Fourth Sunday in Easter: First Lesson, Acts 4:1-12                                  

Acts 4:1-12

Peter and John are under arrest for preaching the resurrection. That’s no surprise, especially in the climate surrounding the extraordinary event. And it’s no secret. Peter and John are simply doing their best to make sure everyone hears the truth about it. They have also recently healed a man in the temple and of course such an evident invasion of God’s power is adding to the stir.

Our lesson today is a simple one. When the two apostles are questioned about the source of their power, the name behind all of their tasks, Peter speaks. And I love the clarity of it all.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them… by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole” (4:8-10).

You see, there is an important connection made in the words of Peter. Note he is filled with the Spirit before he makes his defense. And being filled with the Holy Spirit leaves him with only One to whom He may direct their attention. The Holy Spirit always, always points to Jesus. John’s gospel makes that clear from the Savior’s teaching in chapters 13-16. The Spirit who breathes life into us at our baptism, the Spirit who inspired the very words of Scripture is the same Spirit who loves to bring attention to Jesus. One could say that is His vocation. He always  points to the Savior and in so doing never comes up short.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!