We Can't Stop it

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

WE CAN’T STOP IT

Acts 4:18-22

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

NIV

We have Peter and John standing before the whole of the Sanhedrin, which according to what we have already been told comprised of at least the high priest, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, the elders, and some of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and perhaps others that we are not aware of. They were amazed at how these two uneducated men could speak with such authority about the things of God, but we also feel that at the same time they were looking down on Peter and John because of their lack of formal schooling. After conferring among themselves, trying to determine how they were going to deal with this healing of a cripple man through what Peter and John described as the power of the Holy Spirit, by the authority of the name of Jesus, they came back with their command. By what authority do they have to command Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus? Who do they think they are? Obviously, they think they are the ruling class, and as such all people should obey their commands. However, once again, the unschooled have the right answer. They asked those who are supposed to be the schooled and trained professionals in the holy scriptures to make their own judgment about whether it is right to obey them or to obey what is right in God’s sight. The fact is that anyone who has the power of the Holy Spirit coursing through them cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Of course, Peter and John saw Jesus in the flesh, which we have not, but we have seen and experienced miracles, and we have seen and read the Holy Scriptures accounting for the eye-witness testimonies of those who saw Jesus do all that he did and then witnessed Jesus resurrected from the dead and ascending into heaven. We have the truth as it has been revealed to us through the leading of the Spirit. So then, we are not that much different than Peter and John and as believers filled with the Spirit, we cannot help speaking about Jesus, and the salvation that is available through faith in Him. This Sanhedrin could not do anything but threaten Peter and John out of fear of looking wrong in the eyes of all the people who saw this great miracle and were praising God. How could they punish men because people were praising God, who they were supposed to be His representatives to the people? Would we be punished by anyone for speaking the truth about Jesus? Maybe, in this crazy upset world we live in today, we might be warned to stay silent, because people do not want the truth, they do not want the light shining into their lives, for they love the darkness for it hides or approves of their wicked ways. However, we cannot help but speak about what we know is the truth, come hell or high water.