Acts 4: 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Peter and John shared this bold statement with some who thought they knew exactly where their salvation was coming from and it wasn't Jesus. So they thought they would stop the message if they stopped the messenger, but in the next verses, you can see how that went for them. Acts 4: 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
The power of the message of salvation is real and lasting, but we must never stop sharing the message of hope in Jesus. In earlier verses, the members of the religious council had to admit these men had been with Jesus, even though they were considered uneducated men. The Holy Spirit in their lives was powerful and the message was cutting to the hearts of the high priests and other members of the council. Earlier that day over 5000 people were saved and the result of God moving in that powerful way brought much scrutiny to those who were sharing the truth of the resurrection of the dead, to the point of them being brought before a religious council.
The members of the council decided to let them go IF they would not speak the message of salvation in Jesus again. Peter and John replied that they could not help but share the message and that they would not stop sharing it. There is great power in the message of the gospel and all who know Jesus should share it wherever we go and the lost WILL be saved!! Shoot the messenger and the message will still go forth.
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren
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