Mark's Story by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

done this?”
    Mark looked at Joses, who raised his brows. The question could not have been more perfect if Peter himself had written it! Peter, his voice ringing out, said, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by which he was made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that this man stands here before you whole by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead. He is, as the Scriptures say, the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
    The authorities looked dumbfounded, scowling, squinting, and shaking their heads. Mark heard one mutter, “Are these not uneducated and untrained men? But what can we say when the man who has been healed stands right there?”
    “Leave us to confer!” the high priest said, and Peter and John and the healed man, along with the crowd, moved away.
    Moments later the rulers called them back in. The high priest cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, that a notable miracle has been done through you is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But we deduce that spreading such further among the people would accomplish no good purpose. Therefore, by the power vested in us, we command you in the name of God not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”
    What? Mark wondered what possible bad thing could come of a miracle of healing.
    Peter said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
    The crowd roared, glorifying God because of the disciples and what they had done. It was clear the rulers were concerned about such support, but the high priest quieted them. “You have our ruling. Now you may go, but you must obey or dire consequences will result.”
    Peter and John were immediately surrounded by the other ten disciples, and many of the other more than a hundred from Galilee, plus Mark and Joses, pressed close. John led them all back to the upper room at Mark’s home, then led them in prayer, saying, “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said, ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’
    “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness we may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
    When they had prayed, the upper room began to shake, and Mark felt power surge through him. He realized that all had experienced the same, and they rose from their knees filled with the Holy Spirit and eager to speak the word of God with boldness. They immediately took to the streets of Jerusalem again and began preaching the Word of God and the salvation of Christ.
    Enthusiastic believers appeared again to support and encourage them, and multitudes more who believed seemed of one heart and one soul. As if they had all thought of it at once—though Mark knew God had put it in their hearts—everyone began to exclaim that nothing they possessed was their own, but that everything they owned should be shared in common.
    Joses said, “Mark, I want to sell my land and give the proceeds to the disciples and their ministry.”
    Mark laughed, wondering if his mother would let him do the