Acts 3 - 4

Recognition

In today's portion we read two more sermons by Peter.  The change in Peter after he is filled with the Holy Spirit is clearly noticeable.  While Jesus was being persecuted, Peter denied Him three times.  After Jesus resurrected and Peter saw Him, he still went back to fishing (see John 21) and was encouraged by Jesus to "feed my sheep."  But when Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, nothing could stop him from preaching about Jesus.  As we saw in yesterday's reading, Peter employed the keys to the Kingdom in his first sermon when he explained to those who asked, how they needed to be baptized in Jesus' name and receive the Holy Spirit.

In chapter 3, Peter continues his manifestation of the Spirit.  A lame beggar asks for money, but Peter and John have no money. However, they have something much greater - the presence of Almighty God living in them. In the name of Jesus Christ they command the man to be healed, and he is.  This miracle is so inspiring that Peter preaches another sermon in 3:12-24. In verse 12 the Bible states, "Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd." No more denial! No more prodding!  With boldness Peter speaks about the risen Savior. 

The boldness and speech of Peter and John so alarmed the religious leaders that they have Peter and John arrested and put in jail for the evening.  The next morning before the council, they are asked, "By what power, or in whose name, have you done this? [the miracle]"  This, of course, provides Peter and John still yet another opportunity to testify about Jesus and His resurrection power.  So strong and convincing is their testimony that even the religious leaders confess in 4:13, "They [the council] also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus."

Lord, may my life be so filled with your Holy Spirit that I provoke a similar reaction and conclusion from those around me.  May people see that I have been with Jesus.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.