Peter and John healed the lame man, and thus were seized and brought before the Jewish supreme court, the Sanhedrin.  The Sanhedrin wanted to know by what authority they healed the man.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter explained that it was by the name of Jesus Christ whom they had crucified and whom God had raised from the dead.  It is only through Him that a person can be saved.  There is no other name by which we can be saved.  They boldly shared the Gospel. The leaders were really surprised.  Peter and John were unlearned, common people, but they were boldly speaking.  Preaching the Word of God boldly was one of the characteristics of the first church.  In 4:29,30 they prayed to be able to speak the Word of God boldly.  Then they did just that. (13:46;14:3;18:26;19:8;26:26;28:31) Today let’s look at why they were able to speak so boldly.

             

I.                They were with Jesus (vs.13)

The Jewish leaders were surprised at Peter and John’s boldness because they were unlearned. The word, “unlearned” means “they can’t read and write”. Therefore, they had never officially studied the law (Bible). Therefore, to the rabbis and leaders it seemed surprising that Peter and John could speak so boldly and freely.  The reason that they could speak so boldly is given in verse 13, “they took note that these men had been with Jesus”. “To take note” means “to realize”.  Therefore the Sanhedrin realized, they understood, that the reason Peter and John could speak so boldly was because they had been with Jesus.  In other words, they realized that Peter and John’s boldness was from Jesus.  They probably remembered that Jesus was the same. (John 7:15)  If you are with some for a long time, you begin to be like that person.  The disciples had been with Jesus so they were able to be bold.  However, that boldness was not from themselves, but as a result of a deep relationship with Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are the same.  We may be weak, but Jesus is strong. We may be unlearned and just an ordinary person, but God will give us the power to speak boldly.  If we are with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit Jesus will give us strength and we will be able to boldly share the Word of God.

II.              The healed person is standing (vs. 14)

Another reason that Peter and John were able to preach boldly is they had proof.  There was the reality of salvation. There was the reality of change.  If the discussion in the Sanhedrin was just a debate, then Peter and John may have not been so bold, but they could speak boldly because the man who was healed was standing there with them.  The man was proof of what they were saying so there was nothing that the Sanhedrin could say. (vs.14)  In verse 21 we are told, “all the people were praising God for what had happened.”  People were changed because of what they saw. 

No matter how much the church claims that there is salvation in no other than Christ, if there are no saved Christians that are filled with joy, then evangelism will be very weak.  However, if there are Christians who saved, they are filled with joy and are worshipping God, then the evangelism will have more power than just the words. Powerful evangelism takes place when a person is saved and the Gospel works within his heart and his life is changed to a life of praise.  In other words, evangelism does not take place just because there is a preacher.  It takes place when those who are saved live a faithful church life and pure life and stand beside the preacher. Therefore we need to live the Gospel, and experience grace and power.  We need to know that the Gospel changes people and gives them life, and then we can boldly proclaim the Gospel. Those who hear our preaching will not be able to say anything against us.

III.            What is right before God (vs.19,20)

Thirdly Peter and John were bold because they had confidence that what they were doing was right before God.  The Sanhedrin couldn’t say anything because they could see the man who was healed standing there.  Therefore, they ordered Peter and John “to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.” (15)  They could not deny the reality of the miracle, but it was dangerous for the Sanhedrin if Peter and John continued their preaching so they decided to warn them “to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (17)  Therefore, “they called them in again and commanded them no to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” (18)  However, “Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” (19,20) The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the Jews so it was understood to be God’s voice.  To follow the Sanhedrin meant to follow God.  However, Peter and John are saying, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” (19) 

Romans 13:1

We are to follow those in authority because their authority is given to them by God.  However, if what they are requesting is different than God’s will then we are to follow God because He is the Ultimate authority.  This is such a case.  The Sanhedrin was made to be the voice of God, but they were requesting something that went against God’s will.  Therefore, they must follow God. They have been commissioned to be a witness to the risen Lord. Therefore they cannot help speaking about what they have seen and heard.  (20)  They disobeyed the Sanhedrin’s command and continued speaking in the name of Jesus.

For the first church and for Peter and John this was a first time experience.  They were ordered not to evangelize by the top authorities of the country.  Japan guarantees religious freedom in its constitution, but before the constitution was established Christians ran into the same problems. Also in China and other communist countries even today evangelism is not allowed.  To preach the name of Jesus is a very difficult work.  Under such conditions the most important thing is to know that in God’s eyes that it the right thing to do; that this is the Lord’s will.  They know that there is salvation in no one else, but by the name of Christ. God gave the name of Jesus so no matter what any one says they have decided that they are going to preach that name. Peter and John had such a faith and assurance. This wasn’t just something they thought, but it was based upon the Word of God.  They had already heard about it from the lips of Jesus.

Acts 1:8

Matt. 28:19,20

They had such words which gave them confidence.  We too, no matter what circumstances we are in, even if we are persecuted, in order to proclaim the Word of God, we need to know that that is God’s will. Evangelizing is right in God’s eyes.  It is what God desires.  We need to believe that it’s our job.  Then we can preach the Word of God boldly.

I Cor. 9:16

Paul said this because he had a commission.  He had assurance that God had called him to preach the Gospel.  He knew he had to do so.

We have been commissioned too.  It is the Lord’s will. Therefore, no matter what others say, we have to share what we have seen and heard. This is God’s will.  This is His desire.