003. Peter and John Get in Trouble for Healing in Jesus’ Name

Peter and John Get in Trouble for Healing in Jesus’ Name
About 5 minutes, from Acts 3:1-17; 4:1-21

Participants (No need to memorize lines; the aim is to relive sacred events, not to perform)
Â Â Peter
Â Â John
Â Â Beggar
Â Â Priest
Â Â PrompterÂ Â Â Â Â Shout a brief line and Echoes repeat it.
Â Â EchoesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Children and all adults who want to take part. Echoes need no script.

Peter	John, it’s dangerous for us to come here to the temple to pray, but I feel that God wants us to do it.
John	I think so too, Peter. Well, here we are. I hope we do not run into more trouble. Oh! Here is that same poor beggar.
Beggar	Alms, Gentlemen! I beg you! I’ve been lame from birth. Please!
Peter	Look at us! We have no silver or gold, but what we have, we give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, be healed!
Prompter & Echoes	Stand and walk!
John	Look, Peter, all at once his feet and ankles grew strong!
Beggar	Look! I am standing! Oh! I can walk!
Peter	He’s entering the temple with us, leaping and praising God.
Beggar	Look out! Those priests look angry!
Priest	We priests cannot allow this! Those men say they healed that beggar in the name of the Nazarene. Now, look at his friends come running! We cannot allow such disturbance by those rebels, especially not here in God’s holy temple!
John	Peter, the beggar’s friends are amazed at seeing him walk. The priests also knew him. Look. They are glaring at us.
Beggar	This means trouble.
Peter	Why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power we made this man walk?
Prompter & Echoes	Who made him walk?
John	The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has glorified his servant Jesus. He’s the one whom you disowned when Pilate wanted to release him. You put to death the Prince of life but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses. The name of Jesus has strengthened this man.
Priest	Captain of the Guard! Come quickly! These rebels are disturbing the people again. Against our orders, they claim that the Nazarene rose from the dead.
John	They jail Peter and me, but many who hear us believe. The next day, the high priest and his officers question us, and the healed man comes.
Beggar	Peter and John, I will stand with you.
Priest	By what power have you two lawbreakers done this healing?
Peter	Rulers of Israel, we are on trial for helping this man who was sick. Know that by the name of Jesus Christ whom you crucified but God raised from the dead this man stands before you healthy.
Prompter & Echoes	Amazing!
Priest	These men are uneducated, but they have been with Jesus.
Beggar	Look, my brothers, the rulers are debating about what to do with you.
Priest	All Jerusalem knows a notable miracle happened through these men. We cannot deny it, but we can keep it from spreading further. â€œ Peter and John, you will speak no longer in the name of Jesus.
Peter	Is it right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God? How can we deny what we have seen and heard?
Beggar	Let’s all obey the Holy One of Israel.
Prompter & Echoes	Obey God above all!
Beggar	The priests threaten Peter and John, but they let them go free because of the crowd of people. Look! They are all glorifying God for what happened.
Peter	John and I gather with the disciples who rejoice. We pray and the room is shaken. The Holy Spirit fills us all, and we go and boldly spread the word about Jesus.
Prompter & Echoes	Share the good news!