Adventure Story

Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. 

So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, "What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name."

So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, "Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened. (Acts 4:13-21)

I admit previously I never focused on daily readings.  Sunday readings always have been my focus.  Moreover, I’ve never been too interested in the Acts of the Apostles.  Even when reading an excerpt, I never thought much about what it had to say to me and to those hearing my words.  However, I am now awake and paying attention perhaps due in part to the Word On Fire Bible that covers Acts in great detail with commentary.  

For example, “The Acts of the Apostles is an adventure story.  It is full of miracles and great bravery.  It is a collection of convicting speeches and a travelogue of the Mediterranean world. It a book about the earliest Church, and it is a timeless source of encouragement for believers and nonbelievers alike.” 

However, although well written and informative, Bishop Barron’s’ Word On Fire commentary on Acts 2:36-42 (pages 48-50), for example, misses the mark, in my opinion.  He doesn’t give enough attention to the nasty diatribes against Jews who did not believe Jesus was the Christ.  

Moreover, Barron notes: “Preaching that leaves the divinity of Jesus aside or in the shadows is, therefore, not apostolic preaching.”  True.  Consequently, the divine Jesus must have been and still is pretty disturbed about the way his fellow Jews, then and now, were and still are treated by those who call him the Christ, that is, by so-called Christians displaying antisemitic behavior.  

Deacon David Pierce