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"I'd like to share Christ, but I just don't know how!"
When God gives you an opportunity, just smile, pull out a copy of If We Never Meet Again or What If No One Warned You? and say, "Here's something I think you'll enjoy reading!"
July 7, 2024
- By Ed Powell
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"And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it." Acts 4:14
This is one of my favorite portions of the Scriptures, because it reveals so clearly the tremendous effect the Holy Spirit has in and through a life that is wholly committed to His authority, and through whom the Holy Spirit can flow fully and freely. What a tremendous change had taken place in the lives of Peter and John. Looking back only a few days, we find Peter following afar off and then denying that he was a follower of the Lord. At the cross, all the disciples had fled in fear, except John. But something happened on the Day of Pentecost. The power of God came down upon them as they were gathered, and "they were filled with the Holy Spirit." A radical change took place. The once fearful, wavering, reserved, unfaithful disciples now became the "bulwark of the faith." They fearlessly proclaim the truth and are immovable and steadfast in their stand. Now transparent in their faith, they are daring in word and action in their proclamation of the gospel. Their lives are focused on being faithful to the message entrusted to them, and to Christ who has commissioned them to proclaim the gospel.
In this chapter, Peter and John are brought before the "rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander...gathered together at Jerusalem." Certainly, the most important and powerful men were gathered in one place for the purpose of examining Peter and John. Let me ask you: What would have been your reaction had you been Peter, standing before these political and religious leaders? I'm sure we all would have been in great fear and trembling. Not Peter and John!
These mighty men, who held the power of Jerusalem in their hands, could not deny the miracle that had taken place in the healing of the impotent man before a multitude of people. And how did Peter and John answer when asked, "By what power, or by what name, have you done this?" I don't think anyone could have given a more powerful answer than Peter gave: "It was by the name of Jesus Christ this man was made whole, the One whom you crucified, the One you disregarded, that is the cornerstone of Christianity, and establishing Jesus Christ as the one and only way of salvation, given among men." Now notice very carefully what is written: "And beholding the man, they could say nothing!" So much can be said of this account, but let me emphasize one point.
"When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, they marveled." What a testimony! The only conclusion they could draw was, "They had been with Jesus!" What does that say to you and me? Oh, that the presence and power of God might be so evident in our lives, His love manifested in our word and walk, our testimony unwavering and bold, and our faith plainly seen before others...that the only conclusion people can draw is that WE HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS! The world sees so few who walk and live in the reality of their faith in Christ and manifest a humble and meek spirit of His love. Oh, that they might see in you and me our faith displayed in the way we live. Then, "Beholding the man [the evidence of our life in Christ], they could say nothing!" May His name be magnified!
© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.
This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2024-07-07
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