Month: March 2023

We have begun looking at the response of Peter and John to the questioning of the leaders.  Acts 4:9-10 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) let it be known to you all, 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 stands here before you whole.

Peter clarifies the accusation of the leaders, judging them for a good deed done to a helpless man. 

Peter and John saw the lame man, sitting and begging.  Their hearts were moved with concern and compassion for him.  The Lord used them as His instruments and the healing took place. Acts 3:6-8 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (7) And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (8) So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

It was not Peter and John who caused the healing, it was the Lord.  When the healing took place, the lame man went walking, leaping, and praising God into the temple with Peter and John.  This caused no small stir among the people and they gathered on Solomon’s porch.

This was how Peter preached the message of Jesus being raised from the dead and how God has sent Him to bless them, in turning everyone from their iniquities.  Act 3:26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Was any evil committed?  Was there any violence or any social disturbance that was caused?  All that happened was good for everyone.  Yet, the apostles were being judged by the leaders as though a serious evil and crime, against their religion, society, and nation, had been committed.  

This resonates with the accusation and allegation that is being placed against His church, especially in India. We are being charged for all the good deeds that the church has been doing for the people and for the nation over the centuries.  We are being accused that we are causing serious disturbance to the religion, society, culture, and nation.  The charge against the church, being that these ‘good works’ done by His church to people were an inducement and enticement to get people to come to faith in Jesus. 

Let us be certain that we are saved by God to produce good works, just as Peter and John had done.  We will always do good to people, society, and the nation.  This is who we are.  This is what Jesus causes to take place in us when we come into the habitat of God in Christ.

This life of caring for people and doing good works for people is a fruit-bearing life. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

A tree does not consume its own fruit but a tree bears fruit, which is a blessing to others.   In bearing fruit, we are a blessing to the people, society, and nation where God has placed us.  Matthew 10:7-8 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

It is our relationship with Jesus that causes us to be fruit-bearing people. 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.

Jesus has chosen us to be fruit-bearing.  John 15:16 *You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain*, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Fruit bearing is the mandate of a disciple of Jesus.  Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Who are we as the church of Jesus?

The following passage gives us a description of who we are.  Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Peter and John were being judged for a good deed done to a helpless man.  This is the accusation of the world on His church.  Just because the world accuses us, charges us, condemns us, beats us, imprisons and even kills us, will the world be able to stop His church from doing good works to the people, society and nation?  We will not stop, and we cannot stop from doing good works, for this is who we are in Christ.  

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Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

The Lord prepared His disciples on how they must answer the questions of the leaders, for their faith in Jesus.  

Matthew 10:19-20 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; (20) for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

It is the leading and the enablement of His Holy Spirit that the disciples would experience in a powerful manner on these occasions.  Peter and John began their response to the leaders in the most collected and dignified manner.  There was no fear, they were not being defensive and definitely, there was no ranting and raving.  There was an air of calmness in the way Peter and John responded.

This can be contrasted with how Peter responded to the questioning of the maid and others during our Lord’s trial. Matthew 26:69-74 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” (70) But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” (71) And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” (72) But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” (73) And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” (74) Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

This is no ordinary transformation.  This is the amazing work of His Holy Spirit in the life of a blundering, frightened man, who was now speaking effortlessly, with confidence and respect, to his detractors.  

The Lord is calling us as His church not to be angry and retaliate against those who attack us and hurt us.  Romans 12:19-21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. (20) Therefore “IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.” (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is the Lord who will take vengeance on those who hurt His people.  It is for us to be civil and give a refined response to those who may foul mouth us and physically bully us.  

We are sons and daughters of our Father in heaven.  We belong to Him and we represent Him here on earth.  Our behaviour, therefore, has to be that of our heavenly Father.  Matthew 5:44-45 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

We must be like our Lord Jesus, who when He was reviled did not retaliate, but committed Himself to the Father. I Peter 2:19-23 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (22) “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH”; (23) who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

We represent God and in doing so, we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, I Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

Moreover, we are aware that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities in the heavenly realms, who have blinded their eyes. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. / II Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

We pray that the eyes of these people who hate us, will be opened and that they would come from darkness to light.  

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Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: (9) If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) let it be known to you all, 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 stands here before you whole. (11) This is the ‘STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’ (12) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”_*

As we start considering the response of Peter and John, we must keep in our mind, the setting.  This was like standing before the Supreme Court of a country. It was a charged atmosphere and everyone gathered had already decided against the disciples.  

Peter begins in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  It is in the fullness of His Holy Spirit that we must operate, all the time.  We live, move, and have our being in Christ. 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.’ 

This is the new covenant relationship that was prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah 59:21 “As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”

This was the prophecy of Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest on Him. Isaiah 11:1-3 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. (2) The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (3) His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

Just as Christ was in the world, so are we. I John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

Peter and John were so full of this reality.  This is where many of us struggle.  *When we encounter similar situations, we are inclined to operate out of our own understanding and fears.  We are not being mindful that we are people on whom the Lord is longing to pour out His Holy Spirit. When we, consciously, welcome and yield to His Holy Spirit, we will be witnesses of our own powerful manner in handling difficult encounters.* 

The Lord has promised us that He will give us words of wisdom in these trying circumstances. Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Stephen had such an experience of God’s wisdom being poured from his lips, as he faced a hostile audience. Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Apostle Paul, on several occasions, as he stood before intimidating and aggressive audiences, was able to preach the Gospel.  II Timothy 4:16-17 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. (17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

We have read biographies of God’s saints, over history, how in the most daunting of circumstances, they experienced the calming presence of His Holy Spirit and how they were able to reply to their enemies, boldly and fittingly.

Not only does the Lord gives us His presence, wisdom and strength in these situations, the Lord is calling us not to be defensive but to be bold and be prepared to answer those who oppose the Gospel. I Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED.” (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

The Holy Spirit also empowers us to demolish all their arguments that stand against God. II Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (6) and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Let us be bold in the Lord.

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