“They sent them out of the room so they could work out a plan. They talked it over: “What can we do with these men? By now it’s known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn’t go any further, let’s silence them with threats so they won’t dare to use Jesus’ name ever again with anyone.” They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.””
Acts 4:15-20 MSG
I have a question for you (and me), if the powers in charge told you not to talk about Jesus and the power in His name would you obey? Now let me ask you if you would punished (possibly by death) would you keep your mouth shut about Jesus?
The punishment part is hard for me to visualize. Because here in the United States in 2026, I have the freedom to speak about Jesus without fear of punishment. It is almost beyond my comprehension that I wouldn’t be able to talk about Jesus and tell people about the power of His Name. I also spent a majority of my working life in full time ministry where I was able to talk about Jesus all day long.
All that to say that it is difficult for me to put myself in Peter and John’s shoes. It is hard for me to fully comprehend the boldness of their refusal to be obedient to the religious leaders of their time.
But my hope is that I would be as brave and bold as the two of them in my refusal to disobey Jesus. That like them I would say, “you all can choose to disobey God if you want, but not me, no siree. If Jesus tells me to tell people about Him that’s what I am going to do.”
I like how Peter and John say it, “As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.”. Today, Let’s join Peter and John in their refusal to stay quiet about Jesus.
Until next time with Jesus’ help let’s be less messy and choose what’s better.