE FILLED JERUSALEM with your teaching…’
Above all the enemy does not want people speaking about THE NAME OF JESUS! Since we are the ones who bear His Name that’s a priority for us, just like the first believers.
A teacher called Gamaliel, warned the members of the Sanhedrin against opposing the believers.
38 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. 39 BUT IF IT IS FROM GOD, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THESE MEN; you will only find yourselves fighting against God (good advice).’ Acts 5
The apostles continued to speak about the Lord despite ill treatment and opposition. Some time ago the news told of a pastor in Canada who was wrongly arrested and thrown in prison for witnessing about the Lord. When he was released he went back out and started witnessing again, the abusive scare tactics didn’t prevail. God takes it seriously when His servants are ill treated and blesses those who speak for Him.
God bless and keep you today.