Acts 4

“The priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (v1-2). The ultimate power of the Roman Empire, backed by the religious leaders, was to put rebels to death. By preaching about Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were giving common people hope and citizenship in a Kingdom that no earthly power could control.   Freed from the fear of death, believers could turn the world upside down.

“And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (v13). Faith in Jesus gives us confidence to live boldly in the present, knowing our lives are secure, now and for eternity.