Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 4:16-20
16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 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.”
16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 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.”
Commentary:
4:16 What shall we do with these men? The religious leaders didn’t know what action to take, since the healing of the man was well known and punishing his healers would displease the populace. Official leaders often act from fear of the people rather than from fear of God: see Matt. 14:5; 21:26, 46; Luke 19:48; 22:2; Acts 4:21; 5:26; cf. John 12:42–43.
4:17 in order that it may spread no further among the people. Sadly, the leaders were motivated by fear of losing power and influence rather than by a desire to glorify God, to be faithful to his Word, or to spread the true knowledge of salvation.
4:18–20 Though the leaders of the council charged them not to speak or teach … in the name of Jesus, Peter realized the impossibility of abiding by this prohibition, thus demonstrating that believers have the responsibility not to obey authorities when such authorities prohibit preaching the gospel or otherwise require Christians to disobey God’s explicit commandments (cf. 5:29).
4:17 in order that it may spread no further among the people. Sadly, the leaders were motivated by fear of losing power and influence rather than by a desire to glorify God, to be faithful to his Word, or to spread the true knowledge of salvation.
4:18–20 Though the leaders of the council charged them not to speak or teach … in the name of Jesus, Peter realized the impossibility of abiding by this prohibition, thus demonstrating that believers have the responsibility not to obey authorities when such authorities prohibit preaching the gospel or otherwise require Christians to disobey God’s explicit commandments (cf. 5:29).
Questions:
- The best place we can go to see what Jesus followers are supposed to look like is the book of Acts. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and committed their lives to tell everyone they could about all they had seen and heard after Jesus had risen from the dead. They were compelled. In Acts 4 they were warned to stop spreading their message. But Peter and John seemed to think to NOT spread the gospel would be disobeying God himself. Have their been times in your past that you felt the nudge to share with someone and you obeyed? How often are you squashing that still small Voice because of insecurities?
- Anytime you see the first believers gathered together in prayer, the content of those prayers is pretty consistent. Here they were getting mistreated, persecuted, accused, beaten, jailed and killed, and nowhere in their prayers will you hear them asking God to take away their suffering. Instead, they consistently pray for BOLDNESS. That's how crucial they felt their message was... that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. It was a matter of life and death! When was the last time you prayed for boldness to speak the truth of the gospel to someone? Why not start today?
Pray:
- That you would be faithful to pray for boldness to share your faith.
- That God would help you feel the urgency of the gospel.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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