Acts 4:5-12
“The rulers 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: ‘Rules and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: 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.” Acts 4:7-8 (NIV)
Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, the same Jewish rules that condemned Jesus. Their charge? They healed a lame man and used this opportunity to teach the crowd about salvation through Jesus. The Sanhedrin felt threatened by these disciples. According to Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe, its members were more concerned with their position and reputation than they were about God.
Much like our own lives, Peter had highs and lows in his spiritual life, but he grew in his faith to be passionate about the gospel. He is an inspiration for each of us in our faith journey. As we remember, Peter was a struggling fisherman who was called to become a disciple of Jesus. Peter’s faith grew throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, but at a crucial time just before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Despite that spiritual low, God used Peter to spread the gospel and, as Jesus predicted, he became the rock on which the Church was built.*
In the text above, Peter spoke boldly to the Sanhedrin; he was not intimidated. What transformed Peter from a denying disciple to someone who challenged the very authorities that crucified Jesus? After the resurrection, Peter finally understood who Jesus truly was – he was the Son of God who had come as the Messiah to save his people. The joy that Peter felt could not be contained within him; he had to proclaim it to all that would listen, even if it meant crossing the authorities. But Peter did not do it alone; as the text says, he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Like Peter and John, each of us have the opportunity to spread the Gospel message to those who need to hear it. This is true regardless of our past doubts or concerns about showing and proclaiming our faith. We can be bold to proclaim what we know is true because, like Peter and John, the Holy Spirit will also fill us with the passion and confidence that was instilled in all of the disciples. Are you ready?
Questions for Reflection:
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Have you already found yourself speaking boldly about the gospel and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit?
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How do you relate to Peter’s faith journey? Have you gone from denying to proclaiming your faith?
Prayer:
Almighty God, Thank you for sharing your grace with each of us despite how we have acted toward you in the past. Help us to proclaim with the boldness of Peter the good news of the Gospel. In your name we pray, Amen.
*Some interpreters believe it was Peter's confession on which the church was built, and not on Peter himself.
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