Acts 4:16-17
“What shall we do with these men…? In order that this may spread no further among the people, let us warn them not to speak any more to any one in this name. So they called them and they ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”
Back to the core issue for the rulers – ‘the name’. They were fine with healing and they were fine with acts of kindness, but they did not want to hear the Name of Jesus!
Acts 4:19-20
“But Peter and John answered them, “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight—to obey you or to obey God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Obey the ruling authority or obey God? The choice was going back to jail or being set free to leave? To some, this is a simple request; continue in your religious work but tone down the ‘Jesus talk’. To Peter and John, this is an absolute non-negotiable. Jesus must be front and center. It was a matter of obedience to Almighty God.
Prayer.
Heavenly Father, give me courage and conviction to obey You. Please prepare me this day to speak loud and clear the Name of Jesus. In His Name I pray,
Amen.