Acts 4 - 09.05.24
SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:5-10 NLT
“The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest.
They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”
Then Peter, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, said to them,
“Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned TODAY because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed?
Let me clearly—state to all of you—and to all the people of Israel—that he was healed— by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified —but—whom God raised from the dead.”
OBSERVATION:
Peter and John have been arrested and thrown in jail because they healed a lame beggar. A man, who pretty much the whole of Jerusalem knew, as he was laid at the same Temple entrance to beg for his entire life.
The next day Peter and John are brought before the Jewish Council. The VERY SAME Leaders and rulers who Pronounced a death sentence to Jesus for the charge of blasphemy-claiming to be God.
Peter-who just a few weeks ago was SO fearful he denied even knowing Jesus 3-times-“being FILLED with the Holy Spirit” Boldly Declares Jesus to BE the Christ [Promised Messiah] and additionally charges these men of the Sanhedrin with HIS crucifixion.
Now that IS Holy Spirit inspired Boldness to BE Christ’s Witness!
“Peter said to them, “then know this…
It is by the name of Jesus Christ , whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:10)
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11 NIV)
APPLICATION:
Holy Spirit Boldness —for Jesus
Peter and John had NO idea when they walked towards the Temple that day for afternoon prayer that they would be Giving a Bold Testimony for Christ that would ADD 2,000 men to their number of believers (adding women would mean the Church was growing now closer to 8,000), AND that their subsequent arrest would provide an opportunity to Share the Gospel before the Sanhedrin giving a Bold Testimony for Christ.
“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.”” (Acts 4:11-12 NIV)
I think one of the most compelling things out of this scripture is that this lame man was laid at this same Temple gate called Beautiful-every day—all his life-and he was over 40 yrs old (vs 22).
Jesus and His disciples would have passed by him many times.
This lame beggar only asked for money.
But Jesus had something SO much better waiting!
The Gate Called Beautiful— in this usage Beautiful comes from the Greek word “hóraios” which isn’t beautiful in terms of its “physical” beauty BUT-
beautiful in timing, the right hour, beautiful fulfillment.
Living Boldly for Jesus-
My takeaway —be Prayed up—at all times-
Ask Jesus—daily—for a Fresh Filling—of His Spirit—
because we never know when God’s Beautiful Gate of Fulfillment will OPEN—
Peter and John were ‘on their way’ to afternoon prayer at the Temple.
As Katie has often shared during Dream Team Meetings, Jesus did MANY of His miracles “along the way” when HE was headed somewhere to DO something else.
“By this we KNOW with confident assurance that we abide in HIM and HE in us, because HE has given to us HIS Holy Spirit.” (1 John 4:13 AMP)
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
HE anointed us, set HIS seal of ownership on us,
and put HIS Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV)
PRAYER:
LORD Jesus,
There is NO God like You. YOU are Loving and Miraculous and Creative in how You Touch People’s Lives-Meeting them right where they are at. Thank You for Calling me out of darkness when I didn’t even know I was living in darkness. Forgive me for all of the wasted years and wasted opportunities. Forgive me for the times I have been distracted. Forgive me for the times I have had my own agenda and not looked to YOU First for Your Way and Your Timing. Help me to hear your voice. Interrupt my plans so I can be used “along the way”.
Thank You that Your Harvest is all around us-every day. Take my blinders off. Give me Your Eyes and Your Heart. FILL me Fresh With Your Spirit for this Day. YOU, Alone know what each day holds. Embolden me by Your Holy Spirit to Step deeper into the water. Here I am Lord, Send Me. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka