After His resurrection, His apostles experienced His power and His grace.
Through their hands Jesus did many signs and wonders among the people. [1]
“Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” [2]
The apostles were briefly imprisoned by the High Priest and his gang. Briefly, because an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and urged them to keep preaching the Gospel in the temple, which they did. [3]
The high priest had them arrested again, which gave them another opportunity to tell him and his gang about Jesus. [4]
Peter proclaimed to them...
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” [5]
The high priest had them beaten, commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [6]
The apostles departed from them, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Jesus. And guess what? “Daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” [7]
It’s amazing what witnessing a dead person come back to life on the third day, ascend to heaven 40 days later and pour forth His Holy Spirit on you, can do!
“Dear Heavenly Father, please renew and restore Your mighty power and grace among us the followers of Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we, like our early Church leaders, proclaim with great joy and love Your Gospel everywhere. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 5:12
[2] Acts 5:14
[3] Acts 5:17-20
[4] Acts 5:21-28
[5] Acts 5:30-32
[6] Acts 5:40
[7] Acts 5:41-42
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