After apostles Peter and John healed a man who had been lame since birth and then preached about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the captain of the temple, along with the Sadducees, laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day (Acts 4:3). When making their defense before the high priest and the Sanhedrin, Peter (filled with the Holy Spirit) spoke fearlessly and boldly to the assembled rulers, elders and scribes. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained [common, ordinary] men, they marveled (Acts 4:13).
With the exception of Saul, who later became the apostle Paul (Acts 13:9), these men had not been trained in the rabbinical schools of the day, nor did they possess an impressive Jewish pedigree. And with the exception of Matthew the tax collector and Luke the physician, the apostles could not produce a professional looking resume. Had a committee been formed by the Jewish leaders to help Jesus choose his apostles, we can be certain that they would not have chosen the common, ordinary men that Jesus selected.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called (1 Cor 1:26-27). While there have been exceptions over the years (notably Joseph and Daniel), most of Gods faithful servants have not enjoyed political power, social prominence or personal prestige. They were common, ordinary people. They were nomads, laborers, farmers, shepherds, cooks, carpenters and fisherman (to name a few). They were the working class of society. God was able to use these men and women, not because of their vocations and social standing, but because of their humble hearts and submissive spirits. And if God is able to use you and me effectively in His service, it will be for the same reason.
Although they were apostles, Peter and John were just common, ordinary men. But, they were ordinary men who had spent time with Jesus. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained [common, ordinary] men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
How is your relationship with Jesus? How much time have you spent with the Lord in Bible study and prayer this past week? During the past month? Is Christ living in you, as he was with the apostle Paul? (Gal 2:20). Are the words of Christ dwelling in you richly in all wisdom? (Col 3:16). May those who witness our daily ordinary lives, take note of our boldness in Christ and realize that we have been with Jesus!
Terry Schmidt
03-04-18
