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Day 5 Acts 4:5 Acts 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Have you been put in a situation where you were told to recant your beliefs? People believe many things, and argue about everything. They will try to force people to believe the way they do, whether it’s religion, politics, or sports. Peter and John were brought before the elders, the same people who put Jesus to death. They recognized they were Jesus’ disciples. They could not deny the miracle they did in Jesus’ name. Yet, they did everything they could to squelch what they did, even threatening them. Yet Peter and John told them it was better to listen to God rather than them because there was no other name under heaven but the name of Jesus, by which people are saved. The elders were impotent in the face of their faith and told them to leave because they couldn’t do anything to them without the people becoming angry with them. They also knew the person they healed was over forty years of age, leaving them with no alternative but to let them go. When Peter and John returned to the people who followed Jesus, they rejoiced and prayed for boldness to preach in the name of Jesus. When they prayed, the place shook and the Holy Spirit fell on them with power. As Christians, you have the same power and authority Peter and John did. The Holy Spirit lives in you giving you boldness to teach and preach God’s Word to everyone who will listen. When was the last time you were bold for Jesus Christ? When did the Holy Spirit move in your life with power? When was the last time miracles happened because of your boldness for Jesus? The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. You have the power of the Holy Spirit to raise the dead, heal the sick, and cast out demons. Those are the signs Jesus said would follow those who believed on Him. Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (KJV) Peter and John healed the lame man in the name of Jesus. People saw the signs and wonders they did. And they knew they had been with Jesus. Do people know you have been with Jesus? What signs and wonders follow you? It’s time to get bold for Jesus. Let’s pray: Father, give me boldness to preach Your Word. Let signs and wonders follow me as Jesus said would happen as I obey You. Let Satan know he has no power over me, because I have power over him. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 16 January 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay