Taking a stand!
Notes
Transcript
Handout
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another,
16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 “But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”
18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge;
20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.
23 So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Introduction:
Introduction:
The Lord inspired Luke to write two entire chapters about the healing of the lame man at the beautiful gate.
This event is significant! It sets a pattern of using the Gospel as a defense that we will see repeated often in the book of Acts.
We are at the end of Peter and John’s trial now.
Today, we will see the reaction of the rulers after hearing the Gospel message.
1. The Apostles took their stand on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
1. The Apostles took their stand on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
12 “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.”
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
These men were uneducated and ordinary men, yet they were speaking of the deep mysteries that the scholars were trying to understand!
These men had obviously been with Jesus, because they are doing the same things He did!
(Preaching openly, expounding the Scriptures, and performing miracles, just as Jesus did. They learned from Him!)
2. The Apostles were Discipling others to stand with them!
2. The Apostles were Discipling others to stand with them!
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
The Disciples were multiplying! This lame man is standing here with them, and is now one of them!
This is exactly what Jesus told them to do!
Everyone is being Discipled by someone!
Psalm 1:1-3
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Why was he standing with them?
Yes, he was there under court order for the trial. But let’s not skip the point that this man could not stand at all 24 hours ago! He is now healthy and standing because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The Gospel is not a “90 day free trial.” The Gospel is a miracle! It brings immediate healing!
3. The rulers were afraid of losing their standing with the people.
3. The rulers were afraid of losing their standing with the people.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another,
16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 “But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”
18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Behind closed doors, they could admit that something miraculous has happened.
Their concern was not for the lame man, or the church. Their only concern was losing their influence with the people!
I have personally experienced hearing politicians agree with us in private, just to change their tune in public.
Or, speaking our message in public to earn our votes, then changing their tune in private and breaking their word.
These rulers commanded the Disciples not to speak or teach.
Notice: They were more concerned with their message than they were the miracle!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
1. Peter acknowledged their liberty of conscience.
1. Peter acknowledged their liberty of conscience.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge;
Liberty of conscience is a fundamental human right, representing the freedom of individuals to hold beliefs, values, and moral principles without coercion or interference. This concept is a cornerstone of a free society, allowing individuals to cultivate their inner convictions authentically. It underscores the idea that personal beliefs are a private domain, shielded from governmental or societal compulsion.
In other words, Peter told them, “I cannot and will not try to force you to agree with me.”
“A man forced against his will is of the same opinion still.”
2. Peter practiced liberty of conscience for himself.
2. Peter practiced liberty of conscience for himself.
20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
When Peter said “we cannot stop,” he means, “My conscience will not allow me to stop. I fully believe this, and must obey it!”
16 For if I proclaim the gospel, I have nothing to boast, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not proclaim the gospel.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
5 “... Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.”
3. The Disciples could take a stand with a clear conscience because they were being consistent.
3. The Disciples could take a stand with a clear conscience because they were being consistent.
21 And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.
23 So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
The rulers let them go, because they were innocent of any true crimes.
However, the greater reason is that they feared the people!
The man who was healed had a clear conscience because he was over 40 years old. He was perfectly able to make up his own mind.
He chose the Gospel over the traditions of man because he saw the evidence for himself!
The Disciples were able to report to their own local churches of what God had done. They conscience was clear, and the others in the church were challenged to stand with them!
Next week, we will see the reaction of the local churches to this event.
