A SURE FOUNDATION

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JESUS THE CORNERSTONE
Read: Read Acts 4:1–22

     This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Acts 4:11 NKJV

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     The religious leaders were in a dilemma: A man had been healed and Peter and John insisted that the healing was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One they had crucified.

     The apostles claimed that Jesus was a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." (Isaiah 28:16 NIV) But this same Jesus had become to them "…A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." (Isaiah 8:14 NKJV)

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     They stumbled because they refused to receive the Lord as Savior, in spite of His miracles and fulfillment of prophesy. But God has something better in mind for those of us who have received Him:
     "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," (Jude 24 NKJV) to Him be the glory! Thank You Lord Jesus!

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     'Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 NKJV

IN THE NAME OF JESUS

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A LAME MAN HEALED

Read Acts 3

        Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6 NIV

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     After Pentecost the Apostles were granted the gift of healing that Jesus had promised they would have after He went to the Father. When this man began to walk and praise God, the people were astonished because they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (3:10) Peter said, “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (3:12b)

     This was a moment when Peter and John could have taken credit, but instead Peter began to preach a disturbing message: He proclaimed to them, “you killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this…” (3:15)

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     Lord, I pray that whatever ministry you accomplish through my life, that I will always give glory to You. Help me to be sensitive to the kind of message that will be received, speaking boldly or gently as the occasion requires. You have promised to give the wisdom I need. Thank You, Lord.

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     By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. (Acts 3:16 NIV)

POWER FROM ABOVE - WITHIN

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PENTECOST
Read: Acts 2:1–47

     Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:2 NIV

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     Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit and they would be witnesses to the world, beginning at Jerusalem. So they waited until the day of the feast of Pentecost when Jerusalem was filled with God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (2:5) As the apostles began to speak, the people all said, "How is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?" (2:8)

     Peter, who had once fled in fear of the Jews, now stood up in front of the largest crowd of Jews he could possibly imagine, and says, "This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (2:23-25)

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     What a change God's indwelling Spirit had made in Peter. Lord, this same Holy Spirit lives in us, please give us the courage to witness to our generation and the one to come.

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     The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39 NIV