Stamped by the Presence of God: Acts 4:13
“13) Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
Spending time with Jesus has an affect on people. As the council listened to Peter and John, they understood they were untrained and uneducated men, but they had unusual confidence, passion and profound insight into the Scriptures. They reminded them of Jesus. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon them.
To grasp the difference, it may be helpful to review how the crowd responded to Jesus after He delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Listen to their reaction; “28) When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29) for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29 His teaching with authority and the confidence of Peter and John was related. It was not the punchless style of the highly educated scribes and Pharisees.
There is a difference between a “God trained man” and a “man trained man.” There is also a difference between people “sent from God” and those who are merely doing a job or hired for a position. Paul made this point about himself in Galatians 1:1. Take a moment and read his credentials.
Those whom God sends He also anoints. There is a holy unction upon them. There is a fire burning within them. They are clothed with the fruit of the Spirit. Like Moses coming down from the mountain, there is a radiance stamped on their countenance. They are empty vessels that God works “in” and “through” for His glory and purpose in the world.
This quality cannot be learned or acquired by reading books or taking classes. It comes from spending time in the presence of God and being filled with His Spirit. It is not rational, it is spiritual. It is not an acquired skill, it is the mark of God’s presence.
Paul made the case for these men and women in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. God works through them to shame the wise and display His power. While the world looks for a great resume to fill positions, God has a better plan. God raises up men and women stamped with His Spirit, power and glory.
I am not impressed with human credentials when looking for a leader. Yes, I look for men and women who who have the right skills, but are also anointed by the Holy Spirit and have godly maturity from spending quality time with Jesus.
I do not care how impressive the academic resume, if there is no fire for Jesus burning from within… they are not qualified! They need to be stamped by the presence of God!
I am not moved by men or women who are carnal minded, worldly trained and void of Spirit. Such was the case of the rulers and elders of the people. They were empty wells. They were blind guides. They were wolves in sheep clothing. They lacked Gods presence and anointing. They were not qualified to lead God’s people or pour fuel on the movement of the Spirit.
Do not recruit them to lead your church or Christian organization. They promote self and not God. They have their own agenda and not Gods agenda. They get man sized results instead of God sized results. There is no fire within them.
Daily Bible Commentary
By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
