by Rich Carlson

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." – Acts 4:13  

In my journey through the history of the early church, there are two things that seem to be true about great spiritual power: 

1.    Spiritual power, even miraculous success, comes from being filled with God's Spirit, and dwelling in the presence of Jesus. 

2.    Sometimes that power comes in the context of trouble, challenges, even persecution. I came to this conclusion while looking at the stories of the disciples.  It seems their miracles often happened during challenging times.  

For example: 

Challenge: Jesus left His disciples and went back to heaven. 

Spirit's Power: They had to find a new disciple by praying and drawing straws. 

Spirit's Power: They gathered together and received the Holy Spirit. 

Spirit's Power: They spoke in tongues and converted many. 

Challenge: They were accused of being drunk. 

Spirit's Power: Peter preached a great sermon (Acts 4:4). 

Spirit's Power: They healed a beggar with great health problems. 

Challenge: They are thrown in jail. 

Spirit's Power: They preach to the court (Acts 4:8). 

Spirit's Power: They were irrefutable because of the evidence that "they had been with Jesus."

Challenge: They were commanded not to speak any more.

Spirit's Power: They responded, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Spirit's Power: The court could not decide how to punish God's servants! —God wins! 

What I see in this first part of Acts 4 is the confidence and power the disciples had in a not-so-friendly environment. So far in this book I have discovered power coming from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and unity of the believers.  

I think I understand the disciple’s abilities to stand strong under challenges and persecution after reading this chapter.  Acts 4:13 tells us that the disciple’s had been with Jesus—and it showed! Simply coasting through life doesn't make much of a difference. But by dwelling in His presence and abiding with Him, those around me will be able to sense His power! Evidence of having "been with Jesus" is an irrefutable argument against even the greatest critics. 

In Acts 4:20 Peter says, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." The disciple’s couldn't help but share what they had seen and heard from Jesus. Will the gospel have the same impact on you and me?

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.