Acts 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
Only a few weeks ago we welcomed in Pentecost and the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can guide, comfort and encourage us in our every day lives. One of the results we discussed was the filling of the spirit in our lives always produced results. Those results you will remember will benefit us and others when it fills our spirits and lives. Once the Spirit provided healing of the cripple beggar and Peter’s subsequent sermon in Acts 3, he and John were arrested and questioned as to how they healed the cripple man. Peter takes this opportunity again, to proclaim the power and gospel of Jesus under the Holy Spirit. We find the marker here of Peter’s strength in the Holy Spirit and his direction of the gospel to the rulers of the people and the elders of Israel. We often tend to look only at what is right in front of us and miss the larger opportunity. Peter did not wait to determine how to best communicate to these people of different backgrounds and cultures. He brings them in Acts 4 to the heart of the Gospel in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers and emboldens Peter to use God’s miracle of healing to know he is safe to take the Truth to the elders of Israel, that includes some of the main ones that presided over Jesus mock trial. The scriptures record here that while the leader’s hearts are hardened there are others that hear him and believe. God provides His spirit in our lives to empower and embolden us to generate results in the lives of others. God’s power and provisions will never fail. If He brings us into a situation where we know His spirit is present then He will always provide a path for us to witness to others. May we like Peter be willing and able to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our efforts.