“And, there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”
– Acts 4.12 NAS
“Now as they (Sanhedrin elders and rulers) observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. But when they had ordered them to go aside out of the Council, they began to confer with one another.
‘What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any man in this name.’
And when they had summoned them, they commanded them no to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them.
‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.'”
– Acts 4.13-20 NAS
This is an object lesson for those who feel called of God to walk with God and to tell and do those things God wants done.
1. Those in leadership will look at you and see your confidence in God through Jesus Christ. It will be plainly evident.
2. They will consider you as untrained and uneducated. By their standards, you should not be doing what you are doing.
3. The evidence, the validity, of what God is doing is right there. It is in their face. It is undeniable.
4. What God is doing is apparent to all. Everyone will be able to see what God is doing. Those who thought they knew or thought they were it will see right in front of them they may not be what God is doing and the He is doing a new thing.
5. They (those in the old guard) will tell you to keep quiet, to not speak in this name any more, to only follow their leadership. They will try to threaten you, command you, and shut you down.
6. Heed God not man. Hear your naysayers. Be respectful. But be firm in that you will heed – follow after and listen to – God, not them. They need to judge that for themselves. As for you, you will follow God.
7. Tell what you have seen and heard. Jesus said he only did what he saw the Father do and said only what he heard the Father say. You be the same way. Others may not like it. Fine. You are not trying to please them. Please God – the God of Israel – instead. And, you can only tell what you have seen and heard. If the Lord has done something amazing in your midst, brag on Jesus. If the Lord said do this, you do this, and He does something miraculous. Brag on God! He did it. You simply obeyed and did what He said do.
Awesome!
Doc Rogers writes.... 