Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 5:12-13 (New Living Translation)

12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them.

Miracles everyday. Inspiration from the good news of salvation everyday. People meeting everyday, well believers meeting everyday. Those meeting were held in high regard by all the community because of the righteous nature of their lives.

Yet, no on else—no non-believers—dared to join them.

I can speculate all day about why no one else came by and stayed for a while to listen. Later sentences tell us that people were added to the believers every day. Someone was listening or joining or visiting or something. Still, we are told here that no one dared to join them.

Fear is powerful. The unknown brings a strong form of fear. Perhaps that was it. Perhaps it was that simple. Here was something new and something that no one could explain. The ill were healed if the shadow of Peter fell on them. That is crazy. No one could explain that.

What is keeping non-believers from stopping by and spending a little time with believers? I should learn. I should remove the barriers. We should not have a church where no one else dared to join.