Peter and John had been very bold in their witness of what Christ had done in their lives; how their lives had become whole and Christ's love had filled them.  God took these ordinary men and inspired them to "connect" with a man who had been lame for forty years.  This man was healed, in the name of Jesus, by the power of God's love through these two men.  Naturally, the church council and the religious leaders were not happy about this love and energy that was permeating "their" religious camp.  But, these religious leaders could not deny the courage and boldness that had come over these two men to speak the truth about how their lives had changed since meeting Jesus.  Peter and John were acting on what they could now see from God's horizon.  Peter and John were more concerned about what God desired to do through them, than how these people around them listening might react to what they might do and say.  This is an example of a stand of courageous love for God and people.  It is that courage for which we, as Christ followers, must seek to "connect." The Holy Spirit is the Giver and Initiator of such courage.  Following this story, the healing of the lame man, we see the early Church (followers of Christ) ramping up their prayer for courage...

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