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. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. 15 So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber[ c ] and conferred among themselves.

16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

21 The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God 22 for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.

Acts 4:13-22 (NLT) 中文

Preaching – Aftermath

Peter and John healed a man lame from birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter then preached and claimed that it was done by Jesus as the Prophet Moses prophesied. Many came to believe. But John & Peter were thrown in jail. He defends their actions and again preaches Jesus as the only way of salvation, the man whom they killed. That took quite a bit of boldness…which came from the Spirit.

Nothing to say

These religious leaders of Israel noticed that John and Peter were simple men, just fishermen. Yet they had boldness and a good understanding of Scripture. Related to that, they recognized that they had hung around Jesus. To top it off, the evidence was literally staring at them – the healed lame man. They had nothing to say. Not to mention that the crowd also believed and they couldn’t risk a rebellion.

Don’t say anything

So they conferred with one another and decided to command them to drop that name, the Name of Jesus. Don’t talk about Him. Did they really think that would work?! They could see and probably sense that these guys were “possessed by a spirit”…by the Holy Spirit. “When one is a servant of the all-powerful God, they have nothing to fear from the judgment of men.” (enduringword.com) Peter made it clear, in a respectful but straightforward manner – if they are commanded to obey their spiritual leaders and deny Christ, they can’t and won’t. Considering this is coming from Peter who earlier denied Christ, it is even more powerful.

RЯeflection

• After this, I hope you’re asking yourself who you obey.  When you are sharing the Gospel or giving your testimony and you’re met with opposition, even rejection, do you shut your mouth? Or if your friend entices you to follow them in the way of evil, do you turn to God and His Word for help to respond?
• How about you and me? Can we not stop telling about everything we have seen and heard? When was the last time you prayed for that friend or relative or co-worker, etc. then looked for an opportunity and shared your testimony or the Gospel?