On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders... — Acts 4:5-8

There is a detail here that's easy to miss. You'll notice that there were two high priests mentioned. Annas and Caiphas. One was the former, and the second is the latter. Now, this is unusual because High Priest's served for a lifetime under Hebraic Law. They were only replaced after one died. Interestingly, a High Priest was selected only from one family line — from the line of Aaron, known as the Levitical line. So when it was time to select a new high priest, they were chosen by a spiritual selection process.

However, in this situation, the Roman government had gotten involved in the process. They commandeered the selection method and injected their own choice. The first high priest selected by the Roman government was Annas. The second was Caiphas. This was direct collusion of the government with God's Holy Temple. It was a grotesque departure from a holy and spiritual process.

But notice the Spirit shows up. The Holy Spirit, indwelled by a common man named Peter, pointed out the error of their ways. Peter, who the last time he stood before these two men in the courtyard, blatantly denied Jesus three times. But he is now given a second chance to defend, not deny. And while we think Peter said these words, please note in scripture it says he was "filled with the Holy Spirit."

The contrast here is sharp. On the one hand, you have High Priests who have colluded with the government by bribery to maintain power, control, and popularity. On the other hand, you have Peter, an ordinary man who is indwelled by the Holy Spirit that raises a lame man and speaks with priestly conviction. One empowered by a government, the other empowered by God.

The question is this: How do you live your life? Which man are you? Are you one who trusts in the power, influence, and money of this life? Or are you one who trusts in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Do you want to see miracles? Do you want to speak with conviction? Do you want to live an extraordinary life? Then live today full of the Holy Spirit and not by human effort or human power.

ASK THIS: Are you trusting the Holy Spirit for supernatural power?

DO THIS: Ask the Spirit to indwell you, fill you, and increase your awareness of spiritual things. (Share this prayer below).

PRAY THIS: Spirit, fill me like you did Peter here. To overflowing that I might do your work!

PLAY THIS: Holy Spirit — Jesus Culture.
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