The Power

Acts 4:13
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Just a few weeks prior to this incident, the disciples were trembling for their lives as their Lord was arrested and then crucified. They had all fled in the Garden of Gethsemane and then Peter, whose boldness was legendary, had denied him three times. How many times have you run away from trouble, and or a difficult issue?
The fact that they had been serving with Jesus for three years, witnessing many miracles, including Peter’s amazing walk on the water, (how often have you gotten out of the boat, only to sink?) apparently all of this did not inspire the necessary courage to watch for an hour or to stick with Him to the end.

Perhaps the miraculous had become a bit common place for them, so that when the threat to Jesus came full force, they floundered and failed miserably.
What happened that changed their state of being so dramatically in this encounter with the Jewish leaders?

I believe it was two things:
One, that they had seen their Lord resurrected from the dead, and
Two, the Holy Spirit now filled them with that resurrection life and power themselves. The power of the resurrection was within and upon them!
The reality of God’s indwelling Presence and power, and His words, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” Should have inspired boldness far beyond any merely human courage.

This boldness amazed the Sadducees and Pharisees who despised Peter and John as “unlearned and ignorant” men. They marveled at the embarrassed and fearlessness of the apostles whose knowledge was of a different and superior kind: the knowledge of their RISEN and RESURRECTED Lord. And then the Sadducees and Pharisees noted, that these men had been with Jesus!

This power is yours, and it is mine, if we continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not quenching or grieving Him. We, too, will baffle and amaze the “authorities” of our day with a Holy boldness of the resurrection and life of Jesus Christ, and though they may despise our boldness, they should take note that, “we have been with Jesus”.