Before the Council

The elders, scribes, met in Jerusalem With Caiaphas and Annas, priests as well. When Peter, John arrived, were asked to tell The power used or name declared by them, Then Peter, with the Holy Spirit filled, Said, “If we are to be examined here, The means by which this man was healed are clear: The name of Jesus Christ, the man you killed.” This Jesus is the stone that was refused; He is the one whom God raised from the dead. Salvation comes through no other name said, So let’s be clear, let no one be confused. Now, when they saw the boldness of these two, These common and uneducated men, Astonishment arose among them then, These followers of Christ, the man they slew. The priests in private met, “A much famed sign Was clearly seen; this cannot be denied. So that the news does not spread far and wide, We’ll threaten them: that they must now decline To further speak to any in this name.” And so they called them in, gave stern advice: You are enjoined; don’t use the name of Christ To teach, to heal, or otherwise inflame.” “We find your judgment borders on absurd: Obeying you, not listening to God. But even if you find our reason flawed, Still, we must speak of what we’ve seen and heard.” The crowd, on hearing, lifted shouts of praise; The two, released, went boldly on their way. (from Acts 4) ---------- (This one was a bit of a slugfest. The rhyme for the stanzas is abba, with a concluding couplet. Some come easier than others; this was not one of those.)