David Bahn – Reflections

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 53

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.
God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there is anyone who understands,
Who seeks after God.
Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.
Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,
Who eat up My people as though they ate bread
And have not called upon God?
There they were in great fear where no fear had been;
For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;
You put them to shame, because God had rejected them.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores His captive people,
Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 83:1-2, 15-18

God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
So pursue them with Your tempest
And terrify them with Your storm.
Fill their faces with dishonor,
That they may seek Your name, O LORD.
Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever,
And let them be humiliated and perish,
That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 113:1-4

Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.

Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O LORD,
Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart is appalled within me.
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You, as a parched land.
Selah.
Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Your face from me,
Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies
And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
For I am Your servant.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I thought Dr. “Red” Duke, famous Houston physician and TV personality said it. But upon more careful research, he may have said it, but it dates well earlier than Dr. Duke’s TV appearances. Ready: Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. Or, “Getting old is difficult. But the alternative is rotten (rotting?). Clever, and even more applicable to me today than even 10 years ago.

On the other hand, Jesus says that it is those who have childlike faith who are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven (or Kingdom of God) is a realm of faith: the gracious rule and reign of God by faith in the heart of the believer. As such, we must allow that children may have saving faith. When we baptize an infant, we are actually providing a true focus or object for his or her faith.

By the time someone grows up, adding a few years of disappointments of promises not kept, he becomes more callous and less trusting by nature. We become suspect when the way cool decoder ring promised in the Cracker Jack box is cheap throw-away. Then we are promised a better job that never materializes. Our close friend betrays a confidence. We close our hearts. We harden our souls against hope. The older we get the more skeptical we become.

So when this man who is 40 years old reports that he has been healed – or when the people see this 40 year old man now walking – they know something really happened. This isn’t a last-minute plant, who miraculously gains his sight. This isn’t an insider who is pretending to have won the giant teddy bear at the carnival. They’ve seen this man for years, struggling to get by. He’s old enough not to be taken in. This is the real deal.

Our son, one Sunday went to his friend’s house to tell him about Jesus. We thought that was really cute. But when the father of the bride spoke at the wedding reception for a newly-wed couple and gave a clear public witness to Jesus Christ and the importance of faith, I took note. I suspect it had an impact on others as well.

As we wait for that time when our numbered days come to an end, and we pass from this veil of tears to the life of the world to come, it is vital that we join Paul and say, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) That’s true no matter how old we are.

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Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

When people praise God several important things happen. God is properly recognized for his majesty, glory, power, strength, wisdom, grace, goodness, mercy, and love. When God is recognized for these things, we are the better for it.

Praising God doesn’t make him feel better about himself. It doesn’t make him any more inclined to care for us. He is the One who is. He told Moses, when asked for his name, “I AM WHO I AM.” He is the Great I AM. He exists apart from our acknowledgement. When we acknowledge this, it is akin to acknowledging that there is such a thing as gravity. We live with it. We don’t ignore it. It is a factor in our lives. Without it we’re in deep trouble. So too with God. If we do not acknowledge him for who he is, we are in deep trouble.

Furthermore God’s love is pure. His grace is glorious. His mercy is steadfast. We don’t earn it. It is a given. So when we acknowledge God for his mercy, grace, goodness, and love, we are not causing God to love us. He doesn’t need a reminder of that. We are reminding ourselves that we have a faithful and loving God to whom we may turn in times of joy or trouble. We embolden ourselves to call on him and seek his help.

As we praise God we also put things in perspective. He is great. We are not. We cannot call him to account for his actions. We cannot put him on trial. We answer to him. This is a healthy attitude toward God and life itself. The sooner we recognize that we are not in control the sooner we’ll enjoy letting God guide our path as we seek his will and ways.

Praise can prevent further incursions of evil and trouble. That’s what happens here when the people’s praise prevented the enemies of the gospel from taking further action against Peter and John.

Our troubles and worries are also put in perspective when we praise God. God is bigger, stronger, mightier, and sovereign over all our lives – our troubles included. They will bow to his good will and ultimate purpose for our blessing and joy.

When the people saw what God had done for the lame man, they rejoiced and praised God. Did they realize the farther-reaching implications of their praise? Do you, when you praise God and give him the glory he deserves?

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Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Have you ever blurted out something? Good or bad. Polite or importune. Appropriate or awkward. Sometimes we fail to practice the ministry of holding one’s tongue (Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer). It can have dangerous and destructive consequences. We say things we deeply regret. We offend our friends. We hurt others. We betray a confidence. All to the harm of others and ourselves.

On the other hand, have you failed to speak when you should? Not offered a word to defend someone’s character. Not said stop when you know you should have. Not spoken a word of admonishment or encouragement when you should have. Those sins of omission can have much more lasting and consequential repercussions than we might imagine.

Peter could be guilty on both counts. He once spoke brashly about his stallwort commitment to Jesus compared to his brother disciples. He once failed to speak about his association with Jesus for fear of a slave girl, instead speaking an oath of denial.

But on this occasion Peter speaks boldly. He and John – when threatened not to speak of Jesus anymore – retorted, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (v. 19-20) They were not to be silenced. They had seen and heard Jesus teach and heal. They had seen him on the cross and heard his word of peace. They had witnessed his resurrection and listened to Jesus’ challenging question, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)

We don’t have quite that level of hearing and seeing. But we have heard the Good News of Jesus’ love, grace, salvation, and mercy. We have seen lives changed. We have come to recognize his complete commitment to the salvation of the world and ongoing work in the lives of believers. We’ve seen prayers answered. We’ve heard a word of grace and forgiveness. We’ve knelt at the rail and received his body and blood. We’ve seen the boldness of others who have spoken out in the face of ridicule and threat of worse. Once in a while we see things we cannot ignore. Sometimes we hear words that must be repeated. When that happens, we can join Peter and John and give our witness in our own way.

It may not be the way of Peter’s brashness. It might be the gentler way of John. But let it be the way God works in you, how he has touched your heart, and enlightened your soul. Let it be as real as Jesus’ work in your heart and life.

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Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I just recently learned what “mic drop” means. It’s a way of saying that nothing more needs to be said, or can be said. I’m finished speaking, and I’m dropping the microphone because I need not say more. That’s what I thought of when I saw this line in the confrontation between Peter and John and the Jewish leaders on this occasion. “For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” It’s the undeniable, undebatable reality. They will have to deal with this reality. The man had been healed. Everyone had seen it. They couldn’t pull off a bald-faced lie. 

It’s pretty sad when people who should be championing the healing of a crippled man instead challenge, criticize, and belittle the ones who healed him. That is especially true when the ones who did it take no credit for themselves. They give all the credit to Jesus.

I’ve seen Jesus given credit in ways that still allow for the hero status of the healer or miracle-worker to be front and center. Their name is prominently displayed. Their name is on the billboards and building, and maybe even their face. The TV screen centers on them. Worst of all, their message is seldom about repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus. They focus on the miraculous and fantastic, not on the cross of Jesus, or the one we are to carry as Jesus’ followers.

Peter and John are beginning an incredible new chapter in the story of God. They will perform miracles. They will heal. But they will also be put in prison. They will be threatened. Others will even be put to death for speaking in Jesus’ name, and proclaiming his death and resurrection.

That should be a mic drop moment for us. People have died because they carried the message of Jesus to new lands and people. But it does not stop God from growing his kingdom. It will not keep his people from witnessing to the truth and grace of Jesus of Nazareth.

There will be a mic drop to end all mic drops on the great last day. Those who criticize and ridicule Jesus’ followers, and those who deny Jesus’ reign and rule will be silenced. The only words that will be spoken then will be words of praise, honor, glory, blessing, and joy before the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever and ever. Amen (mic drop!)

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Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I mentioned recently that I’ve been watching a television series about New York City lawyers and all their slick moves, strategic posturing, and legal maneuvers. I’ve noticed some things about these characters. They wear very expensive suits, eat in high dollar restaurants, work in glass-walled offices with elegant fine furniture. They are high powered, high wage earners, and physically attractive. They’re smart and very successful.

This reminds me of what Paul writes to the church in Corinth:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. ²⁹ As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 [NLT]

So the observation of the Jewish leaders and high priests that Peter and the others were common, ordinary and uneducated men is right on. And this truth should leap off the page: God has given his incredibly extraordinary mission to common ordinary men and women. God has given his extraordinarily important mission into the hands of common and ordinary men and women.

Don’t get me wrong. This is no excuse to be schlocky in our work or witness. We need not try to prove how inept we are in declaring the truth about Jesus. We must do all we can to be faithful, credible, prepared, and dedicated witnesses to Jesus’ work and word. We are called to give God the firstfruits – not the leftovers of our reason and senses. We must fully apply ourselves to reflecting Jesus’ love, truth, grace, and mercy. But the power is not in our intellect, reasoning ability, or efforts. The power is God’s Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Paul says the result of God’s using ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes is so that we do not boast. It’s also so that people will not rely on just one person, or believe that their favorite pastor, teacher, or mentor is the only one through whom God can work.

What distinguished these men was the impact that Jesus had on them. They had been with Jesus and it showed. Want to be extraordinary? Spend time with Jesus and he will do extraordinary things through you. That’s what he does. The extraordinary mission of God is carried out by ordinary people who have spent time with Jesus.

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 16:5-8

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
⁶ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷ I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸ I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 76:1-2

In Judah God is known;
    his name is great in Israel.
² His abode has been established in Salem,
    his dwelling place in Zion.

Psalm 106:1-5

Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
    or declare all his praise?
³ Blessed are they who observe justice,
    who do righteousness at all times!

⁴ Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
    help me when you save them,
⁵ that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
    that I may glory with your inheritance.

Psalm 136 [a rehearsal of God’s mighty acts]

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁴ and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁵ but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁰ and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²¹ and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²² a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you 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—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I’ve graduated! I’m no longer binging only on watching YouTube videos of off-road recoveries, watch repairs, or airplane finds. Good as those might be, I can sample one or two (fast-forwarding through the uninteresting parts) and go on to better things. Now I am watching a TV series about lawyers in a high dollar New York law firm. The “heroes” somehow manage to seize on a word of their opponent, a comment of a colleague or their own inspiration as just the right time. Then they unload. They cut to the core of their legal opponent’s arguments and manage to win the case. The right word, revealing truth, a chink in their opponent’s defence, or claiming the high (?) moral ground wins the day.

Peter is no lawyer. That would be more like the Apostle Paul. But Peter surely knows what to say and when to say it. Bold. Courageous. Clear. Powerful. True. Peter’s words on this occasion are all of those. They are also not because of a comment of a colleague, a misstatement of the chief priest or his entourage, or his own inspiration. Peter’s words come from the Holy Spirit. Luke makes that crystal clear: “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people…” 

When I first learned more fully of the work of the Holy Spirit, I was struck by the completeness of God’s grace. Not only did he give his own Son for the salvation of the world, he also sent the Holy Spirit so that we would be brought to faith. We cannot believe in Jesus or come to him except for the work of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to faith, and engenders the very faith to which he calls us.

But, as they say on the TV Infomercials, Wait! There’s more! The Holy Spirit also sends people on God’s mission. Jesus said that the Apostles should wait in the city until the Holy Spirit comes upon them. He promised that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem (where they are at this point in time), and ultimately to the ends of the earth. Peter is speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Word of the Lord will grow – by the power of the Holy Spirit – and the number of believers will come to 5000 men. But, wait, there’s more! The Holy Spirit will compel the believers in Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys to declare the Word of God.

The Holy Spirit was at work in those days through Peter and Paul, Barnabas and John Mark. But he’s not finished. He has worked to bring you and me to faith through the faithful witness of those who have shared the word of God with us. They shared just the right words with us. Words about Jesus. Words about God’s love and grace. Words that inspired faith. I hope to keep speaking those kinds of words whenever I can – all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you 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—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

God is clear. Through the prophet Isaiah he declares: “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8). He makes it clear in the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus faced down Satan in keeping with this truth. When tempted by Satan, he responded, “You shall worship the LORD your God and him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). 

So when Peter proclaims, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), he is making a claim for Jesus that is both exclusive as well as being extraordinary. It is obviously exclusive: no other name… But it is also extraordinary: Jesus must be God in the flesh if he is receiving this kind of glory and honor. God said it long before Jesus was born, “I, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out” (Ezekiel 34:11).

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, fulfilled that promise. And now, because of his faithful life, his sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection he is properly called, “Lord and God” (cf. John 20:28; Philippians 2:11). Peter is reflecting that truth here when he says that there is salvation in no other name than Jesus. He is applying these profound realities:

• No one else died for the sins of the world.
• No one else totally defeated death and the devil.
• No one else has made the promise that whoever comes to him, he will never turn away (John 6:37).

No one else prayed that the cup would pass from him (that he would not have to die for the sins of the world), and have that request denied. Either God is a cruel, evil and sadistic God if there was another way than Jesus’ death, or there was no other way than Jesus’ death for our redemption and salvation.

Jesus prayed that God would glorify him with the glory he had before the world was created (John 17:5).

There is no other way, no other God, no other hope than Jesus. I hope I can learn what that means each day of my life here, and I look forward to experiencing it with God in the life of the world to come.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you 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—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus did it, and it got him killed. Well, actually it wasn’t his actions that got him killed. But he could have caved, said what Pilate and all the other religious leaders wanted him to say, and sidestepped his trial and conviction. But sometimes you simply must speak truth to power.

The truth in this case was that Jesus had died, but had been raised from the dead. He was now reigning at the right hand of God. He was still at work in the world, although he had gone on to the next, reigning at the right hand of God. The truth was and is that Jesus has the name that is above every name. At his name every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. One day every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

That truth was spoken by Peter to the powerful religious leaders of his day. I notice that it wasn’t just the high priest, but his family and a whole entourage of powerful men to whom Peter was speaking. I’d be intimidated. I’m not sure I could have stood up to these powerful men as did Peter. Sure, Peter was inclined to speak first and think later. But still…these are the power brokers of their day. They had lots of sway over the outcomes of this encounter. Yet Peter gives bold witness.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be confronted by such power, but I do know the truth. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. There is salvation in his name alone. His is the ultimate power and the purest truth.