Tag: Acts of the Apostles

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 conferred amongst themselves as to what should be done in this situation.  We have seen that the leaders took an extreme position and banned that there should be no speaking or teaching at all in the name of Jesus. 

When we see these extremely brutal measures being taken, in our times, we as His church are surely concerned.   At the same time, let us know that the Lord is still in control in all these situations.  God places His person or persons in the situation, who bring a godly direction into the matter.

Gamaliel, the Pharisee, was one such person who brought sanity into the midst of the foolishness and irrational decision that was being taken by the leaders.  Perhaps, Gamaliel was not present in the leadership group that gathered rather hastily in Acts chapter 4. 

Acts 5:34-35 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. (35) And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.

Acts 5:38-40 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; (39) but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” (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.

Even though the persecution of the disciples did take place, the voice of Gamaliel prevailed.  People such as Gamaliel are the persons whom God places in different spheres to fulfil His purpose. 

You and I must see ourselves as Gamaliels to be the voice of God.  We have a prophetical role in our society and nation.      

I wish to digress here.  If we must have persons such as Gamaliel in key decision-making tables, in our nations, in all spheres of life and governance, where will they come from? 

Will they not be raised in our homes?  With what motivation do we raise our children?  Do we raise them to be kingdom builders, occupying key decision-making positions and roles in all spheres of life in our own nations, so that God’s purposes will be fulfilled? 

I find that to a large extent, we are raising our children to be selfish, thinking only to be well-settled in life.  We are not challenging them to take on key leadership roles, especially in our own nation.

Those of us living in developing nations, such as India, are more interested to get our children to live and work in the developed western world and look after their own well-being and success.  Whereas, we desperately lack representation and the calming prophetical voice of godly leaders, such as Gamaliel, at the policy and decision-making tables in our own country.

This is a matter that is very close to my heart over which I am deeply troubled.  Unfortunately, we, the Christian leaders of our nation, are the biggest defaulters in this matter.  Unless Christian leaders in our nation will repent and seek His forgiveness that we have failed in raising our children to be the prophets for our nation, we would have disobeyed God.      

A notable miracle had taken place and the leaders had no way to muzzle this event or its cascading effect.  Acts 3:9-10 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. (10) Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

This lame man begging at the Beautiful gate of the temple was a regular feature.  The healing of this lame man caused the entire Jewish community to know that an amazing miracle had taken place.  The Lord in His mercy and love was reaching out to His people through the healing of the lame man. 

This is how we must consider the signs and miracles that God is doing amongst us in our times.  These are events through which God is drawing people to Himself through His love. 

The Lord is also using these signs and wonders to stop the mouths of those who are against God.  Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Let the church be assured that man will not be able to stop the building of His kingdom through His church.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BHXItfLAV5cT-LozYUIwQj3o9xTKCSHK/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

The central event that caused this questioning to take place was the healing of the lame man.  As we have seen, there are larger issues that have come to light but it was all centred on this healing. As His church, we must be conscious that God will use circumstances in our lives as the pivotal event by which the Lord’s name is glorified. 

The man was healed and he was standing with Peter and John as the proof for their witness.  The leaders were not able to say anything against it.  As His church, the healing that the Lord has done in each of our lives must be evident for everyone to see.  Each of us must be the manifestation of the truth. 

II Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

We manifest the work of God’s healing in our entire person.  Yet, our personal healing is only the means by which God’s greater purpose of restoring lost humanity to Himself is taking place.  We must never lose sight of the larger design of God. 

From when the healing took place in this lame man’s life, till the time the testimony was taking place before the leaders, Peter and John, constantly gave glory to Jesus.  They took attention away from themselves and they also took attention away from the healing itself, for the healing of the lame man was only the means for people to be confronted with the God of heaven and earth.

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._

As the crowds became excited over the healing, Peter and John, very intentionally, took the people’s attention away from the healing and from themselves and brought the people to focus on the larger issue of Jesus being the Prince of life, whom they had killed.

Acts 3:14-16 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (15) and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. (16) And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

This is an important lesson to learn, for we in our times, seem to have a tendency to give more weightage to the miracles, signs and wonders and we are not showing greater concern for getting people reconciled with God. 

The way Peter and John took on the leaders is very interesting because they made the leaders realise that they were questioning them for a good deed done to a helpless man.  Peter and John quickly grabbed the opportunity to confront the leaders with the evil act of crucifying Jesus, whom God raised from the dead.  Peter and John turned the tables on the leaders. This was boldness combined with wisdom.  

Acts 4:8-10 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.

Today we are being questioned about the good deeds done by the church to the community.  We must turn the tables on our bullies and ask them for which good deed, that we have done, is questioning us. 

Even if they tell us that we are changing the customs and traditions of our society.  We must present the evil customs and traditions that our society follows and how necessary it is for people to be free from these evil bondages.

One such evil tradition that is followed by our society is to make poor people conduct rituals and spend money, which destroys the livelihood of the poor.  If people are set free from such evil oppression and are taught to manage their finances well, have we done something bad for our society? 

Let us pray for boldness and wisdom in our witness.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AfHRTkGz3G8Ngw_shpRqgsTmB7OHK-aU/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

What was it that came through powerfully from Peter and John that resembled Jesus in them to the leaders?

They sensed authority flowing from Peter and John.  This was the authority of Christ. 

The leaders had tried to confront Jesus about His authority and they were stung by His response.  Mark 11:28-33 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” (29) But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: (30) The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” (31) And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ (32) But if we say, ‘From men’ “—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. (33) So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”_

There is no need for us to explain our authority to the people of the world but we must operate out of the authority of Christ. They must sense the authority of Christ flowing from us, naturally.  We have been sent out into the world in His authority. This is our position of which we must be intrinsically conscious. 

John 17:18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. / John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” / Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, *I am with you always*, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Authority comes from knowing that we reign with Christ and we are here to bring the kingdom rule of God on earth.

This matter of authority to reign was given to man in creation.  It is when we conform to His image that we as His disciples are in the place to reign with Him.  This is the creation mandate. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”_

God created us to reign over all His creation.  It is only in the image of God that we can complete the task for which we were created. Psalms 8:4-6 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (5) For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. (6) You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

Since we sinned, we came under the captivity of the devil to do his will. II Timothy 2:25-26 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, (26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will._

The devil is deceiving the world because he is controlling the world through man.  He is ruling the world by proxy.  Luke 4:5-7 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (6) And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (7) Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

Though the devil has no authority, he claims authority because man is totally in his control. 

Jesus has set man free from the devil on the cross. It is at the cross, when we place our faith in Christ, that we are released from the prison house of the devil.  Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

We are released in order to take back our place as co-rulers with Christ and exercise His authority.  This is our place as His church.  Peter and John had found their place of authority in Jesus.  Are you and are we as His church, operating in the authority of Christ?

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Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

The leaders recognised that Peter and John were with Jesus.  This could be a physical recognition of having seen Peter and John with Jesus at different times.  John 18:15-16 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. (16) But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

They may have also seen John at the crucifixion of Jesus.  John 19:25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” (27) Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Nevertheless, the recognition that the leaders were having now of Peter and John, regarding them having been with Jesus, was more than just the physical recognition.  They could sense the very presence of Jesus in these two disciples.

This is the testimony of His church.  We are carrying in us, at all times, the presence of Jesus. 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.

Jesus had become a torment to these leaders.  They did not know what to do with Him. John 11:47-48 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. (48) If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

When the Jews saw the signs done by Jesus, they were perturbed, for the Jews seek signs.  Jesus had confronted and castigated these leaders openly, on several occasions, and now the torture was starting all over again, for them. 

The world must see the resemblance of Jesus in us Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  This is the purpose for which God has predestined us.  We are to conform to the image of His Son.  This is the mandate for us as His church.   

This is the reason why we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,  We were created in the image of God and we must surely live out His image. 

This work of being conformed to the image of Jesus is the work of His Holy Spirit in us.  II Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

As we yield to His Holy Spirit by being sensitive to His leading.  The Holy Spirit brings out from us the resemblance of Christ. 

As the Holy Spirit has more and more sway over us, the power of Christ is displayed through us.  It becomes evident to everyone that the excellence of the power is of God and not of us.  II Corinthians 4:6-7 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

This is our intentional exercise, to be conformed to Christ, and this is what we seek to bring about in the life of others.  We are here to make disciples of Christ.  Apostle Paul’s ministry was to present everyone perfect in Christ.  Colossians 1:27-28 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (28) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

This task of establishing people perfect in Christ was a passion that consumed Paul.  Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,_*

Our witness is Christ in us.

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Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

We continue to consider this passage that Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth.  I Corinthians 1:22-31 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; (23) but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

The Jews are fascinated with signs and wonders.  The Greeks seek wisdom.  Both groups are not willing and are not seeking to come under the lordship of Christ. Christ crucified is the place for a man to surrender to Christ as His Lord and Master.  This is what the world is not willing to accept. 

To those who are God’s elect, Christ is the power of God as well as the wisdom of God.  (24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  When a person comes to full surrender to Christ that person experiences the power of God as well as the wisdom of God.  

The leaders who were questioning Peter and John were being exposed to the power and wisdom of God, through Peter and John.  This is how the Lord intends to take place through His church as we witness before different audiences. 

The ways of God, which seem foolish in the eyes of the people of the world, is true wisdom.  When God reveals, even a little of His wisdom, power and might, humanity is terrified.  (25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The mighty and the noble are not called by God, for they are trusting in their own accomplishments and learning. Whereas, it is they who are broken and contrite before God, who come into fellowship with the Creator.  (26) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

Man, in his fleshly being, needs God. Without God, man is nothing. Sadly, the world does not want to acknowledge this truth but man is ignoring God and thinks that he can manage life on his own.  We see the futility, brokenness and chaos all around us in our world, because man is not willing to be humble before God and is not seeking to surrender to Him. 

The ones that surrender and submit to Him, God raises and demonstrates His glory in and through their lives.  It is for the world to see, acknowledge God and return to Him.  (27) But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; (28) and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

Seeing the lives of Peter and John, the Jewish leaders should have humbled themselves before God, repented and surrendered their lives to the God of heaven and earth.  Judgement is due to them, for though they had exposure to the ways of God, they refused God and remained in their pride and foolishness. 

This is how our lives ought to be as His church, as we witness Christ in all our different circumstances. The mouth of the world must be stopped because our testimony, demonstrates the glory of God. (29) that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Jesus is our wisdom, our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  Our entire life is of Christ.  Without Him we are nothing.  (30) But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— (31) that, as it is written, “HE WHO GLORIES, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD.”

Our God is our glory.  This is the tagline of His church. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19yuSG41CEkrb4RgNDpL67oZiWZ8mnV3l/view?usp=share_link

Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Peter and John had completed their reply to the questioning of the leaders.  Now it was for the leaders to respond.  As we observe this event, we can imagine what was taking place.  The leaders began in a threatening manner towards the disciples but now found themselves speechless and shocked. 

They saw the boldness of Peter and John.  They knew that the disciples of Jesus were Galileans and were fearful, like most others, of the religious elite of the Jews.  This exclusive group of leaders had gathered to question the disciples, in their full strength, but the disciples were not scared by them. 

Before the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were frightened men, who gathered in closed rooms for fear of the leaders. John 20:19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

The Lord had risen and had appeared to them, yet they were afraid of the Jews.  John 20:26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”_

We know what took place with Peter, how he was fearful and denied Christ. Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly._

All the disciples had said that they would not leave Jesus, but when the Lord was arrested, they all forsook Him and fled. Matthew 26:55-56 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. (56) But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

This was the calibre of the disciples. All of this dramatically changed after they were baptised with His Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.

These words from Peter and the rest of the disciples now give us a new story.  A new work of God had begun and this was the era of His Holy Spirit. 

This was prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

The Holy Spirit brings boldness into us for we now have a fresh realisation that we belong to the family of God. Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Paul is asking Timothy to stir up the gift of God in him, which is not a spirit of fear but the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind.  II Timothy 1:6-8 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

This is what the Lord said would happen when the Holy Spirit would fill a person.  John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

This is our witness.  We witness in the fullness of His Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of boldness.  This boldness of His holy Spirit is not foolish but a boldness mingled with wisdom.  Stephen and the apostles demonstrated this unique combination of boldness and wisdom. Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

As God’s people, we are His people with boldness and wisdom, which is by His Holy Spirit.

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Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

This is the final clinching statement that was made by Peter and John as they witnessed Christ before their accusers. This is the statement that their enemies did not want to hear from the mouths of Peter and John.  Their accusers would have expected the disciples to be frightened but the disciples were just the opposite.  They were bold, clear and articulate, as well as passionate about Jesus.

Throughout their journey with Jesus, the Lord had taught them about Himself.  All of this was now clear in the mind of the disciples as they witnessed Christ.  It was the Holy Spirit who reminded and empowered them.  John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The world tells us to be inclusive.  They want us to accept that there are many ways for mankind to reach God.  This truth of the singularity of Christ and that He is the only way for man to be reconciled with God, is an abhorrence to the people of the world.  They feel that we are being arrogant to claim that there is no other way, except Jesus, to come to God. 

I Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, (6) who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, Jesus is the one mediator between God and man. 

It is when we take this position of the uniqueness of Christ that even family members become antagonised. Matthew 10:34-39 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (35) For I have come to ‘SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW’; (36) and ‘A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.’ (37) He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (38) And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.(39) He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

This is the life to which the church is called.  If we seek to protect ourselves, then it is obvious that we are seeking to save our lives. The word of God is telling us, categorically, that he who seeks to save his life will lose it but he who is willing to lose his life for Jesus will save it.  

It is in Jesus that we have life. I John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

It is through Jesus and His work on the cross that man and all of creation are reconciled back with the Father. Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (20) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. / Ephesians 1:10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

The wrath of God abides on all those who do not believe in Jesus as the only way to the salvation of man.  John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” / Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Whatever anyone may think, the task of His church is to let everyone know that there is no other name, except the name of Jesus, by which we must be saved.  Saved from the wrath of God.

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Acts 4:11 This is the ‘STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’

The testimony of Peter and John continued before the leaders.  They took the leaders back to the scriptures, which the leaders knew.  Psalms 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. (23) This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.  In no uncertain terms, the disciples made it clear to the leaders that they were fulfilling the scriptures by rejecting Jesus. 

Later, as John wrote his gospel, he was recounting this incident of how His own people rejected Jesus.  Jesus came to His own but His own did not receive Him.  John 1:10-11 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (11) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

Just as John did, so did Peter, as he recounts this incident in his epistle.  The Jews were appointed to receive God’s blessing by receiving His Son but they were being disobedient to God’s word. I Peter 2:6-8 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS, AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME.” (7) Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” (8) and “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

This was the prophecy of Isaiah.  He was despised and rejected by men. Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

He was the stone on whom everyone should trust and build their lives, but people have rejected Him. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

As Peter and John brought this matter to the leaders, of Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders, the leaders would have been reminded of the conversation that they had had with Jesus. Matthew 21:42-45 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. THIS WAS THE LORD’S DOING, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’ ? (43) “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. (44) And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (45) Now when the chief priests and  Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.

Even at this stage, these leaders could have repented and surrendered their lives to God, but that was not to be. They continued in their obstinate ways of rejecting God. 

The leaders needed to know that what they were doing was a deliberate act of not submitting to God. Ezekiel 2:6-7 “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. (7) You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.

This task of presenting to the people, categorically, that they are rejecting God, is for us to do as His church. Ezekiel 3:18-19 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. (19) Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

With Jesus as the chief cornerstone, God has intended for His church to be built together into a holy temple of God, a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.  Ephesians 2:20-22 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We come to Him and there we find our abode in Jesus.  I Peter 2:4-5 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, (5) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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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 and John were declaring to these leaders that their life was a testimony to the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 10:40-43 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, (41) not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. (42) And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. (43) To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Peter and John had the personal experience of the resurrected Jesus.  This was their witness.  As His disciples, we must be carrying about in our body the resurrected Jesus.  This is our witness.  II Corinthians 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

For we have died with Christ and our life is in Christ.  Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

To Peter and John, their life did not matter anymore.  They had died with Christ and it was the resurrected Jesus who was now living through them. 

The disciples were witnesses of the Holy Spirit operating in them. The Father raised Jesus from the dead through His Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:11 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.

As the disciples were being questioned, they were acutely conscious that they were witnesses to the resurrected Jesus living and working powerfully through them, through His Holy Spirit. 

As the disciples were witnesses to the risen Jesus, they were witnessing that Jesus has been ordained by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.  When we witness the resurrected Jesus living through us, we are also telling people that Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. Acts 17:30-31 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, (31) because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

This message of God judging the world through Jesus because He was raised from the dead, needed to be made known to the leaders.  The disciples saw themselves as witnesses for this purpose. 

The leaders also needed to know that Jesus was the seed of David according to the flesh but He was the Son of God.  This was made known by His resurrection from the dead.  Romans 1:3-4 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

This Jesus was the one to whom the law, the psalms and the prophets witnessed.  This the leaders needed to know.  They could not put Jesus aside. 

Peter and John were fully accomplishing their task of being His witnesses.  We too need to see ourselves as being His witnesses as the Lord takes us before various groups, who question us.  They emphasised before the leaders that the lame man was made whole. 

This must be our position of strength from which we must witness to the world.  The Lord gives wholeness to those who come to Him.  There is no need for us to be apologetic or reticent about our stand for Jesus.  Let us be bold and declare out in the open that Jesus gives wholeness.  Why should we be afraid or ashamed of declaring Jesus, who does what is good for man and creation? 

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled (22) in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

Let us realise that the devil is defeated by Jesus on the cross and so we need not be afraid of him or his threats to us.  Jesus makes a person whole.

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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 and John had now reached their pivotal point in their response.  This was the resurrection of Jesus because of whom this lame made was made whole.

Acts 2:24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

The wages of sin is death.  This man was physically alive but he was dead in several ways.  One aspect of his death was his lameness. 

When God created His entire creation, including man, He looked at everything and saw that it was very good. Genesis 1:31 *Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.* So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

This goodness of God was the Shalom life that God gave man and creation.  The Lord commanded man not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

The comprehensive death of man and creation took place when we rebelled and rejected God.  Shalom was taken away from us.  One aspect of this death is various diseases and illnesses.

When we will be restored to the fullness of our fellowship with God, there will be no more death. Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. (4) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

This lame man was made whole by Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead.  This wellness that had happened to the lame man was a testimony and foretaste of the wellness/Shalom that will once again be restored in His presence.

The second matter was the forgiveness of sins. 

Acts 13:29-41 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. (30) *But God raised Him from the dead.* (31) He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. (32) And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. (33) God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.’ (34) *And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption*, He has spoken thus: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID.’ (35) Therefore He also says in another Psalm: *’YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.’*(36) “For David, after he had  served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; (37) *but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. (38) Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; (39) and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.* (40) Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: (41) ‘BEHOLD, YOU DESPISERS, MARVEL AND PERISH! FOR I WORK A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL BY NO MEANS BELIEVE, THOUGH ONE WERE TO DECLARE IT TO YOU.’ “

The sin in our flesh causes corruption. David died and saw corruption. Though Jesus died and was buried, His body did not see corruption but He was raised from the dead by the Father.  Sin and death were conquered.  Since Jesus was raised from the dead, He is able to give forgiveness of sin. 

This lame man was healed in his body but also in his whole person, he was now forgiven of his sin, because Jesus, who was raised from the dead had intervened in his life. 

This testimony of the healing of the lame man was crucial because the leaders needed to know that through Jesus Christ when a person believes in Him, he is justified before God, which the keeping of the law of Moses could not provide.  

Testifying before those who persecute us is the precious opportunity to present Christ as the Redeemer and Saviour of man and creation.  Let us not waste these opportunities by being self-focused.

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