Focal Passage: Acts 4:8-21
Sometimes I must admit that I really don’t understand the thinking of some people. Some will cling to a lie even though truth is staring them right in the eye. They would rather hold on to their preconception regardless of the evidence to the contrary.
Mark Twain once quoted, “No amount of evidence will ever persuade a fool.” We may find this quote somewhat humorous, but it does contain an element of truth.
When someone refuses to change their perspective knowing that it is false as evidenced by the truth is foolish. We see an example of that ideology in our passage this week. The Sanhedrin could see physical truth before their eyes but continued to reject the Holy Spirit’s proof.
As we begin our study, we find Peter and John speaking with a large crowd after the healing of a crippled man. All this commotion had drawn the attention of the priests, Temple guard and the Sadducees which comprised most of the Sanhedrin. We don’t know how long it had been since the Holy Spirit had come upon the believers, but the crucifixion and the resurrection were still fresh in everyone’s mind. Once they got there, they were even more disturbed by what they heard.
Nimmo
Peter and John were teaching and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Since all this was happening in the Temple courts, the Sanhedrin could not risk the chance of a riot which might provoke Rome to intervene. They decided to defuse the situation by arresting Peter and John and putting them in jail.
The next day they brought them before the whole Sanhedrin which included the High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas. You will remember them as being at Jesus’ trial also. They begin to question them about how they had orchestrated the man’s healing. Peter with boldness tells them that it was by the name of Jesus whom they had crucified just a short time ago. The risen Jesus had healed the man, not them.
This passage has always impressed me. Here we have two disciples who at the time of the crucifixion showed timidity, fear and weakness. One even denied he knew Jesus. But now, full of the Holy Spirit, they stood boldly and proclaimed His name unashamed and without fear.
We should be encouraged because if we know Jesus as Lord, we too have the same Holy Spirit living in us. A lot of people may be reluctant to share Jesus because they are fearful — fearful they will offend and fearful they will be rejected.
I like Peter’s response in v. 12. I have had people tell me that there are many ways to get to Heaven and that is why there are so many different religions. I emphatically tell them no there is not. There is only one way and one way only. If that offends them, well, they will just have to be offended.
Even though the Sanhedrin, priests and all those present had the truth right in front of them, still they refused to hear. What a foolish decision. B&R
