Tuesday 4^th December

Acts 4:1-12

“There is no other Name by which men can be saved” Acts 4:12

In one of the most remarkable passages in the book of Acts, Peter and John presented to the council, share the gospel in what is called the ‘clearest evangelistic statement’ in the New Testament.

Peter and John in Acts chapter 3, on their way to the Temple to pray, meet a man lame from birth at the Temple gate. He had been lame for more than forty years and begged at the Temple gate for his daily provisions. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money but they replied with this great statement. “Silver and gold we do not have, but we will give you what we do have. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk” (3:4-6). That statement should encourage all believers. The power of the Name of Jesus was so evident. It changed this lame mans life. But in every demonstration of Jesus’ power in the book of Acts there was always some who opposed it.

Shortly after Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned over night. Sadly the Religious leaders could not see God’s miraculous power and how it changed lives. Instead they presented Peter and John before the Sanhedrin and questioned by what power it was that this lame man was healed. Pause. I call these evangelism moments. When someone asks you something about God, it gives a perfect opportunity to share the gospel and in this text Peter did just that.

Peter, importantly ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’, (the Holy Spirit gave him boldness to preach), answered the Religious leaders with a statement that shakes nations even today!! Peter must have been rubbing his hands at firstly being presented with an opportunity to share the gospel plainly with the Pharisees and Scribes, but secondly at the manner in which they presented this opportunity. Peter boldly proclaims in verse 8 – 12 that it was in fact through the power of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man they agreed to crucify but whom God raised from the dead on the third day, that the lame man was healed.  He then states that Salvation is found in no one else and it is only through Jesus Christ that we can be saved. Just stop wherever you are and take that in….. Jesus’ Name is not only enough to heal from physical sickness but has the power to save us from our sins.

The Religious leaders totally missed the point. They knew that a miraculous sign had been performed (verse 16) yet they wanted to focus on their pride and Laws instead in the liberty given by Christ. They were employed to be leaders to the Jews to teach the ways of God, yet they were doing the opposite and teaching the ways of men. Yet the number of believers increased to 5000 men, excluding women and children (verse 4) after Peter and John had presented the gospel, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Prayer

Lord I pray that we would have opportunities to share the gospel plainly with those around us. Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit so we may proclaim boldly the message of Your Son Jesus Christ; that all men may be saved through Him. Amen