Hello. I’m back! Hopefully I won’t go away again. This is like an unusual home now, haha!

Before I get back into this new feature I am sorry and have to admit something.

This technically isn’t a “devotion” per se, but I wanted to share what I want to say about this. This is sort of based on a bible study I just went to at an earlier time. As a group we went over things our own way at the time but there was some stuff here that really interested me.

Keep reading and I hope you will understand. What I do want to share doesn’t have a lot to do with what was talked about but is on the scripture itself. Because sometimes when reading the bible the word just comes alive and is exciting!

Things hit me deep and that is what I want to now share. The most exciting thing about reading Acts is know the Who, What, When, and Where?

To know where it happened you would have to know the who was impacted and when which was after a time of Christ’s life.

In this case these situations were after His death and resurrection!

Preceding that Jesus said to the people, the vast groups who listened before He died, He said He would give people a special gift. It would be something that would help them, a helper (the holy spirit) and it would be with them. It was technically Jesus’ promise to be with His people forever.

The disciples sadly and also preceding the book of the bible I am talking about did not understand much of this then and were not knowing what He had promised them before (they basically assumed, “You said you would be walking with us for the rest of our lives. Why are you doing this???”).

Then Jesus gave His life for the sin of the world died for the world’s sin. Then He was resurrected and is living actively for His people, like today!

The exciting thing about Acts is that the holy spirit would be coming to be a “helper” to them?

Wait. The “holy spirit?” What on earth is that??

Well that very force of God’s glory is told right here in this very book of the bible! You would if you get into it read of how it impacted them, both the jews and the gentiles, for the very first time. You also will be surprised that though preceding this event the were facing such heavy persecution and were seen as going against what the scriptures were saying. But they were actually living out what the God of love wanted especially the ones closest to Jesus.

I hope you get to read it during your time of devotion and chance on what fun it is. It is encouraging, at that time it was “unprecedented” (I sort of hate that word though, haha!!) and it was a special time too. That is because they faced challenges that they did not know were things they had to face. And everyone was on a new journey, even the living disciples of Christ (after Judas’ death). They faced a “new” path that was torn by new problems and trials because it was no longer the Pharisees that were after them but now a group called the “Sadducees.”

What I want to get into is are you a religious nut? Or do you consider yourself more than religious? Maybe you see yourself as a person who knows the truth and everyone else is wrong!

Well maybe reading this book of the bible will help you on your own time and during this moment of your life.

The first verse to the fourth verse talks about the arrest of Peter and John. Major religious leaders got together and as a group swooped in and captured them, since they talked of things that they apparently thought were false. It was heresy in their eyes!

What they didn’t realize was that they were witnesses to one of the most amazing events in all of human history. One that no one else can do but Christ!

But the Sadducees and the others thought they were spreading lies. They claimed they saw Jesus after He died. How???

It was word of mouth that spread to many others. How dare they speak what others would claim of their own offense some sort of false doctrine?

Seems like the Sadducees in a nutshell (I guess lol!).

But they were taken in to custody during the evening and kept in some sort of jail overnight.

Then they made them speak to a group of judges as if they were on trial to many others. Their claims were now getting them either killed or I don’t know what but these groups took their word as the most serious stuff to ever come from their mouths.

They were called the Sanhedrin.

As this went on Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said:

“(He was filled with the holy spirit) Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 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. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

part of Acts 4:8-12 NKJV (parentheses replaced text, added)

Hmm.

What a witness. But there’s more.

I am not even getting to the biggee part. This is the climax of my little devotion text I want you to read. What was so amazing was that they were put on trial.

Ever been on trial yourself? I haven’t but I have seen it at least once and I do not want to be on the worst part of that situation.

Here they were taken that what they said was untrue to the leaders, the priests, the head captain, and the Sadducees because they were speaking things they thought were awful.

But the final verse was what hit me.

They realized that the people who were so gungho so seemingly passionate, so sure about what they “saw.” It must have been true!

Because God’s people here, Peter and John, were known to be not smart.

They were known as uneducated people yet they were so sure they saw Christ.

And they believed. That is how verse 13 ends.

Wow.

Sorry I want to ponder that some more. How amazing it is to be a witness for Jesus!

But how about you? What do you believe? Seriously?

Do you see yourself as a witness? How about just a Christian? I know sometimes being seen as one thing or another might seem like one needs extra bravery or maybe you think this kind of thing is intimidating, do not fear. Do not forget that no matter what God is with you. That “helper” the holy spirit is with you.

God loves you. Take care.