David Bahn – Reflections

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Maybe you never struggle with doubt. It’s all clear and decided in your heart and mind. You have heard God’s word. You have learned about Jesus. You believe. Doubt is not an issue. For me and many, however, doubt creeps up on us at the oddest times. I’m praying and I wonder, “Does this really make a difference?” I’m thinking about creation – the millions of stars and galaxies, black holes, and the expanse of the universe – and I wonder, “How did God make all this?” Or worse, “Did God really make all this?”

A more thoughtful and reflective consideration of these doubts and I am happy to say that the doubts recede to the dark abode of Satan where they belong. I believe! Help my unbelief, O God!

Worse than those niggling doubts are the outright false teachings and heterodoxy that some propose. Whether it’s the idea that there is no resurrection (the Sadducees), or those who will allow religion but not Jesus, these are at play here.

Today it’s the preposterous idea that there are to be only 144,000 people in heaven, or a man named Joseph Smith looked into his hat and translated golden plates into the book of Mormon. Others hold to the idea that all religions lead to the same god: Jesus isn’t necessary at best, or at worst, a deceiver or a misguided prophet.

And now that Pride Month is over can we not just celebrate Humility Month? I think not. So many ways to disbelieve – all way beyond doubt. Against that Peter speaks boldly, reminding the people then and there and us today that Jesus died, rose from the dead, and is at work in people’s lives. “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (v. 11-12).

I do sometimes doubt. Many people choose their own reasons not to believe. But the fundamental reality of Jesus’ love, God’s grace, and the blessings of fellowship with the redeemed centers my heart and calms my soul. This I believe without a doubt.