Acts 5: 20 -The Full Message of This New Life!
Acts 4:1 Peter and John addressed people, priests and police instructing that the resurrection from the dead was done! The Sadducees threw them in jail for the proclamation but it was too late. 5,000 already believed. Staggering numbers.
Peter and John had to face the music in the morning---anybody who was anybody in Jerusalem was at the meeting. Most important, the Holy Spirit was there. And Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose. "Do you love Me, Peter?" still rings in my mind. Peter has nothing to hide anymore. Do you know this Jesus, Peter? Whoa. Yes, He is the One you killed on a Cross and so did I. Acts 4:13 makes me weep: Peter and John stood so confident, so sure of themselves! I've felt like second-rate most of my life. If ever I should feel that way according to my circumstances it would be now. However, I'm not that person anymore---my story no longer defines me. I stand confidently weeping before a Mighty God Who is always good and a daunting world that hasn't been too good to me lately. I am sure of myself. Falling Forward. Sure of what I deeply believe! Convinced of some things I'll bank my life on even though I have million miles to go---I'm not putting myself in the same league with these Christ follower. But I am standing!
The Sadducees threatened the duo. Their answer in Acts 4:20: "Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there's no question—we can't keep quiet about what we've seen and heard." Whether it's Jerusalem then or today: "Earth's leaders push for position, Potentates meet for summit talks. The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!"
O Mighty God, Acts 5:30, "Give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the Name of your holy servant Jesus...and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence." Acts 5:33 And Grace was on all of them.
Frightened fledgling fishermen who now stand in fearless frightening faith. How did that happen? The Holy Spirit came on them. And the disciples were overjoyed that they were given the honor to be dishonored for His Name (5:42). Come, O Spirit of God!
Yes, dear Bev, you are indeed standing and giving Him the glory and honor and praise. How I praise Him for you and for your story. You have blessed my life over and over with your words and your testimony. Blessings on your day of worship today and on your life as you get ready to embark on your wonderful trip,
ReplyDelete"Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer:"
ReplyDeleteActs...powerful works of God showing the impotence of religion and the lightning bolt power of the name of Jesus Christ. It was Christ's name that healed, that set captives free, that empowered everyday men and women.
May His Spirit come through the screen of our computers as we read His Message.
Blessings to each of you on this Lord's Day.
Acts 4:12 - Through the work of the apostles, many God-signs were set up among the people, many wonderful things done. They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon.
ReplyDeleteOur churches today need the harmony of the Holy Spirit. How effective is my church? How effective am I? Blessings this Lord's Day. May He find you in His House meeting regularly with Him.
Post for November 15
ReplyDeleteActs 7:8"Then he made a covenant with him and signed it in Abraham's flesh by circumcision. When Abraham had his son Isaac, within eight days he reproduced the sign of circumcision in him. Isaac became father of Jacob, and Jacob father of twelve 'fathers,' each faithfully passing on the covenant sign.
Just a thought.....Being a female, I never really thought too much about the idea of circumcision. In this passage it appears to be sort of a "God Tattoo". It makes more sense to me now, an irrerevesible sign of obedience and devotion to God for not only the fathers but as a sign of sacrifice for their sons as well.