The reading for today is Acts 4:1-22 (in Bible or the ESV translation below).
Read slowly and look for 1 or 2 things that really stand out from this text. Meditate on those truths.
Read slowly and look for 1 or 2 things that really stand out from this text. Meditate on those truths.
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
What stands out to you in this passage of Scripture?
I really like how when Paul states in verse 12 that there is no other name under heaven....it really seems to shut them up like there was nothing they could say to deny the power of the name of Jesus. I don't understand at the end why they talk about the age of this man that was healed the significance of 40?
ReplyDeleteYes! There is no denying the power of the name of Jesus! I think the significance of his age is that he was crippled from birth and was so severely handicapped that that people had to carry him to the temple courts daily to beg...so he was in this state for more than 40 years...but with one prayer he was miraculously made well! People were rightly praising God because they were amazed at such a miracle. I don't think there is any underlying significance to the number 40 --- just that he had been this way for sooo long. How amazing it would have been to see him leap for joy after more than 40 years of disability!
DeleteI find it amazing on how quickly and how much of an impact the message that John and Peter were telling had on those that heard, 5,000 men is no small number! It is really telling of how the Holy Spirit was moving through them! I also find it interesting how in verse 13, it is mentioned about how Peter and John were simple and uneducated and yet they had such boldness and a presence that is was obvious they had been with Jesus that they couldn't oppose them. It makes me think of Moses and how God can take people that may not be well spoken or educated but through Him they are able to bring thousands to Christ or lead nations!
ReplyDeleteI love the verse you mentioned: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that THESE MEN HAD BEEN WITH JESUS." You are so right...it is not about how well spoken or educated a person is... If we abide in Him, His power will work through us for His purposes! I am constantly amazed by how much God can use even 1 person surrendered to Him/His will/His purposes...seeking FIRST the Kingdom. How I want to grow in this submission to the Lord!
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