“By what power or in whose name did you do this thing?”
Caiaphas’ words cut into the air in a semi-accusatory tone. He and several of the council had brought Peter and John in for questioning. They had decided that it was better to be prudent than rash—an interrogation of the leaders rather than general arrests.
Peter looked at the men who had condemned his Lord only weeks before.
“Well?” pressed Zichri. “The high priest asked you a question.”
Peter looked at Caiaphas and then the others.
“You are asking us if we performed an act of kindness in Israel?” said Peter. “Yes, we did. But it was nothing in ourselves that caused this man to be healed.”
Caiaphas looked at the others with disturbed countenance. He knew where this was headed.
“Know this,” Peter continued. “It is by the name and power of the man Jesus whom you crucified that this man is healed! And not only that—He brings salvation as well because there is no other name in Heaven given among men by which we might be saved!”
“He speaks blasphemy!” blurted Zichri.
“Hold your tongue,” cautioned Alexander.
Caiaphas turned to his priests and then back again to Peter and John, who were seated in the room, a guard on either side of them. He motioned to someone at the door, who nodded and exited, reemerging moments later with the man who had been healed. The man looked nervous until he saw Peter and John. He smiled at them.
“This is the man who was healed?” Caiaphas asked Peter.
Peter looked at the man and nodded. “The Lord healed this man.”
Caiaphas withdrew with his group to the far side of the room. It was obvious that the man was healed—he had been afflicted since birth. They could not deny that something miraculous had occurred. But perhaps they could now put an end to it. Even miracles have a way of dying down in the hearts of men over time. Caiaphas approached the two men.
“It is apparent that the Lord has indeed healed this man,” he said. “And now we will release you with this warning: stop speaking in the name of this Jesus, or something much worse will befall you!”
Peter could only shake his head. “Is it better to obey God or men?” he asked. “How can we not speak in the name by which we have been commanded to speak?”
“Nevertheless, stop speaking in that name!”
The guards escorted Peter and John out of the high priest’s council room. The men watched in silence as they left. Zichri was not convinced that they had accomplished anything useful. He believed that threats backed up with action was all that would work with these hard-hearted Jews.
“They’ll be back, my lord,” Zichri said, breaking the quiet. “The lash and the cross is all those men understand.”
Caiaphas looked at the priests. “Perhaps,” he agreed, troubled with the prospect of putting down yet another religious obstacle. “But for now they have the favor of the people, and we must move slowly.”
Zichri smiled. “Then we are in a good place,” he said. “The favor of these people is no favor.”
Chronicles of the Host
Growing Community
Perhaps the favor of humans is no favor—but the favor of the Most High is everything. And so it was that the young Church, as it was coming to be called, enjoyed a time of God’s favor. The Host watched as for the first time ever, humans actually lived in splendid community with one another and in the power of the Spirit of God! They held things in common, withholding nothing from someone in need so that none suffered among their group.
As far as giving went, it was a glorious witness to one another and to the world as people came willingly and laid their offerings down at the feet of the leaders—called apostles. All was accepted and distributed as needed—and all was well…
“Look at them all,” sneered Kara. “Such devotion to one another is sickening.”
Kara was joined by Pellecus and Rugio. They were waiting for Lucifer. The three of them watched as the apostles gave a widow some much needed money to buy food. She thanked them profusely, and they sent her on her way. The fledgling Church had established itself in several houses or small inns owned by sympathizers in Jerusalem. At one such inn they were now distributing goods and money to people in need.
“I always thought that the Most High’s tendency to give it all away would get the better of His people,” said Kara. “He gave away Heaven; now He gives away earth!”
“These people are seduced by His Spirit,” agreed Rugio. “Forgive them, Father; they know not what they do!” he said mockingly.
They all laughed.
“Unfortunately they do know what they are doing,” said Pellecus. “And it is dangerous to us.”
“How so?” asked Rugio, whose thinking up to now had been how he might bring the building down upon the leaders and kill them at once. “Let them give away their bits of food. It is Peter and John that I hunger for!”
“Don’t we all?” Kara asked wryly.
Laughter.
“Don’t you understand, Rugio?” asked Pellecus. “Do you see what is happening down there? They are growing in numbers; they are adding to their disgraceful group. And worst of all they are doing so in the power and authority of the name of Jesus.”
Kara made a face. “I hate that name!” he said.
“I’m afraid that it is a name they are taking to more and more,” said Pellecus, looking at an old man being given a bundle of clothing. “When spoken casually it means nothing; but when spoken with the force of belief…”
“It means everything,” came the voice of Lucifer.
Kara shot a glance at Lucifer and then glanced about nervously.
“Your hatred is well placed, Kara,” said Lucifer, glancing down at the community of believers. “But hatred alone will not serve us.”
They moved down to the street level, where people rushed by to talk with this or that apostle, or to give to the cause, or to receive goods as needed. Many angels who kept watch on the young Church shifted their attention to Lucifer and his leaders. As other holy angels began arriving, it was apparent that they had sent for reinforcements just in case Lucifer might try something. Lucifer noticed the increasing number of angels filtering in and laughed.
“Do they really think I am in position to do something at this moment?” he asked incredulously. “Stupid angels. Come; let’s talk.”
The angels who made up Lucifer’s leadership core moved to a position overlooking the city. They could still see angels streaming in and out of the area. Lucifer paced, silently mulling the situation over in his mind.
“Was it not from here that Jesus lamented over the city?” he asked.
“Yes, my prince,” said Pellecus. “He would rather take them under His wings like a mother hen and her chicks—or so He said.”
“Some chicks,” sneered Kara. “They certainly turned on the mother hen!”
“And so they shall again,” said Lucifer.
They all looked at him. He scanned the horizon in the direction of Jerusalem, hundreds of yards away.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” he began, mocking Jesus. “You who kill the prophets…” He laughed and added, “And churches.”
“What do you mean?” asked Pellecus, curious as to what Lucifer might be thinking.
“Community is the key to humans,” he began. “It always has been. When the Most High first created humans, His plan was for them to live in community with each other and to worship Him. Remember how the Lord would actually fellowship with Adam? How He consorted with Abraham? How He spoke with Moses? How He loved David? How He affirmed even Peter who denied Him?”
“Yes, lord, and…?” prompted Pellecus.
“It occurs to me that there are two major characteristics that these humans have,” Lucifer continued. “They need community with God and each other, and they love to stray from that community—especially with some encouragement on our part.”
Rugio laughed heartily.
“Consider
the types of people the Most High finds value in,” Lucifer said. “I mean, of the people I just mentioned, one will find murderers, rebels, and faithless failures. Adam disobeyed him; Abraham failed him many times; Moses and David murdered; the list goes on and on. All of them have certain appetites that mislead them.”
“This is not new to us,” said Kara. “Humans have always strayed.”
“And so they shall again,” said Lucifer.
He indicated a married couple who was leaving the area and heading back to their own home. They were obviously people of some means, though not lavishly wealthy. Still they enjoyed giving to the church and were frequent in their visits to the place of collection. The angels watched as the pair bade farewell and disappeared into the crowded street.
“Those two, for instance, have a certain appetite that is wanting exploitation,” said Lucifer. “I have had them watched closely.”
“What, Ananias and Sapphira?” asked Kara. “They are two of the most generous givers in the church.”
“They give,” agreed Lucifer. “But their hearts are vulnerable to greed.”
He looked intently at Kara.
“I suggest you put Servius on it,” Lucifer said. “His avaricious spirit is quite adept at fanning into flames latent and craven appetites.”
Kara smiled and nodded. “I’ll see to it at once.”
Kara vanished.
“It will be interesting, my friends, to see how the Church deals with disturbances from within,” Lucifer said. “As always—whether Eve or Judas—the disturbances that have the greatest impact come from within.”
The trio agreed and disappeared.
Ananias’ house had several rooms—and included a small courtyard where he and his wife enjoyed the cool of the evenings. Since joining the new group of believers they had enjoyed the prospect of giving to the ministry. Ananias’ wealth was derived from some properties he had inherited, and they took pleasure not only in giving away money, but in increasing it whenever possible. This evening as they sat and drank some local wine, Ananias mentioned the sale of a piece of property that they had been trying to dispose of for some time.
Unknown to them, Servius, who had been sent by Kara, was watching the couple and listening to their conversation. Servius’ appearance had taken on a bloated, drooling countenance, as one who is always hungry and never satisfied. Having given himself over to greed since his departure from Heaven, he had become one of Lucifer’s favorites for disseminating a spirit of avarice among humans. He smiled to himself as he listened to Ananias speak. Clearly this man’s heart was not altogether generous. He listened and waited…
“You know, my dear, we have given a good deal to the Lord’s work,” Ananias said, as he sipped the wine. “Such an honor.”
Sapphira nodded in pleasant agreement, looking up at the evening sky.
They both were dressed in soft evening robes, and the cool night air felt very good after a very warm day. Sapphira’s ring clunked against a serving dish as she reached for a piece of fruit. She laughed and held up her hand.
“Do you remember giving me this, my love?” she asked.
“Of course,” Ananias answered. “That was two years ago. I bought it from that Cretan fellow after we sold my father’s land. Beautiful stone.”
“And costly,” she added, tossing a grape into her mouth.
“Very costly,” came a voice in Ananias’ mind. It was Servius.
Ananias sat up a moment.
“To think that so many people are benefiting from your generosity … people who never worked nor really deserved it…”
“We are doing much good with our ministry, are we not?” Ananias asked.
“What?” Sapphira responded. “You mean giving to the poor?”
Ananias stood up. “Well yes, I mean, is it really helping, do you suppose?”
“People who don’t even appreciate the hard work it takes to make money…”
Ananias shifted on his feet uncomfortably. “I mean, do these people—these strangers—really appreciate our efforts?”
Sapphira looked perplexed. “Does that really matter?” she asked. She set down her glass and walked over to her husband. “What is troubling you, my love?” she asked.
Ananias looked at his wife and smiled at her, caressing her cheek. How could she understand what is really in my heart? he thought. And yet…
“Why should a husband deny his wife the things he has worked for? Does not your love for your wife come first…”
Ananias looked about nervously, as if making sure they were quite alone. Sapphira leaned in, curious as to her husband’s strange behavior.
“Listen to me, dearest,” he began, taking her hand. “I desire more than anything to honor the Lord with our giving. And we have grown quite important to the others. But is it foolish to give away so much to so many who might otherwise work for their food?”
He held up his hand to stop Sapphira from interrupting.
“Please, hear me out,” he said. “This land I have just sold and pledged to the church. I think we need to hold back a portion of it and give the rest away. I mean, that would be fair, would it not? We will simply report to them another figure. They will never know, and we will still be giving to the Lord.”
“But my love, why should we do this?”
“I fear troubled days may be ahead,” he said. “What with Rome’s dictates and the unrest in the streets. We need to protect ourselves. Perhaps later on we can give to the church in full measure once more. But for now…”
He looked at Sapphira pleadingly. She placed her fingers on his lips to hush him.
“No more talk,” she said soothingly. “We shall do as you say.”
She looked about her. “And I have so been wanting to expand this courtyard. That will require extra money. Yes. I believe this is the right thing to do.”
“But we must never tell a soul,” Ananias said, lifting his glass once more.
“I shall take this to the grave,” Sapphira said.
Servius laughed. His poison had really taken hold in Ananias’ mind.
“If I know the Most High, you may indeed take it to the grave!” he sneered, walking to the table. Ananias turned around as Servius vanished.
“What a strange chill,” Ananias said, feeling the air with his hand.
“A chill?” Sapphira asked. “Out here?”
“It’s gone now,” he said.
“Ananias! Welcome!”
Several of Kara’s angels watched as Ananias greeted Peter in the courtyard. Servius had done well. Kara beamed with pride. Even Lucifer was in attendance to watch the result of the venom they had introduced. Perhaps now they could get the war back on a more manageable footing.
“Finally, we get action on this,” said Lucifer.
He assumed a lecturing tone as he spoke to the angels crowded around him. They were on a rooftop above the area where the gifts were distributed to those in need. Holy angels also drew near at the appearance of Lucifer at such a place. Before long, many angels—both holy and unholy—filled the air around the building.
“We certainly have attracted attention to ourselves,” sneered Lucifer. “I suppose word has gotten around that Ananias is about to bring a bit of corruption to the Church. Reminds me of Eden!”
They laughed.
“Yes, and recall the result of Eden,” came the voice of Crispin, who arrived with several of his students. “A death sentence for you and your kind!”
“I’m not dead yet, teacher,” said Lucifer. “Nor are any of my kind. But your precious group down there will soon be dead of its own accord.”
“Really,” posed Crispin. “How so?”
“Because I know humans,” Lucifer continued. “Corruption begets corruption. And then it consumes even itself. Mark my words, Crispin. This silly group of Christ followers will soon disperse. Especially once the rot sets in.”
“You are certainly the authority on rot,” agreed Crispin.
His stud
ents snickered.
Suddenly from below every angel sensed a holy intrusion—a visitation by the very Spirit of God. Lucifer and his angels backed off, and the holy angels bowed low. Complete silence overcame them all as Peter, sensing the voice of the Spirit, turned to Ananias. His countenance became one of anger toward the man who was still holding the sum of money he had brought with him.
“What is it, Peter?” asked Ananias nervously.
“Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”
Kara glanced at Lucifer upon the word Satan. Nobody else dared look his way. Lucifer merely looked on and continued listening.
Ananias began to protest, but Peter continued speaking as the Spirit of God gave him instruction in his heart.
“My friend, didn’t the money belong to you before it was sold? You could have done whatever you wanted with it. You could have kept all of it if you wanted. But what is this? What made you think of doing such a thing? Rather than simply keeping what was in your heart to keep, you instead lied to God Himself!”
“But…but…” was all Ananias could manage before he dropped dead at Peter’s feet. The people around Peter gasped. Some men ran to help Ananias, but he was quite dead. Even the angels were astonished at the completeness of God’s judgment.
Peter was teary-eyed as he looked at the crumpled body at his feet.
“Take him,” he said to some young men. “Prepare him and bury him.”
The men picked up the body of Ananias and carried him away. Silently the people looked at Peter, who had fallen to his knees in prayer. They did the same.
Lucifer was livid. Why must the Spirit of God interfere with the freedom of men? Didn’t the Most High create men to choose their actions? Kara remained silent. Some of his angels discreetly vanished. Soon only Kara and Lucifer remained. The holy angels continued in worship of the Most High, as they had been doing since the Spirit’s arrival. Finally Crispin addressed Lucifer: “As you said, Lucifer, corruption begets corruption, and then it consumes even itself.”
Fire and Sword Page 5