The book “Songs of the Deliverer” tells the story of Christ re-imagined in modern day. The book is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the New Testament. These Reflections are written to highlight the Biblical pericopes featured in the second book of the series, Faith Wins, to be published in 2016.
Referenced in Chapter 7
Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter started to take charge. He stood before the people and pronounced the faith. He walked among the needy and laid hands upon the infirmed. He comforted and he healed. He preached the word of Christ. Through his actions, the Church grew into the thousands.
When arrested because he healed an invalid, he chastised his accusers for their wrong judgments:
“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts of the Apostles 4:10 – 12)
The authorities were astonished at his courage and conviction. How could an illiterate and ordinary man become a leader among the people? Having no recourse, they sought to intimidate Peter into submission by warning him never to preach the word of Christ again. But Peter rebuked them saying:
“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Christ? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19 – 20)
When he was released, he returned to the others. He told them of the threats made against followers of Jesus Christ. In solidarity, the voices of the disciples called out:
“Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. (Acts 4:26)
Now, the believers came to be of one heart, one mind. They testified to the resurrection of Jesus. They tended to the poor as Jesus had commanded. They cared for one another and shared among one another. Though they were weak, they were strong in faith. The rulers of the world tried to stop them. But the apostles would not be stopped, they would not be silenced, they would not quit. They brought the word of Jesus Christ to the people overcoming all opposition and suffering.
And the Church grew.
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