“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”

After raising the lame (from birth) in the name of Jesus (3:6-9), Peter preached the gospel boldly (3:11-26). It caused Peter and John to be arrested and put in the jail (4:1-4). Then they were tried before the Sanhedrin (5-12). Before the Sanhedrin, Peter again testified the name of Jesus boldly. Our text today is the response of the Sanhedrin. They were astonished for the apostle were unschooled and ordinary, yet they preached Jesus with the inspiration of the Spirit (11-12). Though they threatened them not to speak in Jesus' name, they fearlessly refused to do it, saying, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (19-20).

Here we see the value of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the source of our wisdom, power and courage. We see the hostility of the world toward the work of God. We lose courage. When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we too can be effective to preach the gospel boldly, even raising the lame in the name of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be filled with the Spirit that we may be effective and bold in doing your work.