Wednesday, November 5, 2014

IN THE WORD DAILY
with Brother Rick

Acts 4 : 12, 13
  Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
V- 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

As we go through the book of Acts, we must keep in mind that there are things taking place during this transition period and birth of the church, that the people had never seen. The apostles were afforded the privilege of possessing supernatural gifts that would authenticate the message that they preached. We see in this text that not only were they given the ability to speak in other languages, heal the sick, raise the dead and work the works of God,  they were given the ability to understand the word of truth, and it was sealed to their hearts and well as their minds. Friend, it is one thing to know about  Jesus, It is quite another to know him and to be known of him. It is one thing to know the gospel of Christ, It is quite another to trust the gospel unto salvation. It is one thing to know the scriptures, it is quite another to live according to the scriptures. It is one thing to have a head knowledge of the new birth, It is quite another to be born again. 2 Corinthians 4: 6 says, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face Jesus Christ.”

We see in the text that Peter finishes his sermon with a message that was offensive to the religious crowd. It was offensive to most of the Jews. It was offensive to the Bible scholars of that day, and we find today that it is still offensive, even in 2014. The message that Peter preached is in verse 12. There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. There is no fellowship with God the Father outside of his Son Jesus. There is only one way to heaven, and it is not in the Jewish religion, it is not in the law, and it is not in the priesthood. It is in Jesus. They could not accept this. They refused to have Jesus as Savior. Luke 19: 14 says, “But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” If only the world would allow Jesus to reign.

Our text tells us that the scholars, priests and religious leaders perceived that Peter and the other apostles were unlearned and ignorant men. They were not pillars of society. They were not looked upon as Bible scholars and godly men. They were not asked to join the synagogues and teach the people. But there was something about them that made them stand out above the rest. There was something about them that could not be denied. The Bible says in Acts 4: 13, “they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus”. Despite their lack of education, they were witnesses for the Lord Jesus. Despite their knowledge of the law, they carried the torch for Christ. Despite their inability to conform to the traditions of men, it was obvious that they had been with Jesus.

What good is a degree in Bible Theology if the world around you cannot see that you have been with Jesus? What good is having your name on the church role, if the world cannot see that you have been with Jesus? What good is the ability to sing in the choir and belt out the special songs on the Lord's Day, if you show no evidence that you have been with Jesus? What good does it do to teach the classes and preach the sermons if those around you see no evidence that you have been with Jesus?

Peter and the apostles were different. Peter and the apostles were transformed into a vessel fit for God's use. There was no denying that these men had been with Jesus. Can the world say that about you? Do your coworkers know that you have been with Jesus? Does you family know that you have been with Jesus? When Christ rules and reigns in the heart, there will be a change.

Everything in this life becomes secondary when you have been with Jesus.

Have A Blessed Day!!!

"He Knows My Name" - MVBC Young Ladies Trio

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