They had been with Jesus

Proof of the power of Peter and John’s ministry for the Lord was irrefutable. Before the liberal but highly influential Sanhedrin stood a man who had been lame. His jubilant and emotional outburst had been seen by everyone. After all, he had been released from his personal prison of forty years through their words, and his joy could hardly be contained. There was no disputing this fact, v. 14. Yet it did not sit well with the seventy men that made up Israel’s ruling elite. They were hard-pressed but determined to keep the news of the miracle from spreading any further. They now focused their angry threats upon these two pillars of the church. The fact that Peter and John were ‘unlearned and ignorant men’ did not prevent these stalwarts from speaking the things which they had but ‘seen and heard’, v. 20. The redeemed of the Lord should always say so in good times and bad, despite the prospect of persecution. Their boldness in speaking against this intimidating council truly did substantiate that ‘they had been with Jesus’, v. 13. The more we spend time with Jesus, the greater and grander will be our testimony for Him.

The cornerstone of the disciples’ message was the truth of the resurrection. It was this truth and the fact that the people were being taught the word of God that greatly infuriated the priests and Sadducees, v. 2. Typically, they stood on opposite sides regarding the matter of resurrection. Yet now they were united in their opposition to Christ. Later, the disciples would quote David’s prophecy from Psalm 2 as an example of this, v. 26. Like Pilate and Herod, enemies become friends in their hatred of the Lord and His Anointed, Luke 23. 12.

Despite the cacophony of vicious words against them, the disciples were released. They would not allow this attempt to intimidate or silence their testimony or curtail their activity. The persecution led to praise and rather than asking to have this trial removed, they requested a greater measure of boldness, Acts 4. 29. Such are the ways of God. In the midst of persecution will come praise and a further opportunity to proclaim His glory and grace in defence of the gospel.