DCLM Daily Manna 25 August 2022
KEY VERSE: “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go , stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” – (Acts 5:19,20).
TEXT: Acts 5:12-42 (KJV)
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
In his book “Fire on the mountains”, Raymond Davies tells the story of three missionaries in the early 1940s, who went to Wallamo province in South West Ethiopia. Having spent about three years to learn the local language, they were able to translate the gospel of John to it. After they were forced to flee by the Italians, five years later, one of them was permitted to return. He found that there was a huge Christian movement in Wallamo Province. Those Christians who read that gospel of John believed it and went about preaching the gospel with great signs and wonders following.
The disciples of Jesus Christ had been faithfully carrying out the mandate of the great commission with its attendant miracles, signs and wonders, that even the shadow of Peter was healing people and multitudes of believers were added to the church. The Jews, moved with envy, arrested and imprisoned the apostles. But the angel of the Lord went and opened the prison, and told them to go to the temple and continue the work of the gospel. They were finally brought from the temple and questioned why they continued preaching despite the warning not to do so. To this, they replied that they would rather obey God than man. They were beaten before they were allowed to go. Yet, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ, in the temple and in every house (verse 42).
Like the saints of old, present-day believers, despite persecutions, should diligently continue the unfinished task of turning men from their sins to the Saviour.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don’t let the unfinished task stop or die with you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nahum 1 – 3
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Continuing the Unfinished Task – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 25 August 2022
