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From Acts 2 and 3, we read of the Lord’s
saints (apostles) proclaiming His message on the day of Pentecost, a
significant day that generated, I am sure, curiosity. In chapter 4 we start learning
a little more about the forces of resistance beginning to brew. Fresh in the
minds of the Jewish religious leaders was the life, teaching, and rebuke
suffered by them from the Lord. Aggravated as they were by Jesus, they were
determined to put Him death. This they did, thinking they were able to put a
stop to His influence. However, though they thought to put a stop to Jesus’
influence, they were now experiencing the ramifications of Jesus’ teaching
with His disciples; they focused their attention on them. The Sanhedrin (a very significant source
of civil and religious authority among the Jews) decided to take a stand
against the apostles, but this was not before there was, at least, an
additional 2,000 people who had committed to the Gospel message of the Lord. They
asked them, in effect, “Who are you and by what authority are you doing these
things?” The apostles were happy to give attention to this question; it gave
them the opening they desired to talk about Jesus, and this they did
(4:8-12). That is an important question to
consider. “By whose authority do we do the things we do?” In conjunction with this, Peter made it
very clear that of all the names given among men living under the banner of
the heavens, there is no other name than Jesus, the only name by which any
can and will be saved (Acts 4:12). What this means in practical terms is this:
there is no acceptable religious devotion from any of the people of any
community who rejects Jesus. This applies to all the so-called “great”
religions of the world. If one does not submit to the Lord Jesus, then all
necessarily submit to the adversary of the Lord’s people, the devil. After hearing the apostles, the Sanhedrin
forbade them from speaking any further in the name of Jesus. To most, this
would have been a sufficient reason to stop. Peter and John, however, thought
differently. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is
right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:
for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard (Acts 4:19-20,
ASV). The force of the resistance that opposed Jesus was beginning to throw
its might against them, never considering that the force of the Almighty is
on the side of those preaching the message of the Gospel. Some lessons to learn. First, regarding
salvation, no one is saved before the Almighty without a positive, obedient
response to the Lord Jesus. Second, the religiously oriented and highly
educated Jewish community does not make one religiously right in the Lord’s
sight. Whatever devotion they may have had, to reject the Lord’s Servant is
to reject Him. Let that be a reminder to each of us that it is not only one’s
sincerity and devotion that makes one pleasing to the Lord, but it includes
accurate knowledge and obedience to that which is learned from the Lord.
Knowledge contributes to one’s holiness, but the heart’s response to that
knowledge in obedience to the holy will of God is equally important. Third,
when you talk about Jesus do not speculate on things to which the Holy Spirit
never gave any attention (cf. 4:20); only talk about those things you know
(cf. Rom. 15:18). If you’re uncertain about something, take time to study and
look for another day to converse. Fourth, the Lord’s church will grow when
all who love the Lord are under His banner, not trying to take the lead on
their own. |
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