October 23 - Make It Known.

Acts 4:10
“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.”
 
When asked how all these things were taking place, Peter proclaimed that it was nothing outside of the Name of Jesus Christ. He took none of the credit. He did not want the glory or honor for he knew that it did not belong to him.
 
Even today we are constantly asked how things happen. Do we take the credit? Or do we make known unto all those around us that anything that happened was because of Jesus?
 
Acts 4:7
“By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”
Peter preached to the people when he was called upon. He was ready to give an answer. He was not only ready, he was full of the Holy Ghost and allowed Him to speak through him.
 
He made known it was by the Saviour. “by the name of Jesus Christ”
 
He made known it was by His strength. “by him doth this man stand here”
 
He made known that his stature was restored. “before you whole”
 
Before this questioning and proclaiming happened, Peter and John were cast into a holding place. They were in prison. It was not comfortable. They had not planned to be there. It was inconvenient, but God had placed them there. They suffered persecution, but there was a purpose for it.
 
Acts 4:4
“Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
 
Many not only heard the Word, but they believed the Word. They could have quit because of the opposition, but those five thousand would not have heard or believed. God used their sufferings for His glory and the furtherance of the Gospel.
 
After the persecution they were questioned, and Peter rose to his feet and made it known that all the glory belonged to Jesus Christ. Whether it was many or any that heard the Word and believed, it was worth the maltreatment.
 
When we suffer for Christ’s sake there is a purpose for it. It is worth our discomfort and inconvenience if many or any are reached with the Gospel.
Let us make it known to those around us that it is all because of Him!
 
 
Bible Reading:
Jeremiah 19-20  |  John 20 |  Psalm 85