Acts 5:40-42 (NIV) His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Talk about boldly proclaiming the Word to the world. These Disciples of Jesus performed a complete turn-around. These men moved from denying their relationship with Jesus and running scared into the night, to defying the religious leaders and putting their lives on the line. What happened to cause such a total change in attitude and produce this transformation of hearts?
Gamaliel convinced the Sanhedren to free the men and persuaded the rulers not to kill Peter and the others. Once they were released good judgment says to count your blessings and go home. They did not take the safe road, but instead, stepped off the curb and right back into the traffic
Are you still asking, "What happened?" The Holy Spirit happened. These men found their hearts changed because the Spirit of God entered them and filled them with wisdom and courage.
Satan will place folks or circumstances in our path, blocking the way for us to share our faith. When we stop to think about this we can recognize things like illness, family strife, and financial worries as roadblocks on our walk. It is difficult to share Good News when all the news of late is bad. Peter and John were warned repeatedly not to preach but they did anyway.
It is times like this we can call upon the Holy Spirit to fill us. We can ask Him to top off our Spiritual tanks with courage and conviction; we’ll get better mileage when we do this.
Talk about boldly proclaiming the Word to the world. These Disciples of Jesus performed a complete turn-around. These men moved from denying their relationship with Jesus and running scared into the night, to defying the religious leaders and putting their lives on the line. What happened to cause such a total change in attitude and produce this transformation of hearts?
Gamaliel convinced the Sanhedren to free the men and persuaded the rulers not to kill Peter and the others. Once they were released good judgment says to count your blessings and go home. They did not take the safe road, but instead, stepped off the curb and right back into the traffic
Are you still asking, "What happened?" The Holy Spirit happened. These men found their hearts changed because the Spirit of God entered them and filled them with wisdom and courage.
Satan will place folks or circumstances in our path, blocking the way for us to share our faith. When we stop to think about this we can recognize things like illness, family strife, and financial worries as roadblocks on our walk. It is difficult to share Good News when all the news of late is bad. Peter and John were warned repeatedly not to preach but they did anyway.
It is times like this we can call upon the Holy Spirit to fill us. We can ask Him to top off our Spiritual tanks with courage and conviction; we’ll get better mileage when we do this.
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