Today's Journal
JUST ORDINARY FOLKS
In Acts of the Apostles 4:1-13 is the story of Peter and John being arrested for preaching that in Jesus there is resurrection of the dead (4:2).The religious leaders demanded to know by what power and whose name they were preaching such things (4:7
Peter and John answered, ‘For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (4:11-12)
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” (4:13)
They are also called “unlearned and ignorant men” in another translation. They are called this by the ‘elders, priests and Sadducees’ who bring them into question. That just means they wanted nothing to do with people who like Sprite, Dr. Pepper Blackberry, or UFC… not religious.
What is also clearly stated besides ‘being ordinary men with no special training’ is that they ‘were recognized as men who had been with Jesus.’ (Acts 4:13) Any of our training is optional… but ‘being with Jesus’ is not and ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’ (4:8) isn’t either.
These ordinary apostles had gathered ‘five thousand men’ with the preaching of the cross and resurrection. (4:4)
“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Jesus