Unstoppable! 'They'd Been with Jesus' — Acts 4:13

Saturday, February 28, 2026

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
— Acts 4:13 NLT

Key Thought

Whoa! Peter and John's critics and opponents on the Jewish ruling council were impressed with the forthright clarity with which they spoke. While the council members didn't like the apostles' message and knew that these disciples were not highly educated, they also noticed their open and bold proclamation of Jesus. These opponents of the apostles knew that these ordinary Jewish men from Galilee were little more than unlearned fishermen. Where did these commoners get the boldness, wisdom, passion, and clarity with which they spoke? Ah, they had been with Jesus! Jesus was their passion, and Jesus was their certainty. Which leads me to ask: When people are around me, can they tell I have been with Jesus?

Today's Prayer

O Father, help me see, know, and listen to Jesus more in my daily life. I ask for the Spirit to help me in this commitment and quest. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

16 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon AM Devo for Feb. 11th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of..."
Salvation in No One Else!
Devo: Together in Christ
"[When Peter and John were being tried before the council of Jewish leaders, Peter emphasized,] "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no....."
The Ig Nobel Awards
Article by Patrick D. Odum
If it's not Nobel, is it ignoble? Patrick Odum tells us about the Ig Nobel awards and reminds us that God uses ordinary folks, ignoble folks, to do great things for His glory.
Creating a Movement
Article by Rick Brown
How in the world did they do this? Rick Brown talks about how we can accomplish the Great Commission in our world today, the same as they did it long ago.
See All 16 Related Resources about Acts 4:13

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:13 NLT — The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, February 28, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by T. S. Eliot:
"The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Jesus Reveals the Father' (Jn. 17:25-26)
"[Jesus concluded his prayer:] "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Trial by Fire'
"Dear Friends, Years before Peter wrote his short letter known as 1 Peter to My disciples, he was repeatedly persecuted. He regularly encountered..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 36:9
"No lips can tell the love of Christ to the heart till Jesus himself shall speak within. Descriptions all fall flat and tame unless the Holy Ghost..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!