Post by Les on Jul 8, 2023 9:36:43 GMT -5
Free in the Spirit By: Mike Wittmer
Click here for the Audio Message
They were unschooled, ordinary men, . . . and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Acts 4:12–22
Neither Orville nor Wilbur Wright had a pilot’s licence. Neither had gone to college. They were bicycle mechanics with a dream and the courage to try to fly. On 17 December, 1903, they took turns piloting their Wright Flyer on four separate flights. The longest lasted only a minute, but it changed our world forever.
Neither Peter nor John had a preaching licence. Neither had gone to Bible college. They were fishermen who, filled with the Spirit of Jesus, courageously proclaimed the good news: “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 4:12).
The Wright brothers’ neighbours didn’t immediately appreciate their accomplishment. Their local newspaper didn’t believe their story, and said that even if true, the flights were too brief to be significant. It took several more years of flying and refining their planes before the public recognised what they had truly done.
The religious leaders didn’t like Peter and John, and they ordered them to stop telling others about Jesus. Peter said, No way. “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (v. 20).
You may not be on the approved list. Perhaps you’re scorned by those who are. No matter. If you have the Spirit of Jesus, you’re free to live boldly for Him!
Reflect & Pray
What task or person causes you to feel inadequate? How might you rely on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to step into that challenge today?
Jesus, I’m Yours. Use me in whatever way You want.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Boldness or courage (two translations of the same Greek word) is portrayed in Acts as a quality of Spirit-filled believers in Jesus. In chapter 4, Peter is described as “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 8) and the religious leaders were astonished with Peter and John’s “courage” (v. 13). In response to the leaders’ threats (vv. 21, 23 ), the apostles met with believers and prayed for God to “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (v. 29). In answer, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (v. 31).
Monica La Rose
Acts 4:12-22
King James Version
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Click here for the Audio Message
They were unschooled, ordinary men, . . . and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Acts 4:12–22
Neither Orville nor Wilbur Wright had a pilot’s licence. Neither had gone to college. They were bicycle mechanics with a dream and the courage to try to fly. On 17 December, 1903, they took turns piloting their Wright Flyer on four separate flights. The longest lasted only a minute, but it changed our world forever.
Neither Peter nor John had a preaching licence. Neither had gone to Bible college. They were fishermen who, filled with the Spirit of Jesus, courageously proclaimed the good news: “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 4:12).
The Wright brothers’ neighbours didn’t immediately appreciate their accomplishment. Their local newspaper didn’t believe their story, and said that even if true, the flights were too brief to be significant. It took several more years of flying and refining their planes before the public recognised what they had truly done.
The religious leaders didn’t like Peter and John, and they ordered them to stop telling others about Jesus. Peter said, No way. “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (v. 20).
You may not be on the approved list. Perhaps you’re scorned by those who are. No matter. If you have the Spirit of Jesus, you’re free to live boldly for Him!
Reflect & Pray
What task or person causes you to feel inadequate? How might you rely on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to step into that challenge today?
Jesus, I’m Yours. Use me in whatever way You want.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Boldness or courage (two translations of the same Greek word) is portrayed in Acts as a quality of Spirit-filled believers in Jesus. In chapter 4, Peter is described as “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 8) and the religious leaders were astonished with Peter and John’s “courage” (v. 13). In response to the leaders’ threats (vv. 21, 23 ), the apostles met with believers and prayed for God to “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (v. 29). In answer, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (v. 31).
Monica La Rose
Acts 4:12-22
King James Version
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.