…they (Peter and John) went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts 4:23-31
Having been released by the religious leaders, even after Peter and John had boldly told them they would not stop preaching/teaching Jesus, Peter and John report to the church, in Jerusalem, all that had happened to them at the Temple. The Christians who heard these things lifted their voices to God praying and praising Him. In the prayer, they quoted Psalm 2:1-2, which tells of the non-Jews (Gentiles) and the kings and rulers of the earth raging against God and “gathering themselves against God’s Anointed.” As the prayer continues, the ones gathered against Jesus, God’s Anointed, Holy Servant, are named: the city (Jerusalem), Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles and the people of Israel (Jews), all of them were doing what God had planned, predestined, for them to do. And, they, in spite of the evil all around them, pray for more boldness to proclaim Jesus and the salvation found only in Him. Ending their prayer, the place where they had prayed was shaken, as an earthquake would do and, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit to continue speaking boldly of God’s redemption found only in Christ. God still works mightily in the world today. Unfortunately, some places where God’s salvation was boldly preached are cold to His message today. But, God’s Word preached will not return to Him void! God’s Redemption is boldly presented in our world despite persecution, even unto death, by His chosen ones. Would that our country would, once again, see the mighty works of our God among our people who have strayed so far away! Lord Jesus, give us, Your people, the boldness to proclaim You salvation again to our nation in apostasy!
Source: S C Ball June 3, 2023
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