Month: February 2023

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

It is His Holy Spirit who empowers us to speak His words.  Peter and John were so conscious of God’s work that was happening through them and they were full of the power of His Holy Spirit speaking and witnessing Christ through them.  Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Apostles were so full assurance as to who they were and to their witness.  I John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— (2) the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— (3) that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

The purpose of their witness was that those who were impacted through them should have the fullness of joy or experience the Shalom of God.  I John 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

What is the substance of our witness? 

It is His Holy Spirit who enables us to be His witnesses and we witness His resurrection power operating in us.  Romans 8:10-11 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Our witness is not by words alone but it is by power.  What is the power that we are witnessing?  We are witnessing the resurrection of Jesus in us, which His Holy Spirit makes into a reality in us.  

This work of His Holy Spirit operating in our mortal flesh is the reality of His righteousness that we witness to the world. Romans 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  We, therefore, witness the righteousness of God revealed in mortal flesh through His Holy Spirit.  We cannot be made righteous by our flesh but this is possible only in His Holy Spirit and this is our witness.  

Constantly, we are witnesses of His resurrection.  The Apostles affirmed this repeatedly. Acts 2:32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. / Acts 3:15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. / Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

This witnessing in the power of His Holy Spirit, causes people to turn to Christ.  Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. / Acts 4:4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Not only is there the impact of people turning to Christ, but this witnessing in the power of His Holy Spirit also raises many others to be witnesses.  

Luke, the beloved physician, who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, was impacted by the powerful witness of the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, in the lives of many others.  He in turn raised many others, including Theophilus, to be a witness to the resurrection of Jesus.  

Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, (2) just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, (3) it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, (4) that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed._

May the Lord make us just like Peter and John, who were so full of the confidence of their witness.   It was not about them but His Holy Spirit who was witnessing through them the resurrection of Jesus.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Co09v4CTD6arCXOySq4bH5Z4SB3KSR3Q/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Peter and John could not but speak of Jesus.  This was because they were the children of God.  As His children, they were led by His Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

In being filled and led by the Spirit of God, they did and spoke as they were led by His Holy Spirit.  Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It was the Acts of His Holy Spirit in the life of the Apostles. They were compelled and driven by His Holy Spirit. Acts 18:5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

For all of us as His people, ought to have the same testimony as that of the Psalmist. II Samuel 23:1-2 Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: (2) “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.

Our tongue must be yielded to God so that the Holy Spirit can always communicate His message through our tongue.  We must ask the Lord to so bless us that we can continuously yield our tongues to His Holy Spirit.  

Imagine, if this would happen among us in His church.  Imagine the change in our conversation, our responses, our reactions, the views that we present and our sharing with one another.  The change would be so dramatic and phenomenal that all of us will experience God’s wonderful presence and ways amongst us.  

It is very important not to resist God when He chooses us and assigns us the task to speak. Jeremiah 1:5-7 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (6) Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” (7) But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

When the Lord places His message and His words we must obey.  Let us not look at our limitations.  The Lord does call us to speak but when we stay adamant and do not become God’s instruments to speak what He has given for us to speak, then the Lord will pass us by and choose another person to do His bidding.  

When we are led by His Holy Spirit and we speak out God’s word in every situation, let us be warned that there will be opposition to God’s word through us.  The Lord has promised that those who oppose us shall not prevail against us, for He is with us.  Jeremiah 1:17-19 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, Lest I dismay you before them. (18) For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land—Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. (19) They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.”

Jeremiah the prophet could not hold back God’s words which God had placed in His heart.  Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

We must know that when we speak out the words God has put in our hearts to speak, there is great strength in His words. Micah 3:8 But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin.

Let us with boldness, speak the message that God has given us to speak as His church for our times.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ceg91iHwhUf4odOR7L8EV1_uC7XqS57n/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Peter and John’s position was very clear.  Their life had no meaning or relevance without Christ.  He was their all in all.  There was no option for negotiation here.  

What is our life?  Is not our life all about our walk with God?  We do not come to God to meet our ends.  We come to Him for without Him we can do nothing. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

We do not juggle between doing our will and the will of God.  Our life is entirely to fulfil His will. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28 *for in Him we live and move and have our being*, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

God is our habitat.  Our breath and our sustenance are in God. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Our relationship with God is a breath-to-breath relationship with God.  We are in constant breath-to-breath communion with God. 

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

God has shown us what He requires of us.  Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? We walk in humility with God in doing so we become those who live justly and with mercy.  These are a part of us.  

The Lord has set before us life and death. Deuteronomy 30:15-18 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, (16) in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. (17) But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, (18) I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.

The leaders of this world may threaten us and may also take our lives as they have done in several cases.  What is our stand on these matters?  Our answer to all those who are against us is simply this, our life is in Christ.  II Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Though we live in this world, our eyes are not on the things of this world but are on our eternal abode with God. We are not permanent here.  Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  

Therefore, we await and prepare ourselves for our eternal habitation with God.  Till this time, we declare the love of Jesus to people that they should not perish but have eternal life. Hebrews 11:10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Since we as His people are receiving an eternal kingdom, we serve God here on earth with freedom, reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (29) For our God is a consuming fire.

Let this be the singular voice of His church.  Our life is in Christ.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CYBcZf_2fjSVgDQxCwYyKjFBx1CTD7mx/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

The leaders had stated their final position and it seemed as though it was the end of the road for witnessing to Christ.  This is where we see an amazing declaration by Peter and John.

This is the Biblical basis for the church in responding to the threats, punishments and laws that are being passed to put an end to the witnessing to the name of Jesus. 

Peter and John were speaking with leaders who knew the law, so, Peter and John could call on the God of Moses, as the basis for their response to the decree.  These leaders could relate to the statement of Peter and John. 

In our circumstances, we may not have the privilege that Peter and John had.  Our audiences could be those who completely negate anything to do with the God of heaven and earth.  Yet, this is the basis on which we must respond to those who intend to act violently against our witness.  We take our stand on the God of heaven and earth, whether our audiences acknowledge Him or they do not. 

I Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

In this matter of fullness of life, of which God alone is the source, we must make our audiences know that we will obey God.  Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.  This must be the unified voice of His church. 

Right through the Bible, we see examples of God’s people who took a stand on issues and made their audience know that they will speak only what the Lord has given them to speak.  In doing so, they had to undergo much suffering. The suffering did not deter these people of God. 

I Kings 22:13-14 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” (14) And Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did not fear for their lives but they took their stand and made it known to Emperor Nebuchadnezzar that they would not bow to his golden image. Daniel 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

The emperor was furious and had the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.  Then these three young men were thrown into the blazing furnace but what took place? 

Daniel 3:24-26 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” (25) “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (26) Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.

The Lord honoured the faith of these three men.  They were saved from the fire and they were also elevated in their rank in the government service. 

As we look at history we also know that it has not always been that when we take a stand for Jesus that matters will turn in our favour.  We know that many of God’s people who took a stand and refused to obey the authorities in not witnessing for Christ have had to lay down their lives. 

Hebrews 11:32-38 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:(33) who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (35) Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. (36) Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— (38) of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Let us be encouraged that we are one with those who are the heroes of faith in Jesus.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CLbZc1OALn_yzpGVbEsG7HWSB5NsQxFR/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:15-18 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, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

The leaders were concerned that the message of Jesus should not spread further among the people. The leaders thought that this was only a human idea that could be stamped out. They were of the view that if they sufficiently threatened and punished the disciples of Jesus, then the message of Jesus would not spread.  

The leaders did not realise the power of the Gospel of Jesus. *It is impossible to contain the Gospel.* The Gospel is not just head knowledge, but *the Gospel so affects us that the Gospel cannot be separated from us*.  

When the Gospel reached Thessalonica through Apostle Paul and the team, we see the way the Gospel spread throughout the entire region.  

I Thessalonians 1:5-8 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (6) And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. (8) For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

The Gospel came, not only by words but by power and in the Holy Spirit and in great confidence. The Gospel could not be separated from the lives of those who went to Thessalonica to share the Gospel. The Gospel spread to every place.  

When the leaders of the world do their very best to stop the spread of the Gospel they are left shocked, for the Gospel cannot be separated from the lives of those who are impacted by it.  

What is it that happens in a person, because of the Gospel that makes the Gospel inseparable from the person?

It is the life of Christ that manifests from the person’s life. The life of Christ is displayed in the fruit of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of grace and He makes it possible for a person who earlier lived a self-centred life to now become fully concerned for the well-being of others.  

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

These are the graces that are demonstrated in the life of a person transformed by the Gospel. By these attributes, a person transformed by the Gospel becomes a blessing to others. This then is infectious and those impacted are also drawn to the Gospel. Thus, there is the spread of the Gospel.  

There can be no law that can be passed that prevents the beautiful qualities of the Holy Spirit to be displayed in a person. The leaders could pass a law saying that there should be no speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus but they could not pass a law preventing the display of the character of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples of Jesus.  

This is what we as His church must be assured. The leaders of the world cannot stop the spread of the Gospel because we are a part of the Gospel and the Gospel, is a part of us. Even if they put us to death, they cannot stop the spread of the Gospel. All of Jesus’ disciples, except for John, were martyred and the church has been established all over the world.  

A beautiful example of the impact of the Gospel in a person’s life is the life of Zacchaeus. He was an evil man who was selfish. Look at what happened to him because of the Gospel.  

Luke 19:8-10 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (9) And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; (10) for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

This is God’s purpose in the life of each person through His Gospel. The devil’s agenda is to destroy lives. Whereas, the Gospel is about abundant life. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The Gospel will spread, whatever the world may do to His church.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CGkuXoSvrQWXmtXRqm-CkUkM8VkdTqxn/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:15-18 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, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Though this was considered as a finality to the whole matter of witnessing in the name of Jesus, did the work of the Gospel stop?  Has the growth of His kingdom been curtailed over time?  It has not. 

Yes, leaders and governments must be respected and their laws must be obeyed.  Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. As we read this passage till the 7th verse, we see that Scripture has instructed us to be subject to the governing authorities, for they are God’s ministers for the good of the people. 

Yet, when it comes to the matter of witnessing to Christ and bringing people to faith in Jesus, we must obey God.

Why is this so? 

This is because governments and authorities are only responsible for the things pertaining to this life but the matter of eternity and relationship with God is beyond the purview of rulers, authorities, and governments. 

Unless a person receives Christ into his life as Lord, that person will perish.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This is why we must share the good news with a world that is perishing without surrendering to God. 

Therefore, though the leaders took an extreme position, passing a law, preventing the teaching, or preaching in the name of Jesus, the disciples continued to witness the name of Jesus. Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

They were arrested again but the Lord encouraged them to continue to teach and preach in the name of Jesus.  Acts 5:19-20 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, (20) “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

Yet again the leaders reiterated their final position that there should be no teaching or preaching in the name of Jesus.  Act 5:40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The witnessing did not stop but continued. 

What took place then and what has been taking place all through the centuries is the fulfilment of what the Lord told His disciples.  Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This was the great commission that the Lord gave His disciples, which is being fulfilled.  Luke 24:46-49 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And you are witnesses of these things. (49) Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

As His disciples did then, let us also praise the Lord that we are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C4R2jwgQYG22blotpFcKCSRRNjyRn6Vo/view?usp=share_link