The fifth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles records how the disciples of Christ performed many signs and wonders in front of the crowds, with many of the people joining the community of disciples and believing. Unfortunately, when someone is successful, it can provoke jealousy and anger. In this case, the high priest and the Sadducees are the ones who are angry at the disciples.
The disciples are thrown in prison, but the Angel of the Lord sets them free and sends them back to the Temple are to continue their preaching. Often the authorities are so intent on maintaining their power and control over things, that they will do anything to keep the status quo, even commit violence and barbaric acts. I remember as a junior high student in southern California writing a book report on the book The Hiding Place by the Dutch author Corrie ten Boom. I remember being inspired by that book and the movie based upon the book, of how Miss ten Boom, her sister, and elderly father hid Jews in a hidden room in their house in the Netherlands from the Nazis. The hiding place was found out. Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to a concentration camp, where Betsie died. Corrie was released from the camp by some unknown reason. She spent a lot of her life after WWII being a witness for the faith. Corrie ten Boom died back in April of 1983. She once said – “You can never learn that Christ is all you need until Christ is all that you have.”
Sometimes, it witnessing for the faith can threaten the power structures of society. Sometimes the values of our faith can stir up anger and fear and violence. Yet, God will give us the strength to be witnesses to the faith. And that witness will certainly speak to others.
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