Today’s WORD (Text) Acts 3:11-16
11/ While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. 12/ When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13/ The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14/ But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15/ and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16/ And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
Today’s Witness
Peter seized this powerful moment, when the crowds were drawn to a miracle performed by the apostles to point their attention to the crucified Christ, who was the source of power undergirding their faith. Though approved by the God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and of Jacob, Leah and Rachel, Jesus Christ was rejected by the crowds who preferred that Pilate release a murderer over the Messiah. Though killed by the consent of commoners, Christ was raised by the power of God. Peter made it abundantly clear that it was faith in the name of Jesus that brought healing to the man, and thereby modeled for Christ’ followers in every generation how to preach Christ in every predicament.
Today’s Invitation
As you ponder this episode in Acts 3, begin to delineate some of the timeless themes therein concerning God and Christ that Christians may lift up in every generation.
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, instill in us the faith of the first century apostles, who held firmly to their faith in the resurrected Christ and to their obedience of the Great Commission. Lord, we see that they embraced both, and thereby demonstrated faith that moved the heart of God. We confess our belief in your Great Commission, and in your resurrection. Empower us to proclaim the Gospel with conviction and faith, while holding firmly to the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Acts 3:11-16
11/ While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. 12/ When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13/ The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14/ But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15/ and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16/ And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
Today’s Witness
Peter seized this powerful moment, when the crowds were drawn to a miracle performed by the apostles to point their attention to the crucified Christ, who was the source of power undergirding their faith. Though approved by the God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and of Jacob, Leah and Rachel, Jesus Christ was rejected by the crowds who preferred that Pilate release a murderer over the Messiah. Though killed by the consent of commoners, Christ was raised by the power of God. Peter made it abundantly clear that it was faith in the name of Jesus that brought healing to the man, and thereby modeled for Christ’ followers in every generation how to preach Christ in every predicament.
Today’s Invitation
As you ponder this episode in Acts 3, begin to delineate some of the timeless themes therein concerning God and Christ that Christians may lift up in every generation.
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, instill in us the faith of the first century apostles, who held firmly to their faith in the resurrected Christ and to their obedience of the Great Commission. Lord, we see that they embraced both, and thereby demonstrated faith that moved the heart of God. We confess our belief in your Great Commission, and in your resurrection. Empower us to proclaim the Gospel with conviction and faith, while holding firmly to the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash