The Sadducees (traditionalist religious leaders who do not believe in "new fangled" things like the Resurrection) get the Temple
The religious leaders ask Peter and John where they get their authority. They are speaking of earthly authority as in, "Who told you that you could work our space (the
Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and makes yet another speech. He quotes scripture to the religious leaders in n attempt to get them to see the truth. The religious leaders are impressed with Peter's knowledge of scripture and courage and where pretty impressed, especially with the healed man next to them. It was hard to argue with success even though they wanted to squash this new movement. It threatened the status quo. They told Peter and John to stop.
Peter asked them to look at the fruit (changed lives and healed people) and ask if this really is something you should stop. Obviously, God must approve. They go on that they can't help themselves but teach Jesus and heal. The religious authorities don't get it. They only get their little world. They threaten them and let Peter and John go. How far would you have to be threatened before you would not talk about Jesus and not go to church?
Peter and John return to their friends and offer a prayer to God for God's guiding hand in history and ask for more boldness and power to heal. Healing can be in body, mind, spirit or emotions. God emboldens them. Would you pray for more trouble?
Again we hear of the good stewardship (asset management) of the Church especially in sharing what God has given them. Do you think what you have is God's to share or yours to hoard? No one was needy among this group because of sharing.
Barnabas (who we will meet later) sells property in order to give money to the apostles to use as they see fit.
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