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Sunday 18th. June 2006 email: fvamw@tm.net.my
Dear Friends
Greetings in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter and John
before the Sanhedrin 1
The priests and the captain
of the temple and the Sadducees came to Peter and John while they
were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because
the
apostles were teaching the
people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening they put them
in jail until the next day. But
many
who heard the message believed and the number of men grew to about
five thousand.
The next day the rulers,
elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high
priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other
men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought
before them and began to question them:
"By what power or what name did you do this?"
Then Peter filled with the
Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we
are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a
cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all
the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that
this man stands before you healed. He is "the stone you
builders rejected, which has become the capstone.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
When they saw the courage
of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men,
they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with
Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing
there with them, there was nothing they could say.
( Acts 4:1-14 )
In Acts of Apostles Chapter
3 we read of Peter and John healing the crippled beggar and speaking
to the onlookers about Jesus Christ. This leads to the text quoted
above. Please read this a few times and visualize the situation and
amazement of the leaders and elders who had no explanation for the
healing of the crippled man who was standing before them healed.
Today healing does take place every moment. Some
times it is a result of prayer only and sometimes it is the result
of prayer and medicine. We need to be aware that it is the sovereign
will of God to choose the means of healing. He has given us doctors
and surgeons with skill, knowledge and discernment. The healing is
God given for if the body does not heal, even the best medicine
cannot bring about healing.
God, the Holy Spirit used
Peter and John to heal the crippled man and they used the
opportunity given to them to expound on what Jesus has done for us
all. Peter points this out when he says
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to them by which we must be saved."
God is
mainly interested in our salvation from sin. Today God fills us with
the Holy Spirit to bring healing and salvation to those around us,
particularly our loved ones and relatives who can see the
transformation that has come into our life as we surrender ourselves
to God.
The following questions may be of help in your
reflection.
1. Am I aware that those
around me see in my behavior, the faith I profess to follow?
2. Is my conduct and
behavior in accordance with the lifestyle of a disciple of Jesus?
3 Do I have a quiet time
with God to envision me to his will for me?
(This is sent out by email once a week. If you
have just come across this for the first time, and would like to
receive it, please send an email. Your comments and views on this
are most welcome. If this sharing could be of help to a friend of
yours, you are welcome to pass it on.)
With regards,
Fred.
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