One of the accounts in the book of Acts after the ascension of Jesus was that of Peter and John appearing before the Sanhedrin as recorded in Acts 4. This passage provides profound insights into the steadfastness of faith, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the unwavering commitment to the gospel.
Here are three lessons that we can learn from this story:
First, we must be bold in proclaiming the Gospel.
Acts 4:12-13 says “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Peter and John displayed extraordinary boldness in proclaiming the gospel. Despite being ordinary men without formal education, their confidence came from their deep relationship with Jesus and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
They did not let fear or intimidation from the religious leaders deter them from declaring the truth about Jesus Christ.
We, too, are called to be bold in our witness for Christ. Our courage should stem from our relationship with Him and the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Second, we should depend on the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:8 says, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people!’”
Peter’s boldness was not of his own making; it was a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave him the words to speak and the strength to stand firm in the face of opposition.
In our own lives, we must recognize our need for the Holy Spirit. He is our source of strength, wisdom, and courage.
We should daily seek the filling of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to guide our words and actions as we navigate challenges and opportunities to share our faith.
Third, we must obey God above all.
Acts 4:19-20 says, “But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”
Peter and John were faced with a choice: obey the Sanhedrin’s command to stop teaching in the name of Jesus or obey God’s command to spread the gospel. They chose to obey God, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to His mission.
Our ultimate allegiance must be to God. When faced with conflicting demands, we must choose obedience to God, even if it comes with personal cost.
Let us pray for the courage, strength, and guidance to stand firm in our faith and boldly share the gospel in our daily lives. | NWI
