EMBOLDENED WITNESS

Acts 4: 1-22

Friday, 09 January 2025

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  -Acts 4:12 

In the Acts of Apostles, Luke continues the account of the Spirit-filled growth of the early church after the ascension of Jesus Christ. A very different picture of the disciples is seen here- from fear-filled men in hiding after Jesus’ death, they became emboldened witnesses of their resurrected Saviour and Lord. They were transformed into strong men of faith preaching the gospel to crowds of people, authorities and performing miracles in Jesus’ name. 

The Transformation

When Jesus was with His disciples, though they had the revelation of Him being the ‘Son of the living God’ (Matt 16:16), they were yet immature believers—narrow-minded, fearful and doubting. Jesus had commissioned them to make disciples of all nations (Matt.28:19,20) but they were asked to wait to be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). On the Day of Pentecost, He sent the promised Holy Spirit – the Helper (John 14:26), who empowered the disciples with boldness and strength to proclaim the risen Lord as Savior (Acts 2). The presence and power of the Holy Spirit made the difference! 

The Calling on Christ’s Disciples

Jesus’ instruction to the apostles and to all believers- His disciples- everywhere, is to bear witness of Him to the ends of the earth, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This is exactly what the first disciples did- with boldness and God-given authority, they witnessed Christ at every opportunity that came across them—even in the midst of opposition and persecution. As we read in Acts 4, when brought before the Sanhedrin, the religious council at Jerusalem, Peterfearlessly confronts them with the unadulterated Gospel message that Jesus Christ, who was rejected and crucified by men, is the Messiah, whom God resurrected and exalted as the Chief cornerstone (Vs.10,11). The lame man may have received the miracle of being saved from his handicap, in Jesus’ name, but the real miracle of the Salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone. For Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of mankind, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  There is no other name, but the name of ChristJesus that can save (Acts 4:12). When sin alienated man from God (Romans 3:23), God in His infinite love for us sent His Son Jesus, who was without sin, to take away our sin (1 John 3:5) and make us right with God, through faith in Him. The foundation of our Christian life should be rooted in Christ alone and this should be the gospel message that we proclaim!

Friend, if you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, let this be the call to surrender your life to Him and welcome Him into your heart. He alone can rescue and save you! Those who have Christ as your Saviour and Lord, thank Him for His gift of salvation and take up the call of witnessing Christ as an ardent disciple when opportunities arise and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of trying to do things in our own strength depending on our own abilities, let us seek the help of the Holy Spirit to fill us with power to accomplish that which we have been called to do.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus I thank you for the gift of life that you have given me. I pray for the power of the Holy Spirit, that I may witness You in boldness and confidence all my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Listen: 'There is power'