The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves.
Testimony in Kenya
“What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.
Prayer:Lord Jesus – Give me the boldness and steadfastness of Peter and John who, under threat of the authorities, remained obedient to God. Holy Spirit – Give me the words to speak truth to power in a way that is clear and unequivocal . Heavenly Father – Work your wonders in me and through me… that the world may know Jesus is Lord. Amen.
The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest.
They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed?
“Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – You alone have the power to heal… you alone have the power to save. You alone are the way, the truth, and the life…. no one comes to the Father except through you. May the whole world know that you are Lord. To you be all honor, glory, wisdom, power, riches and strength. Amen.
Spiritual Song:“There Is No Other Name” – Robin Mark
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees.
People attend a Mass led by Catholic priest Marcelo Rossi at the Mother of God sanctuary in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Rossi, inaugurated on Friday the massive new Roman Catholic church that will hold about 20,000 worshippers when complete. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.
They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning.
But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Fill your church with your Spirit. Guide and direct your servants to seek and save those who are lost. Baptize them into your family and make them spirit and truth worshipers. Teach and train them to become more like you and send them out to tell others of your mercy and grace. And may you receive all the glory. Amen.
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.
“People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.
“This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things.
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.
“Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’
“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’
“When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
Prayer:Heavenly Father – Give me a passion and heart for the lost… a passion to reach one more for Jesus. Holy Spirit – Usher in a season of refreshment… of power healing and evangelism where sins are forgiven, lives are changed, and families, tribes and nations turn to God. Lord Jesus – You reign over heaven and earth… pray for us… may your Kingdom come and your will be done… so that in the end every knee shall bow and tongue confess you as Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “In the name of the Lord” – Sandi Patti
Crowds Have Lined The Narrow Street / To See This Man From Galilee / Just A Carpenter Some Say Leading Fools Astray / Yet Many Kneel To Give Him Praise
And In His Eyes They Glimpse The Power / That Sees The Heart Of All Men / And He Knows His Fathers Mind He Speaks His Fathers Words / For He Comes In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord / Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord
When My Plans Have Fallen Through / And When My Strength Is Nearly Gone / When Theres Nothing Left To Do But Just Depend On You / And The Power Of Your Name
And When We Call Upon Your Name / Your Strength Through Weakness To Show / We Can Know The Master Plan Extend The Masters Hand / When We Come In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord / Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord
His Name Will Be Worshiped Forever / Creator Redeemer And King / There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord / Blessed Is He Who Comes / Blessed Is He Who Comes / Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord / In The Name Of The Lord
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.
As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.
But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk!
Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.
When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Prayer:Lord Jesus – Forgive my timidity… my self-consciousness… my unbelief. I am so worried about looking foolish if nothing happens, that I don’t even try to offer healing in your name… especially in a public setting like the Beautiful Gate. And in the end, everyone loses… no one gets healed… no one’s life is changed… no one praises God… and no one sees your power at work in real life.
Holy Spirit – Give me the heart and mind of Peter and John… to discern the real problem… and, with boldness, to offer a healing solution. Help me to get over myself, and focus on what you want to do.
Heavenly Father – May I honor you in all things… and bring glory to your name. Amen.
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