Acts 4:5-13 (NRSV)
Read Acts 4:5-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 5The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, Verse 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. Verse 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Verse 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, Verse 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, Verse 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Verse 11This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' Verse 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." Verse 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.
Devotion
Peter defends his healing of a crippled man. The Sanhedrin wants to know in whose name he is doing this. Peter’s response to the Sanhedrin was based on his personal experience with the living Christ. He spoke with passion and intensity because he knew the power of the Holy Spirit and it formed the bookends for his entire life.
How often do we think it is our degree or training that qualifies us to do ministry? It may enhance our ministry, but our true qualification comes from a relationship. Verse 13 of this passage tells us that the Sanhedrin “took note that these men had been with Jesus.” When people hear us speak would they know that we have been with Jesus? Spending time in worship, in the Scriptures, and in prayer are a few of many ways to “be with Jesus.” Have you developed a discipline of spending time with Christ?
Prayer
Lord, give us the courage to continually long for the living experience of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Help us to humbly recognize that our ministry is based on the name of the living, resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ! Amen.