Acts 4: Who Can Save?

Verse of the Day: (V12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

1. Saved (V1-12)
V10 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that 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.”

Peter boldly declared to the false religious leaders that only Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, and whom God raised Him from the dead, could heal the impotent man. Jesus Christ not only healed the impotent man, but would one day save his soul from fiery hell to pearly heaven, because he believed that Jesus is truly the Son of God.

V12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
 
2. Servants (V13-33)
V29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”

Peter and John and the rest of Jesus’ servants or disciples became wise and bold, as they prayed and were filled with the Holy Ghost. They no longer feared the threats of the false religious leaders, and were determined to keep preaching God’s holy word to the people.

V31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

3. Sold (V34-37)
V34 “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,”

Jesus’ disciples were committed to loving one another, and those with properties sold them, and gave the proceeds to the apostles who distributed them to those in great need. Today, we may not sell our properties to give to the church, but we can give part of our income to those in great need, be they in our church or community, so as to be an effective witness of Jesus’ love that they may one day come to the saving grace of Jesus.

V35 “And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that only You can save me from fiery hell to pearly heaven.

Acts 5: Will You Obey God?
Verse of the Day: (V29) “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

1. The Price (V1-11)
V2 “And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Ananias and Sapphira his wife kept back part of the price of the land that they had promised to give to the church to help the poor and needy. They lied to God, and God spoke to apostle Peter who rebuked them for their lies and deceit, and both died before the church. Let us be honest and truthful, even though God may not take our lives, like the case of Ananias and Sapphira, but He shall surely discipline us for our lies and deceit.

V10 “Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.”
 
2. The Prison (V12-32)
V19 “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,”

After the angel of God had miraculously opened the prison doors by night, and let Peter and the apostles out, they realised that God was indeed with them, and therefore, they must choose to obey God than man, and continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

V29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

3. The Pharisee (V33-42)
V34 “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;”

God used a Pharisee named Gamaliel to refrain the people from arresting and casting Peter and the apostles into prison. Gamaliel explained to the people to let Peter and the apostles do their work in preaching God’s word, and if it was not God’s work, it would surely fail. However if it was indeed God’s work, it would be wise to leave them alone, because if they opposed their work, they were actually opposing and fighting against God.

V39 “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always be obedient to You and Your Word.