Acts, 4
4. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
4. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Chapter 4 of Acts of the Apostles narrates the arrest of Peter and John after they perform a miracle and preach about Jesus in the temple square. They are taken before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish cut, and questioned about their authority and teachings. Religious leaders are perplexed with the courage and wisdom of Peter and John and, after threatening them, free them. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
John 14:6: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except for me.'" Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus, who claimed to be the way to salvation and eternal life. This verse reinforces the message they were sharing.
Acts of the Apostles 4:12: "There is no salvation in any other, for under heaven there is no other name given to men by which we must be saved." Peter declares this when questioned by the Sanhedrin about the healing they performed in the name of Jesus. He states that Jesus is the only means of salvation.
Acts of the Apostles 4:19-20: "But Peter and John answered, 'Judge yourselves if it is right in the eyes of God to obey you more than Him. For we cannot stop talking about what we have seen and hear.'" . Even in the face of the threat of arrest and persecution, Peter and John refuse to stop preaching about Jesus and the truth they witnessed.
2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has given us no spirit of cowardice, but of power, love and balance." The courage of Peter and John in the face of persecution reflects the strength God gives to his followers. They are not ashamed of the gospel and are not intimidated by religious leaders.
Acts of the Apostles 4:31: "After they prayed, the place in which they were gathered; they all were filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly announced the Word of God." After being released, Peter and John join the other disciples and pray together. This verse shows that prayer and communion with other believers are important to strengthen the faith and courage to face persecution.
“Que Nossa Mãe do Céu tenha piedade de nós e com um olhar maternal levante-nos, purifique-nos e eleve-nos a Deus.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
