The Power of the People
Rev. O. K. Nkrahene | March 2 2025 | Acts 5:26-32
KEY VERSE: Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. Acts 5:26 (ESV)
MESSAGE: The influence of the people played a significant role in the events surrounding the early Church. In Acts 3, a lame beggar was miraculously healed in the name of Jesus Christ. By Acts 4, the religious leaders had summoned Peter and John for questioning, yet they were careful in their response because, as Acts 4:21 states, "the people were all praising God for what had happened."
This same scenario unfolds in Acts 5:26. When the temple guards went to arrest the apostles, they avoided using force - “for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.” Instead of acknowledging the undeniable signs of God’s power at work, the Jewish leaders, blinded by their own agendas, resisted the truth. Despite their education and religious status, they deliberately ignored the evidence before them.
From both Acts 4:21 and 5:26, we see how the people served as a check against leadership driven by self-interest. This pattern is not new. In Luke 22:1-2, 6, the religious leaders sought to kill Jesus but feared the reaction of the people. However, public influence can also be manipulated, as seen in Acts 17:1-7, where a mob was incited against Paul and Silas, and in Acts 19:32, where many rioted without even knowing why.
Yet, in Acts 4:21 and 5:26, the people acted with clarity. They questioned why their leaders chose to suppress the undeniable truth. As 2 Peter 2:16 reminds us, even a speechless donkey once confronted the madness of a prophet. These passages remind us that when leadership strays due to selfish ambition, it is the responsibility of the people to stand for truth and justice. When silence enables deception, speaking up becomes an act of obedience to God.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Leadership can get it wrong because of selfish reasons. We do not have to allow them to continue. God calls His people to stand for righteousness, ensuring that justice and integrity prevail in every sphere of leadership.
PRAYER:
Lord, grant us the wisdom and courage to uphold righteousness and hold leadership accountable when they stray. May we always stand for truth, even when it is unpopular. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: THE PEOPLE
The Greek word used for "people" in Acts 5:26 is laos (λαός), which refers to a collective group, often used in the New Testament to describe God’s people or the general public.
Throughout Scripture, laos is used to signify both divine intervention and human responsibility. The people rejoiced in Jesus’ miracles (Luke 19:37), but they could also be swayed by misinformation (Acts 19:32). In Acts 5:26, laos serves as a check on the unjust actions of the religious leaders, preventing them from using force against the apostles.
Reflection: The role of the people in shaping society cannot be overlooked. Whether in biblical times or today, standing for truth and justice matters. Are we using our collective voice to uphold righteousness, or are we allowing injustice to thrive?
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