When Did We Stop?

The scripture for this coming Sunday comes from the Book of Acts, which is essentially the story of the birth of the Christian Church and the followers of Jesus shift from being his disciples to the Apostles, the ones who share the faith and build a big family of believers. It’s a good transition for us as we shift from celebrating Jesus’ resurrection to asking ourselves “What’s next?”

Acts 5:27-42
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

As you read this passage, were you struck by how passionate Jesus’ followers were? They were telling everyone in Jerusalem about Jesus and what he taught them even though they had strict orders from the authorities not to. When they were put on trial, they didn’t back down even though they knew it might get them killed. Then when they got a light sentence (just getting tortured, not killed), they went out and kept teaching and proclaiming the Good News. How many Christians do you know that are so obsessed? So here’s the question for you to ponder this week and respond to with comments if you’d like… What has changed that has made us so different from them? Why don’t we behave like that with our faith?