ON THE NIGHT OF THE BETRAYAL
"The weakest spot in every man, is where he thinks himself the wisest."
On Thursday of the Passion Week, Jesus called Peter and John to Him, and said: "Go, and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."[1]
The Passover.
The Passover, you remember, is the name given to the feast established to commemorate the time when the destroying angelpassed overthe houses of the Hebrews, which had been marked by the blood of the lamb. At this festsival, a lamb was killed, and called the Paschal Lamb. It was on the day that "the passover must be killed" that Peter and John were requested to make preparation.
"Where wilt thou that we prepare?" they asked.
An Upper Room Prepared.
"When ye have entered into the city," replied Jesus, "there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. Ask him, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room furnished; there make ready."[2]
The two apostles did as they were directed, found everything just as the Lord had stated, and made the necessary preparations.
At the appointed hour Jesus and the Twelve gathered in this upper room. Some think it was in Mark's house, some the house of Joseph of Arimathea, but we do not know, nor does it much matter. We are interested most in what took place there.
A Solemn Meeting.
Jesus sat at the head of the feast. On one side, close enough to recline on His Master's breast sat John, and on the other side sat Peter. It was, perhaps, the most solemn meeting at which the Twelve had ever gathered; for the Savior said at the beginning:
"With desire," that is with longing earnestness, "I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled which is written in the prophets concerning me."
Meaning that His hour had come when His enemies should take Him and put Him to death.
Near the end of the supper, Jesus rose from where He was reclining, laid aside His outer garments, took a towel and tied it around His waist, thus assuming a servant's dress. He then took a basin of water and proceeded to wash the disciples' feet.
Jesus Washeth Disciples' Feet.
It may be that the Savior had detected in the minds of some the same thought which had caused a dispute among them once before, as to who was the greatest among them. Perhaps this thought arose when they saw Peter and John occupying the places of honor. At any rate, their Lord, the greatest among them, assumed the attitude of servant, the least and humblest of them all.
Peter Objects.
When He came to Peter, the latter said: "Lord, dostThouwashmyfeet?" Peter would serve his Master, but his Master must never serve him!
"What I do thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter," answered Jesus.
"Thou needst not to wash my feet."
"If I wash thee not," continued Jesus, "thou hast no part with me."
When Peter thought that his refusal to submit to be served by the Lord, was really putting the Savior away from him, he said,
"Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
An Example.
"So after He had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again. He said unto them: Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."
Thus did these twelve men receive in an impressive and practical manner, the divine lesson of service. Thus did they learn that those who were greatest among them were really the servants of all. Indeed, in the Church of Christ, there are no masters and no servants, but all working for every one and each one for all.
"One of You Shall Betray Me."
Immediately following this impressive and sacred ceremony, the full significance of which very few understand, the Savior said, "One of you shall betray me."
This announcement cast a gloom over all. To make it caused "trouble" to come over Christ's "spirit;" and to hear it, made all "exceeding sorrowful."[3]
They began to inquire among themselves which one of them should be so faithless; and soon each asked the Master, "Lord, is it I?"
Judas, last of all answered and said, "Lord, is it I?"
Jesus' answer, "Thou hast said," must not have been heard by the others, because Peter beckoned to John to ask the Master "who it should be of whom he spoke."
Jesus replied, also in a quiet manner, "He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it."
Judas Iscariot.
When he had dipped the sop, he handed it to Judas Iscariot. Peter and John, then, knew who the traitor was; but the others probably did not; for they wondered what Jesus meant when He said to Judas: "That thou doest do quickly."
After the traitor went out into the night—oh such a night for him! Jesus continued to teach and to comfort the Eleven.
Love One Another.
"A new commandment I give unto you," He said, "That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Among other things, He said, referring to His approaching death, "Whither I go ye cannot come."
This stirred Peter's love and he inquired, "Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now? I will lay down my life for Thy sake."[4]
Peter to Be Tried.
"Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, [that is, "brought back afresh as a penitent disciple"] strengthen thy brethren."[5]
This grieved Peter very deeply. To think that his Master would even suspect that he,Peter, would even weaken in his steadfastness to his Lord! (It is significant that the Lord called him by his old name,Simon).
Peter protested, saying, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death."[6]
A Prophecy.
"I tell you, Peter," continued the Savior, "that the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."
But, he spake the more vehemently. "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise so said they all."[7]
Peter meant every word he said, and he felt deeply the truth of what he spake; but his real strength had not come to him yet, and his Master knew it. It would come but it would be "Born in the deep silence of a long-suffering heart."
Gethsemane.
Later in the night, the company left the upper room, crossed the brook Kedron, and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, on the west side of the Mount of Olives.
Bidding eight of the Eleven to remain together. He took the other three, Peter, James, and John, apart. His soul "was exceeding sorrowful even unto death."
He said, "Tarry ye here, and watch with me."
"Not My Will but Thine be Done."
Soon He withdrew a little from them, and prayed. The Apostles could see Him, perhaps could hear Him, as He cried, "Father, if it be possible let this cup pass; nevertheless not my will, but thine be done."
When he returned, and found the three sleeping, He said, "Simon [Simon again] sleepest thou? Couldst not thou watch one hour?"
"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
"The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."[8]
Peter and His Brethren Drowsy.
A second time He withdrew; a second time returned; a second time found them sleeping; "for their eyes were heavy; neither knew they what to answer Him."
When He returned the third time, He said kindly, "Sleep on now and take your rest; it is enough, the hour is come; behold the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
After a little longer sleep, the three were awakened by Jesus, only to see approaching "a great multitude, with swords and staves, from the chief priests, and the scribes and the elders." At their head was Judas who approached his Lord, and betrayed Him with a kiss.
Peter Defends His Lord.
As soldiers went to lay hands upon Jesus, Peter, who was now thoroughly aroused, jumped to the rescue of his Master, "drew his sword, and smote a servant of the high priest and cut off his ear."
This servant, whose right ear Peter struck off with one blow, was called Malchus.
A Lesson.
"Put up thy sword into the sheath," commanded the Savior, "the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" What a lesson to Peter! Even though duty led to suffering and death, yet would the Lord not waver in His strength.
Then said Jesus, "Suffer ye thus far, and He touched his ear and healed him."[9]
As the officers led Jesus away, the disciples "all forsook Him, and fled."
Peter Follows Jesus.
Peter's strength and loyalty were wavering; but he could not bring himself to flee with the others. Neither could he conclude that it was best to go with Jesus; so he did neither, but "followed Him afar off, even unto the palace of the high priest."
At first, he remained on the outside, but later ventured in where the servants were sitting.
While Peter was standing by the stove warming himself, a girl came in, and recognizing him as one who had been with Jesus, said, "Thou, also wast with Jesus of Galilee."
In a Moment of Weakness.
"I know not what thou sayest," said Peter before them all.
He then stepped out on the porch, perhaps to cool his burning conscience or to try to collect himself to know what best to do.
A man seeing him there cried out, "This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth."
"I do not know the man," said Simon; and this time he took an oath.
One of the servants of the high priest, who was related to Malchus approached Peter a little later, and said, "Did I not see thee in the Garden with Him?"[10]
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, "Man, I know not what thou sayest." At that moment, Peter heard the cock crow.
Sorrow.
Almost immediately, too, the Savior passing near him, "turned and looked upon Peter." Then recalling the words of his Lord, "Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice."[11]Peter went out and wept bitterly.
1. Luke 22:8.
2. Luke 22:11-12.
3. Matt. 26:22.
4. John 13:34-37.
5. Luke 22:31, 32.
6. Luke 22:33.
7. Matt. 26:35.
8. Mark 14:38.
9. Luke 22:51.
10. John 18:26.
11. Luke 22:61.
OUT OF GLOOM, INTO LIGHT
"Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts, not amidst joy."
Out of Weakness, Strength.
It is said when Peter "went out speechless from the face of all, * * * and filled the silence, weeping bitterly," that his grief was so heavy that he remained alone all day during Friday and Saturday following the Savior's crucifixion. If so, his sorrow for what he had done was made all the more acute as he recalled the many kind words the Savior had spoken to him, and the many, many happy moments he had spent in the Lord's company. Every word and act and look associated with his Master would flash upon his mind with a new meaning. Perhaps for the first time in his life, he now fully realized why the Lord had desired his nature and faith to be as "The Rock." Through the mist of his bitter tears, he saw all the true attributes of manhood as they were personified in Jesus—Reverence, Brotherliness, Patience, Sincerity, Courage. These and many other noble traits made Jesus appear to him now more holy than ever. But the more clearly Peter saw Christ's strength and holiness, the more clearly he realized his own littleness and misery. This last manifestation of his weakness, which led him to deny his Lord, made him see himself in a new light, and it had a decisive effect upon him. Out of the "deep silence" of his suffering, those two days, there was born that strength which Christ had urged upon him ever since He called him "Peter."
A Sad Meeting.
It must have been a sad meeting when John and Peter first came together after the Crucifixion. When it was or where, we are not told; but we are sure that John must have recognized a great change in his fellow-apostle. Out of the haggard look and the deep lines of grief there must have shone a humility which John had never before seen in Peter's face. We can only imagine what Peter's feelings were as he listened to John tell of all that had happened before Herod and Pilate, and at the Cross. Mingling with Peter's grief was the keen disappointment that their Messiah, their King, was not to free the Jews and rule over them as he had hoped. In doubt as to what to do, they probably decided to visit the place where their Master had been laid, and then return to their former vocation as fishermen.
At the Sepulchre.
But there was one whose love and devotion took her to the tomb even before the Apostles. Mary Magdalene, "while it was yet dark" approached the place where she thought Jesus slept in death. But instead of seeing her Lord's body in the cold, dark sepulchre, around which there was nothing but gloom and sorrow, she found an empty tomb. In alarm, she ran to Peter and John, and breathlessly cried, "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre." "Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre." At first, they ran together, but Peter already weary with suffering, was soon out-distanced by the younger Apostle John, who reached the place first.
"And stooping down, and looking in, he saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."
Just to look in, however, did not satisfy Peter; for as soon as he came, he "went into the sepulchre." John followed him. They noticed the napkin that had been on Jesus' head wrapped and placed by itself; the linen clothes, too, were folded neatly and placed aside with care. They concluded that thieves would not have done this, and so dispelled Mary's theory that the Lord's body had been stolen. But "as yet they knew not the scripture that He must rise again from the dead."
Mary Beholds Risen Redeemer.
Filled with wonder and perplexity, the two disciples "went away again to their own home," but Mary lingered near the tomb, and as a reward for her faithfulness and devotion, became the first person in the world to behold the risen Redeemer.
Peter Sees His Lord.
Other women who came to the tomb that morning to render, as they thought, the last slight service to their Lord, were permitted also to see Him. Later on that same day, it seems that He appeared to Peter; but where, or under what circumstances, or what was said, we do not know. We may rest assured, however, that Peter's repentant soul was filled with joy eternal as he received the divine forgiveness of His Lord.
Disciples From Emmans.
That evening as the Eleven were assembled in a room talking over the events of the day, and particularly the Lord's appearance to Peter, there entered two disciples from Emmaus. They were no sooner in the presence of the Eleven, than they heard the joyous message, "The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared unto Simon." They could readily believe this, for they said, "When we were returning from Jerusalem, today, after having heard of the angels and the empty tomb, Jesus Himself drew near and went with us."
Jesus Appears to Eleven.
While they were thus assembled, Jesus appeared to them again, "and saith unto them. Peace be unto you." Such scenes as that cannot be described, and the evangelists who tell us about it simply state the fact and leave us to imagine what their thoughts and feelings were on that glorious occasion. We are sure, though, that we can say of Peter as has been written of the Prophet Joseph when he, too, saw the Savior,
"O what rapture filled his bosom,For he saw the living God."
"O what rapture filled his bosom,For he saw the living God."
On Sea of Tiberias.
Several days after this, Peter and six other disciples were back on the sea of Tiberias, fishing. They were in Galilee, evidently waiting to meet the Lord there as He had promised. One evening, as if Peter had almost despaired of waiting, he said to the others,
"I'm going a fishing."
"We also go with thee," said they.
They entered into a boat immediately, and let down their nets. They toiled all night, and caught nothing, just as some of them had done on a memorable occasion several months before.
As morning dawned, they saw a man standing on the shore, but in the distance, they could not tell who he was. Suddenly the man cried,
"Sirs, have ye any meat?"
"No," was their reply.
Many Fish Caught.
"Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find," said the man.
They did so, and caught so many fish that they could scarcely draw in the net.
John, whose loving eyes were made more keen by a loving heart, rushed to Peter's side and whispered, "It is the Lord."
Instantly, Peter knew John spoke the truth, and man of action that he was, he put on his fisherman's coat, plunged into the sea, and hastened to the feet of his Master. The others came in the little ship, dragging the net of fishes.
Jesus had already started a fire, and' was cooking them something to eat. After the greetings, He said, "Bring of the fish which ye have now caught."
Peter was the leader in going to the net and in drawing it to the land. While the fish were cooking, the disciples counted the number caught, and found that in that one draught there were one hundred and fifty-three: "and for all there were so many, yet was the net not broken."
Peter a Shepherd of Christ's Fold.
Jesus had shown them where to catch the fish, He had started the fire on which to cook them, and now "He taketh the bread and giveth them and the fish likewise." Surely these little incidents would tend to impress them with the truth that if they "would seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness all else will be added." At any rate, this is the lesson taught on that great occasion: The apostles were not now to spend their lives seeking the things which perish, but in searching for souls that will endure throughout all eternity. Many are now together in the fold of Christ, and the shepherd is called away. Henceforward Peter and his associates must be the keepers of this flock.
When they had broken their fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"
"Yea, Lord," answered Peter, "Thou knowest that I love Thee."
"Feed my lambs." That is, Take care of the little ones in my Church. Do not let them go astray in paths that will lead them to sin and misery.
He saith unto him again the second time,
"Simon, son of Jonas lovest thou me?"
"Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee."
"Feed my sheep." Keep the older ones together and give them the words of life as thou hast received them from me.
A third time Jesus said,
"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"
And Peter, somewhat grieved, answered, "Lord, thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee."
"Feed my sheep."
Duty First.
And then the Savior admonished Peter not always to follow his own inclinations, and impulsive nature; but ever to do his duty as the Shepherd of the Fold. When Peter was young, and did not have the knowledge and responsibility he now possessed, he could go fishing, and make money, or study, or do whatever he wished, but now he must attend to his duties in the Kingdom of God no matter what might come to him personally in doing so. Even though Peter's duty led to the cross, the Savior said, "Follow me."
While this conversation was going on, Jesus and Peter were walking alone a little ahead of the others. Peter turned, and saw John following close to them.
"Lord," said Peter, "what is John to do?"
"If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee, follow thou me." As much as to say, Just attend faithfully to your duty, Peter, teach others to do the same, and all will be well.
This is the last recorded word of Christ to Peter; but he was present of course when the Savior gave His final charge to the Twelve.[1]
From this time Peter's zeal in the Work of the Ministry was constant, and his boldness unsubdued.
1. Mark 16:16
A TRUE LEADER AND VALIANT DEFENDER
"The reward of one's duty done is the power to do another."
With a knowledge that Jesus Christ was his Savior, that he was happiest when he did what his Lord wanted him to do, and that when he did wrong or yielded to the influence of evil men, he was miserable, Peter, began his great mission as chief apostle and president of the Twelve.
In Jerusalem.
In accordance with the Savior's command "that they should not depart from Jerusalem" until they received the Holy Ghost, for some time after the Lord's ascension, made his home in the Holy City. Here he and James and John, and others of the Eleven, frequently met in an upper room, perhaps the same room in which Jesus had eaten the Passover with His disciples. With them were Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and some other women.
A New Apostle Chosen.
On one of these occasions, there were present one hundred and twenty people, "all engaged in prayer and supplication." Peter arose in their midst and said it was necessary to choose a man who had been faithful in following the Savior to take the place of the traitor, Judas, in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. There were two names suggested, Joseph called Barsabas, and Matthias. Knowing that the Lord should choose the men who were to be His special witnesses, they prayed, saying, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show whither of these two Thou hast chosen." Then they "gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
The Holy Ghost.
Before nine o'clock in the morning, ten days after the Saviors' ascension, and fifty days after the Passover associated with the crucifixion, the apostles held a memorable meeting. As they sat "with one acord in one place" "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." Thus came the baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost as Christ had promised. The Comforter about which their Master had so often spoken had at length come to them, to guide and to inspire them as Jesus had done in person.
The Gift of Tongues.
Immediately a wonderful manifestation took place. Though nearly all the apostles were Galileans and spoke the same language, yet when they began to bear testimony of Christ and His Gospel, they "began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance."
That a remarkable thing had occurred was soon noised about the city, and people in great numbers gathered around the apostles. In the crowd were Jews from many nations who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. These spoke the language of the country from which they came. Imagine their amazement when every one heard the Gospel preached in his own tongue!
"Are not theses men who speak Galileans?" they asked. "Yes," was the answer.
"Then how hear we every man in his own tongue, wherein we were born?"
As the apostles, one after another, told of the salvation of man through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, some of the people were amazed, and some amused, but all were perplexed.
"What does this mean?" asked some.
"They act as though they are drunken," said others.
Then Peter arose, and, in mighty power, addressed the multitude. "Ye men of Judea," he began, "and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem; be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Peter's Address.
"For these are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
"But this is what was spoken by the Prophet Joel."[1]
Undoubtedly only a small part of Peter's address is given to us; but as we read his inspired words, and partake of the fearlessness with which he told the Jews that they had crucified the Christ, we readily become convinced that the weakness he manifested about a month and a half before, has been replaced by the strength of the man of God. Then he stammered and swore, "I know not the man;"now, he declared, "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof, we are all witnesses."
His Fearlessness.
With all the courage of his convictions, and with the power of the Holy Ghost, he added: "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
As they heard of the wickedness in crucifying the Christ and of many other sins, they desired to get forgiveness for what they had done, and cried out to Peter—and the other apostles,
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
"What Shall We Do?"
In Peter's answer, we see the open door through which all must pass who desire to be saved in the Kingdom of God:
"Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Then those who believed what Peter had said, were baptized; and the little band of one hundred and twenty grew that day to three thousand one hundred and twenty. And every day thereafter, many others became converted, and joined the Church.
The General Meeting Place.
About three o'clock one afternoon Peter and John were going up to the Temple to pray. Here they came every day to meet in one accord with the saints, and then visit "from house to house; breaking bread." Thus the Temple seems to have been the general meeting place for the first followers of the Redeemer. It was His house, and there they liked to gather to worship. The main entrance to the Temple was by way of "Solomon's Porch" through a gate that was called "The beautiful Gate." Here gathered all the poor people—the blind, the lame, the weak, and those who were diseased—who lived by asking alms from those who came to the Temple.
An Appeal.
On this particular afternoon, one of these made his piteous appeal to Peter and John. He was a man forty years old, but he had never taken a step in his life. Friends would carry him there in the morning, and then carry him home at night. In answer to his request for money, Peter said, "Look on us."
The Answer.
While the man was wondering how much money the apostles would give him, Peter added, "Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have, give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Taking him by the right hand, Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
The man was so happy that he went into the Temple leaping and praising God for the great miracle that had come into his life.
Again the people were "filled with wonder and amazement," and gathered in great numbers in "Solomon's Porch" staring at Peter and John, wondering what kind of men they were.
Another Powerful Address.
Here Peter gave another great address in which he said that this man was healed through faith in the name of Jesus Christ "whom God hath glorified, whom ye delivered up and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
"But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."[2]
1. Read the entire address as recorded in Acts 2:14-37.
2. Read Acts 3:2-26.
PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED
"As no good is done, or spoken, or thought by any man without the assistance of God, * * * so there is no evil done, or spoken, or thought without the assistance of the devil."
Peter Interrupted.
While Peter was still preaching to the thousands assembled in "Solomon's Porch," he saw approaching from the castle near the Temple, the captain of the guard and his band.
The Jewish priests had become jealous, and suspicious of the apostles, and looked with alarm at the thousands of people joining the Church. So they decided to call out the soldiers, disperse the multitude, and arrest Peter and John as the men responsible for all the excitement. However, about five thousand of the people were converted that afternoon.
Imprisoned.
So the soldiers "laid hands on them," and put them in jail, "For it was now eventide," and, therefore, too late to take them to trial. Though they were shut up in close cells, yet their spirits were free and their consciences clear. They could sleep more peacefully than the priest who had caused their arrest.
Before the Sanhedrin.
In the morning, the prisoners were taken to the Sanhedrin where sat Annas, the high priest and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and relatives of the high priest. These men had condemned Jesus, perhaps in this very room, and they were determined that the preaching in the name of Jesus of Nazareth must cease.
Others were present that morning, and among them true friends to the apostles. One of these was the lame man, who had been healed.
Curiosity and Amazement.
As he was the innocent cause of the multitude's gathering the previous evening, everybody seemed to be even more interested in him than in the prisoners. He was carried, they knew, only twenty-four hours ago, to the temple gate, and now they see him walking firmly through the crowd to get near the apostles.
"By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" demanded one of the judges.
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them. Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
"If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Peter Testifies of Christ.
"Be it known unto you all, and unto all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole."
How those sinful men must have quailed as they beheld Peter's dignity, felt his sincerity, and listened to the flashing words that pierced their guilty souls!
He told them further that they could get no salvation unless they, too, took upon themselves the name of Christ: "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
What could the priests say? What could they do?
Nothing.
Enemies Confounded.
There stood the man sound and whole, who had been helpless for forty years!
There stood Peter boldly proclaiming that the miracle was wrought in the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom they had condemned to death.
They considered Peter unlearned, but he had confounded them all.
Counsel.
After ordering the prisoners to be taken into another room, they said among themselves:
"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 cannot deny it."
So, in order that the doctrine the apostles were preaching would spread no further, they concluded to threaten Peter and John, and command them not to speak to any man in "this name."
So they called the prisoners back and said in effect; "You must never more speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus."
Better to Obey God Than Man.
Said the apostles, "Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
No doubt these priests would have punished the apostles then, if they had not been afraid of the people, all of whom "Glorified God for that which was done."
When they were let go, Peter and John went "to their own company," and told their friends all that had happened. When they heard it, the saints united in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings unto them.[1]
At this meeting there was another mighty manifestation of the Holy Ghost, "and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Unconverted.
But these leaders had to contend not only with enemies outside the Church but with the scheming, dishonest people who stole their way into the fold. There were men and women who had not repented of their sins before they were baptized; so they did not receive the Holy Ghost.
Two of these were Ananias and his wife Sapphira.
Everybody who joined the Church had everything in common. Those who had land and other property sold it and brought the money to the apostles. There were no rich and no poor—all had everything that anybody else had, and everyone possessed what belonged to all.
Two Deceivers.
Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession; but they brought only part of the money, and said it was all. Thus they told a falsehood, and showed themselves to be among the worst people in the world; for,
The Lie Detected.
"Who dares think one thing,And another tell,My soul detests him,As the gates of hell."
"Who dares think one thing,And another tell,My soul detests him,As the gates of hell."
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter detected the lie, and said to Ananias,
"Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"
"Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
A Severe Punishment.
"Thou hast not lied unto me, but unto God."
"And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost."
About three hours later, his wife came in, and told the same story as her husband. She, too, received a divine rebuke, and paid the penalty of her sin by giving up her life.
After that, no one dare try to deceive the apostles in giving gifts to the Church.
This is a good lesson for all to keep in mind today especially when paying tithing to the Lord.
1. See Acts 4:23-31.