Peter and John had been arrested by the religious leaders because they preached about Jesus Christ in the temple. Now leading up to their arrest, Peter and John had commanded to be healed in the Name of Jesus Christ, a man who had been lamed from birth. The people were amazed at the miracle which had occurred as the man entered the temple, leaping and praising God. And as the people gathered around Peter and John, they saw this as an opportunity to tell people about the power in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:4-26).
What I like about this story is that, the disciples didn’t see the amazement from the people as an opportunity to gloat or to take the glory for themselves. They used it as an opportunity to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be ready when God has done great things through us, to tell people about the power of Jesus Christ. The disciples’ arrest did not create any fear or intimidation in them. In fact they spoke with even greater boldness because the source of their power and strength was not external but internal.
Peter and John were full of the Holy Spirit and proclaimed that salvation comes through no other name but Jesus. The religious leaders were concerned that they spoke about Jesus Christ. These were the same leaders who caused Jesus to be crucified. So imagine how distressed they must have been to learn that this could not stop the spread of his fame. They were too worried about the response from the people who were amazed by the miracle, to do any harm to Peter and John. So they warned them not to speak any more in the name of Jesus. Peter does not concede and then the warnings turned to threats. (Acts 4:1-22)
Peter and John went and reported to their friends and other believers what happened in the temple. Their response is to pray and to ask God for even greater boldness. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” So powerful were their prayers that the foundations of the house where they prayed was shaken and they were full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31).
I pray that in this season, God will continue to shake the foundations of our homes, schools and places of work. That we will be full of boldness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to speak of the power in his name.
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 