Backlash of Power VS. Roller Coaster of Truth: Acts 4
Just when the leaders in Jerusalem thought they got rid of the Holy Man who stirred up crowds, they are greatly disturbed about the healing of this lame man who is now leaping around the temple grounds. It doesn’t take long for their backlash of power.
So they arrest Peter and John and put them in jail for the night.
As we begin Acts 4, there’s no stopping the roller coaster of events. Jesus is taken up in a cloud, the Holy Spirit whooshes through the upper room, God’s deeds are heard in every language, and a lame man is healed. Not to mention the thousands who come to faith in the Messiah.
A lame man is healed and is leaping around the temple grounds. What backlash is coming now? #KeepItQuiet #Acts4 Click To Tweet
The next morning, the leaders interrogate Peter and John, asking:
By what power, or in what name have you done this?
Peter, filled with the Spirit, takes hold of a third opportunity to proclaim the power and message of Jesus, the One who heals.
Speechless Leaders
Clearly this miracle is shaking the leadership world. They exclaim about Peter and John’s confidence and recall them being with Jesus, but have no idea what to do with them. So, they dismiss them from the counsel to discuss among themselves.
As they confer with one another, they cannot deny the miracle, but want to keep it quiet (verse 16-17) because they fear the people (verse 21). So they summon and command Peter and the others to not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus (verse 18).
Backlash of Power Means Nothing Has Changed
This sounds familiar – they feared the crowds when Jesus was alive too, which is why the Sanhedrin arrested Him at night for a illegal hearing. They remain spiritually blind to the truth.
The powers-that-be will always try to control out of jealousy and rigid adherence to the status quo, for fear of losing their place. They seek to silence truth, quiet the crowds, and keep order despite the cost.
Truth will always be trampled in order for people to keep their own agenda alive.
This hasn’t changed. All over the world believers are persecuted for their faith. Here in the United States, we have been isolated from his until recently. Free speech in our culture is eroding, especially when it comes to expressing our beliefs. Free speech is okay to tear down, but not to build up. That by definition it is not free speech at all.
Truth will always be trampled in order for people to keep their own agenda alive. #Acts4 #ReadGodsWordWithYourHeart Click To Tweet
What people can’t explain, they censor. Just like the leaders did to these followers of Jesus.
What people can't explain, they censor. #Acts4 #KeepItQuiet A lame man is healed and leaping around the temple. What to do? Click To Tweet
The Roller Coaster Won’t Stop
I love Peter’s answer to the leadership in verse twenty:
We cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.
In other words, they cannot stop sharing what God has done.
Go, Peter!!
This holy boldness has gotten hold of his heart and soul and he can’t help but speak.
Go, Peter!! This holy boldness has gotten hold of his heart and soul and he can't help but speak. #Acts4 The #Rollercoaster roars around turns Click To Tweet
Before Jesus left them, He commanded them to go and tell every nation the good news. It is clear they already take this seriously.
Each time Peter has the opportunity to speak to the crowds in these chapters, He speaks the simple truth of the gospel and of Jesus. Interesting to note that if the Old Simon had taken the pulpit, the words might have been different. He was known for his hot-headed impulsive nature. The Holy Spirit has done a work in him for sure.
Something we can Learn from Peter
We can get caught up defending a cause, trying to defend God and ourselves. Yet God only asks us to rely on the Holy Spirit and speak the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us.
1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be prepared to give an answer when asked about our faith. That testimony coupled with the good news of what Jesus did on the cross will stir the spirit of our hearers. Then the choice is up to them. The beautiful thing is that God allows us the choice.
Backlash to the Rollercoaster from Those in Power
As we become the witness God asks us to be, many won’t listen. The Holy Spirit enables us to speak truth and then allows our testimony to be the oil that anoints the hearer.
Not all will hear.
Nevertheless, we are called to speak.
They may not know what to say
What can they say? It is our experience—what we have seen and heard.
They may not know what to do with us
But, they can’t deny our testimony or our joy.
We are called to tell what God has done for us. This is what we are accountable for—not for the listener’s response. Free speech becomes free when we can relinquish the fear of consequences to tell the truth.
Freedom to Ride
As the lame man enjoyed his new found freedom, his miracle touched lives and more than 5,000 embraced the savior that day. The roller coaster continues to roar around the curves and down the drops as we see and share all God is doing around us. And that, my friend is true freedom.
What thoughts came to you as you read Acts chapter four? The erosion of free speech came to my mind and how that intersects with the command to go and make disciples of all nations; to share our testimony and tell the good news.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this so be sure to leave your comment below and join the conversation. And join us next time as we read Acts 5.
Jeanne
Join us as we read #ActsChapter4 with all our heart. #ReadGodsWordWithYourHeart Backlash of Power vs. Rollercoaster of Truth Click To Tweet
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Jeanne, again your “gleaned” thoughts amaze me. I love reading through aware of these……..
Also the quote. “Truth will always be trampled in order for people to keep their own agenda”
We are seeing more of this everyday
Jan, so glad you are enjoying each chapter. We are indeed seeing the trampling of good and the elevation of evil in our world. Time may be short…the enemy is getting desperate.
You’re so right, Jeanne. Attempts to squash truth and censor people of faith is not new.
Like Peter, we must boldly speak God’s truth and proclaim the Gospel just as we have been commissioned.
Your post is very encouraging.
So glad this post in Acts 4 encouraged you, Connie. And I appreciate your comments too.
Amen Ms. Jeanne. Now, more than perhaps ever before in our lifetime, we need to be shouting “Jesus” from the mountaintop. We need to proclaim the good news of His gospel; and we must work tirelessly to let the world know of if His impending return. He remains in control ma’am; and this world cannot censor God’s love.
J.D., you are so right. The world has been trying to squelch the message of the gospel for centuries. But God says nothing will prevail against it. As we see evil on the rise, we know the enemy is working overtime–maybe because he senses time is running out. His fate is sealed. Unfortunately, he wants to take as many as he can with him. Lift Jesus high is right. It is our call. And He left the Holy Spirit here so we have the power to persevere.
Jeanne,
Thank you for the “ride” and important reminders to witness as Scripture describes: “God only asks us to rely on the Holy Spirit and speak the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us.”
Thanks for your thoughts, Jeannie. As I read each time Peter speaks, it is the simple message. Straightforward and Spirit filled. It’s helped me to see I need to keep my comments pointed solely on those two things – Who Jesus is and what He has done for me.