Silence Please
Opening Prayer
Who do you know who needs a touch from God today? Lift them to God in prayer now.
Read Acts 4:13-22
[13] When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. [14] But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. [15] So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. [16] “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. [17] But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” [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, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! [20] As for us, 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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What stood out about Peter and John?The persecution and silencing of Christians is nothing new; however, it is claimed that more Christians were martyred in the twentieth century than in all previous centuries combined. Recent news filtering out of China is an amazing testament of enduring faith. Figures claim that unauthorized house churches number 50-70 million Chinese Christians. One of Beijing’s largest congregations, which started in a home, has now grown to over 1,000 members, many of them well-educated and affluent. The familiar conflict between a living faith and a ruling authority is clearly seen in this passage. Faced with two courageous followers of Christ, a visible miracle and a contagious message of salvation, the ruling council was afraid and perplexed (16). Their only course of action was to warn Peter and John against speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus (18). All the warnings in the world could not tame the fire that was already burning bright and, rather than extinguishing the blaze, the Sanhedrin fanned the flames. Peter and John would keep on speaking out. They couldn’t help it (20).
Apply
Do you ever get persecuted for your Christian faith? If so, how do you respond? How should you respond?
Closing prayer
Lord, I’m not asking for persecution but I do ask that if it comes, I can face it faithfully.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.