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Acts 4       English Standard Version (ESV)

Peter and John Before the Council

¹ And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

REFLECTION:

• Peter and John were arrested for healing a cripple in Jesus’ name at the gate of the temple. They were interrogated by priests and officials, and threatened not to speak in Jesus’ name again.  Peter and John boldly replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”(vv19-20)
• Do you have a message that you “cannot help but speak”? Is your message the same as Peter’s – that there is “no other name by which we must be saved”? (v12)
• How has knowing Jesus shaped your character so that people might notice you have “been with Jesus” (v13)?
• Pray that God will grant you the same zeal and passion to share with others what God has done in your life.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, there is a message in my heart that I cannot refrain from sharing, just like Peter did. That is, apart from You, there is no other salvation in heaven and on earth! We are saved by You and belong to You exclusively! You are the strong and handsome bridegroom, and our church is the bride waiting for You, adorned and purified, with a pure heart! Behold, how this bride adores You! If she expresses her deep affection for You to the mountains, the mountains will rejoice like waves; if she confides her longing for You to the stones, the stones will sing like birds. Lord Jesus, please make Your bride steadfast and strong, for she waits for You in difficulties and hardships. Around her, there are all kinds of wild beasts belonging to the devil, and various vanities of the world lure her. Please make our hearts remember only Your sweet smile, and may our eyes see only Your gentle and holy glory. Please change our character so that people can recognize that we belong to You through our words and deeds. Please make us carry a fiery passion and a sea-like patience, and be a beautiful witness for You in the world. We are willing to go through countless spring rains and autumn rains for You, until that day when the wheat waves like golden waves, the pomegranates bear fruit like pearls, and the grapes hang down like agate beads. You will surely welcome Your bride in incomparable glory, and greet us with the most affectionate smile between heaven and earth, Amen!

HYMN:

To God Be The Glory (All For You) – youtu.be/GKOI3cl3EQo