Day 268: Acts 1-4; Psalm 110

After Jesus ascends to heaven, and another Christ-follower (Matthias) is chosen to replace Judas, the promised Holy Spirit comes and fills the apostles and empowers and emboldens them to preach the gospel...to start becoming the witnesses of Jesus' resurrection that he expected them to become.

In fact, as I read the first 4 chapters of Acts today, I am overwhelmed with how powerfully Peter testifies to what he has witnessed. Not only that, what really stands out to me is the central truth which he comes back to over and over is the fact of the resurrection. Jesus resurrection from the dead isn't just a part of his message...it IS his message...

"This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:23-24)

Or how about this:

"Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it." (Acts 2:31-32)

And he concludes with this...

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36)

I wonder sometimes if we don't get so caught up in what a person's response should be (Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." -Acts 2 :38) that we forget to tell them the thing to which they are supposed to respond.

In the next chapter Peter heals a lame man and afterward he uses the occasion to once again proclaim the resurrection of Jesus:

"You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see." (Acts 2:15-16)

Now, as you might suspect, the religious leaders didn't appreciate what these men were doing. Jesus was dead and buried and they thought they were finished with him:

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 4:1-2)

As a result, the apostles were arrested and instructed to quit preaching about Jesus being alive. In the face of persecution and threats these early Christians met together to pray. Notice what they pray for:

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)

They don't pray for safety. They don't pray that the leaders would ease off. They don't pray for protection. They pray for boldness. It sort of puts my pathetic prayers to shame.

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 4:33)