Acts 4:5-14 - Boldness in Christ
Scripture:
Acts 4:5-14
5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.
7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,
9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead -- by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
11 "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
NASU
NASU
Thoughts:
This whole scene is amazing, and very dramatic!
Peter and John have been imprisoned for healing a man and for proclaiming the resurrection in Jesus (Acts 4:2). Now, they are standing before the most powerful men in Judaism (verses 5-6) being questioned, and yet, they are not intimidated! But boldly speak of Jesus, even challenging their captors (verses 8-12).
As a result, their judges are dumbfounded, and can only take note that these men had been with Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for my timidity. For being intimidated to speak of You before powerful people. Even people not so powerful in the world, but that perhaps just intimidate me with their personality.
Please forgive me and change me. Give me the willingness to speak. I thank You for times I have spoken, but let me be willing all the time. Always ready to speak when You ask me to.
Forgive me for caring more about my own comfort than Your will. For being selfish, not selfless. For loving this world, and my place in it.
Amen
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