We will survive!!!!

Ok, I'm new at this whole blog thing. This is my first post written on Acts.

Acts 5: 36-40

The apostles have been arrested a second time after being warned not to teach in Jerusalem about Jesus.

They are brought before the ruling council and tried. They are sent outside so that deliberations can begin. As they are leaving the chief priest utters the words that are included in these verses

“ For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

These words speak volumes about what we as followers are and what God has given us. These words are spoken by man who although very wise did not follow Christ. The fact is that we have not been scattered and we have not disappeared.

Luke writes in acts verse 40. That when the council was finished deliberating they called Peter back in and beat him before releasing him and charging him again not to preach about Jesus anymore. This response of the council after hearing the words of Theudas shows what side of the coin they thought Peter was on.

But Peter’s faith in God did not peter out and die (bizarre pun mostly intended.) but rather it progressed. His response is one that shows the power of God and confidence in the truth of the gospel. He leaves rejoicing because he was “counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Christ”. Persecution is not something that believers should be ashamed of but rather something that we should be proud of.

The fact that the Christian faith has survived shows that we are truly following a Christ that is all knowing and all powerful. Against all odds our lineage, the history of the Church and believers has carried on.

Against all odds even in a world that demonstrates this same attitude, that what we do is not from God, we will continue to survive, even in the harshest climates for our faith.