OBSERVATION ABOUT THE DISCIPLES

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NKJV).

Peter and John were on trial before the Sanhedrin because they had been preaching about “Jesus and the resurrection of the dead” (cf. Acts 4:2). It was while the disciples were on trial that the Sanhedrin made some insightful observations about them. They observed their courage, their commonness, and their companionship.

Courage - “They saw the boldness of Peter and John.” Peter and John would not cower in fear before the Sanhedrin, and this really bothered these leaders. Intimidation was one of their most effective methods for controlling the people. They did not need facts to keep people in line, they simply intimidated them. This is often the way evil men work. But it did not work with Peter and John. The greatest courage is always displayed when men stand up for the Lord Jesus. Living for the Lord Jesus is not for the faint of heart as some folks think. Rather, it takes great boldness to live a consistent life for the Lord Jesus.

Commonness - “Perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men.” The words “uneducated” and “untrained” do not mean that Peter and John were a couple of dummies, but it means they were not educated in the recognized religious schools of the Jews. Thus they were considered just commoners who were not supposed to be knowledgeable in religious matters. Yet, Peter and John had demonstrated considerable skill and knowledge before the Sanhedrin. This bothered the Sanhedrin, for it showed them up. They did not expect that the followers of the Lord Jesus to show such wisdom in religious matters. So “they marveled.”

Companionship - “They realized that they had been with Jesus.” People should be able to tell who we are and to whom we belong. Being devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ does not mean that we have to carry a big Bible with us or wear a “Jesus” T-shirt. People will see it by our lifestyle. If our lifestyle does not display our relationship with the Lord Jesus, then all the other displays will not convince them of our Christianity. However, if we have spent time with the Lord, it will show!

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The greatest adventure in life - knowing God - begins at the Cross of Christ and ends with a Hallelujah!”

David Jeremiah (1941 - )

American Evangelical Christian Author, Theologian and Pastor

Word Study

Fatted

In Luke 15:23 we read, “And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry” (NKJV).

“Fatted” is the Greek word siteutós (σιτευτός = sit-yoo-tos'). It is an adjective describing a calf that was raised with special care specifically for consumption at feasts. In Bible times, calves would be fattened with a special occasion in mind, such as a wedding, a son’s coming of age, or some other celebration; it could feed an entire village. In context, the prodigal son has returned to his father’s house and the father ordered that the “fatted” calf be killed. By this order, the father revealed how important his son had become. This is a reminder to us that there is hope for the repentant sinner, no matter how far away you have drifted from God. Have you wandered away from God? It’s time to come home!

Did You Know…

The fact that the Lord Jesus was crucified between two robbers is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isa. 53:12: “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”

Bible Quiz

Those who stood by the cross heard the Lord Jesus cry, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.” What did they mistakenly think?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

What was the inscription that was written above the cross? “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

The Lamb Presented to Israel 4 Days Before Passover (Ex. 12:3-6; Mark 11:7-11)

"Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb… Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight” (Ex. 12:3-6 NJKV).

In context, the night of the first Passover was the night of the tenth plague. On that fateful night, God told the Israelites to sacrifice a spotless lamb and mark their doorposts and lintels with its blood (cf. Ex. 12:21-22). Then, when the Lord passed through the land, He would “pass over” the households that was marked with blood (v. 23). In a real way, the blood of the lamb saved the Israelites from death; it kept the destroyer from entering their homes, thus sparing their firstborn children. Passover and the story of the exodus have great significance for believers also. The Lord Jesus fulfilled the Law, including the symbolism of the Passover (cf. Matt. 5:17). The Lord Jesus is our Passover (cf. 1 Cor. 5:7). The lamb selected on the tenth day was slain on the fourteenth day. The Lord Jesus Christ, our Paschal Lamb, entered Jerusalem on the tenth day of the month (cf. John 12:12-15). Four days later at Passover time, He was killed. The Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, died at the very time that the paschal lambs were being slain in the temple. In Him this type was fulfilled. By applying His blood to our lives by faith, we are trusting the Lord Jesus Christ to save us from death.

Did You Know – Christian History

Athanasius was born sometime in the 290s in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. He was a Bishop, Theologian, and Author.

Very little is known about his education and family. The earliest concrete evidence we have is when he entered the service of the bishop of Alexandria. Athanasius learned his theology and pastoral skills under Alexander as a deacon and eventually served as his secretary. He shadowed the bishop during the rise of the struggle against Arianism. The main controversy defining Athanasius’s life involved Arianism, a teaching that denied the full divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Arians taught that the Son of God was created and not co-eternal with the Father. Athanasius vehemently responded by emphasizing scriptural truths such as John 1:1. His staunch defense of Christ’s co-eternity with the Father was foundational for what came to be known as Nicene orthodoxy. At the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, he contributed significantly in formulating and upholding the creed that proclaims Christ as “true God from true God.” This commitment to uphold Christ’s divinity put him at odds with political figures who favored the Arian position. As a result, he was deposed and exiled multiple times. During his exiles, Athanasius wrote letters and treatises that further clarified orthodox doctrine.

Athanasius’ influence extends throughout the core of historic Christian theology; the Nicene Creed is still confessed in church liturgies worldwide. Further, the reliability of the Biblical manuscripts which Athanasius so passionately defended, has been corroborated through modern scholarship and archaeological finds, including discoveries of early New Testament papyri that align closely with the canonical text Athanasius advocated. His unswerving stand shaped the outline of Christian theology, safeguarding the truth that the eternal Son of God is indeed co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial with the Father. His life story offers a remarkable testimony of bold dedication despite turmoil. Today, his writings continue to inform and edify readers, reflecting an enduring legacy of clarity, courage, and commitment to preserving the biblical presentation of the triune God. Athanasius died on May 2, 373. 373.373.disappointments.rs.

A Little Humor

At the funeral services, the pastor got carried away and his sermon far exceeded the time limit. Finally his assistant whispered, “It’s getting late sir!” “I know,” the pastor said, “but this doctrine of resurrection is extremely important.” “Yes, sir,” the minister said, “But we’ve got to get the body over to the cemetery in time for it.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Sin is a short word with a long sentence!”