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.
Acts 4:13
Jesus Christ chose fisherman to follow and learn of Him. They would carry on the message Jesus brought from Heaven to all mankind. Jesus spent three years training the twelve apostles. The men in this text were known as the “inner circle.” With their closeness and increased involvement in the training and work, they got to see many miracles performed by Jesus. They heard the best and most powerful preaching and teaching. These experiences alone would be better than any education from an institution of learning.
Jesus returned to the right side of the Father in Heaven (2:33). Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost is recorded in Acts 2. The Lord used his preaching to bring three thousand souls to salvation. In chapter three, Peter and the rest of the apostles preached strong messages to the people about Jesus and their rejection of Him as Savior.
Chapter three records Peter and John going into the temple. There they heard the invalid man’s call for alms. They replied that they had no silver or gold. But they claimed the power Jesus gave to the twelve and commanded the lame man to rise and walk. Peter helped the man to his feet, and the lame man left walking and leaping (not limping) and happy. The rest of chapter three and the start of chapter four speaks of the stir building among the people. Peter declared the power for this miracle came from the One they rejected and crucified. The religious crowd became offended over this. As a result of this preaching, five thousand men believed.
In chapter four, the preaching and exalting of Jesus stirred the religious authority and rulers and threatened their following. “Being grieved they laid hold of the men until the next day.” In verse six, the authorities confronted them. They asked the men by what power or authority they healed the invalid. They answered with another presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Verse twelve narrows the message down to a clear point: no salvation exists except through the Person of Jesus Christ. Thankfully the message is still good today. This message came from a man “filled with the Holy Ghost.”
This long trial in the record of Peter and John, who stood examined by religious and political men, reveals to this writer some of the same viewpoints and challenges we encounter today. The authorities perceived Peter and John as “unlearned and ignorant.” This misperception might have stemmed from Peter and John’s lack of temple education and hearing the real voices of religion. This elite crowd recognized no credentials. They only deemed the relationship to this One illegitimate, a Nazarite followed by simple fishermen into the “false” teaching. As Bible believers today, we seem “unlearned and ignorant” to the world and religious crowd. The god of this world has blinded their eyes to the truth. As Jesus commanded Peter, we must “be filled with the Spirit.” When filled with the Spirit, we can stand boldly and proclaim the precious Gospel like Peter and John. Even if questioned or rejected by the unsaved people of the world, we can prevail.
The authorities perceived one thing which could not be questioned. They understood these men had “been with Jesus.” By their boldness in preaching, the message of Jesus Christ and their strong convictions of the truth, no doubt remained that they had been with Jesus Christ. We may or may not have credentials the world expects or stand in the famous, higher levels of the religious world. But may God help us to live and proclaim the truth leaving no doubt WE HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS CHRIST. As with the leaders who sought the disciples, the world still recognizes a difference in the ones who have been with Jesus Christ.
God, help us to allow men to recognize Your presence in our lives that You may draw them to Yourself. Help us be faithful in the Word of God and prayer so faithfully that the presence of God shows on us.
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