INTERRIGATION TIME

     Have you ever been interrogated? To interrogate is to ask questions of a person, sometimes to seek answers or information regarding where abouts, or personal information or some secret. Imagine my surprise working on a puppet story when one of the puppets decided to interrogate me? That's right, he wanted to interrogate me. I know there have been a lot of weird things happening in Pupperville but I never imagined I was going to be a suspect.

     It all happened the other day when Robert Grey sneaked up on me, “Ahem!” he said as he cleared his throat. “Uhm, Hello, Mr Grey.” I said, How are you doing today?” “I'm not sure yet?” He responded, “I’m just getting started.” “What are you starting?” I asked. “An investigation and you are first on my interrogation list.” Robert said making me wonder what he was really up to.

     Deciding to play along with him, I asked “What did I do?” “Do you or do you not write all of these puppet stories?” he demanded of me. “Well, yeah,” I said, “A somebody has to do it.” “GUILTY!!” he screamed, “You’re the one who is responsible for all the things happening in Pupperville.”

     “Excuse me?” I said “You’re the one who messed up Harold’s room,” Robert shot back at me, “And your the one that painted green graffiti on the church building, changed the sermon, stole the money...” “Stop right there!” I said interrupting him. “Do you have any proof?” “Didn’t you just admit to writing these stories?” he asked. “Yes,” I admitted, “but writing about something doesn’t mean you did it.”

     “It doesn’t?” Robert said scratching his head, “Are you sure?” “You don’t think newspaper writers did all the things they write about do you?” I tossed back at him. “I guess not.” Robert said a bit discouraged, “There goes that theory down the drain.”

     “Is this investigation a result of the town meeting that John called together.” I asked. “Sure is.” Robert said, “Sure is. We had a pretty long meeting the other day and we learned that everybody in Pupperville has been affected by some kind of weird happenings.” “Did you figure out who's doing it all?” I asked “Not yet.” Robert said “But we have some ideas and we figure if we all work together we might figure it out and than be able to stop it.”

     “Well, I hope you figure t out soon.” I told him and he readily agreed and then with a big grin on his face he said to me. “Now to go interrogate my next victim.” and then he disappeared leaving me to wonder if my puppets had come to life or if I had been dreaming.

     A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

Acts 2:43-47 (NLT)

     The church had been growing and all was going well, yet, after awhile problems arose, legitimate problems and while the problems were not weird problems like Pupperville has been experiencing, they were still problems that needed answers.

     One of the problems the early church had was hungry widows. In Acts 6:1-7 we read - But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. "We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program," they said. "Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business.Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word." This idea pleased the whole group, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (a Gentile convert to the Jewish faith, who had now become a Christian). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. God's message was preached in ever-widening circles. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. (NLT)

     Another problem was related to what laws should be obeyed. This can be found in Acts 15:1-23 - While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the Christians: "Unless you keep the ancient Jewish custom of circumcision taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." Paul and Barnabas, disagreeing with them, argued forcefully and at length. Finally, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone's joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted. When they arrived in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported on what God had been doing through their ministry. But then some of the men who had been Pharisees before their conversion stood up and declared that all Gentile converts must be circumcised and be required to follow the law of Moses. So the apostles and church elders got together to decide this question. … we should write to them and tell them to abstain from eating meat sacrificed to idols, from sexual immorality, and from consuming blood or eating the meat of strangled animals. (NLT)

     In both situations, the apostles came together to solve the issues at hand. Both time the answers were agreeable. We don't need to solve problems alone. In Pupperville they got together as a town council and put a plan in to place. Working together, getting wise council is a Biblical idea. Here are some verses to remember.

• Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, (NASB)
• Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. (NASB)
• Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. (NASB)

     From Nehemiah we can learn that Working together gets work done. - Nehemiah 4:16-17 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. (NASB)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you take the time to get council from others?
• Are you willing to work with others to get things done?