SAUL OPPOSES THE DISCIPLES CHAPTER TWENTY THREE- Page 1

FIFTY DAYS HAD passed since the crucifixion. Passover behind them, thousands of Jewish pilgrim again gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. Instituted in the time of Moses, this festive event was meant to recognize Jehovah's bounty with the first fruits of the harvest, and to be observed, as Moses had said, seven full weeks after the sickle had been put to the corn. Because it followed the Feast of the Passover by fifty days, many Jews who came from distant points of the empire remained in Jerusalem after Passover to celebrate this memorable feast.

The city of Jerusalem had been full of rumor and expectation for forty days following the crucifixion of Jesus. News of the empty tomb had caused an uproar, but this too, had finally subsided. Sightings of Jesus had not been publicly confirmed, being limited to a few of his followers. No official announcement had been made, heralding his ascension to the place of a Messiah. Now Jerusalem was more tranquil than the city had been for many days.

Saul had meanwhile grown hopeful that the resurrection story would die completely away. His attitude toward Esrom and Miriam became tolerable again. Still, he daily warned Caiaphas not to celebrate his victory too soon. He urged that spies be sent out constantly to monitor every rumor of Jesus' disciples and their activity.

Unknown to Saul and the high priest, Jesus had raised the expectations of his followers before he had left them, telling them they would do greater things after he had gone than he had done while with them. Jesus had said they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Many took this to mean that his followers were to carry his words to the world. Jesus told them they would receive the same Spirit that had enabled him to see the sick healed, and to perform the other miracles that had confirmed his word. They would speak with new tongues, he said, and they would lay their hands on the sick and they would recover. But they should not attempt their work until they had received His Spirit, and were told to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given to them.

So it was that 120 who heard Jesus give this command gathered to wait for the promise of the Spirit. And when the Feast of Pentecost was about to commence, something outstanding happened in Jerusalem. It was just past 8 o'clock in the morning. While crowds of pilgrims thronged the streets, and thousands came and went from the Temple, there came a strange sound of wind that could be heard throughout the city. It seemed to be concentrated primarily over the building where the 120 followers of Jesus had been waiting for ten days to receive His Spirit. Those who heard the sound said it was like a mighty rushing wind, and when they neared the place where the disciples had congregated, this wind seemed to be filling the entire house. Then something never before witnessed was seen. Those gathered seemed to be filled with an unusual power, and they were speaking languages they had not formerly learned.

People came running from all directions to observe this strange happening. In the crowd there were people from every part of the empire. They looked on with mixed reactions. Some mocked but more were amazed, and asked, "What does this mean?" Soon the Temple spies had reported to their leaders, and Saul and Caiaphas joined the crowd.

Finally, Peter raised his hand, to signal his desire to speak to the crowd. A hush fell as the curious waited for him to explain why these people were acting in such a strange manner. Peter began, "These are not drunk, seeing it is only 9 o'clock in the morning. What you are witnessing this morning was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Joel. He said, 'In the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Holy Spirit upon all mankind.'" Peter continued speaking, saying the rulers of Jerusalem had crucified Jesus whom God had raised from the dead. He climaxed his message by telling how David had prophesied of Jesus. Peter then declared boldly that Jesus was the promised Messiah and that the people should repent and be baptized, and they, too, could receive the Holy Spirit.
The high priests and elders stood speechless as they witnessed this amazing scene. Peter, a mere Galilean, was speaking with power and eloquence.

Saul was standing near Caiaphas, growing more disturbed with every word. As Peter finished his message, there was a great response from those in the crowd who actually desired to repent of their deeds and be baptized.

"More repentance and baptism?" Saul scoffed.

"I can't believe this," said Caiaphas in distress. "There must be at least a thousand people saying they want to go along with this insanity." As they watched, the numbers continued to grow. Every hour many more joined the ranks asking for baptism, until there were two thousand, and then three thousand. All Jerusalem was talking about it.

"Look," Saul said, pointing across the crowd, "there are even some priests asking for baptism." He turned to the High Priest, his eyes burning with zeal and purpose. "Do you not see the hole in your net, Caiaphas? I told you we must stone the heretics, not make Rome our executioner. Do you begin to see? Even your own priests will not stay in the fold now."

SOME DAYS LATER, Peter and John made their way toward the Temple. It was approaching 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the hour of prayer. A number of Jerusalem believers followed them. Among the followers was Esrom who later reported everything to his wife Miriam.

As they entered the court of the Gentiles and made their way to the foot of the fifteen steps that led up to the court of Israel, the rays of the afternoon sun fell upon this gate made of the finest bronze. The two of them paused to admire the gate called "Beautiful."

All worshippers knew that no one who was maimed could pass beyond that gate. Seated in front of it, and on the steps, was a crowd of unclean and unworthy people. They asked for pity in the form of alms from those worthy of coming to prayer.

Among the beggars a cripple named Dan looked at Peter and John. "Alms, alms please, for one so unworthy. Have pity, I pray you."

Peter responded by saying, "Look on us!"

The beggar Dan raised his head, wondering why this command as he waited expectantly for Peter to give him money.

Peter made no move. He stood perfectly silent with his eyes fixed on him. "Silver and gold have I none," Peter said at last, "but such as I have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise and walk!"

Those on the steps stopped and stared in amazement. Peter reached down and helped the lame man to his feet. A gasp escaped the lips of those observing, and voices cried excitedly, The lame man! Dan, the lame man! He's standing to his feet. He has never stood! Now he is walking. HE IS WALKING!

People came running from all directions to learn the cause of the excitement, and they witnessed Dan, who had been born lame, leaping and dancing and shouting at the top of his voice, "I CAN WALK! I CAN WALK! I CAN RUN! I CAN JUMP!"

Peter and John continued on into the Temple for prayer but Dan would not leave them. He followed, leaping and shouting for joy. His feet and ankle bones had received sudden strength. He was no longer a cripple, he was no longer a beggar. Peter and John had simply said, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

Most of the crowd stood staring in amazement. Then Peter turned to them and said, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Why do you look at us as though by our own power or holiness we made this man to walk? It was faith in the name of Jesus that brought healing to the lame man. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob glorified Jesus in this healing, and fulfilled what had been promised by the prophets."

It was just about 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon when the miracle took place. Esrom hurried home and told Miriam of the exciting news. She asked how long Peter had remained speaking before the high priests and Temple Guards arrived. "They did come, didn't they?" she asked.

"Oh, yes, they came alright. It was quite a scene. The people saw them before Peter and John saw them coming, and you could sense the tension immediately. Peter was aware that there was whispering and pointing, and realized what it meant. Naturally the crowd parted to allow the priests and the guard to get to the disciples, but they seemed more nervous than either Peter or John. Peter was saying that God raised up Jesus from the dead, and there was no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. I am telling you, Miriam, things are changing in Jerusalem. The Temple Guard approached the disciples rather politely. It was not in any way like their attitude when they took Jesus. The entire crowd seemed sympathetic to Peter and John."

"But did they take the disciples away?"

"Yes, they took them."

"Do you know where?"

"To the Tower of Antonia. It is not far from the Temple and the prison in that fortress would naturally be where they would be placed. The crowd dispersed, but I heard one of the priests say that he estimated the number now joining the disciples to be at least an additional five thousand. They will naturally be bringing Peter and John, and probably Dan the lame man, rather the former lame man, before the Sanhedrin in the morning. I will be at the Temple early. They will surely have a hearing in the hall at the Temple premises."

So it was early the next morning Esrom arose. As he came down to breakfast he noticed that Saul had already eaten. He was leaving ahead of him. He suspected that Saul would be at the Temple this morning as well. No doubt he had been informed of the healing and the arrest of Peter and John.

At the Temple, Esrom noticed that many of the elders and teachers had arrived early. Among them was Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus and Gamaliel. Saul emerged from the inner chambers with Annas and his son-in-law Caiaphas. They were in the company of the distinguished Rabbi Johanan ben Laccai, and Alexander Lysimachus, one of the wealthiest Jews in Jerusalem.

When the group had taken their seats the guards brought out the disciples. Caiaphas explained to them that Jesus was a blasphemer, who had been killed for his error. He commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Peter answered, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God you must judge."

John added, "We cannot help speaking what we have seen and heard."

Later, as Esrom was recounting the events of the trial for Miriam and Hulda, Miriam asked if any attempt had been made to punish the disciples?

"No, they really had no grounds for such. One member of the Council pointed to Dan, the lame beggar standing whole before them, and asked, "What can we say against this?'"

"Did you by any chance see Saul at this hearing, Esrom?"

"Yes, he was at the Temple but only to hear the warning given to the disciples. He left with Caiaphas when they departed for his home," Esrom replied.