This passage picks up right after Peter and John were released from their arrest at the temple by the religious leaders. Many of you will remember this story but Peter and John healed a lame beggar man who sat every day by the temple gates collecting alms. The religious Jewish leaders had them arrested and they threatened and interrogated them, because they were angry about the healing done by the power of Jesus and in the Name of Jesus. And they were especially angry because this was not done quietly but the public saw the healing and the results of the healing and were celebrating and praising the Lord.
”When the believers heard their report, they raised their voices in unity and prayed, “Lord Yahweh, you are the Lord of all! You created the universe—the earth, the sky, the sea, and everything that is in them. And you spoke by the Holy Spirit through your servant David, our forefather, saying: ‘How dare the nations plan a rebellion, ranting and raging against the Lord Most High? Their foolish plots are futile! Look at how the kings of the earth take their stand, with the rulers scheming and conspiring together against God and his anointed Messiah!’ “In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with Jews and non-Jews, met together to take their stand against your holy servant, Jesus the Messiah. They did to him all that your purpose and will had determined, according to the destiny you had marked out for him. So now, Lord, listen to their threats to harm us. Empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously. Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus!” As they prayed the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness.“
How amazing is that? This is a time to speak the word of truth in unrestrained boldness, come what may. The way that Peter and John handled themselves in this arrest situation is so inspiring. They doubled down when the religious leaders threatened them. They spoke the truth boldly and unapologetically-- refusing to even appear like they would bow to the demands of these people in power who wanted to silence the truth from getting out to the public. We have a lot to learn from this passage, and I pray that today even through the hearing of this -- every one of you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to proclaim the word of God with unrestrained boldness.
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