Lesson 348

(Lesson 348)(07-28-12) Acts 4:13-20, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

The Jewish leadership, fearing that the divine message of Peter and John would lead to the loosening of their grip on the Hebrew nations, plotted how they would rid themselves of the Apostles before they could spread the good news of redemption by the grace of God.
They referred to Peter and John as, "unlearned and ignorant men", yet they greatly feared the power of the Apostle's message, and marveled at the awesome power, demonstrated through them, by the Holy Ghost.
They ordered Peter and John to stop preaching the name of Jesus Christ, to which the Apostles answered, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Although some of us who attempt to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ may be deemed "unlearned and ignorant", we all should be even more determined and continue to "speak the things" that Peter and John spoke.~