They had been with Jesus

"But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."  Acts 4:17  NKJV 

Peter and John were arrested because they were becoming a threat and, an embarrassment. A man had been healed, of that there was no doubt and Peter and John were becoming too vocal on the streets talking about Jesus. It had to stop. Therefore, the Sanhedrin decided to forbid the teaching of Jesus to anyone. Peter's response to this was:

'But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.  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 no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.' Acts 4:19-21.

Once a person has met powerfully with Jesus, they cannot avoid speaking about Him, the Holy Spirit within them will not allow anyone to do this. Peter was having none of this and told them so. One thing the Sanhedrin noticed was the fact that they had been with Jesus: 'Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it'. Acts 4:13-14.

It's no wonder that Peter and John had wanted to praise God. Word would have got to them, either from the crowd or the Holy Spirit, that the Sanhedrin had noticed something special about them - they had been with Jesus. Therefore, the first port of call was to praise God with their companions v23-24. Just think about that, it had been noticed that they had been with Jesus and had personally been trained by Him for 3 years. It is doubtful that anyone would have had the anointed training at any bible college that the disciples had undergone.

As you spend time with Jesus, you will become so much like Him that people will not fail to notice that you are different. Especially, when you refuse to water-down the gospel. It is life and people need this life. Today, just feel grateful that Jesus - Your Friend, has saved your soul and given you His name. Now that's something to praise Him for.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2