Sharing Through Witness

MEMORY VERSE: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” —Acts 4:20

ACTS 4:13-21

THIS lesson has a very enlightening background which unfolds, beginning with the previous chapter. The account is that Peter and John had healed a man who had been lame from the time of his birth, and after he was healed “all the people saw him walking and praising God.” (Acts 3:9) Naturally the people were amazed at this great miracle.

When Peter saw this “he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:12) The One who had actually performed this miracle was Jesus, whom the Heavenly Father had glorified, the One whom they had persecuted, and who had been put to death. Peter explained that his listeners had “killed the Prince of life” and that God had raised him from the dead.”—Acts 3:13-15

Peter then explains that this resurrected Jesus who was responsible for the great miracle which they had witnessed, would come again, and that then there would be “times of restitution [restoration] of all things,” reminding his listeners that this great boon had been spoken by the mouth of all God’s holy prophets since the world began.—Acts 3:19-21

In the beginning of chapter 4 we learn that certain of the religious rulers were grieved over what had taken place, especially that Peter and John had taught the people “and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” They arrested Peter and John and kept them in prison overnight, and the next day brought them forth for trial.

Peter did not let an opportunity for witnessing pass, so he said to his judges, “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” (ch. 4:9,10) Peter added to this, “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”—ch. 4:12

Here our lesson assignment picks up with a reference to the “boldness” of Peter and John, and the recognition that they had been with Jesus. The Greek word here translated “boldness” indicates “skill in speech.” It will be remembered that it was said of Jesus that “never man spake like this man.” (John 7:46) Jesus had a clear grasp of the issues he discussed and could present those issues in a straightforward manner; and now the persecutors of Peter and John recognized the same characteristic in them, and they marveled.

So what could these rulers do! Besides, the man who had been healed was standing with them, and they could not then say anything against these two faithful witnesses. Then they dismissed everyone from the hearing room, and in private discussion tried to reach some conclusion as to what they should do. They knew that large numbers throughout the Jerusalem area had already heard of the wonderful miracle which had been performed, and were favorably impressed. They could not deny this, and they sensed that if they imprisoned such benefactors the situation would become even worse.

So they decided to let Peter and John go free, with a warning “that they speak henceforth to no man” in the name of Jesus. They called the two apostles back into the hearing room “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” The rulers gave up reluctantly. While they issued further threats, there was nothing they could do but free their prisoners.

QUESTIONS

Outline the background of today’s lesson.

Why were the religious rulers hindered against taking severe action against Peter and John?

What is the divine commission to the church?

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