Inspire: Acts & Romans - Flipbook - Page 17
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further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in J esus’ name again.” 18 So
they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak
or teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather
than him?
20
We cannot stop telling about
everything we have
seen and heard.”
21 The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go
because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For
everyone was praising God 22 for this miraculous s ign—the healing of a man
who had been lame for more than forty years.
The Believers Pray for Courage
23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they
heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God:
“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in
them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David,
your servant, saying,
‘Why were the nations so angry?
Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.’
27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pon
tius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united
against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they
did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord,
hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching
your word.
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Stretch out your hand
with healing power;
may miraculous signs and wonders
be done through
the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
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