A Standing Witness
Opening Prayer
Amazing God, be the strength I desire, the power within me, that I might live the life You want for me.
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.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Jesus replied to Satan’s temptation, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Luke 4:8). Reflect on his words.
The ruling council in Jerusalem was not interested in facts or rational argument, but in retaining their wealth, position and power at all costs. Most of its members were not upright like Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:50). They had been the prime movers in Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion (Luke 22:66), but now they heard rumors of his resurrection, saw the number of his followers increasing and witnessed an undeniable miracle in his name.
To the council, Peter and John bore the stamp of Jesus. Though they had no training in theology or rhetoric, Peter’s preaching was bold and convincing. Their public healing of the crippled man, which they attributed to Jesus, was compelling in its authenticity. It was difficult to win an argument with them (cf. Matt. 22:15–22). Like the prophets of old (e.g., Amos 3:8), they could not but speak of what they had heard. That was their calling (Acts 1:8). These two apostles knew their primary loyalty and first obedience was to God, whose Spirit was enabling them. In contrast, the rulers had no answers, so they resorted to warning, intimidation and threats. There was no law they could charge the apostles with breaking. They could not deny the miracle, but they would not acknowledge that its source was Jesus. Their major concern was “to stop this thing from spreading” (17) because it threatened their corrupt and comfortable lives. Their hearts were hard. They would not listen.
Through it all, the previously crippled man just stood by the apostles. Maybe he was detained overnight with them, but his presence conveyed a powerful message. God calls to us: some to forget self-concern and turn in repentance to him; others to defend the faith before threatening opposition (Luke 12:11,12); or to tell what we have seen and heard; or just to stand and, by our changed lives, bear witness to the risen Christ.
Apply
With whom do you identify most—the rulers, the apostles or the healed man? Why? What might God be saying to you through this passage?
Closing prayer
Gracious Father, it is easier for me to identify with the wavering Council rather than with the courageous apostles. Help me to obey You rather than the world around me.
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