Tuesday, 11 August 2020
Acts 4: 1-22
“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
The Acts of Apostles is an account of the Spirit-filled growth of the early church after the ascension of Jesus Christ. As we move from the gospels to the Acts of Apostles, we see the transformation of the disciples, from fearful men who fled their Master’s side when He was arrested and crucified to strong men of faith who preached the gospel to the crowds and authorities and performed miracles in Jesus’ name.
How did this transformation take place? When Jesus was with them, although they had the revelation that the He was the ‘Son of the living God’ (Matt 16:16), they were yet immature believers—opinionated, fearful and doubting. But after Jesus’ ascension, He sent the promised Holy Spirit – the Helper (John 14:26), who empowered the disciples with boldness and strength to lift up and proclaim the risen Lord as Savior. We too as Christians, sometimes try to do things in our own strength and fail miserably. Instead of 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.
What is the calling upon us? Jesus’ instruction to the apostles and to all believers everywhere is to bear witness of Him to the ends of the earth, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). With boldness and authority, this is just what the disciples proceeded to do. They witnessed Christ at every opportunity they had, even in the midst of opposition and persecution. As we see in Acts 4, Peter confronts the Sanhedrin with the unadulterated Gospel message that Jesus Christ, who was rejected and crucified by men, was the Messiah, whom God resurrected and exalted as the chief cornerstone. Salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone. 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 shall have eternal life (John 3:16). There is no other name, but the name of Jesus that can save. When sin alienated man from God (Romans 3:23), God in His infinite love for us sent His Son, the blemishless Lamb of God to pay the atoning sacrifice through death (1 John 4:10) that we may be restore to a rightful relationship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ. The foundation of our Christian life should be rooted in Christ alone and this should be the gospel message that we proclaim!
Dear child, 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. If Jesus is your Savior and you are walking in faith with the Lord, let this be a time to remember the greatest gift of God – the sacrifice of Christ that enabled us who were perishing to be saved and enjoy an eternal relationship with Him. May we too take the call of witnessing Christ as an ardent disciple when opportunities arise and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, 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 Christ in boldness and confidence all my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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