Peter

November 9

Acts 5:17-20, 33-42

The unstoppable Church

The apostles met in the Temple area and did many miracles. As more and more people became believers, the high priest and others became very jealous. They arrested the apostles and put them in jail.

But during the night, an angel of the Lord came and opened the jail door. He led the apostles out and told them to go and preach the message of a new life in Christ.

When the chief priests heard that Peter and the apostles were preaching in the Temple area, they arrested them again and wanted to kill them. But Gamaliel, one of the religious teachers said, “Don’t take action against these men. Remember the two leaders, Theudas and Judas, who had crowds of people following them? Both these men were killed and the crowds that followed them scattered. If what these ‘Jesus-followers’ believe is not from God, they will scatter too; however, if it is from God, not even you will be able to stop them!”

Can people stop the Church of Jesus from growing?

Gamaliel used examples of two groups whose members had scattered when their leaders were killed. Jesus had also been killed, but He rose again! And His small group of followers was growing by the day.

Since then, the enemies of Jesus (and even some religious people) have tried to stop the Good News from spreading. They have tried to stop people believing in Jesus by killing them and burning their Bibles. Yet, the Church just keeps growing as more and more people get to know Jesus.

Isn’t it exciting to be part of this Church that has spread all over the world? It just keeps growing, and it will never end!

Verse for today

Jesus said, “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18