Acts 4:5-13 by Jessie Holmes

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.  And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you 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 is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:5-13

Acts chapter 4 tells the story of Peter and John as they are standing before a council of rulers, elders, scribes, and the high priest. They found themselves here because they were causing a commotion in the temple by healing and teaching in the name of Jesus. As the council begins to get to the bottom of the situation they ask a profound question, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”  At that moment Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and began proclaiming Jesus Christ as the one through whom salvation has come for all people. How does the council respond to this short and powerful testimony? “They recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

What a powerful statement! The question now is, what do people recognize in us? If we are truly Christ led disciples, then those around us should recognize that. Not because of our great biblical knowledge or the vast number of church events we go to, but simply because of how we serve, love, and obey Jesus’ commands.  

You may be thinking, “I am only human, I can’t be like Jesus!” Well you’re right. YOU can’t serve, love, and obey Jesus even on your best day! But, we aren’t in this alone. Did you notice where the boldness of Peter came from? The Holy Spirit! We have what we need dwelling on the inside. All we have to do is Abide in Christ Jesus and trust His Spirit and He will empower us to do the rest.  

Father, help us to look more like your Son every day so that your name is made known among the nations.