A Study of Acts: Peter and John are Threatened but Released
Acts 4:13-22; Matthew 8:5-13 - Seek the boldness that comes from God and not the opinion of men.
“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”
And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.”
Acts 4:13-22 NASB1995
The illustration at the top is attributed to an encyclopedia published in 1883 and shows what the Sanhedrin council room might have looked like. Peter and John (and as it turns out, the man who was healed) are standing in front of this intimidating group testifying.
The council observes the men and is amazed at their confidence, as they are recognized as “untrained” and “uneducated” men. They also seem to understand that Peter and John have been with Jesus. I love what Enduring Word says about this first verse in this passage:
They were uneducated and untrained men: In a sense, we should probably disagree with the opinion of the Jewish leaders judging Peter and John. Certainly they were uneducated in one sense – they, like Jesus, had no formal rabbinic education according to the customs and standards of that time. Yet they were educated in two more important ways: they knew the Scriptures, and they had been with Jesus.
The greater importance of these two things – more important than formal education – has been proven in the lives of God’s servants again and again. It has been proven true through such servants of God as Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, William Carey, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Hudson Taylor.
Yet it is helpful to remember that God has used many who were greatly educated. Moses, Daniel, and Paul are all Biblical examples. Augustine, Martin Luther, and Billy Graham are just a few historical examples. It’s just as wrong to think that formal education disqualifies someone for effective service as it is to think that it automatically qualifies someone for effective service.
“Men are too anxious to be ranked with scholars; and so when error, however deadly, wears the glittering serpent-skin of scholarship, it insinuates itself into the very chair of the teacher, and the pulpit of the preacher, and no one seems to dare to smite it with a bold blow!” (Arthur T. Pierson)
They saw the boldness of Peter and John: Because they had been with Jesus, they were naturally bold. When one is a servant of the all-powerful God, they have nothing to fear from the judgment of men.
“A few men unarmed, furnished with no garrisons, do show forth more power in their voice alone, than all the world, by raging against them.” (John Calvin)
“The word boldness means lucid and daring statement. In the Greek the word is parresia, ‘telling it all’.” (Lloyd John Ogilvie)
“No one attribute is more needful to-day for Christ’s witness than Holy Spirit boldness due to Holy Spirit fullness.” (Arthur T. Pierson)
It is interesting to note what the Jewish leaders did not do: they did not make any attempt to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. If it were possible to do, this was the time to do it; yet they could not. “Had it seemed possible to refute them on this point, how readily would the Sanhedrin seized the opportunity! Had they succeeded, how quickly and completely the new movement would have collapsed!” (F.F. Bruce)
They realized that they had been with Jesus: This means that the bold exclusivism of Acts 4:12 was coupled with a radiant love characteristic of Jesus. If we will preach no other name we should also make it evident that we have been with Jesus.
Sadly, when Christians became strong and powerful, and when Christianity became an institution, too often Christians were those who arrested people and told them to be quiet, threatening them with violence and sometimes carrying it out against them. That is not evidence that one has been with Jesus.
People should go to Jesus directly, but often they won’t. The only Jesus they will see is what shines through us. We must work to make the fact that we have been with Jesus as obvious in our lives as it was in theirs.
A few takeaways:
The level of scholarship and education in a pastoral servant is not in any way indicative of their fidelity to scripture. Their words and actions mean more than the doctorates on the wall. This same admonition is true for many other things; education does not replace common sense and it does not confer intelligence. My Dad was one of the smartest individuals I ever knew in my life and he had a ninth-grade education (he later received a GED); he made a fine living for our family as a master of the printing business. His grammar and spelling habits were top-notch and he taught himself how to fly a variety of aircraft. He accepted Jesus as his savior when his family did not.
Boldness in bringing the message of Jesus to others means telling it all! Go tell it on the mountain and everywhere!
There’s a key commentary from F.F. Bruce quoted by David Guzik: The Sanhedrin never broach the subject of the Resurrection during this inquisition to try and disprove it. Instead, they focus on the miracle that has just been done. If they had put the entire thesis on trial and persecuted every believer, that might have stopped the early church in its tracks.
When we work with others, we should make it evident that we have been with Jesus. Perhaps those bracelets that people wore a few years ago - and they may still wear them - with the acronym WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) are good reminders of His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and power. I have more on this later in this devotional with a splendid commentary from Charles Spurgeon.
The Sanhedrin members ask Peter and John (and the healed man) to leave their presence while they confer with each other. Now how would Luke know that the members talked about this matter in this way? Perhaps that sly character Saul was there to remember the conversation. They cannot deny that a miracle has taken place. They had all seen the paralyzed man with their own eyes and now they behold him standing with the apostles. But their hearts are closed to the truth. They heard and saw what Jesus did. They see this healed man. But they continue to deny His divinity.
Skeptics will often say, “If I can only see a miracle, then I will believe.” Jesus told us to believe even if we cannot see. I’ve always loved the miracle performed for the Gentile Roman Centurion, as documented in Matthew 8 and the deep faith shown by this man; Jesus in His response is prophesying about what will happen to these stubborn Sanhedrin men who will not see their Messiah right in front of them:
“And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus *said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.”
Matthew 8:5-13 NASB1995
This particular miracle was done in an extraordinary way in season 4 of “The Chosen”. We can argue all day about this television series, but it is making people listen to the Word, pick up their Bibles and read the stories! The Centurion in question from the show is a familiar figure to many in Capernaum and is depicted as the Roman supervisor of Matthew when he was a tax collector. He has watched Jesus do many miracles and preach with great authority. Let’s just say that his faith will send tears streaming down your face, especially when he finds Jesus later on after the healing has taken place. We should all treat Jesus like this Roman Centurion treated Him.
The Sanhedrin agree that Peter and John are to be warned (the sternest threat) not to preach anymore in the name of “this man” (Jesus). Peter and John are brought back into the council and told to stop teaching and speaking these things. Peter and John respond, setting up 2,000 years of boldness in preaching in God’s name (like the street preacher on the bus in the photo) by saying the the following from today’s passage:
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
The cowardly Sanhedrin threaten them again, but decide to release them because the people were glorifying God for what had happened. The religious leaders cared more about the opinion of men than the opinion of God. Peter and John continue to grow in their leadership and boldness. I did read some commentary that cautions believers on when and how they should fight back against governing authorities, as we are told to be in submission to them. However, His Word and His commands take precedence over government fiats and actions.
So how can Christians be like Jesus? I have to share this long commentary from Charles Spurgeon (who was declared “uneducated”) that I found in Precept Austin:
WHAT A BELIEVER SHOULD BE — a striking likeness of Christ. You have read lives of Christ beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. A Christian should imitate Christ in —
1. His boldness. This is a virtue nowadays called impudence, but the grace is equally valuable by whatever name it may be called. Christ dealt out honest truth; He never knew the fear of man; He stood out God's chosen, careless of man's esteem. Be like Christ in this. Have none of the time-serving religion of the present day, which only flourishes in a hot-bed atmosphere, a religion which is only to be perceived in good company. No; if ye are the servants of God, be like Jesus Christ; never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you — take care you never disgrace that.
2. His loveliness. The one virtue of boldness will never make you like Christ. There have been some who, by carrying their courage to excess, have been caricatures of Christ and not portraits. Let courage be the brass; let love be the gold. Let us mix the two together, so shall we produce a rich Corinthian metal, fit to be manufactured into the beautiful gate of the temple. The man who is bold may accomplish wonders. John Knox did much, but he might have done more if he had had a little love. So, while we too are bold, let us ever imitate the loving Jesus.
3. His humility. In England a sovereign will not speak to a shilling, and a shilling will not notice a sixpence, and a sixpence will sneer at a penny. But it should not be so with Christians. We ought to forget caste, degree, and rank, when we come into Christ's church. Recollect, Christian, who your Master was — a man of the poor.
4. His holiness.
II. WHEN SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE THIS?
For there is an idea in the world that persons ought to be very religious on a Sunday, but that it does not matter what they are on a Monday. Is there a time when the warrior may unbuckle his armour, and become like other men? No; at all times and in every place let the Christian be what he professes to be. I remember talking with a person who said, "I do not like visitors who come to my house and introduce religion; I think we ought to have religion when we go to the house of God, but not in the drawing-room." I suggested that there would be a great deal of work for the upholsterers in that case. "How is that?" was the question. "Why," I replied, "we should need to have beds fitted up in all our places of worship, for surely we need religion to die with, and consequently every one would want to die there." Aye, we all need the consolations of God at last; but how can we expect to enjoy them unless we obey the precepts of religion during life? Imitate Christ —
1. In public. Most of us live in some sort of publicity. The eagle-eyed, argus-eyed world observes everything we do; and sharp critics are upon us. Let us live the life of Christ in public. Let us exhibit our Master, and not ourselves — so that we can say, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that liveth "in me."
2. In the Church. How many there are like Diotrephes, seeking pre-eminence, instead of remembering that there all men are equal — alike brethren. Let your fellow-members say of you, "He has been with Jesus."
3. In your houses. Rowland Hill once said he would not believe a man to be a true Christian, if his wife, his children, the servants, and even the dog and cat were not the better for it.
4. In secret. When no eye seeth you except the eye of God, then be ye like Jesus Christ. Remember His secret devotion — how, after laboriously preaching the whole day, He stole away in the midnight shades to cry for help from His God. Take care of your secret life.
III. WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE THIS?
1. For their own sakes. For their honesty's sake, their credit's sake, their happiness' sake; let them imitate Christ.
2. For religion's sake. The professor who has not lived up to his profession; the man who eaters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing — such men injure the gospel more than the laughing infidel or the sneering critic.
3. For Christ's sake. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." Be like Christ, since gratitude demands obedience; so shall the world know that ye have been with Jesus.
IV. HOW HE CAN BE SO.
1. You must know Christ as your Redeemer before you can follow Him as your Exemplar.
2. You must study Christ's character. There is a wondrous power about that, for the more you regard it the more you will be conformed to it. I view myself in the glass, I go away, and forget what I was. I behold Christ, and I become like Christ.
3. "But," say you, "we have done that, and we have proceeded but little farther." Then correct your poor copy every day. At night recount all the actions of the twenty-four hours, scrupulously putting them under review. When I have proof sheets sent to me of any of my writings, I have to make the corrections in the margin. I might read them over fifty times, and the printers would still put in the errors if I did not mark them.
4. Seek more of the Spirit of God. Take the cold iron, and attempt to weld it if you can into a certain shape. How fruitless the effort! Lay it on the anvil, seize the blacksmith's hammer with all your might; let blow after blow fall upon it, and you shall have done nothing. But put it in the fire, let it be softened and made malleable, then lay it on the anvil, and each stroke shall have a mighty effect, so that you may fashion it into any form you may desire. So take your heart, put it into the furnace; there let it be molten, and after that it can be turned like wax to the seal, and fashioned into the image of Jesus Christ. Conclusion: To be like Christ is to enter heaven; but to be unlike Christ is to descend to hell. Likes shall be gathered together at last, tares with tares, wheat with wheat.
Is that beautiful or what? Words to live by!! Peter and John are imitating Christ by seeking His Spirit; the Sanhedrin members are ensuring they will be tares at the harvest.
My next devotional examines Acts 4:23-31 - Peter and John tell the followers what happened and a powerful prayer is made by all.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Please help me to imitate You in boldness, loveliness, humility and holiness when I am in public or in Church or in my house or in secret. Please help me to do this for my sake, for religion’s sake and for Your sake. Each day, I will study Your character, correct my poor imitation, and seek more of Your Spirit. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Precept Austin was accessed on 8/21/2024 to review commentary for Acts 4:13-22.