When you read the passage below what do you find significant? Now I know a few people read this so I am asking for your help and insight as we learn together here in the world of blog. You don’t have to write a complete commentary or have a Masters of Divinity, but what simply jumps out at you? Let’s see if we can hit over 20 comments on this one as we discuss and learn a little together.
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
Comment if you will. Join me in the conversation Beau, Mr. Hardwick, Mr. Kakaras, Blake, Mr. Reeder, Travis, and others if you will.
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That with faith in Jesus, anyone can achieve anything through Him that ultimately glorifies the Lord.
First thing that pops out to me is the fact that people will notice the effect that Jesus has on people. Second thing that grabs my attention is the when it says they were unschooled, ordinary men… it makes me think that no matter who you are or you background you can be used for Christ. Those are my immediate thoughts upon reading it.
-Jason
Awesome start guys. Even if you repeat the thought of someone else that fine. That helps us all draw strong conclusions to certain ideas and truths.
that their courage didn’t bring them praise and glory, but brought fame to Christ
What really stuck out to me is that the people took note that Jesus was using ordinary young men. I think we need to make a better effort as Christians to remember that God can literally use anything to show people the love of Christ. Also, it reminds me that God is using me in ways that I will never know, even when I feel completely inadequate.
It goes along with Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
In both cases we are reminded that when true outreach occurs, God, not us, receives credit. This isn’t like a Christian finger pointed at heaven saying “oh, well, give Him the glory for that.” It is the natural response of those who see Christ in a person. The first association in their head is, “huh, so Jesus can do something like that with [college kid/recovering druggie/whatever]. He must be a great God.”
If He can use a tax collector, He can use a banker right? It just goes to show that God can use anyone and everyone. It doesn’t require someone special, just someone willing. Go read 12 Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. It’s one of my favorite books that shows you how God really does use ordinary people.
once again - God affirms that he will equip those that he calls. a seminary degree isn’t necessary for following God. (whew) a plaque on the wall doesn’t mean that you have Jesus. Jesus will be seen in your life.
It makes me think of…
how courage is not a natural human behavior. Cowardice is. They recognized that everything good and admirable and noble is from God. They knew that these men could not acquire such bravery on their own. They saw no status or education in these men so Jesus was fully credited for their amazing courage.
I wonder if God uses the most humble to bring Himself the most glory knowing that the humble will have nothing to boast in.
The people were not distracted by status or clout. “They” saw straight through human flesh and saw Jesus.
It fills me with this desire to be emptied of all things selfish and crooked. I want Jesus to be seen when people see me. Even more, I want to be taken out of the picture entirely and for Jesus to be the only thing that is seen. What an honor it is that God uses His holy spirit in us to bring Himself glory.
The part that stuck out to me is that Peter and John were “unschooled, ordinary men.” Education is a good thing, but it’s not necessary to hang out with Jesus. For some reason, the “let the little children come…” verse comes to mind. No Bible scholar here though.
Why is it that the world always gets the credit for having everything desirable?
The part of this passage that stands out to me is the fact that the boldness Peter and John had was found desirable by men who were against everything they were doing, they were against Jesus. So, they said to themselves, “Where does that boldness come from?” and the Bible says, “They recognized they had been with Jesus.”
I think it is funny that the world can ignore and refuse the things that we say, but when we acts as the church and as followers of Christ, “they have nothing to say in opposition” (Acts 4:14)
Man… I just taught on that verse last Sunday.
“ordinary men” stands out…
This is great hope for me. The Greek word for “ordinary men”…
Idiotes which literally means ignoramus, ignorant or unlearned person, an idiot.
If God uses and prefers to use idiots… I guess it is safe to say He could use me!
Why are Hardwick and I referred to as Mister? You calling us old???
People saw the courage of Peter and John and took note that they had been with Jesus. Is that true in my life? Are people noticing that I’ve been spending time with Jesus when they see certain virtues in my life? My hope is that people notice a glimpse of Jesus when they see me and the things I do.
“They were astonished and took note that these men had BEEN WITH JESUS”…
If we want to reach people, and impact them through God’s glory, we must first spend time at the feet of Jesus. He is our source, our strength, our hope…and the only hope we can offer to the world. People can spot a fake a mile away. The only way we can be authentic and genuine before them, is to walk in the footsteps of the Master.
I can’t help but think how awesome it would be if we valued “being with Jesus” as highly as we value being extraordinary men (in the worldly sense).
The word “Courage” stands out to me! Even though they are unschooled, ordinary men, they differ from those around because of their bravery. They were able to face uncertainty and fear which allowed the others to acknowleged Christ through them. All Christians walk with the Holy Spirity but do we always show Christ’s love through our actions?
sorry i’m late to the party. so many great comments and thoughts so far…
chris reeder…i wondered the same thing. why do we get the Mr. tag…i’m giving benefit of the doubt and going with respecting elders…
i love this verse and this story. the sanhedrin thought the Jesus thing was over with because they “got rid” of Him. now another miracle, the healing of the crippled beggar, but this time, it wasn’t the guy who said He was the Messiah…it was two regular, ordinary dudes who were His followers. this is when the Jesus thing became a movement…one that now the religious leaders knew they could not stop.
peter and john were ordinary, but they had been with Jesus. they had seem Him respond to need. they had seen Him forgive. they had seen Him put on a towel and wash feet. now, they are doing what they learned from their master. and the result was the same…frustrated religious leaders, a healed beggar, and hope for the oppressed.
great stuff, d. thanks for putting it out there for conversation!
The council members were puzzled by two things that didn’t match: (1) these men before them were courageous and yet (2) these men were neither educated nor well-connected to the elite of their society. The council members were astonished because they would not have thought of being so audacious as Peter and John unless they could tout their education (the sayings of rabbinical writings) or the agreement of the crowd or at least their powerful peers.
What could make these 2 men so courageous? That’s when the “aha!” moment came…”These men had been with Jesus.” They recognized something familiar. Like Jesus, these guys spoke and acted with authority (Mark 1:27, Luke 4:36). The council may not have learned the principle themselves, but what their response to Peter and John tells us is simple and profound:
In the Kingdom, courageous leadership doesn’t arise primarily out of education or politics (Neither what you know, nor who you know–humanly speaking), but out of time spent by the Master’s side in earshot of his voice, close enough to see the calluses on his hands as he touches blind men’s eyes and lepers’ hands. What we learn there we do not easily forget and we do not easily back down from. Perhaps the council members couldn’t comprehend how being with Jesus would give such coursge, but they still recognized Jesus-likeness when they saw it.
“The dancers were thought to be quite insane by those who did not hear the music”
Leaders, followers, superstar communicators, volunteer public school mentor . . . on our watch we can still fall into the trap of assuming who can be movement makers. Who are movement makers? Every single person at least pursuing (notice not the most perfect or most talented) their potential and purpose by knowing him and engaging in HIS mission wherever they find themselves. Why did Jesus say, “you will do greater things than me”? Because even Jesus knew that a movement wouldn’t come from more “Sermons on the Mount” but by every single person who embraces His life being mobilized to His purpose. If Jesus saw success as multiplying His life and mobilizing people through His ministry, then we should see our ministry as a failure, if “our” people aren’t being mobilized and deployed back into the culture - even if we are drawing large crowds. I wonder if Jesus knew that in my city we would have more, bigger, faster growing church plants than ever in history, and yet our city is growing more lost than any other time in history. Practical: He knows that to influence every man, woman, and child, we need every life living and sharing good news where they are in culture. Spiritual: He prefers that God get the glory through every ordinary life as people are attracted to Him.
Neal McGlohon left a comment… now when are you going to start blogging???