Boldness Brings Results
February 19, 2019
Commentary
Here we see very vividly both the enemy’s attack and the Christian defense. It says that the Sanhedrin regarded Peter and John as unlearned and ignorant men (v. 13). The word translated “unlearned” means that they had no kind of technical education. The word translated “ignorant” means that they were laymen with no special professional qualifications. The Sanhedrin regarded them as men without a college education and with no professional status. It is often difficult for the simple man to meet what might be called academic and professional snobbery.
The Sanhedrin met to discuss what they could do with Peter and John (vv. 14-15). They recognized that since they could not deny the occurrence of the miracle (the formerly lame man was standing before them), their main problem was to keep the doctrine of the Resurrection from spreading (v. 16). They could not help but see the courage and confidence of Peter and John, as well as the power of Peter’s words. All of this posed a dilemma for them. The council hoped to just “let the thing die a natural death,” but threatened the apostles and forbid them to teach and preach in the name of Jesus (vv. 17-18). The apostles’ reply was straight forward and simple: We must obey God and testify of what we have seen (vv. 19-20).
The religious leaders did not want the Gospel message to spread, but that is exactly what happened. From 120 praying people in Acts 1, the church had already increased to over 5,000. Satan’s attempts to silence the Christians only led to a stronger witness for the Lord. We can imagine Peter and John leaving the Sanhedrin determined to go on preaching Christ. Since the council had no real case against them, the only thing they could do was threaten them and let them go (v. 21). After all, when you have a living miracle before you, as well as an approving public around you, you must be careful what you do! The man who was healed by this miracle was more than forty years old, and everyone was praising God for what had happened (v. 22).
Application
Satan is still trying to silence the Christians. Sad to say, he has succeeded with far too many. All I need to do is to follow Peter’s example and make my decisions based on “Is it right?” and not “Is it popular?”
Acts 4:13– 22 (NET)
13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus. 14 And because they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this. 15 But when they had ordered them to go outside the council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For it is plain to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable miraculous sign has come about through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 And they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide, 20 for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man, on whom this miraculous sign of healing had been performed, was over forty years old.
Illustration: Boldness Is the Outcome of Love
God is the source of love; Christ is the proof of love; Service is the expression of love; Boldness is the outcome of love. (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).