“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John …. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were … proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”
Acts 4:1, 2
As I was thinking about today’s Anchor, I was listening to a musical group singing the song, “I’m Not Ashamed of the Gospel.” How timely as we come to the incredible story of Peter and John, two of God’s ambassadors, while they were teaching about Jesus.
In Acts 3 we read of Peter and John going to the temple to pray when a lame man asks them for money. They offer him what he really needs: Jesus. They help the man up, and he walks with them into the temple court praising God. Chapter 4 begins with opposition from leaders who found this greatly disturbing. The duo are put in jail, later released, and then told to back off from their message. But they won’t do it because “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).
That’s it, friend! What a remarkable claim to hold onto for us who have Jesus in our lives. Peter and John could stand and speak boldly because they “had been with Jesus” (4:13). We too can proclaim Him with confidence because we have His Holy Spirit with us.
In Acts 3 we read of Peter and John going to the temple to pray when a lame man asks them for money. They offer him what he really needs: Jesus. They help the man up, and he walks with them into the temple court praising God. Chapter 4 begins with opposition from leaders who found this greatly disturbing. The duo are put in jail, later released, and then told to back off from their message. But they won’t do it because “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).
That’s it, friend! What a remarkable claim to hold onto for us who have Jesus in our lives. Peter and John could stand and speak boldly because they “had been with Jesus” (4:13). We too can proclaim Him with confidence because we have His Holy Spirit with us.
Scripture Focus
Acts 3:1-10; 4:1-4
Insight
“No one can long worship God in spirit and truth before the obligation to holy service becomes too strong to resist.” (A.W. Tozer, 1897-1963)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 27-28
- Psalm 84
- Acts 5-6