Bible Reading
Acts 4:1-22:
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10Be 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.
11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19But 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.
20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Devotional
Paul writes to Timothy, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But in spite of persecution they "cannot but speak the things which they have seen and heard." They cannot be silent. They must bear testimony to the truth. That is true not only of the apostles, but of all believers. The apostles were cast into prison, were beaten, and were forbidden to preach, but "they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." And daily in the temple and in every house "they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ." When there was a great persecution against the Church at Jerusalem, believers were scattered. But they that were scattered preached the Word wherever they went, some to Jews only, others to heathen also, and many believed. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." When the shepherds on Bethlehem's field had heard the "glad tidings of great joy, they came with haste," and when they had seen, "they made known abroad the saying." When the angel had told the women at the grave of Jesus, "He is not here, for he is risen," they ran quickly "to bring his disciples word." When the heart is filled with joy, the lips overflow with praise, and the Word of God will grow and multiply, and no persecution can stop it. With what do our lips overflow?
Prayer
O Lord God, Thou hast revealed the blessed tidings of salvation unto us — Christ crucified and risen again, and that all who believe in him shall have eternal life. May we feel in our hearts that inner compulsion to make known the Gospel. And may no persecutions stop us from confessing Thy name. And may Thy Word grow and multiply through our testimony. For Christ's sake. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: 2 Tim. 3:12; Acts 5:41, 42; 8:1; 11:19, 21; Matt. 12:34; Luke 2:17; Matt 28:6, 8; Acts 12:24.
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