Acts 4:13-22 Being Christ's Witness in the World

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.  And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.  But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,  saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.  But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;  for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

The Sanhedrin is the formal government and rulers of the Temple.  When Peter and John healed a man they were brought before the Sanhedrin for questioning.  The problem that the Sanhedrin has is that the miracle is without dispute as this man was lame from his childhood and now in his 40's his legs and steps are strengthened.  They wanted it to be covered over so that the crowd doesn't get excited.  They desired to control the people, but they were praising God for what had been done in their midst.  So the leaders gathered among themselves and decided to threaten the two disciples to refrain from teaching in the name of Jesus.  But they pledged truth to what they see and hear.

Daily Prayer:  Lord it was bold for Peter and John to cleave to you at that time, because they could be banned from the Temple for it.  But now, in the New Covenant, our body is Your temple and we need not fear because You said "Lo I will be with you always, even unto the end of this age."  So strengthen us Lord Jesus, so that we may be your witness in the world.  In Jesus name I pray Amen.