King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 9 notes
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead; the priest and others killed Jesus.
Both classes knew not the scriptures, else all these would not have happened.
This is so much a reflection of the church ⛪ today...
Priests who know not the word or the Lord and manipulate the flock of the living God.
They lie 🤥, cheat and kill so they can have their way rather than the will of God fulfilled.
4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
First preaching was 3000 souls, and now 5000.
The power of God was self-evident for the people to see; there was no denying that God was with them.
This miracle which won souls also hardened others.
Miracles are needed in the body of Christ because they win souls.
But then also there are those 🤭 whom no amount of miracles will transform, sadly though.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
These are some very strong 💪 words there. Peter minced no words in accusing them directly of their failures and sins.
Gosh, a fiery 🔥 message that was.
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
This answers their question of by what name...
To which Peter emphatically states that by the name of Jesus 🙏, and goes ahead to say that it's not like this miracle was done in the name of Jesus and that ends it,
but Peter goes ahead to explain that when it comes to salvation, it's in the name of Jesus and there is no other that can bring salvation.
Therefore them that are Christians and believe in other ways to God are in error.
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Yes, indeed these were very bold statements.
They were surprised that 😲 Peter and John were not afraid 😨 of their faces.
14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we can not deny it.
They could not deny it, but they wouldn't accept the Messiah either.
I wonder, just out of curiosity, where was Nicodemus, or even Joseph of Arimathea?
Had they now abandoned the sect of leaders because they were not willing to walk in the midst of sinful men?
Or had all who were sympathetic towards Jesus at this time, or his followers later on, been taken out of the leaders?
I genuinely wonder where these were.
17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
I believe that contextually this scripture was in reference to the Christ in the last days, as the nations come against him.
But here Peter and his company appropriated it for themselves in this situation.
And same we do even in our days.
Hmm 🤔
Upon further reading of subsequent verses, the disciples actually understood it to have been fulfilled when Herod and Pilate and Co crucified Jesus.
And that makes sense. They were not calling themselves God's anointed.
Even though its application to the end of time is right, as we see him destroy the future kings and antichrist.
27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, ( which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.