Acts 5:1-33
There was such boldness and certainty in the message of Jesus and the ways of the kingdom. The witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit experienced the miraculous on a daily basis. The church experienced a holy fear of God that did not paralyze them but rather emboldened them to reach out to more people.
A curious expression is found in verse 13: "No one dared join them." Many believed. Many brought sick to be healed. But joining the ranks of bold witnesses? No one dared join. The number of believers and enthusiastic supporters, however, was growing. Leadership and outspoken public witnesses were still few.
Jealousy and opposition grew as well. From suspicion and questioning to jailing and prosecuting the penalty of death, the religious leaders were intent on stamping out this Jesus movement.
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