Read: Acts 4:1-15
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (v. 13 NIV)
Today’s Bible reading is an astonishing account of what it means to be a witness. After a night in jail, Peter and John were brought before the religious leaders and teachers of the law (Acts 4:1-7). The apostles’ teaching to the crowds the previous day had led to more people coming to faith in Jesus. And then, Peter had publicly healed a lame man in Jesus’s name (Acts 3). The religious leaders, who had opposed Jesus, believed that they were done with Jesus after his crucifixion. But now, here were Peter and John, bravely and boldly preaching the gospel.
The religious leaders didn’t believe the healing of the lame man was linked to Jesus, but they did link the courage of Peter and John to Jesus. Peter and John were “unschooled, ordinary men” (4:13). They were fishermen, used to the Sea of Galilee, not the council of priests in the temple. Where did their bold preaching coming from? The religious leaders noted that Peter and John had “been with Jesus” (v. 13).
The apostles now knew that everything Jesus had said and promised was true. And they trusted that Jesus, by his Spirit, was still with them. It was so evident that even the people who had handed Jesus over for crucifixion could see it in the lives of the apostles, that they had “been with Jesus.” Can people see that in your life too?
As you pray, spend time with Jesus in prayer and ask him to shape your life.
Rev. Titus Baraka is the executive director of Words of Hope Uganda. With more than forty years of experience as an evangelistic preacher and pastor, he is passionate about sharing the gospel.
Through radio programs of all types, from music, to Bible studies, to counseling, Words of Hope Uganda is claiming all assets of Ugandan society and culture for Christ. Words of Hope is empowering Ugandan pastors and churches to effectively nurture their people in the life of Christian discipleship. In the midst of this hard place, radio is bringing truly life-changing good news. To learn more about Words of Hope Uganda, visit our ministry pages.
