Acts 4:7 And when they had set them (Peter and John) in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this?
Peter and John had caused quite a stir at the Temple. By the Power in the Name of Jesus Christ, they ministered healing to a man who had been lame from birth. Due to this Miracle, a huge crowd gathered on the porch of the Temple, where they went on to preach a 3-4 hour sermon to the people. The Bible tells us that approximately 5,000 men came to belief and salvation that afternoon. We don’t know how many women and children were included, so the total could have very easily been over 10,000 people.
When evening came and they were still preaching, the Priests and Sadducees had to stop them, so they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail overnight. The next day, they went to court. The High Priest and many other religious dignitaries were there to hear the case.
Everyone knew what had happened, but they had to pose the question to Peter and John: By what power, or by what name, have you done this?
Peter would not back down or deny Christ this time as he had done before. Rather, he allowed the Holy Spirit to take control over his words and this is how the Bible states what happened next: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, You Rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you Crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand here before you whole. This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the Corner. Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
This took courage on Peter’s part. He knew they might kill him. However, now that he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he had far greater boldness and courage than ever before. Live or die, the Truth of the Gospel of Christ had to be spoken.
This is still another Benefit in our Believer’s Benefit Package: Boldness and Courage. If you are a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, it’s yours for the taking. Take hold of it! Be bold for Christ and walk in Courage like Peter and John did that day as they stood before the highest court in the land.
The Holy Spirit will........turn the tide….....in your life.
Boldly speaking, Doreen
