Never Being Silenced

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

NEVER BEING SILENCED

Acts 5:25-32

25 Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

NIV

This is a great witness to the facts concerning Jesus and the main purpose he came to earth. This narrative is also a judgment about those who rejected Jesus and handed him over to the Romans to be crucified. Instead of the Sanhedrin Judging Peter and all the apostles, they judged the Sanhedrin. That could be our lesson: instead of letting non-believers judge our faith, the Word of God, Jesus judges them. However, everyone has been judged as guilty of sin, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. We could use this truth about obeying God rather than men; however, that may only apply to speaking up about the resurrection of Jesus, because we are also told to submit to the governing authorities, for no authority exists without the permission of God, or that God establishes. Paul, inspired by the Spirit, has more to say about that in the letter to the Romans, but there is another truth we should focus on. Peter said that the Holy Spirit is a witness to everything about Jesus, whom God has given to those who obey him. What does this obeying God refer to? Does it mean not being silenced by men, but standing up, speaking up, about the resurrection of Jesus? If we take obeying God to apply to all the commands of God, then we would never be given the Holy Spirit, for who has obeyed God completely? On the other hand, we have obeyed in the sense that we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We have obeyed God by giving him all the praise and honor. Even our gathering together to worship him is an act of obedience to his word. Yet, the point is that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. This brings us to the two schools of thought about when we are given the Holy Spirit. Some believe we are given the Spirit at the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. How does that apply to those who consider themselves believers all their lives? When did they receive the baptism in the Spirit? The other thought is the gift of the Spirit, or the baptism of the Spirit with fire, which comes at some time after we accept Jesus; it is a second experience, as we can see in the rest of these Acts of the Apostles. Nevertheless, we must understand that the Spirit is a gift from God; in fact, the Spirit is God because God is triune, and thus we live in the presence of our Lord God Almighty, with the Spirit dwelling within, bringing his power into our lives. Let us live in the power of God, standing up, speaking up, and never being silenced. 

The Influencers

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

THE INFLUENCERS

Acts 5:17-24

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin — the full assembly of the elders of Israel — and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.

NIV

It is no wonder the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled. They put the apostles in jail, the door was locked, the guards were at the door, and yet when they came to get the apostles, no one was in the cell. It is a bit strange that the angel opened the jail doors and brought them out, yet the doors were locked. There was something supernatural that happened: the doors were securely locked and the guards at the doors, yet the apostles walked out because the angel brought them out. Once again, we see the high priest and all his associates, who were Sadducees, filled with jealousy. They wanted to be the leaders. They wanted people to follow their way of life. They wanted to be the influencer. The problem was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, and the apostles were teaching the full message of a new life, which included the resurrection of Jesus and that all who believe in the name of Jesus will experience the same resurrection. This is not just a hope of all believers, but it is the reality of the new life in Jesus. We know the scriptures talk about hope in Christ, and even the definition of faith uses the things hoped for yet not seen, but we cannot help but think in terms of fact rather than hope. Because we take Jesus's words as absolute truth, we do not hope, but know without a doubt that although we die, we will live. That is when this body finally gives out, and we must leave it behind and be present with our Lord. Someday, our bodies will be resurrected into a glorified form, and we will join back up with them to live in the new city of Jerusalem with the Lord forever. In a way, we feel sorry for those who are like the Sadducees, who do not believe in a resurrection. What is the purpose of life, if not to know Jesus as Lord and Savior? It is sad to think we are born, live a pitiful life, and die, and that is the end of the story. Of course, some non-believers think that because they are a good person, they will go to heaven, but they are sadly mistaken; they will perish, unless they confess with their mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. Anyone who believes in Jesus, who is influenced by Jesus, will be saved. That is the big difference. Who is the influencer of our lives, men or God? The next question is, who are we influencing for Jesus? 

Faith Exercised

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

FAITH EXERCISED

Acts 5:12-16

12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

NIV

There is power in the name of Jesus. Yet it appears that even as Peter passed by and his shadow fell upon sick people, they were healed. How is that possible? Was it because  Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit? We are not told that Peter did anything, but we must believe that he touched the sick using the name of Jesus of Nazareth. No man can miraculously, supernaturally heal or drive out evil spirits by his own power. When the crippled man at the gate was healed, Peter invoked the name of Jesus. Nevertheless, all the sick and anyone tormented by evil spirits were healed. This power comes directly from the Lord God Almighty because Peter had used the name of Jesus. We are also told that the early church was filled with so much power that people were in awe of them; they were highly regarded, as we are told no one else dared to join them because the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. We wonder whether the church today generates the awe that keeps people from joining because of all the signs and wonders happening. That cannot be it, because we do not see any miraculous signs and wonders, nor do all the sick people get healed. Why? Do we not have the same name or ability to use the name of Jesus? Is our faith not faith at all, but just pretending to have faith? Do we really not believe the sick can be healed? Maybe we are just doing church without being the church. Maybe that was just for then and not applicable to today. But why is this recorded for us? Are we meant to just look at it as historical, or are we supposed to learn something from these truths? We know the name of Jesus has the same power as it always has, for God never changes. We have witnessed miracles, evil spirits driven out, healings, yet has anything changed? Do we lack that early faith, or have we just settled into the routine of Christianity, not expecting God to do anything, or not expecting any power in the name of Jesus? We know about routines and how they can become ruts, just plodding along, until that ruth become a grave. But there is still power in the name of Jesus; we serve a risen Savior, and God is still in the business of Salvation, doing the supernatural. Have we allowed our faith to become weak, crippled, and useless? Restore and strengthen our faith, Lord, so we can have faith exercised.  

Searched

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

SEARCHED

Acts 5:1-11

5:1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. 3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." 9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

NIV

What a sad story to include in the Acts of the Apostles, except that it does demonstrate two truths. First, the sadness of the kind of thinking of Ananias and Sapphira. Selling their land was a good idea because the proceeds were intended for the church's general fund, so those in need could be helped. However, they could also have told the Apostles they had sold the land for 100 and had decided to give 80 of it to the church. That would have been truthful, and all would have been well. But they were deceptive about the money they received for their land, lying to the Holy Spirit. It cost them both their lives. That was harsh, but it does show that truthfulness is the way of life for believers. Why would we lie about how much money we have, or about how much we give in our tithe or offerings? Why are we so deceptive about how much wealth we have? True, it is nobody's business how much or how little we have, as most people, if not all, are guarded about their money. Our giving is recorded for several reasons. Some churches develop a budget based on the average yearly income from Tithes and offerings. Some churches require monthly reports sent to districts. Then, yearly statements are sent to each giver for tax reasons. But to lie about money was the offense that cost Ananias and Sapphira. The second truth is how Peter knew about the deception. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. This is one of those gifts of the Spirit, labeled "discernment," or it could have been a "Word of knowledge". However, Peter became aware through the Spirit's revelation that both Ananias and Sapphira were being deceptive. We should learn to depend more on the Spirit, who leads us into all truth. It would be to our advantage as believers to listen carefully to the Spirit before making any decisions, including those concerning our church and personal affairs. When both Ananias and Sapphira were searched by the Lord and struck down, great fear seized the whole church. Surely, we should not live seized with great fear of the Lord, but at the same time, we should not take his grace for granted. The Lord is due our respect and our devotion. He is due all our thanks and praise. He is due all we have, if he should require it, for everything we have has come from his hand. Let us live humbly before our Lord, seeking his leadership, listening to his voice, with the knowledge that he knows our hearts.  We ask the same as David did, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

 

Great Power

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

GREAT POWER

Acts 4:32-37

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

NIV

The New Testament church was far different than any church we are aware of today. First, to think that all of us believers are of one heart and mind is outlandish. We have so much division between the hundreds of Christian denominations that it would be nearly impossible for us to agree on all the same interpretations and doctrines. Then we have to consider just within one denomination and one local church.  Are we one in heart and mind? It is said that if two Jewish men were in a room, there would be three opinions. However, within a local congregation, the number of members would equal the number of opinions. However, we must all agree on some basic truths. We believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus lived among us, went to the cross to pay the price for our sins, was crucified and buried, and on the third day God raised him from the dead, and forty days later he ascended back to sit at the right hand of the Father, the place of honor. We believe Jesus is coming back for us. That is it in a nutshell, the truth of the gospel. It is hard to imagine that the New Testament church referred to in this portion of scripture had developed any further doctrines or rules and regulations, as churches today have done. We do not live in the same manner as this new church, because we claim possessions as our own. We do not share everything we have either, although some of us do tithe so our church can function, pay its bills, pay staff, support some missionaries, and keep to some form of a budget. We wonder whether we even avail ourselves of the great power the apostles had when they testified to the Lord's resurrection. How can we sell our lands and houses? When they sold their houses, where then did they live? It seems strange to think, but maybe they were thinking Jesus was coming right back, and they did not need anything, but just sat around worshipping together, waiting for Jesus. Yet they did share with each other; that is all we know is true. They loved each other; we know that was true. They loved Jesus and believed he was the Christ; we know that was true. Can we do any less? We love the Lord with our whole being, and we love each other. However, we still need the power to testify about the resurrection of Jesus. We tell each other, we hear it from the pulpits, we think the missionaries we support are testifying about the resurrection of Jesus, but are we telling the story in the streets where we live? Give us the power, Lord, anoint us with the Holy Spirit and fire that we might proclaim, testify with great power, the resurrection of Jesus. 

Boldly

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

BOLDLY

Acts 4:23-31

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

"'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.'  

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

NIV

There is something to be said for praying the scriptures, as we see here, when the believers quoted from one of David's Psalms. However, we know that God already knew David's words, since it was the Holy Spirit who spoke through David, as well as every word that has ever been recorded in the scriptures; in fact, we believe God could quote every word he has spoken. This would include all that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have ever said, or that is recorded of what they said. However, although they included the words spoken by David, the key request of their prayer is for them to speak with boldness, and for the hand of God to be stretched out to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Jesus. We know God answers prayer, and that makes us wonder why we are not praying for boldness to speak out about Jesus, about the free gift of God, salvation. We also wonder why we have not asked the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, the one to whom everything in the earth belongs, to stretch out his hand and heal, and to perform miraculous signs and wonders. The question that is before us is whether we truly believe God will do all that. We call ourselves Christians, but are we believers? Those who were there with Peter and John were new to their faith in Jesus, and they had already seen a lame man healed by the power of Jesus' name. Have we accepted living as crippled Christians? Why should we? Because there is power in the name of Jesus, and we can both go boldly out and speak the truth of God, and go before him asking for his healing and for miraculous signs and wonders. Can we even imagine what the world would think of us if God were doing mighty things for us, in us, and through us? Can we fathom what our lives would look like, being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking the word of God boldly? 

Not Shutting Up

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

NOT SHUTTING UP

Acts 4:13-22

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

NIV

How could they refute a miracle when the man, who was forty years old, which meant he had been lame for forty years, and now stood before them? In this case, seeing is believing; however, at the same time, these men of the Sanhedrin thought more highly of themselves than they should have. Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men, yet they had been with Jesus. Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, Alexander, John, and the rest of the Sanhedrin were schooled, educated men in the law, but had no personal experience with Jesus, or Yahweh, the LORD whom they say they serve. They had to confess that Peter and John had done an outstanding miracle, but they could not allow this to continue, warning Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. This great statement of Peter is the way of life for believers. When you have a personal experience with Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit, how could you remain silent, no matter what others say? When they say we are too narrow-minded or intolerant and have no right to judge their behavior, basically, they want us to shut up and not speak about Jesus or the power in the name of Jesus. The men of the Sanhedrin feared losing their influence in society, so they did not want "The Jesus influence" spreading. We may be in a similar situation because the liberal society we live in is opposed to "The Jesus influence." Peter told them that to judge what was right in God's sight, they should obey them rather than God. We cannot do any less. Because we have experienced Jesus, we cannot remain silent. We need to speak up, tell our story, believe in the power of the name of Jesus, and live accordingly, expecting miracles. We will not shut up.