BENEFITS OF DIVINE INTIMACY (5)

“...And they realized that they had been with Jesus” – Acts 4:13b

Another of the great BENEFITS of DIVINE INTIMACY is the Resemblance it produces: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). These men had been stamped with the Presence of God. Two of Jesus’s closest disciples, they shared a similar background as fishermen, a vocation that did not require formal education or training in religious law. The religious elite of the time, including the Sanhedrin – the Jewish ruling council – were highly educated, well-versed in the Scriptures, and held positions of great authority.

Seeing Peter and John, the elite noted their lack of formal education and training. The Greek terms translated “unlearned” and “ignorant,” underscore the fact that they were not trained scholars. Yet, despite their lack of formal education, they spoke with remarkable boldness and authority which directly resulted from time spent with Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, the Lord taught His disciples, not only through words but through actions and miracles. He imparted to them deep understanding of God's Kingdom, a strong sense of mission, and the courage to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly. Peter and John had just performed the healing of a man who had been lame from birth (Acts 3: 1-10).

This miracle drew substantial attention and led to their arrest and subsequent appearance before the Sanhedrin. Instead of cowering in fear, they boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Christ and the power of His Name (vv.8-12). The acknowledgement that the two "had been with Jesus" speaks not just about physical proximity to Him during His earthly ministry, but also about the profound spiritual and personal transformation they underwent. He influenced His disciples in multifaceted ways: Teaching truths of the Kingdom; empowerment by the Holy Spirit with boldness, wisdom, and miracle-working power (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4); modelling servant leadership; and instilling unshakeable Hope and solidified Faith through the witness of the Resurrection.

The influence of the Lord Jesus on His disciples had a ripple effect on the early church, as their boldness and unwavering faith inspired other believers to stand firm in conviction, spreading the Gospel despite persecution. The church grew rapidly, fueled by the testimony of those who had been with Jesus and were empowered by the Holy Spirit. This unique boldness also served as a witness to the power of God working through ordinary people. God uses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and strong (1 Cor.1:27-29).

Our manifestation is a reflection of our Intimacy. Our effectiveness in ministry and ability to impact the world for Christ do not depend on our qualifications or background but on our Intimacy with Jesus. Spending time with Him – through prayer, studying His Word, and living in obedience to His teachings – transforms us to manifest boldness, wisdom, and a compelling witness to the world. We become like whom we walk with.