Tag: Acts of the Apostles

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 confronted the leaders. … Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, …

They had done the same in Acts chapter two.  There it was an audience of Jews from different nations.  Acts 2:22-23 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (23) Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 

They reiterated that the entire house of Israel was responsible to have crucified Jesus, whom God has made Lord and Christ.  Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

In Acts chapter three, they categorically held this crowd of Jews, responsible for the killing of the Prince of life. Acts 3:13-15 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. (14) 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.

In Acts chapter five, the apostles were once again before the leaders and they laid it on them that they were the ones who had murdered Jesus, whom God of the fathers had raised from the dead. Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

As the disciples prayed, they considered all of humanity responsible to be against Jesus Christ. Acts 4:26-28 THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’ (27) “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (28) to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

It is the world that is guilty of rejecting God and this must be laid at their feet.  It is about convicting the world of sin. This is the work of His Holy Spirit.

John 3:16-20 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. (17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

God has provided the solution for man to be saved from the everlasting fire.  The light has come into the world, which is Jesus, but man loves to remain in darkness because his ways are against God.  This is the message that we must take into the enemy camp.

We must place the mirror before the world, of their evil.  Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; (29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, (30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; (32) who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

It is when we take the fight into the enemy camp that the devil will flee.  Right now, our response to the persecution has been apologetic and rueful. We are trying to assert our rights to have the freedom to present Christ but we have not come to the place of holding our audience accountable for rejecting God.    

We must show our audience that there will be indignation and wrath on every soul that does evil.  Romans 2:8-11 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, (9) tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; (10) but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (11) For there is no partiality with God.

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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.

We can imagine how, Peter and John would have stood tall, with their head held high, to make this declaration to the leaders.  “…let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…”

This shows the quality of their response.  They were not intimidated by the stature of the leaders before whom they were speaking. This is the work of His Holy Spirit. They were fully conscious of what was at stake for them but their response is strong.

We recollect the response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed Nego to emperor Nebuchadnezzar.  What was at stake for these three young men was to either climb their career ladder or be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.  These were the options before them.  They did not dither or waver.  They made their stand clear to the emperor.  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.”

This is the boldness that is needed for the church these days.  We must take a stand for Jesus and make it known to whoever our audience may be, as to whom we belong.  Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us boldness in such situations. Once we have accepted that we are prepared to lay down our lives for Jesus, we will not fear.  We fear God, so we seek to please Him and Him alone.  Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

In the ultimate analysis, whoever seeks to save his life will lose it.  It is in losing our lives for Christ and His Gospel that we save our lives. What use is it if we have gained the world but have lost our souls?  Mark 8:35-36 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. (36) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

If we do not make known to the world our commitment to Christ, we are denying Christ.  If we have denied Christ before men then we are not one of those, for whom Jesus will intercede before the Father.  Matthew 10:32-33 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. (33) But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

What are we to make known to the world?

We are to make known Christ.  Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” This was the boldness of the apostles that they categorically made known Christ to the world. 

The apostles saw their identity in the resurrected Jesus.  Therefore, they made this statement that this wellness to a helpless man was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 

II Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; (15) and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (16) Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. (17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The disciples could understand very clearly that since Jesus had died for them, they had no basis to live but to be identified with His death.  When we identify with Christ in His death, we identify with Him also in His resurrection.

Our identity is now in the resurrected Christ. We do not know Christ according to the flesh any longer but we know Him according to the Spirit of God, who raised Him from the dead and who lives in us.  The resurrected Christ is therefore our identity and it is Him that we make known to the world.

If we have not died and risen again with Jesus, then we will struggle to make known to the world, that the good works that we do, we do in the name of Jesus Christ. He is our all in all.  We do not exist outside of Christ.  

May His church arise to make known to the world the name of Jesus Christ.

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.

For any normal-thinking person, this accusation of the leaders against the disciples would be seen as ridiculous. The leaders should have lauded and thanked the disciples for the good work that was done. The highest body of the Jews had gathered, to come up with such an outrageous accusation against His disciples.  This is happening today and these are the ways of the devil. 

This was what the Lord had to experience in His ministry.  John 7:22-24 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. (23) If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? (24) Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” The Lord told the leaders to learn what is righteous judgement and not judge by appearance. 

The Lord turned the table on the tables on the leaders and made them confront their own blindness.  John 10:32-33 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” (33) The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

The leaders then accepted that their real issue with Jesus was He, being a Man was making Himself to be God. Man’s problem is with His submission to God.

The good that the disciples had done and the good that we as His church are doing today, are known to everyone as good deeds.  Yet, the world is vehemently against us because they are being confronted with the God of heaven and earth, who is to be worshipped by submission to His will.

The devil does not want anyone to submit to God.  The devil knows that he is destined to everlasting fire.  His intention is to take as many as he can with him to the same place of everlasting destruction.  The good work that we do is a clarion call for the people of the world to repent, surrender to the lordship of Christ and escape the eternal fire. This the devil is preventing and causing people to resist God. 

Let us look at another matter regarding the healing of the lame man.  The lame man was made well.   The wellness that happened to this man was complete wellness. 

This man was lame on his feet but now he stood, walked, leapt, and was praising God.  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.

The strength that the man received in his legs and ankles bones was such that he stood, walked, and leapt. Not only was this a powerful physical healing.  The man was also reconciled with God, internally, for he entered the temple to worship God with praise. 

Later we see that this man stood alongside Peter and John, as a witness for the disciples, as they were being questioned by the leaders. Acts 4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

He was physically healed, he became a worshipper of God with praise, and he became a witness to Jesus.  This is the description of wellness.

When the Lord intervenes in a person’s life, He brings wellness.  He gives life in all its fullness.  Whereas, the devil’s agenda is to steal, kill and destroy. 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.

This is why Jesus came.  He came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The leaders were questioning the disciples about the wellness that had happened to the lame man.  This is the same line of questioning that has been happening all through the centuries and is happening even today.

We as His church must be familiar with their line of questioning and be prepared.  Peter and John responded to their questioning appropriately.  The Holy Spirit will enable us also to respond to the questioning that we are being subjected to, appropriately.

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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 leaders’ accusation, 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 leaders judged the apostles 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 which 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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