Bold Testimony

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Scripture: Acts 4:8-12 (ESV)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you 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 is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Devotion:

In this passage from Acts 4:8-12, we witness a decisive moment where Peter, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, addresses the rulers and elders of the people. His bold testimony is not just a defense of miraculous healing but a proclamation of the central truth of the Christian faith. Peter declares unequivocally that the healing of the crippled man was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, emphasizing the divine power and authority of Jesus, whom the religious leaders had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead. This revelation of Jesus' authority should fill us with awe and reverence.

Peter's reference to Jesus as "the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone" is a poignant reminder of the prophetic fulfillment found in Psalm 118:22. It underscores the irony that the very leaders who should have recognized and embraced Jesus as the Messiah were the ones who rejected Him. This irony should lead us to reflect on our own recognition and acceptance of Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith, the foundation upon which the Church is built.

Moreover, Peter's declaration that "there is salvation in no one else" affirms the exclusivity of Christ's saving work. In a pluralistic society that often values many paths to truth, this statement stands as a clear and uncompromising assertion of the necessity of faith in Jesus for salvation. This exclusivity should deepen our conviction and commitment to our faith in Jesus.

Peter's boldness, rooted in the truth of the resurrection and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, serves as an enduring example for believers today. It calls us to courageously proclaim the gospel, confident that in Jesus alone are found the hope and salvation that humanity so desperately needs. This passage challenges us to be steadfast in our witness, knowing that the cornerstone of our faith is unshakable and eternal.

Prayer:

            Lord, help us to proclaim the great gift of salvation that we have in Jesus Christ. Let us be aware that a person's eternal destiny hangs in the balance in these conversations. May we witness faithfully and truthfully about the good things God has given us. Let us allow room for the Holy Spirit to work in our witnessing so that all the glory may go to God. Glorify yourself in us. May we, in whatever way we can, fulfill the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught us. Amen.

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