When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
- Acts 4:13
This verse popped up in a sermon message a couple of weeks ago, looking at the first part of this message. We saw the courage of Peter, and noted that it was significant because just seven weeks prior, he denied even knowing Jesus to a servant girl—now he is disobeying the Chief Priests and Jewish ruling council and preaching the name of Jesus to everyone who would listen.
But there is something else that’s significant in this verse. To give a little context, On the day of Pentecost, Peter (and the rest of the eleven), filled with the Holy Spirit, left the room they had been hiding in since the crucifixion, and went into the streets preaching Jesus.
He was so bold and preached with such authority that over 3,000 people believed in Jesus that day!
Later, Peter heals a crippled beggar (“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I will give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, walk.”)
Then we see him speaking at the temple, and Peter and John get arrested. They are questioned by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, the highest ranking authority in Jerusalem. That’s where we see this verse.
You see, Peter and John were doing amazing things. They didn’t learn these things, they were unschooled. They were particularly gifted at these things, they were just ordinary men. Yet, there was something special about them. The men serving on the council had taken note that these men had been with Jesus.
What make them special? They had been with Jesus. They had learned all they needed in the time they spent with Jesus. They had been sufficiently equipped to do amazing things in the time they spent with Jesus.
The same power, the power of Jesus, is available to you, too. The time you spend with Jesus will teach you and equip you to do amazing things in His name!