NO OTHER NAME
Acts 4:5-22 (NIV) 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 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. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
There is a saying that “seeing is believing.” Yet, the Sanhedrin saw that a man who was lame from birth was healed in Jesus’ name and they did not want to believe. Furthermore, they did not want the news to spread. So, they instructed Peter and John to keep silent. But Peter, still empowered by the Holy Spirit, challenged the panel with the words “what is right in God’s eyes.”
Christians have always been at odds with the culture in which they lived. In Greek culture, the agora, an open space used for selling goods, was often accessed by way of an offering to whatever god was worshipped in the area. Since Christians could not give an offering to a false god, they were not allowed to buy or sell.
What would you do if you were unable to feed your family unless you swore allegiance to a false god? In 21st century America this may seem like an impossibility, yet we are told in the book of the Revelation that there will be a time when only those receiving the mark of the beast can buy or sell.
May we pray that whatever happens in our lives, we will remain strong in the Lord and be of good courage. And may we remember there is no other name by which we can be saved.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Hoy Spirit. Amen
By Faith in Jesus’ Name
Acts 3:11-16 (NIV) 11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 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.
It has always amazed me that people who were in the very presence of Jesus failed to recognize Him. Was it His outward appearance? Is 53:2 says He hath no form or comeliness that people would be attracted to Him. Was it His heritage? Perhaps they expected the King of the Jews to be born into royalty. Or perhaps it was simply that they did not realize that instead of a man who could lead a rebellion against Rome, what they really needed was a Savior to lead a revolution in their hearts.
Today we have the chance to acknowledge who Jesus is and respond to Him. How? Through grace and by faith. May we truly see the One who died for us and turn away from our sin and toward Him.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A Psalm of Hope
Psalms 23 (MSG) 1-3 GOD, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of GOD
for the rest of my life.
Today my cousin’s husband will be laid to rest in a small cemetery in Conway. The loss caused by death brings a grief like none other, but Psalm 23 assures us that if we follow the Shepherd, He will revive us.
The Message translation provides a fresh outlook on this well-known Psalm. In it I am assured that “I don’t need a thing.” “You let me catch my breath,” and “your beauty and love chase after me.” I am given the calm assurance that God cares for me, lovingly and watchfully.
May we know, believe and understand that because we have a risen savior, death will not have the last word.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Look At Us
Acts 3:1-7 (NIV) 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Have you noticed sometimes the scriptures appear to just give generalities, while at other times they are quite specific. In today’s scripture we are given the names of the two apostles, where they are going, why, and even the time. The man being carried to the gate had no idea his life was about to change. He was being taken there for one reason—to beg for money.
Peter and John did two things which the beggar did not expect. First, they looked directly at him. How many times do you suppose this crippled man had been overlooked by society? People tend to avert their eyes when they see something unpleasant, but Peter and John did the unexpected. Then, they plainly stated, “Silver and gold have I none, but in Jesus’ name, walk.”
When will we realize that there is power in the name of Jesus?
May we, along with our fellow disciples, keep our eyes upon the One Who will never take his eyes off us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Devotion and dedication
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The final verses in Acts Chapter 2 reflect a model Christian community of its time. There was a unity of believers that extended beyond the church and into home life. Meals were shared, resources were combined and distributed as needs arose, and Christians met daily in the temple courts for worship and for fellowship. This new movement tore down walls of economic disparity and created a community of believers and was a unique expression of love and faith in response to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
So, what does this mean for us today? If we are to model the early Church, what actions do we take?
We must make prayer a priority. In 1 Thess 5;16 we are told to pray without ceasing. Paul means simply to maintain an attitude of prayer. Let turning our face to God be our first response rather than our last resort.
We must read our Bibles daily, for to know God we must know His Word. The more I read God’s Word the more I want to read God’s Word.
We must attend church regularly. Entering into praise and worship and greeting brothers and sisters in Christ is vital in sustaining our faith. And hearing, not just listening, but absorbing a message delivered by a godly preacher is adding fuel to the fire of faith we have for God.
We must give a portion of our funds to the service of God. Never tithe before and not sure how to start? Begin giving a small amount, praying that God will enable you to give more and then being faithful to do so.
May we make a fresh commitment to grow our faith daily, sharing God’s love with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, said the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 