Daily Devotion
BOLD WITNESSES!
Over a three year period Jesus had trained His disciples. His disciples became ““witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”” (Acts 1:8).That first Pentecost, after Jesus’ ascension back to His Father in heaven, was a watershed event. Peter boldly spoke the truth regarding Christ—His death and resurrection (2:29-36). This led to 3000 new converts (vs.41b), and the beginning of Christ’s church on earth.
Peter (and John) continued their bold presentation of Christ’s resurrection. On another occasion, after the healing of a crippled man (3:1-7), they were arrested, while, simultaneously, another 2000 came to faith in Jesus Christ (4:1-4).
The following day, these two apostles stood before a wide-range of religious leaders (vss.5-6). They wanted to know “by what power” they preached and did miracles (vs.7b) (since the former had no formal, religious training).
Again Peter took on the role of chief spokesperson, declaring that this “power” was ““Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead”” (vs.10b). There was something unique, and remarkable, regarding the witness of these apostles, who were “unschooled, ordinary men,” and these high religious leader “took note that these men had been with Jesus” (vs.13).
Yes, Christ was at the center of the bold truth of these chosen witnesses! Peter and John are models for us, and our witness for Christ in today’s world.
PRAYER PAUSE: Oh Spirit of God, give us bold courage to spread the
Gospel message of Christ to a dying world today. Amen
