Ac 5:32-41 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Are these the same guys who were hiding in the upper room? Is this the same Peter that denied Jesus three times? WOW! What a difference the Holy Ghost makes. They were actually rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name. It seems today, most people are ashamed of the name of Jesus. They use terms like heavenly father, eternal God, supreme being, the man upstairs, the good lord, etc, but his name is JESUS! This is what offended the high priest and his council, the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. There is salvation in the name of Jesus. There is healing in the name of Jesus. There is deliverance in the name of Jesus. How else can you explain these men, after being told twice and beaten, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus? How many today would consider it a privilege to suffer shame for the name of Jesus? Prayer has been taken out of the schools and replaced with guns and violence. The ten commandments have been taken out of the courthouse and replaced with corruption. They are trying to take "one nation under God " out of the pledge of allegiance and "in God we trust" off of the money. I received an email yesterday that they are also trying to make it illegal for military chaplains to say in Jesus name in their prayers. The devil is a lie! The word declares in Phil. 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The economy is in a recession. The unemployment is going through the roof. People are losing their jobs. Companies are going out of business. People are losing their homes. There is a deadly "swine flu" epidemic claiming lives now. It's time to come back to God. It's time to repent. It's time to be baptized in Jesus name. It's time to make Jesus your Lord and Savior. It's time to receive the Holy Ghost. The word declares in Acts 2:40-42 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. It's time to stop playing church and get into the church. Jesus said in Matt 16:18-19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Keys represent power and authority. You need power which is the Holy Ghost and authority which is in the name of Jesus, to bind poverty, lack, sickness and disease. You need the fire and you need to keep the fire burning!
