Acts 4:19-20
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.”
The same Peter, who had denied Jesus out of fear for his life, now stood fearlessly in front of the same men who had found Jesus guilty and charged them with the Messiah’s murder. Peter was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s strength is the answer to fear. The religious authorities ordered the disciples to cease teaching about Jesus despite Peter’s anointed words.
The response from Peter and John is included in today’s verse. Would listening to the rulers rather than God be correct in God’s eyes? It was obvious from their question that the rulers wanted Peter and John to defy God. Jesus instructed them to testify about what they heard and observed (Acts 1:8). John and Peter claimed they were at a loss for options. It had to be announced. The rulers were politically astute enough to realize that punishing them for mending the man who had been born lame would damage their reputation. All they could do was threaten John and Peter before releasing them.
According to the Bible, we should obey people in positions of power. John and Peter are a noteworthy exception. When leaders give us orders to disobey God, we should obey God instead of man and put our faith in God to see things through to completion. We may compromise our witnesses and pass up chances to testify about Jesus out of fear of other people’s opinions. You can boldly proclaim what God has done in you by looking to the Holy Spirit for the words.
Think about this: What have you heard and observed of God? You now live with Jesus, even though you didn’t throughout His earthly ministry. What testimonials can you offer on His actions in your life?
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