The fourth chapter of Acts calls to mind the results of Peter’s second sermon, in which 5,000 people were born again and a lame man had been healed, being lame from birth.
In this chapter I see similarities to today’s world. We may speak about God, but when we proclaim the name of Jesus, many are offended. And yes, there are those who claim to be “Christians” here in America who want to twist and pervert the Gospel. To do so is an abomination to the Lord.
They are the Sadducees of today who deny the Word of God by their lips and lives. They want to make trouble for anyone who proclaims Jesus Christ is the only way (John 14:6). Thus we read in Acts 4 how Peter and John are brought before them and are asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
“Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said … by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. … Neither is there salvation in any other: For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:7-12).
You may have been told there are many roads to God. DON’T YOU BELIEVE IT.
Go back to the birth of Jesus and hear the words of the angel: “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 KJV). Jesus Christ is the Savior; that was His name from the beginning. Also, John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
People try to follow laws and regulations, and even religion, asking, “How much do I need to do?” Or “How much money is enough?” “How many good deeds will God accept?”
At one point in my life I thought if my good outweighed my bad, God would allow me into heaven. If I would have died while believing this I would have split hell wide open.
I knew I could not measure up to God’s standards; God’s standard is perfection. The law can’t save you. Religion can’t save you. A ceremony can’t save you. It’s the name of Jesus that can save you.
How many times do you have to hit rock bottom before you respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit who has been crying out it is time to come home?
Peter and John had boldness and zeal others couldn’t deny. I firmly believe we as Christians need to get our boldness and zeal back. We need to get a backbone, calling sin what it is: sin. What happened to saints who would not compromise the truth? The most loving thing we can do is speak God’s Word as it is written.
What did those Pharisees say to Peter and John? “They … commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus Christ. But Peter and John answered … Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:17-20).
Could God be separating the wheat from the chaff?
Maybe you are reading this and the Holy Spirit has spoken to you. Friend, that is God drawing you. There is no sin that He won’t forgive if we will but ask Him.
A friend in Georgia came from a Christian home but decided to “go his own way” and wound up in Las Vegas — addicted, homeless and starving.
At his lowest point he sat on a plastic bucket alone with one light hanging from the ceiling above him. He bowed his head and called out to Jesus. In that old musty room he confessed all his sins to God, repenting of them, and committed his life to Christ.
As he asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive him and save him he realized that he wasn’t the only one there. Christ took his hand, forgave him of all his sins and “cast them as far as the east is from the west.”
When he stood, he knew his life had changed. This same man now serves the Lord as a pastor, reaching out to those who struggle as he once did.
How about you? Billy Graham once said he had never met a person who trusted in Christ that ever regretted it. Take His hand!
Lance Stevens pastors at Huntsville Evangelical Community Church in Pendleton. He and his wife, Judy, are formerly of Greenfield. This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to dr-editorial@greenfield reporter.com.
