Check out all the previous Acts readings here.
Acts Reading Plan | Week 3 | Day 5
Prayer
Proverbs 3:19 says, “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place.” You come to meet with the all-mighty and all-wise God today. Ask Him to share His wisdom with you, to guide you.
Bible Reading: Acts 4:1-12
Read these verses three times slowly.
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Reflection & Questions
The religious leaders are back on the scene. They thought getting rid of Jesus would get rid of the threat to their (empty) power. But their nightmare continues! Jesus’ name is being lifted high and thousands are giving their lives to Him. And they try to stop it by putting Peter and John in jail, but the numbers grew all the more.
However, for all their foolishness, they do ask a great question: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answers the question frankly: “It is by Jesus…whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.”
It is a good question to ask ourselves: by what power or name are we trying to live? By what power or name are we trying to reach our ONE? By what power or name are we endeavoring to persevere when the going gets tough? The reality is that the same Holy Spirit that empowered and guided Peter is available to us. The same Jesus who was living and active in Acts, is available to us. We must not try to live, reach or persevere in our own power, or someone else’s, but fully rely on the name and power of Jesus!
- Do you rely on the name and power of Jesus daily? How do you know?
- Is there a specific area you need Jesus’ power today?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today. Ask Him for His strength and power in your life.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
