To Whom Shall We Go, For Jesus, You Have The Words Of Life - Part 2379

In earlier blogs, we witnessed how Peter preached repentance to all the people who marvelled at the lame man being healed. (Acts 3:11-12) Peter has instructed the people to repent, and be converted, that their sins may be blotted out, and that, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; He shall send Jesus Christ which was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things -- "which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:19-21) Moreover, Peter clarified that this same Jesus whom they had crucified is the same prophet that the Lord told Moses would be raised up and that Him shall ye here. (Acts 3:22)

The message here has not changed from the instructions made by Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost. Indeed, in order for us to receive the Lord's gift of salvation, we need to repent, be water baptized in the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus -- in order to receive His gift of the Holy Ghost (the Comforter who will lead and guide us into all truth) dwelling within.

Moving into Acts 4, we see that Peter and John are arrested as they spake unto the people. Indeed, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducee's came upon them because they were grieved that Peter and John taught the people about Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. And although the scriptures are not specific on this point, these may also have been angry that now and going forward, they were going to lose their income from the lame man who had previously sat at the gate begging for alms. So they laid their hands on Peter and John and put them in the hold until the next day -- for it was now eventide (evening). (Acts 4:1-3; Luke 22:4; Acts 5:18, 24; Acts 17:18)

Howbeit, many of the people that heard Peter and John speak -- when they heard the Word believed; and the number of the men saved on this occasion were five thousand. 

"And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power, or by what Name, have ye done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, "Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:8-12; Acts 2:4; Acts 3:6-7; Philippians 2:9)

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes ..." (Psalm 118:22-23)

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone] a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste." (Isaiah 28:16) 

As the angel of the Lord proclaimed (in ushering in the New Testament), "And ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it." (Acts 4:13-14)

Note that two things were happening simultaneously. Those who ruled were taking note that Peter and John -- unlearned and ignorant men -- must have been with Jesus, for them to be so bold. And also, even as rulers, they were not in a position to say anything against the man which had been made whole (healed) after 40 plus years of being lame.

However, sadly, as we see in this account, the religious rulers demands to stop preaching in the Name of Jesus did not stop there.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it]. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name."

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was done. But wait -- isn't glorifying God the main purpose of the church?!?! But I digress.

"For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "Lord, Thou [art] God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, "Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Thy holy child Jesus."

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid [them] down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet." (Acts 4:1-37)

After Peter and John were imprisoned, the rulers began threatening them, commanding them not to speak in the Name of the Lord Jesus. How did Peter respond? "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Stand in the offering plate.