May 24
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BELIEVERS COURAGEOUSLY WITNESS & SHARE
A poem by ILMA
After Peter and John were released by the leading priests and elders
The believers heard the report and lifted their voices in prayer
“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth and everything in it
You spoke long ago through David how nations were so angry.”
David prophesied how the kings and rulers gathered against the Lord
They all teamed up together to condemn and crucify the Messiah
In fact, all this happened right in this very city in Israel
But everything they did was already determined long ago.
The believers all pray “Lord, hear their threats and give us courage
We ask for you to give all your servants boldness in preaching the word
Stretch out your hand with healing power so that we can do signs and wonders”
After this, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they preached boldly.
All believers were united in heart and mind and felt a need to share everything
They felt compelled that what they owned was not their own but for everyone
The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
God greatly blessed them and there were no needy people among them.
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MEMORY VERSE
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. – Acts 4:32
Read: Acts 4
What awesome works of the Holy Spirit in this account of the apostles after John and Peter were released by the elders and leading priests. We witness the power of the Holy Spirit working in each of them, making them bold to preach the word and testify powerfully to the resurrection of Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Share an experience when the Holy Spirit has given you courage and boldness to testify and witness to the resurrection power?
Tag Archives: Acts 4
PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE COUNCIL Poem Devotional
May 23
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PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE COUNCIL
A poem by ILMA
While Peter and John were speaking to the people
The priests, captain of the Temple guard and Sadducees confronted them
These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching
They were disturbed that Jesus was able to resurrect a dead man.
The religious leaders arrested them and because it was evening
Both Peter and John were put in jail until morning
Many people who heard the disciples’ message believed it
So the number of believers now totaled about 5000 men.
The next day, the ruler, elders and religious law met in Jerusalem
Annas the high priest was there and other relatives of the high priest
They brought in the two disciples and they demanded
“By what power or in whose name have you done this?”
Then Peter asked the council “What was wrong with healing a crippled man?”
Peter exclaimed to them that he was healed by Jesus’ powerful name
Jesus, the man they all crucified and whom God raised from the dead
He was referred to in Scriptures the rejected stone that has become the cornerstone
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MEMORY VERSE
The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. – Acts 4:11
Read: Acts 4
Even after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the Holy Spirit continued to dwell in the disciples’ hearts and have been given all kinds of miraculous events. Yet, the council of the religious leaders continue to question even the miracles that they themselves witnessed.
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REFLECTION
• What stops the religious leaders from believing the Jesus was really the Son of God and can do the impossible?