“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 (NIV) Nobody expected two fishermen to speak with…
“But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Acts 4:17 (NIV) What do you do with news you simply cannot disprove? The council…
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18 (NIV) Maybe you already know what it costs to speak up. Maybe it cost you a friendship,…
“But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!’” Acts 4:19 (NIV) One small phrase here changes how we should read this verse. Peter and John did…
“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (NIV) Most people assume courage is a decision made under pressure. We picture Peter and John gritting their teeth to speak bravely. But look…
“Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’” John 1:38 (NIV) We ask questions we already know how to answer. Jesus turns and asks two men a simple, direct question. “What do you want?” is not…
“I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:48 (NIV) Nathanael thought he was alone under that tree. He was not hiding from anyone, just sitting quietly with his own thoughts. No…
“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).” John 1:42 (NIV) Simon walked in expecting to be introduced as Andrew’s brother. Instead Jesus looks straight at…
“‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.” John 1:46 (NIV) Nathanael dismissed Jesus before he ever met Him. Nazareth carried no reputation worth mentioning in first century Galilee. One sentence was enough for Nathanael to write the whole…
“‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.” John 1:39 (NIV) Come and see was never meant to end…