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The Spirit Equips with Boldness (6/7/26)
The preacher leaned forward in the pulpit. “I want you to hear this,” he said. Then, slowly and with purpose, he went on: “We are not saved by good works. We are saved for good works.”
That seems to be what Peter and John are saying to the uppity-ups who question them (Acts 4:1-22). Salvation is not in what we do, but in what Jesus Christ does (v. 12).
Of course, Peter and John had not been expecting to have to address these high and mighty “rulers of the people and elders” (v. 8). I got to wondering: when have we been in some unexpected place with an opportunity to witness in what we say or in what I do? When we vote in church council? When we see a homeless man on the street corner? When our grandchild asks us why we keep going to church? When we step into the polling booth? When the spouse of a friend suddenly dies?
Our study text says that it was the Holy Spirit that enabled Peter to speak so openly (v. 8). (In fact, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is a constant theme in the Book of Acts.) That same Holy Spirit is with us today. When would I have done something differently if I had had confidence that the Holy Spirit was with me?
Go back a few verses and read the first few verses of the third chapter of Acts. It tells the story that is the story-behind-the-story of this week’s text. Peter is involved in the healing of a crippled beggar. He has done it in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:6). Had the man not been healed, Peter and John would not end up facing the anger of the authorities. But the beggar was healed and Peter had some explaining to do. He gave the credit to Jesus Christ (v. 10). When good emerges from my relationships, my activity, my priorities…when good emerges from what I do, the credit goes to Jesus Christ. Because the Lord is with me, good works are possible. That’s not what saves me (v. 12), but it is an expression of the saving, healing power of Jesus. If we turn away from good works, we may be turning away from Jesus.
Note how this week’s text ends: “…all of them praised God for what had happened” (v. 21). Again, we are reminded: the Holy Spirit equips us for the work of God.
What Someone Else Has Said: In Outward Sign and Inward Grace (Beacon Hill Press), Rob Staples says: “This is a wholesome reminder that we cannot stereotype or structure or channel or corral the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Come, Holy Spirit, and bring Your equipping power…”
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By NC Conference of The UMCThe preacher leaned forward in the pulpit. “I want you to hear this,” he said. Then, slowly and with purpose, he went on: “We are not saved by good works. We are saved for good works.”
That seems to be what Peter and John are saying to the uppity-ups who question them (Acts 4:1-22). Salvation is not in what we do, but in what Jesus Christ does (v. 12).
Of course, Peter and John had not been expecting to have to address these high and mighty “rulers of the people and elders” (v. 8). I got to wondering: when have we been in some unexpected place with an opportunity to witness in what we say or in what I do? When we vote in church council? When we see a homeless man on the street corner? When our grandchild asks us why we keep going to church? When we step into the polling booth? When the spouse of a friend suddenly dies?
Our study text says that it was the Holy Spirit that enabled Peter to speak so openly (v. 8). (In fact, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is a constant theme in the Book of Acts.) That same Holy Spirit is with us today. When would I have done something differently if I had had confidence that the Holy Spirit was with me?
Go back a few verses and read the first few verses of the third chapter of Acts. It tells the story that is the story-behind-the-story of this week’s text. Peter is involved in the healing of a crippled beggar. He has done it in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:6). Had the man not been healed, Peter and John would not end up facing the anger of the authorities. But the beggar was healed and Peter had some explaining to do. He gave the credit to Jesus Christ (v. 10). When good emerges from my relationships, my activity, my priorities…when good emerges from what I do, the credit goes to Jesus Christ. Because the Lord is with me, good works are possible. That’s not what saves me (v. 12), but it is an expression of the saving, healing power of Jesus. If we turn away from good works, we may be turning away from Jesus.
Note how this week’s text ends: “…all of them praised God for what had happened” (v. 21). Again, we are reminded: the Holy Spirit equips us for the work of God.
What Someone Else Has Said: In Outward Sign and Inward Grace (Beacon Hill Press), Rob Staples says: “This is a wholesome reminder that we cannot stereotype or structure or channel or corral the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Come, Holy Spirit, and bring Your equipping power…”