NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN

Acts 3-4 are rich studies of human nature and to see the impact of the Holy Spirit's empowering from Peter's vacillation from victim to victor as he bravely stands and preaches and some 2,000 make decisions for Christ.  I love the clarity of his preaching.  He obviously did not have the usual sensitivity and tolerance training which is a prevailing notion in our culture today.  Perhaps, we have become so calloused toward the movement of conviction of sin, that we no longer can handle the direct and the obvious approach that Peter used, "you have sinned, you crucified, or you have rejected."  We would prefer gentle reminders that we are victims of life and others who have treated us harshly.  Of course, it has nothing to do with our choices of rebellion and wilful attitudes which leave collateral damage strewn about us affecting our lives and those who witness our foolishness.  I love it that Peter rose to the occasion leaving us a model of boldness. He rose by the empowering of the Holy Spirit leaving behind his failings which could have kept him silent, but he chose to stand in faith that day.

His second and most powerful statement is the same TRUTH for today:  "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12  Granted, we must show mercy and grace, but our apathy, our silence, our fear of offending is a blatant and loud message to the world..I DON'T CARE!  Oh LORD, give us, especially me,  a passion and a love for the culture about us/me who in most cases are desperate for you and have no idea that YOU are the DELIVERER and SALVATION for whom they are searching. 

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