Acts 4:1-22 Defenders and Opposers

"Here we see what three groups of people do with Jesus' name," my commentary begins.  In these verses, two of those groups are discussed.  

"The Apostles were defending His name ... Peter respectfully began with an explanation of how the miracle occurred.  How was this well-known crippled beggar healed?  'By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!'  Those words must have pierced the hearts of the members of the council!  They thought they had finished with the prophet from Nazareth, and now His followers were telling everyone that Jesus was alive!"

"The Council was opposing His name ... They were in a dilemma no matter which way they turned.  They were trapped.  They could not deny the miracle, because the man was standing before them, and yet they could not explain how uneducated and untrained men could perform such a mighty deed ... The Council did not seek for truth, but rather sought for some way to avoid the truth ... Their pride and hardness of heart stood in the way."

Father, I pray that You will give me courage to always defend Your name and keep me from the pride and hardness of heart that we see here.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford