N.T.#827 " What a Witness!"
July 1, 2026
Acts 4-Part 2
LET IT GLOW
When a good work is going on, evil steps in and tries to mess things up. Peter and John had witnessed to a lame man, God healed him, and he walked. Peter and John were put in prison overnight. They preached Jesus and repentance. There were 5,000 men believed due to Peter's second sermon.
Now there was a group of religious leaders gathered to discuss the problem. The sermon and healed man were not their concern. They wanted to know By what power, or by what name, had they done this. (verse 7)
What was Peter's response?
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him this man stand here before you whole. (verse 10)
There was but one answer: they had been with Jesus. (verse 13)
The name Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means, The Lord saves. Jesus' name speaks to who He is, what He has done, and what He can do. Salvation from sin, death, and hell is found in Him alone. (Tony Evans)
The religious ones could not refute the Truth and evidence with the healed man standing in their midst. What a witness!
LET IT GROW
The Jewish leaders observed Peter and John's boldness, they were uneducated and untrained men. Over the 3 years Jesus was with them, He taught the former fishermen everything they knew. One can receive all sorts of educational degrees, but if they have never been with Jesus, there is no lasting spiritual effect on others.
The Jewish leaders' hearts were so hard that they decided to threaten Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. They didn't care about the Truth, just preserving their own religious authority. How sad!
Was it right in the sight of God for them to obey men rather than obey God?
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (verse 20)
How about you, friend? I choose to share the Truth: Jesus crucified, risen from the dead, sits at the right hand of the Father. There is no other way to get into heaven except believing in this Jesus, repenting of your sins.
Peter and John were let go without punishment because of the people. Certainly, others had seen the change in Peter after he had denied Christ 3 times. The HHoly Spirit spoke through them with boldness and wisdom.
Has your life been change? Have you been with Jesus and allowed Him to change your heart? Don't be surprised if people reject your witness for Jesus.
LET IT GO
Help us be bold in sharing salvation through Jesus only.
May we obey You before men.
