Unstoppable! 'The Power Behind the Witnesses' — Acts 5:30-32

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

[Continuing before the high council which was threatening him, Peter said,] "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him."
— Acts 5:30-32 NLT

Key Thought

Peter wanted his adversaries to know something very clearly. They could threaten him, they could persecute him, and they could even kill him and other witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. They could not, however, stop the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and Son as God (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 2:22; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18) and is, therefore, eternal and all-powerful. The work of the Spirit in Jesus' disciples could not and cannot be stopped. Even when the adversaries of Jesus martyred the eyewitnesses to the Lord's resurrection, the Spirit — whom Jesus pours into the hearts of everyone who comes to him in faith and baptism — would inspire future disciples and inform them of Jesus' resurrection. The testimony about Jesus' resurrection is, and forever will be, unstoppable!

Today's Prayer

Spirit of the living God, breathe your power into my life, your witness to Jesus' resurrection into my faith, and your peace into my fear. I want to be a living testimony to the power of the resurrected Jesus. Please help me live into that commitment today and every day. Through the powerful name of Jesus, and for the sake of his Good News, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 2:36-47
  • Titus 3:3-7

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 5:30-32 NLT — [Continuing before the high council which was threatening him, Peter said,] "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him."

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.

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