And The Winner Is

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

AND THE WINNING IS

Acts 4:1-4

4:1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

NIV

These priests and the others were always against everything Jesus said and did. It is interesting that the Sadducees are brought into this narrative instead of the Pharisees because the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. How is that possible that descendants of Abraham, Jews with all the history of God working in and through their nation, with all the prophets who spoke of Jesus and of the resurrection, such as when David wrote that God would not abandon him to the grave referring to the Lord. How could they not believe in the resurrection and yet they did not, and so their intent was to shut the voices of Peter and John who preached the truth about the resurrection of Jesus, and thus all who believe in Jesus will also be resurrected from the dead. Eternal life is available to all who believe. Even the priests who were supposed to be the representatives of God to the people, serving in the temple, doing all the sacrifices the people brought for the forgiveness of our sin, wanted to silence Peter and John. Those who believe themselves to be leaders do not want anyone to disagree or disobey their authority. However, when it comes to the power and authority of God, no one can stand in His way. When the people heard they could experience the same resurrection that Jesus did, they accepted that message and turned from their wicked ways, and believed in Jesus. More and more people will hear this same message and believe because that is the Holy Spirit at work in men. We will see the power of the Spirit working in and through Peter and John more as this narrative plays out, but for now, we must know this same Spirit that worked in the lives of Peter and John is the same Spirit that dwells within us. This should give us a great deal of confidence in our daily lives, knowing we have the power of God flowing through us. This should give us more and more reasons to live rejoicingly, always being filled with gladness and thanksgiving. Although even today we have leaders both in the secular and religious realms that would insist we accept their teachings and leadership, just as we will see with Peter and John, only the truth will guide and direct and protect us from the powers of darkness in this world. God clothed them and he also has clothed us with His armor to protect and hem us in from those evil powers of this world and those who attempt to control us, as the priests, the temple guards, and the Sadducees and, as we will see, even the high priest, the elders and the teachers of the law attempted but failed, to control Peter and John. No matter how many men try to win, God will always prevail and be the victor and we are on God’s team, so we already know we will win.