Even though we are only four chapters into our journey through Acts, it’s already easy to see how Christians speak God’s message whenever they are empowered or filled by the Holy Spirit. First of all, the 120 disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in mysterious heavenly languages that were miraculously understood by thousands of people from all over the known world. This Spirit empowered speech set the stage for the Apostle Peter to preach his first sermon and see three thousand people respond positively to the Gospel.
Peter and John went to the temple to pray in Acts 3 and ministered healing to a man who had never walked. He was miraculously healed and soon a crowd gathered. Dr. Luke tells us that once again, Peter preached a powerful sermon giving all the credit for the miraculous healing to the Lord Jesus Christ.
At this point, the city was stirring and so many were responding to the Gospel that the religious authorities felt threatened. The priestly caste was mostly interested in preserving the status quo. They benefited from the Roman occupation and had a perverse incentive to keep “the peace” in Jerusalem. They certainly didn't want the "cult of the Nazarene" to spread or to get "mouthy" and speak Truth to their power, like their Messiah, Jesus did.
The historian Josephus tells us that there was so much corruption in the upper levels of the Sadducee aristocracy around this time, that they forcefully hoarded the tithes and offerings that were supposed to be given to lower level priests, and that some of them actually starved to death. These same authorities arrested Peter and John and detained them for interrogation. After spending the night in their prison, they brought them out and began to threaten them.
But in chapter 4, beginning at verse 8 we read; Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, 10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
The prophecy of Jesus was playing out in the life of Peter and the other disciples over and over. Jesus said they would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and then they would be witnesses for Him. This means they would be inspired to speak, and they did!
The interrogation and threats continued, but finally Peter and John were released and rejoined their Christian family and friends. They explained the situation, and then called themselves to prayer. Dr. Luke faithfully recorded the substance of their heartfelt requests;
4:29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, 30 as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
“I believed, therefore I spoke” is from Psalm 116 but is quoted by the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the church in Corinth. He expands on the verse like this;
2 Corinthians 4:13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.
Paul is saying there is an unbroken link between the faith we are called to articulate and share with others, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. We cannot be effective witnesses without the Holy Spirit’s infilling.
Even though the threats and persecutions continued and increased upon the fledgling Church, their witness grew stronger still, because they were not relying on their own human resources to speak the truth of the Gospel.
The Christians in the book of Acts perfectly illustrate the command the Apostle Paul gave to the churches he shepherded. In Ephesians 5 he said;
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speaking to one another…
Even though it is grammatically incorrect in English, in Greek this is better translated as “be being filled with the Spirit”. Or in other words, continue to ask God for fresh and frequent fillings of the Holy Spirit so that you may be continuously empowered to know Jesus and make Him known!
PRN: Holy Spirit, we are your temple! We are your dwelling place. We have been purified and prepared for this Holy purpose by the saving works of Jesus Christ. We yield to your leading and we embrace your infilling. We believe, so therefore we will speak your words as you give us the utterance. In Jesus name, amen.
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