Fire and Sword (5 page)

“He is quoting Joel? Interesting.”

As Peter spoke, a group of Pharisees, led by Zichri, one of Jesus’ harshest critics, moved in to listen. He was accompanied by Shallah, his aide, and several other priests of the Pharisees.

“An unlearned man like that teaching from Joel,” said Shallah. “Absurd.”

“Common fisherman,” chimed in another.

Zichri looked around at the gathering crowd. The people were actually listening to this man—just as they had when Jesus spoke. He didn’t like this. “Stupid, unwashed people! Why are they so easily captivated?” he cursed.

“His master once called us a brood of vipers,” Zichri continued, looking at Peter. “But it was He who was the snake, poisoning the people with His teaching. I never intended Him harm. What we did to Jesus was for the good of the nation. And now His followers continue spewing the same venom.”

“It seems, lord, that cutting the head off the snake failed to kill it,” said Shallah. The others nodded in agreement.

“Yes, it appears that this viper has more than one head. At least for now.” Zichri turned to Shallah. “Alert the Temple guard that we may have some trouble. And make sure the Sanhedrin hear of this as well. A brood of vipers is best killed when it is still in the nest.”

Shallah nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

“And now let us see if the disciple of the blasphemer is himself guilty of blasphemy.” Zichri smiled at the others. “Viper begets viper.”

“Listen to what Joel the prophet had to say: ‘In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy! You, young men—you will see visions; and old men, you will dream great dreams.’ And the Lord has not forgotten the women either—the Lord will pour His Spirit on both men and women!”

“On the women?” cried a voice. “My woman prophesies enough!”

Some laughed at the interruption, but most hushed the man.

“Let him speak!”

“I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,” Peter continued. “With blood and fire and billows of smoke. Even the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord—the day of the Lord as foretold by so many of our prophets! And hear me now—everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

“Saved?” said one.

“Saved from what?” asked another.

“Perhaps the Romans?” offered another.

“Men of Israel, listen to me! Jesus of Nazareth …”

Upon the words
Jesus of Nazareth,
a low groan went up among the crowd. People suddenly began realizing who this was—
the fisherman. These are the men who followed Jesus!
The crowd began murmuring as a wave of recognition overcame many of them for the first time.
It is Peter! Didn’t he deny Jesus? What is he doing here?

Peter ignored the effect of his words and continued, “Jesus was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. Many of you saw these miracles. Some of you were healed by Jesus. Or fed by Him …”

The people grew quiet as they contemplated the truth of these words. Many in attendance
had
been touched by Jesus in some incredible way—or had witnessed some miracle or other. Certainly Jesus was a man of God.

“Jesus was handed over to you,” Peter continued, “not by His enemies—but through the Father’s plan. With the
help
of His enemies—men who are wicked and filled with hate—He was put to death on a cross!”

Peter pointed toward Calvary as he spoke. Many of the disciples looked in the direction of the bloody hill where Jesus had been executed as a criminal a few weeks before. They turned back to Peter.

“But God raised Him from the dead!”

Upon those words, Zichri was enraged. He began compelling Jews in the audience to shout Peter down.

“Jesus was a criminal!”

“His body was stolen!”

But the people seemed to be with Peter and turned upon the shouters, threatening them if they didn’t stop harassing Peter. Zichri was completely incredulous and turned away, muttering under his breath how foolish Israel was as he pushed his way out of the crowd. His priests followed.

“Yes, I say—He was raised from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. Your priests do not understand this!”

He pointed to Zichri, who had turned to look at Peter upon that charge.

“Even David said about Jesus: ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let your Holy One see decay!’”

Zichri started to rebut the point but thought better of it as he scanned the faces looking at him. He would hold his tongue—at least for now.

“Brothers,” Peter continued, “I can tell you that King David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. Jesus is this descendant of David!”

Many of the crowd turned to Zichri to see what he might answer, but to their surprise, he made no sound. He simply stared coldly at Peter. They turned away from him as Peter continued speaking. A few laughed under their breath. Peter began walking about now, turning so that the many people could see him as he concluded.

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. He is Messiah!”

As Peter spoke, he and his brother could hear the anguished cries of people who were pushing in and asking, “If Jesus was the Messiah and we killed Him, what can we do now?”

The disciples marveled at the power of the truth to convince men’s hearts. Peter tearfully and with great joy shouted:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children…”

He indicated Zichri once more, who was still staring at him with cold eyes.

“And even for all those who are far off!”

The laughter among the crowd enraged Zichri. He had heard all he needed to hear. Satisfied that the evidence for seditious teaching was apparent, he turned from Peter and disappeared into the throng of people. He would have it out with Peter at a more opportune time. The priests followed him.

“Baptize us!” someone shouted.

Then another.

And another.

Peter looked up toward Heaven and blessed the greatness of the Lord. The faces of the people who wanted their lives to be transformed by the risen Christ reminded him of the days when Jesus Himself ministered. Then he recalled what Jesus had said: that they would themselves do even greater things in the name of the Lord when Jesus had left them. What a wonderful time to be alive!

Peter looked to Andrew and the others to organize the people who responded to Peter’s message. As the brothers watched the men heading to the various pools in various parts of the city to be baptized by the disciples, Andrew put his arm around his brother’s shoulder. He stood there for a moment, drinking in the scene. Peter felt a tug on his cloak and looked to his side. A man stood there, bowing and thanking Peter in great tears for his message. It was the drunkard Samuel! Peter hugged the man and, after praying for him, watched him get in the line to be baptized.

“Something marvelous was birthed today,” Andrew said. “Here in Jerusalem, on this Pentecost, the Lord’s work began anew!”

“Yes,” said Peter, smiling at Andrew, “the Lord’s work has begun anew.”

Just then the crowd fell silent at the blast of a ram’s horn that could be heard from the Temple in the distance. Peter turned his head in the direction of the sound.

“And the enemy’s work has begun anew as well.”

Paul’s Cell, Rome, A.D. 67

“It was glorious,” Luke said.

Paul beamed in response, his weak eyes lighting up in the dark cell.

“Well?” Paul pleaded. “What else did you learn about that great day?”

“I have it all here,” Luke said, pointing to his head. “As well as here.” Luke pulled several large sheets of parchment from his bag. They were rolled in several small scrolls wrapped with a soft leather string. “These are my notes for the second account.”

Luke was a few years younger than Paul, though he appeared to be a much younger man. They had become very close friends during the journeys Paul had taken to spread the evangel among the Gentile nations. He had taken great pains to record key events and conversations during the trips he had made. He had also spoken with many eyewitnesses to the events of the early days of what had become the Church. These were the events that he was now reliving with Paul—more than 30 years after they had occurred.

“Here it is,” said Luke, scanning his writing. He read:

“Then those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day!”

“Glory to God!” said Paul, clapping his hands. “What a day!”

Luke nodded and continued reading.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Luke looked up at Paul.

“Those four simple actions became the basis for the meetings—teaching, fellowship, prayer, and communion. And the Lord blessed!”

He continued his reading.

“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. The believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”

Paul shook his head in silent agreement, smiling at the community that was born in God’s heart. The Lord never failed to amaze him. Here it all began. He drank it all in as Luke continued reading about those glorious, early days: how they continued to meet together in the Temple courts, broke bread in their homes, and enjoyed God’s favor and the favor of the people. Most importantly, they were adding to their numbers daily the men and women who believed in the Christ!

“How much more of this must we endure?” asked Rugio. “My lord, I trust your direction in this, but these people are growing in greater and greater numbers like the vermin they are!”

He leaned in and added, “When do we move against them?”

Lucifer smiled at the furor he enjoyed so much in his favorite commander. He sometimes wished the others in his circle were more like him, thinking more with their might than their minds. It made Rugio quite valuable: intensely loyal, ready to act, and asking few questions. Although at this moment he raised a good one.

They were meeting in response to the growing concern among the newly fervent group led by Peter. The blast of the Temple horn could be heard nearby, testimony to the hold of the Most High upon these people. True, something needed to be done, but Lucifer saw no need to panic—at least not yet. Many of his angels clamored for action. He knew he must move against Peter—but in due time. He looked over the council and spoke.