Acts 4:13-17 – 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.”
“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.”” The hubris that these of the council felt dripped from their lips as their proud hearts overflowed. These two Apostles of Christ possessed truth that could not be beaten. They could not argue against Jesus and now these men were like unbeatable just as Jesus was. Peter and John were confident and filled with wisdom, all because they had been with Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit. These of the council, and so many more like them who had been trained as they were, and by them, thought in the same way. They could not imagine anyone knowing the wisdom of God if they had not been trained in the way that they approved of. Even today, our denominations, and indeed these are family, set similar standards. They don’t look for evidence of God’s hand, but rather the approval of seminary. I thank God for the Calvary Chapels who, as much as I am aware, still accept those who are not formally trained and are ordinary men, and whom can be seen to be called of God. They are in the minority, but not the only ones. Men are not able to certify whom God calls, only God has that authority. It is the same lesson that these Jewish scholars were to find out.
“But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.” The miraculous healing of the formerly lame man was the undeniable proof that these men were of God. Though they could try to argue against Peter and John they would be unsuccessful since they were speaking from the Holy Spirit. These rulers could not argue against the undeniable fact that the man that they had known as lame was now healed and standing by Peter and John. The man himself could tell exactly what had happened. And how about that man? When the heat was turned up he stayed and was a faithful witness. He could have slunk away, but he remained strong alongside the Apostles. Family, after all the Lord has done for us, and is doing personally for each of us, do we sometimes slide out of the room when the heat is too high? Praise God that this man did not! May we be so faithful! Because of the healed man sticking around, those who opposed Peter and John had no argument that could stick. Jesus, whom they had killed, was alive again and still confounding them, only now, through His disciples.
“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.” So the courtroom was cleared. It is unfortunate that the room was cleared not to find truth and determine if what had occurred was from God. No, they cleared the room to plot against the act of God and these men who were speaking the Truth of God. There seemed to be no way to argue against what Peter and John were preaching. The healed man and many witnesses were present. The Sanhedrin was backed into a corner. Not by Peter and John, but by God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
“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.” Having come up with no evidence or argument against all that had occurred, they brought Peter and John and all the people back in and warned (threatened) them to not talk about Jesus any more. What? Did they think that telling men who were telling them that the Messiah, that the Lord Jesus Christ, that the Son of God who had taught them, and who was resurrected and is now at the right hand of God, and was living in them via the Holy Spirit, who was teaching them and by whom the miracle had occurred, that these men were going to say “Okay, by the authority of men I will stop doing what God is calling me to do?” Really? Wow, talking about saying something to just say something. It would have been better for them to follow Proverbs 17:28“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Peter in John were not arrogant, they were filled with confidence and strength that came from being filled by the Holy Spirit. Family, may we also be led by the Spirit of God and be as bold and confident in God because of our knowledge of Him. Let us always and in all ways praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.