Acts 4:1-22
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Hopefully you remember that St Peter and St John offered a lame man the only thing they had, Jesus Christ and His power to heal. St Peter and St John found a great following after this miracle was preformed. But now word has reached the higher ups. The Religious Royal family (so to speak) has gathered together to question St Peter and St John.
They can not deny the event itself, but they can command these individuals to cease and assist them by no longer proclaim Jesus Christ. This is where the teaching point comes, to whom do we listen? Who or what do you listen to? Some people like to listen to their Pastor or other theologians. Others like to listen to scientist and philosophy. Others like to listen mainly or solely to reason and logic. Then there are those who listen to the Church of old, or the so-called Church Fathers. Yet others listen to the Word of God along with some of these others, but always judging them based on the Word of God.
St Peter tells the leaders of his church, they must judge whether it is better to listen to God or to Man. Is it the traditions of the Church that define our teaching? Is it the culture or world around us that defines our beliefs? Is it philosophy or scientific theories that define our reality? No to all, it is God who defines our teaching, beliefs, and reality. It is the Power of Jesus Christ that healed that man of more than 40 years. It is God who sent his only Son into the flesh to redeem you. It is Jesus Christ who has provided you with salvation. It is the Holy Spirit who controls and reveals these truths to us.
There is only one name in which all people can hope to be saved. That name is Jesus Christ, because he is the one who died and rose again to new life. Jesus Christ has provided you with justification. So judge for yourself who you are going to listen to, the word of God or whims of humanity.
NT Alternative is Acts 4:5-13
No comments:
Post a Comment