A huge problem loomed in Jerusalem for the early followers of Jesus, namely they believed in their Messiah’s resurrection from the dead. As we read in the beginning of Acts chapter 4, the resurrection was why the Jewish religious officials were so incensed at the Jesus followers (verse 2).
These disciples or followers of Jesus were a band of misfits: fishermen, zealots, tax collectors and commoners. This handful of men were unrefined in scholastic and educational pursuits and very ordinary. These disciples followed Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and through His fifty days on earth after the resurrection. And this band were humble and true believers that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God to be worshipped and followed as the one Way, Truth & Life.
The power of God was on these disciples, and God used Peter and John to heal a forty year old man who everyone recognized back to full and immediate health (chapter 3). This healing drew a crowd, and Peter shared from the ancient Scriptures about Jesus and how He was the Messiah, how He died and rose back to life and that all should follow Him. Many responded to the truth of Peter’s explanation and pledged their allegiance to Jesus the Messiah!
The Jewish officials wanted to put a stop to this message, so they had Peter and John arrested and they spent the night in jail (4:3-4). What would you think about if you were (like Peter and John) sitting in jail overnight waiting for trial?
I think that the Gospel of Mark gives us a hint. They were WORRIED!
Many believe that Mark wrote his Gospel along with the apostle Peter who was coaching him as an eyewitness about the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry. We have this teaching from Jesus to his disciples captured in Mark 13:9-11:
“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
We see that Jesus said “don’t worry beforehand” because He knows us! He also counts the Holy Spirit into the words of witness!
I think this teaching was remembered well by Peter who actually endured the trials, floggings, witnessing and worry! I believe this teaching is vital to us who follow Jesus many years later, because we need to remember don’t worry, and that the Spirit is able to give us what words to say of witness to Jesus!
Back to these ordinary guys–Peter & John–who are standing trial for causing all of the city to be in an uproar. As they stand in front of the officials, Peter with power and persuasiveness shares that the resurrected Jesus is their Messiah and the only Way for salvation!
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is
‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
So how do you go from Ordinary to Extraordinary? The officials at the trial saw the transformation and they took note that these men had been WITH Jesus!
We can be transformed the same way today from ordinary to extraordinary by being WITH Jesus!
Listen to the recorded message “How to go from Ordinary to Extraordinary – Acts 4“
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back to Los Altos Grace for the baptism, which was a cool celebration!