The Sanhedrin try to silence the apostles
Bible Accent: Who were the apostles?
Saint for Today: St. Galdinus
Puzzle
The Sanhedrin try to silence the apostles
Because of the signs, wonders and miracles of healing that were being performed by the apostles, many people came to believe in Jesus Christ, but the high priest and the Sadducees were jealous of the popularity of the apostles so they had them arrested and thrown in jail.
While the men were in their jail cells, an angel of the Lord came to them during the night and unlocked the doors. As the angel freed the apostles he said to them, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” The apostles obeyed the Lord’s instructions and went to the temple early the next morning to teach about Jesus.
Not knowing what had happened, the high priest called a meeting of the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent court officers to bring the apostles in front of them. The officers returned with a report for the high priest. “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
While the high priests and the Sadducees were wondering what to do next, another man came with a new report. “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.” The priests sent the court officers to find the apostles and bring them to the court, but without violence because they were afraid that would anger the people of Israel.
When the apostles were in front of them the high priest said, “We gave you strict orders (did we not) to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Peter, who was one of the apostles there, said, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”
This made the members of the Sanhedrin so angry they wanted to have the apostles sentenced to death, but Gamaliel, one of their own, told the Sanhedrin to be careful because the men were protected by God.
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
Acts 5
Q&A 1. Who let the apostles out of jail?
2. Who did Peter say he would obey?
Bible Accent: Who were the apostles?
An apostle is a person who is sent out to deliver a message or follow the instructions of his or her leader. In the Bible this refers to the first men who were chosen by Jesus to be his closest followers and later to minister to the world after Jesus had ascended into heaven. The four Gospels tell us how the apostles were with Jesus throughout his ministry. These men were with Jesus when he performed miracles, when he preached, and when he dined with them for the last time before his death and resurrection. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles tells the stories of the first apostles and some of the important early Christians. The conversion and missionary work of Paul is an important part of this book, and some of the letters he wrote are included in the New Testament.
Saint for Today: St. Galdinus
Galdinus (1100-1176) was born into an important Italian family, and he became both a chancellor and an archdeacon in Milan. In those positions he earned the respect of the people of the city and the other members of the clergy because of the way he served during a very difficult time. In 1165 he rose to the office of cardinal, and one year later he was appointed archbishop after the death of Archbishop Hubert. As archbishop he reached out to help the poor who were in need, but he also tried to re-establish discipline among the clergy, who had become weak after years of conflict within the church. Galdinus often preached against false doctrines and actually died while giving a particularly strong sermon on the topic. We honor him on April 18.
Puzzle
