Beloved, I am pleased to share with you today on the above topic from Acts 4:7-8. Indeed, such a powerful work cannot fail to provoke Satan’s opposition. His instruments are known to us: Anne, Caiaphas, the priests, the elders and the scribes, in short the main responsible for the condemnation of the Lord.
For by sparing the disciples, they would have confessed to having been unjust in making the Master die. Pride prevents them from doing so, and they persevere in their hatred against the name of Jesus. He himself now becomes the touchstone par excellence: for some the “main stone of the angle, chosen, precious,” for others “a stumbling stone and a rock of scandal” (1 P 2:1-8). Indeed, “There is no salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven which has been given among men, by which we were to be saved.”
For when they saw the assurance of Peter and John, they were astonished, knowing that they were men of the people without education; and they recognized them for having been with Jesus. But as they saw there near them the man who had been healed, they had nothing to reply. They ordered them out of the Sanhedrin, and they deliberated among themselves, saying, what shall we do to these men?
For it is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that a reported miracle was performed by them, and we cannot deny it. But so that the matter does not spread further among the people, let us defend them with threats to speak to anyone in this name from now on.
And having called them, they absolutely forbed them to speak and teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered them: Judge whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God; for we cannot fail to speak of what we have seen and heard. They made new threats to them, and released them, not knowing how to punish them, because of the people, because all glorified God for what had happened.
For the man who had been the object of this miraculous healing was over forty years old. After being released, they went to theirs, and told all that the chief priests and elders had told them. They prayed (Acts 6:1-4; Acts 12:5-12; Acts 14:21-23).
Indeed, the disciples are recognized for having been with Jesus. But if we usually live in the lord’s communion, it will be noticed. But all the opposition of the leaders of the Jews cannot stop the action of the gospel, nor can it close the mouths of the apostles. For they have received from God Himself their call and their mission. And the Word is in them “like a devouring fire” (Jer 20:9).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Divine inspiration, examples:
-the seventy elders: Nb 11:25 The Lord descended into the cloud, and spoke to Moses; he took from the spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy elders. And as soon as the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied; but they did not continue.
-Balaam: Nb 23:5 The Lord put words in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and you will speak like this. (Nb 23:12 He answered, and said, Shall I not be careful to say what the Lord puts in my mouth?)
David: 2 S 23:2 The spirit of jehovah speaks through me, and his word is on my tongue.
Micah: 1 Er 22:14 Micah answered: The Lord is alive! I will announce what the Lord will tell me.
-Zechariah: 2 Ch 24:20 Zechariah, son of the priest Jehojada, was clothed with the spirit of God; he came before the people and said, “Thus saith God: Why do you transgress the commandments of Jehovah? You will not prosper; for you have forsaken the Lord, and he will abandon you.
Jeremiah: Jer 1:9-10 Then the Lord stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, Behold, I put my words in your mouth. 10 Look, I set you today on the nations and on the kingdoms, that you may tear up and slaughter, that you may ruin and destroy, that you may build and plant.
Ezekiel: Ez 3:17 Son of man, I establish you as a sentinel on the house of Israel. Thou shady the word that came out of my mouth, and warn them from me. (Ez 11:5; Mi 3.8)
- Health Restoration:
Mt 9:22 Jesus turned around, and said, seeing her, “Take courage, my daughter, your faith has healed you. And this woman was healed at the very moment. Mt 14:36 They be asked him to allow them only to touch the edge of his garment. And all those who touched him were healed. Mt 15:28 Then Jesus said to her: Woman, your faith is great; let it be done to you as you wish. And, at this very hour, his daughter was healed. Lk 7:10 Back home, the people sent by the centurn found the servant who had been sick healed. Lek 8:49-50 As he still spoke, someone came from the head of the synagogue who said: Your daughter is dead; does not bother the master. 50 But Jesus, having heard this, said to the head of the synagogue: Fear not, only believe, and she will be saved. Jn 7:23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be violated, why do you irritate against me that I healed an entire man on the Sabbath? Acts 4:9-10 since we are being asked today about a blessing best best for a sick man, that we may say how he was healed, 10 know it all, and let all the people of Israel know it! It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, and that God rose from the dead, it is through him that this man presents himself in full health before you. Acts 9:34 Peter said to him: Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up, and arrange your bed. And immediately he stood up.
- Spirit-filled men:
Lk 1:15 For he will be great before the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor intoxicating liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb of his mother; Luke 4:1 Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness; Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to express themselves. Acts 4:8:31 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: Leaders of the people, and elders of Israel, 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled trembled; they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they confidently proclaimed the word of God. Acts 7:55 But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, and staring at heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a fairly large crowd joined the Lord. Acts 13:9, 52 Then Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said: 52 while the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
- Honoring Christ:
Mk 11:8 Many people spread their clothes on the way, and others branches they cut in the fields. Lk 4:15 He taught in the synagogues, and He was glorified by all. Lk 19:35 And they brought to Jesus the donkey, on which they threw their clothes, and made Jesus ascend. Jn 12:13 took branches of palm trees, and went before him, shouting: Hosanna! Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel! Rev 5:13 And all the creatures that are in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and all that is there, I heard them saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the lamb, be praise, honor, glory, and strength, in the centuries of the centuries!
- Name of Christ, powerful when evoked in prayer and service:
Lk 24:47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem. Jn 14:13 and whatever you ask in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (Jn 15:16 It was not you who chose me; but I chose you, and I established you, that you may go, and bear fruit, and that your fruit may remain, that what you may ask of the Father in my name, he may give to you. Jn 16:26 On this day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will pray to the Father for you); Jn 20:31 But these things were written so that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you would have life in His name. Acts 3:6,16 Then Peter said to him: I have neither silver nor gold; but what I have, I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk. 16 It is by faith in his name that his name has strengthened the one you see and know; it was faith in him that gave this man this complete healing, in the presence of all of you. Acts 16:18 She did this for several days. Tired Paul turned around, and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And he went out on time. Eph 5:20 continually give thanks for all things to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
From all of the above, we note that Peter and John are set free and threatened, for the accusers are embarrassed and astonished by the effects of the Holy Spirit. Instead of deliberating on what to do, the disciples use their common resource: prayer, and they recognize in the revolt of the Jews and nations against God and his “holy servant Jesus” the partial fulfillment of scripture. For this boldness has nothing in common with the carnal energy that once pushed Peter forward and abandoned him the next moment. But the disciples get it in response to their prayer. Let us imitate them, when we feel that we lack courage. Let us therefore strive to realize its spirit by putting aside our selfishness and seizing every opportunity to dedicate ourselves to our brothers and sisters. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow about “Ananias and Sapphira or the Temptation of the Holy Spirit.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty Lord.