The Boldness
Jan5 by justhappeneduponthis
My favourite chapter in the Book of Acts is the fourth. Peter and John have healed the crippled man at the Gate Beautiful and have taken him in hand into the temple after his long, sad absence. The authorities immediately set upon the disciples, demanding that they give an account. The servants of Christ are constrained to tell the truth about the authority of that Name under which they operate.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Six important messages stand out in the chapter:
1. Witnesses to the ministry and work of Jesus will meet with intense persecution and reproach. (v. 26)
2. The equipment of the Holy Spirit will be more than enough to withstand the assault. (v. 19, 20)
3. Jesus provides the only way of salvation. (v. 12)
3. The primary message of the disciples is the resurrection from the dead (v. 2) and this resurrection has as its prototype the glorified resurrected body of Jesus. (v. 10)
4. The preaching of the Gospel will be reinforced by signs and wonders, then and now. (v. 29-31)
5. Servants of Christ will be disposed quickly to share of their means. (v. 34, 35)
My prayer for today’s assemblies would be a realization of verse 33:
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Jan5 by justhappeneduponthis
My favourite chapter in the Book of Acts is the fourth. Peter and John have healed the crippled man at the Gate Beautiful and have taken him in hand into the temple after his long, sad absence. The authorities immediately set upon the disciples, demanding that they give an account. The servants of Christ are constrained to tell the truth about the authority of that Name under which they operate.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Six important messages stand out in the chapter:
1. Witnesses to the ministry and work of Jesus will meet with intense persecution and reproach. (v. 26)
2. The equipment of the Holy Spirit will be more than enough to withstand the assault. (v. 19, 20)
3. Jesus provides the only way of salvation. (v. 12)
3. The primary message of the disciples is the resurrection from the dead (v. 2) and this resurrection has as its prototype the glorified resurrected body of Jesus. (v. 10)
4. The preaching of the Gospel will be reinforced by signs and wonders, then and now. (v. 29-31)
5. Servants of Christ will be disposed quickly to share of their means. (v. 34, 35)
My prayer for today’s assemblies would be a realization of verse 33:
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.