BOLDNESS TO SPEAK IN THE NAME JESUS CHRIST

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: MONDAY, 26TH JUNE, 2023

TOPIC: BOLDNESS TO SPEAK IN THE NAME JESUS CHRIST

TEXT: ACTS 4:1-32

1. Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

2. being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3. And they laid hands on them, and put [them] in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

4. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5.  And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,

6.  as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7.  And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"

8.  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

9.  "If we this day are judged for a good deed [done] to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

10.  "let it be known to 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, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

11.  "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'

12.  "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

13.  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

14.  And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15.  But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16.  saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them [is] evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny [it.]

17.  "But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."

18.  And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19.  But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

20.  "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

21.  So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.

22.  For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

23.  And being let go, they went to their own [companions] and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24.  So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You [are] God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

25.  "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?

26.  The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.'

27.  "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together

28.  "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

29.  "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

30.  "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

31.  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

32.  Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 

MESSAGE:

Many people in our generation are afraid to speak in the name of Jesus,  in their offices, schools, business areas, etc. The story in our text today started in chapter 3:1-10 when Peter and John healed  the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. They were arrested by the Jewish leaders and charged to court (vs. 3-7) where they asked them by what power or name they healed the lame man (v. 7). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preached boldly on- the power in the name of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humankind (v. 12). Although they were threatened (v. 18),  these disciples were not discouraged from the mission. When the incident was reported to the brethren, they raised their voices in prayers and the Holy Spirit came mightily upon them (vs. 23-31).

Beloved, this shows that the power in the name of Jesus heals, saves, emboldens and unites people (v. 32). Jesus had told them not to worry about what to say whenever they were arrested (Matt. 10:19-20) and He fulfilled His promise to them. Do not be afraid to speak about Christ. Rather, pray for enabling grace by the Holy Spirit and you will be emboldened. God has not given us the Spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7).

PRAYER:

Spirit of the Living God, come upon me today and strengthen me to speak boldly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen