Today’s Devotion
Topic: Can’t Help Talking About What We’ve Seen And Heard
Text: Acts 4: 20
As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Amen!
When God healed the cripple at the temple gate called beautiful through Peter and John, the people were astonished and came running to them. Peter took advantage and preached the gospel of our Lord to them.
But 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.
However, 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. 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! 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. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
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. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
They privately delibrated: “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop THIS THING from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in THIS NAME.”
So they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
(Acts 4:1-20)
Beloved, the early Apostles could not help but speak about the salvation they had experienced since they met Jesus. They were unschooled and ordinary men who didn’t have a sophisticated message except the resurrected Jesus and the power in His name to save all who believe. Even their lifestlye and behavior ministered the gospel. A careful look at them revealed they had been with Jesus. What about you? How long has it been since you shared the gospel?
Meditate upon this and pray for the courage to spread the gospel everywhere you go. Remember Peter and John did not wait till the day of evangelism to preach. They took advantage of every situation they encountered in each single day to preach Christ.
No wonder thousands believed and were saved. Resolve to do same today and everyday. Bring joy in heaven by leading a sinner to Christ and it will in turn be your joy and crown eternally.
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