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

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'How Foolish Can You Be?' (Ga. 3:3)
"How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Daniel 3:16, 18
"The narrative of the manly courage and marvellous deliverance of the three holy children, or rather champions, is well calculated to excite in the..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
"The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Who Determines Your Worth?' (Jn. 8:48-50)
"The people retorted [to Jesus], "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?" "No," Jesus said, "I have no..."

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!