02-01-11 (Day 1) Acts 4:1-13

Day 1

The passage I read was Acts 4:1-13

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+4:1-13&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Peter and John were speaking to people about the resurrection of the dead in Jesus.  They were arrested by the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees for this.  Thankfully, many that heard believed.  The next day as they were questioned “By what power or what name did you do this?”, Peter replied, “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel:  It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  Jesus is ‘The stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  The men were astonished at the response.

As I reflect:

The fact that the Sadducees, the priests, and the captain of the temple guard didn’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ didn’t A – change the fact that Jesus did rise and did empower through His Holy Spirit and B – matter to Peter and John.  I look at their response and wonder if I would be so bold given the same situation.  Not only bold, but so faithful to the mission that they would even use this as an opportunity to further proclaim the Lord Jesus for Salvation even unto those whose earthly authority would allow them to greatly punish these men.  I believe that, like Daniel, these men know that they are under direct authority from God and they thus do not fear men’s abilities.  Here they were standing before those of the Sanhedrin who recently also crucified Jesus and at some point they must have thought that these men could very well do the same thing to them.  They just didn’t care.  There was no kissing butts to their calling.  They fully trusted God and they were devoted to doing as they ought. I also see that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit yet again here before the Sanhedrin and it was that very Holy Spirit that prompted such boldness and brought from Peter’s mouth the right words for this very moment.  This reminds me of Matthew 10 when Jesus warned the Disciples to be on guard against men that will hand them over to local councils and flog them.  He says this, “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “ Matthew 10:18-20

Here we see that played out exactly.  And so it is also with us.  Then the men marveled because they realized the men were uneducated.  They were just Galilean fishermen but they did have one essential qualification to be so bold in their ministry… They had been with Jesus.  And so this also is with us.  We have been given the Holy Spirit as believers today and we should be as bold to stand before our accusers and continue the same ministry to them that they hold us accused for in this world.  Know ye that the Lord has authority over all the earth and we answer to Him.  Who can harm us if the Lord wants not harm to come to us?  Who can stop us from His service if we are faithful in serving for the right motive? 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I praise you for the wonders I see in history and for the wonders I still see today.  I praise you even for what has not yet been done because You alone are worthy.  Lord, that you hold the power to put boldness into men and speak through your servants, is exciting and I anticipate with joy that you will use me by your Holy Spirit to speak boldly as well should I ever stand accused for you.  Peter and John were bold because they had once walked with your Son.  Father, I walk with your Son still and I pray for such boldness that I would share your Gospel in the same manner as these two men I have read about.  Empower me in your will Lord that I may more boldly serve you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.