Author: Jim Cantelon

Key Verse: Acts 12:15 “You’re out of your mind’, they told her.” (NIV)

Imagine that your local church suddenly came under intense persecution. The laws of the land had changed.
Whereas once it had been legal to worship God, now suddenly, anyone caught worshipping God was thrown into prison. The obvious target for the authorities was pastors. Yesterday they imprisoned your pastor. So they church board called an all-night prayer meeting. Because it was dangerous to use the church building, they asked if it might be held at your house. You agreed. Tonight your house is full of scared, concerned, praying brothers and sisters.

The prayers are very intense. Person after person calls on God for deliverance for your imprisoned pastor. “Shake the prisons, Lord! Send your angels, Lord! Deliver us all from evil, Lord!” Between prayers, people testify, prophesy, and encourage one another. “The Lord wills this for good, even though Satan has meant it for evil,” one says. “God’s word can never be bound”, says another. “Our paster will be freed,” someone else says. And, as you quietly begin to sing, “O God our help in ages past”, there’s a knock at the door. Everyone freezes. Have we been too loud? Are the authorities at the door?

You go to the door and cautiously look through the peephole. It can’t be! It’s the pastor? No! But yes! it is! It’s the pastor at the door! Without opening the door you run back to the frightened group in the family room. “It’s the pastor!” you cry, “The pastor is at the door!” They look at you blankly, “You’re crazy”, someone says. “Sure, we were praying for his release, but no one really expected it”, your spouse admits honestly. “It must be his ghost”, one of the more superstitious members whispers.

There’s a knock again. This time you open the door and to everyone’s astonishment, in the pastor walks, free and in the flesh. God has answered your prayer.

Or has He? Sometimes when we pray expectantly we get “no” for an answer. Other times when we pray unexpectantly we get “yes” for an answer. And then there’s always that unsatisfactory answer, “wait”. How can we get God to always say “yes”?

We can’t. Regardless of those who think they’ve got God cased — with the irresistible prayer ritual or the most appealing praise formula–God will not be cornered into fulfilling our agenda. He has an agenda too. And being the all-knowing, all-powerful, Sovereign that He is, His will ultimately is done.

Peter was freed from prison by an angel. Rhoda wasn’t crazy. And once again, God answered prayer.

Key Verse: Acts 10:34b, 35 “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. but in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

The first major social controversy in the early church concerned the equal distribution of assistance to both Greek and Hebrew-speaking widows (ch.6). The first major leadership controversy dealt with the acceptance of Saul of Tarsus as a fellow preacher. The first major theological controversy was, perhaps, the first crisis of magnitude.

The issue, simply stated, related to the preaching of a Jewish gospel, by Jewish preachers, of a Jewish Messiah, to Gentiles. What was the point? Weren’t the unwashed Gentiles beyond the reach of Grace?

Complicating the issue was a long tradition of separation. The Hebrews were steeped in cleanliness laws (just read Leviticus!) and keenly tuned to the clean/unclean division in the world. Some, of course, were more “kosher” than others, but it went without saying that a Jew never ate with a Gentile. Preaching to Gentiles would entail fellowship and communion–sharing the table. To them this was repugnant!

That’s why the Lord had to drop that  sheet of unclean animals into Peter’s vision (10:9-23). There was no way Peter ever would have gone to Cornelius’ house otherwise. The Jerusalem Council’s view of the parameters of the gospel message had to be stretched, and who better to be the spark than Peter himself. After this event, even Saul of Tarsus looked a bit better–part of the suspicion surrounding him had been his untoward openness to preaching to Gentiles.

Nevertheless, Peter had a lot of explaining to do (see ch.11), but in the end, the apostles accepted the revealed message: God accepts people from every nation. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Key Verse: Acts 9:27 “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles…”

I remember, as a schoolboy in Saskatchewan, learning to sing, “Home on the Range”:

“Home, home on the range.
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.”

Have you heard any “discouraging words” lately? Sometimes those words come non-verbally from the circumstances you face. Sometimes they’re the well-meaning but unnecessary comments from a friend. Other times they are self-accusing views from the depths of your own pool of poor self-esteem. But whatever their source, discouraging words are never welcome. We’d all rather choose to hear encouraging words.

In the barrage of insults, anger, and open hostility facing the early church, there was great need for an encouraging word now and then. Enter a Cypriot named Joseph, the personification of encouragement In fact, the apostles called him “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Encouragement” 4:36). He was an outstanding player in the early drama of the Christian church.

He not only helped get the fledgling church on its feet financially (4:37), but he was an encouragement in several other ways. The most valuable thing he did, however, was champion the cause of that volatile and “dangerous” convert, Saul of Tarsus.

Just after his Damascus-road experience, Saul went to Jerusalem to join the disciples. Predictably, they wanted nothing to do with him. After all, he was “public enemy number one” as far as the church was concerned. There was understandable suspicion about the sincerity of his alleged conversion. Barnabas, however, believed in Saul. He put his own good reputation on the line and vouched for him before the Jerusalem leadership. He had a discerning spirit and a willingness to act on what his heart told him about raw material A few years later, by now a companion of “the apostle Paul”, he did the same for young, untried man called “John Mark” (even if it meant separating from Paul’s missionary travels — 15:36-39).

Think of it. If it hadn’t been for Barnabas, we wouldn’t have the Gospel of Mark, nor the writings of St. Paul. It’s amazing what an encouraging word can do!

Key Verse: Acts 6:2b, 4 “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables…but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word!”

It never seems to fail. Get a bunch of people organized into some sort of group and, before you know it, you’ve got dispute and division. The early church was just a few months (perhaps even weeks) old when the Greek-speaking Jewish believers (Hellenists) became upset because they thought they were being discriminated against. They complained that the Hebrew-speaking widows were getting all the attention in the daily administration of social assistance. “It’s not fair” I can hear them cry, “We want justice!” Maybe they even threatened to start a new church, “for Greek speakers only”. Whatever the case may have been, the apostles had to resolve the issue. Heretofore they’d had no mechanism for such a resolution, so they made a decision.

They decided to choose seven men to take the administrative responsibilities of the newly developing church. The apostles did so in order that their prayer and preaching focus might not be eroded. They would pray and preach while the administrators served. In this way the dispute would be settled and the potential for future division would be diminished.

Miracles, wonders, preaching, and teaching had to be supported with a dynamic, administrative infrastructure. Dynamic, not only in terms of flexibility and adaptability, but also in terms of the administrators themselves.

Stephen is a case in point. Luke tells us he was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (6:5a). He was a powerful preacher as well as an able administrator (a rare combination!) and, as we see in chapter 7, he became the church’s first martyr.

If you’re nominated to your church’s board of deacons, don’t see it as a minor role. You’ll be a peacemaker, and administrator, perhaps even a preacher. Hopefully never a martyr!

Key Verse: Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts’, he said, ‘and tell the people the full message of this life!'” (NIV)

If you haven’t said it yourself, you’re probably heard it said, “I’d just love to see one miracle! One would be enough. Then I’d be convinced; then I’d be sure…” Well, suppose we not only saw one miracle, but several, scores even — and what’s more, we were the miracle workers! What a wonder just to see them, do them, and to see the work they were accomplishing in the lives of afflicted human beings. We’d have such a sense of ministry, blessing and, yes, such a sense of significance.

But there would be a danger; too. The danger of distraction. Am I suggesting that miracles might deter the miracle worker from something of higher priority? Yes, I am. Before you get defensive, look at chapter five again. First, look at verses 12-16.

The apostles were doing a great job. As the Holy Spirit enabled them, they were performing “many miraculous signs and wonders among the people” (v.12a). In fact, just the impact of Peter’s shadow was enough to see the sick healed. Evil spirits were being defeated, and “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” (v.14). But then they were thrown in jail again –just in time for another miracle.

This time it was an angelic jailbreak. Look at verses 17-21a. What a vindication! I can just hear Peter saying something like “Praise God! He wants us back in Solomon’s Colonnade performing more miracles!”

“No, that’s not exactly what we had in mind,” says the angel, “what we want you to do is, ‘tell the people the full message of this new life'” (v.20) Miracles, as great as they are, are only part of the story. The  apostles got the point, “they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people” (v.21). Miracles were not to be the focus. Teaching Jesus was to be the focus; free from distraction.

Key Verse: Acts 4:20 “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (NIV)

The trouble started the afternoon Peter and John went up to the temple to pray. Until now they had enjoyed “the favour of all the people” (2:47). But then a crippled beggar called out to them for money. They were broke — but they did give him something. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”, they commanded him to get those crippled legs in motion and walk. And he did…to the amazement of the whole city! Now the polarization began.

The people, of course, were astonished to see this well-known beggar walking. There he was! Walking and holding on to Peter and John. As they gathered around, Peter and John began to preach. Their sermon was very up-front and candid. Peter accused the people of disowning “the Holy and Righteous one” and handing Him over to Pilate to be killed. He graciously gave them an out by saying they had “acted in ignorance”, but then went on to say that God had used the crucifixion events to fulfil prophecy. He then called them to repentance. Even as he spoke of the power of the resurrection, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees” seized Peter and John, and threw them into jail. Once again the city was divided by the message and work of Jesus, but five thousand more believers were added to the church.

The next day, Peter and John were questioned by the High Priest, his family, and other high officials. The question was, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (4:7). Peter replied, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you completely healed” (4:10). The officials, angry as they were, could say nothing — for the healed beggar was standing right there for everyone to see. so they threatened Peter and John and let them go. Who can argue with eyewitnesses? Especially when you’re one yourself!

Key Verse: Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

One of the key factors in the success of the early church was the uncontested fact of the resurrection. I say “uncontested” in terms of the believers themselves and the incontrovertible evidence of Jesus’ appearances over a period of forty days after the resurrection. Don’t forget that the disciples had deserted Jesus when He needed them most, and had gone into hiding to avoid being crucified themselves as “collaborators”. It was to these men that Jesus “showed Himself…and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive” (1:3a). The ultimate post-resurrection appearance was His ascension. It was in this context that Jesus promised the advent of the Holy Spirit and power for witness throughout the world. Then the disciples heard the promise of the angels, even as Jesus disappeared, that He would “come back”.

These events, plus the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (ch. 2), provided fuel for a revolution. A revolution that was supported by a powerful four-point infrastructure: Teaching, Fellowship, Communion, Prayer. These were the building blocks of early church life.

The apostles’ teaching provided the substance vital to a living faith. Fellowship met the social needs of the community of faith. Communion meant remembrance — a broken body and shed blood providing a sin offering for our transgressions. And prayer was the corporate and individual line of communication with the everlasting Father.

It’s little wonder the church grew. In this fertile ground of committed teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, the Lord was able to add “to their number daily those who were being saved” (2:47)

Key Verse: John 20:28 “And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!'”

Arthur John Gossip writes, “That night that Christ came, Thomas had not been present. We do not know why. But is there not here a warning for us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together?  How much many miss, who make only an occasional, spasmodic, irregular appearance at the worship of God in his house! ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’, so Christ promises (Mt. 18:20). And sometimes surely had they been there, to them, too, He would have appeared!” (Interpreters Bible, Vol. 8, p. 798).

John has already presented Thomas to us as fatalistically daring (11:16) and bluntly skeptical (14:5). He was pragmatic and honest. He wasn’t about to be caught up in the hysteria and the unreal imaginings of a distraught and devastated group of cloistered disciples. Yes, he was disappointed, bitterly so, just like the rest of them. But he was not going to be party to a delusive reconstruction of Jesus. He was dead, period. so let’s accept that and get real. The sooner we can get on with life, the better.

Frankly, I identify with Thomas. He cherished the truth.

And the Truth cherished him. A week later; Jesus made a gracious concession to Thomas’ skepticism. “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place in it My side; do not be faithless, but believing” (20:27). Thomas’ response is the response of the Church, “My Lord and my God!”

Church history tells us Thomas was the one disciple who travelled the farthest to a martyr’s grave. In so doing, he brought the message of the risen Saviour to the sub-continent of India. Thank God for Thomas!

Key Verse: John 19:38b (NIV) “Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews.”

After recording the events of the crucifixion and the touching scene around the foot of the cross, when Jesus entrusts His mother to John’s keeping and care, John tells us about the burial. We might have expected the twelve disciples to come out of hiding, convicted in heart of their cowardice in deserting Jesus, and take the body down from the cross. Instead, we see two heretofore secret disciples, and the most unlikely candidates for the task.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, both members of the Sanhedrin, and the two of all Jesus’ disciples with the most to lose, courageously and lovingly declared their allegiance on that fateful day. They were secret believers. Nicodemus was the one who had come to see Jesus under the cover of night, and one wonders if Joseph had not had a similar nocturnal interchange with Jesus.  Somehow they had connected for obviously they had planned, however quickly, what they should do about the burial. They had also counted the cost. Their positions with the Sanhedrin were forfeit if they identified publicly with the crucified Christ. Their influence, status, and even most of their long-term friendships were shot. They were about to enter a social wasteland.

They worked hurriedly, for the Sabbath was almost upon them. As the sun sank into the western sky, they took Christ’s body down from the cross, suffering ritual defilement as they touched the dead flesh. They wrapped Him in strips of cloth, packing between each layer the burial spices Nicodemus had brought. Then, with their own hands, they carried their Master to Joseph’s own grave. Gently and sorrowfully, they laid Him there. As the sun disappeared, it seemed all hope disappeared with it. The two grieving brothers slowly walked away.

Nicodemus and Joseph were outstanding men in terms of their public profile, but were retiring in their faith. They “feared the Jews”. Like you and me they shied away from the cost of discipleship; at least, they had done so most of the time. But now they acted differently, when it was toughest. It is no great matter, declared Cardinal Newman, that we obey the Master in the ninety and nine cases where to do so is easy. The real test for us lies in the hundredth case, where it is hard.

Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, is able to empower us to do what we never thought possible. Nicodemus and Joseph know all about that.