Acts 4:1-12
4: And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 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. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 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.”
Reflection
Acts chapter 4 marks the first persecution of the early followers of Christ, a topic that will continue through the next three chapters (Acts 4–6) and climax in the stoning of Stephen (ch. 7). From this chapter on, Acts will illustrate the conflict between the system of the “world”— its thinking, motivation, and values —and the lordship of Jesus and the values of his kingdom.
The first sign of trouble is the arrest of Peter and John. Though they are known to be “uneducated” and common men, they speak with “boldness” (see 4:13) as they explain that Jesus is the cause for the healing of the crippled man (v. 10). Though facing the persecution of the Jewish leadership, Peter and John courageously proclaim the salvation that is found in Christ alone (v. 12). Credentials or eloquence in public speaking are not necessary to proclaim the gospel to others. The power of God is clearly on display when working through regular people. Our many flaws are not barriers to God’s work or love; instead, they glorify God all the more.
2 Peter 1:12-21
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
As an eyewitness to the majesty of Christ, Peter wants to assure us that Christ and his message are not “cleverly devised myths” (2 Pet. 1:16). The gospel is trustworthy, and therefore Peter calls us to pay close attention to the Word of God, which is like “a lamp shining in a dark place” (v. 19), providing truthful guidance for our hearts. The Scripture is not the product of creative human insight (v. 20); it is the reliable speech of God himself speaking through men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit (v. 21).
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Pray that God’s Word will give you divine insight today, enabling you to navigate your way through the darkness of the world.