Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: Peter’s boldness in the beginning of the chapter is pretty amazing. Don’t forget that this is the same Peter who, in the gospels, denied that he even knew Christ three times because he feared what people would think of him and do to him if he pledged allegiance to Jesus. But after seeing Jesus rise from the dead Peter was transformed from a coward to a man of great courage. Standing before the Jewish rulers, many of whom didn’t even believe in the possibility of resurrection, Peter confidently asserted that God raised Jesus from the dead (v.10) and said “there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven by which we must be saved” (v.12). Peter was not cryptic but quite clear and confident in sharing his faith in Christ.
Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: Although I believe that our actions must be the “lead card” in our witness for Christ to the world, at some point we must be willing to make clear that Jesus is the only name “under heaven by which we must be saved” (v.12). At some point and in our own words our conviction that only Jesus, and not our spirituality, goodness, or religiosity, must be explicitly shared with love among those to whom we are seeking to bring good news. Today I will look for a chance to share Peter’s claim with someone in a manner that is lovingly explicit but not arrogant.
2 comments:
In Reading Acts Chapt4 especially in verse 19 reminds me of how great our God is, that the Apostles Peter and John could not keep quiet. What a special relationship they had with Jesus. In verse 31 how powerful the assembling together in prayer with God filling them with his Holy Spirit to speak the Word of God with boldness Wow!! I see a lot of this kind of boldness in Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church and I am so glad God brought me here to be a part of it all. When God's people are gathered together worshiping, singing, and praying, God can accomplish great things as in Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know. I believe God is on the move at SWC what a time in this day and era for God to be on the move. Praise God!!
Verse 12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." says it all!
Sharing your faith in Jesus Christ may cause feelings of fear and possibly guilt in your heart. I have been fearful of what people might think. God does not want us to be fearful. He wants to include us in his plan of redemption!
Praying for God to guide you in witnessing allows you to rely on His power, rather than your own abilities. Only God can change you and remove the fear! I have and will continue to pray to be an awesome witness for Christ! After prayer, I will fearlessly witness for Christ!
Another one of my many favorite verses is Romans 10:9-That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
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