Next Step # 38

This week’s “Next Step” comes to us once again from the Book of Acts. In Acts 5:29-32, we find a record of Peter and some of the other apostles giving testimony before the Jewish leaders. They had been arrested for performing miraculous works in the Temple. The Jewish leaders told them that they had to stop talking about Jesus and acting in His name. Here’s how they responded: ²⁹But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. ³⁰The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. ³¹Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. ³²We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”  Did you notice that both the apostles AND the Holy Spirit are witnesses of what God had done through Jesus?  This is another example of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives when we are facing questions or even persecution for living in Jesus’ name. Remember that we are never alone when it comes to being witnesses for Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives in us to guide us, empower us, and speak through us when opportunities come to tell others about Jesus and His salvation. If you are ever afraid of speaking up in Jesus’ name, make sure that you take the time to call on the Holy Spirit to speak through you, to give you the words to say, and then THANK HIM afterwards for His faithfulness to do just that!