Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

No good deed goes unpunished. I have no idea where that phrase came from, but reading Acts 4, it’s hard not to see it all over Peter and John’s story. After healing a crippled beggar at the temple gate in Acts 3, the pair are arrested and put in jail until they could face trial the next day. The religious leaders were frustrated because they could see their power and influence beginning to slip away through the rise of this Christian movement. You can see it in their question in verse 7, “By what power or authority did you do this?”

There really is nothing new under the sun. Power, popularity, authority, influence - that is what people crave. One of the most desired occupations in the world now is “Influencer.” We want influence, and we want to get paid to be influential. But when we look at the Church and God’s people, it is clear that power does not come from influence.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived they were uneducated common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13-14.

Uneducated. Common. I can’t get past those characteristics. These were your everyday guys. They didn’t stand out in the crowd. They wouldn’t have drawn a huge social media following. They wouldn’t have been picked first for a job. Their resumes did not hold up to others. These were not the guys whose charisma filled the room. As a matter of fact, if they weren’t there, most people probably wouldn’t have noticed.

Ordinary. But also, BOLD. That boldness is what led others to see that these men were unique, not because of their influence, but because they had been with Jesus. The presence of Jesus showed through them, and the world couldn’t help but notice.

Don’t miss this. The church that you and I are a part of today; the church that has outlived kings and kingdoms; the church that has thrived through every imaginable persecution and pandemic; that church began over 2,000 years ago with uneducated, common, but bold men.

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflections:

• Have you ever felt unable or unfit? In what ways do you struggle with self-doubt?
• How does the way you see yourself compare to how God sees you?

Family Devos: Acts 4

By: Carrie Hobson

Remember the man who was healed in yesterday’s reading? He plays an important part in today’s reading as well. After the man was healed, Peter and John were speaking to people about Jesus and how he rose from the dead after his crucifixion. The Sadducees, who did not believe people could be raised from the dead, were annoyed at Peter and John so they arrested them! The next day, the high priest and his family asked them, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” and immediately the Holy Spirit filled Peter, and he began to tell them that Jesus, who they had crucified, who rose from the dead, and who had healed the lame man. He explained to them that salvation can only come from Jesus. They saw the boldness that Peter and John had when they talked about Jesus, and they were astonished.

They knew they had been with Jesus! The newly healed man was standing with them as this was all happening. The council realized that a miracle had been performed. Even still, they told Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore. Peter and John told them that they couldn’t help but speak of the works of Jesus. The crowd that they had been talking to earlier were praising God for what had happened. They saw Jesus because Jesus had used Peter and John to spread His Word. Pentecost brought 3,000 people to Jesus, and after Peter and John spoke to these people, the number of believers grew to 5,000!

Isn’t it so amazing that God used Peter and John even in the midst of people who didn’t believe them? They were even arrested for spreading God’s Word! Can you imagine? The story of Jesus and the His healing of the lame man spoke to the crowd. Sometimes, it’s hard to share God’s Word with others. You may have friends who don’t believe you, or they may even be ugly to you. Be bold! Just like Peter and John. Ask God to work through you so that you can share His glory with your friends. He will be right there with you. It may not always be easy, but He will never leave you!

• Pray: God, help me to be bold in how I share the gospel. Open my friends’ ears and hearts so they can know You. Speak through me so that I can bring others to You. Amen.