We have nothing to hide (Acts 4:1-22)
Billy Milton - June 13, 2004
Peter’s sermon followed by the healing of the man who had been lame for 40 years had made a big impression on the ordinary folks of Jerusalem. Many were believing and turning to follow Jesus. But not everyone was happy! The behaviour of the disciples also aroused the opposition of the Jewish leaders who had them arrested and marched before the Sanhedrin. (The Sanhedrin was the sort of high court of the Jewish religion as we can see from who was on it - Annas, Caiaphas and so on.)
I almost feel sorry for them! Can you imagine the consternation of these religious leaders? They’d just dealt rather effectively with the challenge of Jesus, or so they thought. Sure, there were a few rumours going around that Jesus had in fact risen from the dead but if they just sat tight the rumours would stop and life would get back to normal - them in charge and keeping the law as the measure of spirituality. You can almost hear them congratulating themselves [ACT IT OUT].
Suddenly some disturbing news reaches their ears - the once timid disciples, who had not seemed to be a threat at all, are preaching fearlessly in the Temple courts; recently a well known lame man has been healed; and literally thousands of people are turning to follow this maverick Rabbi called Jesus that they were convinced was out of their hair for ever. Things are beginning to spin dangerously out of control. Time to take some more decisive action and show people what true religion is all about. Folks, I’m sure you know this already but this is what religion always seeks to do - to control; to manipulate; to elevate men. What the disciples were preaching was something completely new - faith in Jesus Christ which set people free. Faith in Christ still does that today.
So they all traipse off to the Temple to confront these guys who are disturbing the peace. Interestingly the main group who seem to be opposing the disciples are no longer the Pharisees but the Sadducees. They were a group who did not believe in resurrection from the dead (which is why they were sad-u-see!) and so the message that the disciples were preaching was very offensive to them and they wanted them silenced.
Since it is too late in the day to do anything with Peter and John, they just throw them into prison for the night, no doubt thinking that a night in a cold, damp prison will change their outlook on things.
The next day Peter and John are brought before them and the whole interrogation process begins again. Now remember what this Sanhedrin are capable of - these are the exact same bullies who invented charges to get Jesus arrested and killed. They already had blood on their hands so what difference did another ignorant fisherman or two make? Peter and John were in very real danger here, which makes Peter’s words all the more remarkable.
Jesus had promised his disciples in Luke 12:12 that when the time came the Holy Spirit would give them the words to say and now his words come true. Let me just add - the words of Jesus can always be trusted. Peter is asked by what ‘power or name’ he performed the healing miracle. Listen to Peter’s words here VV8-11.
Peter then speaks some words which today are considered highly offensive, even to many Christians sadly. READ V12 and LINK TO 1 Tim 2:5 (”There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus”).
Then a strange thing happens between the disciples and the Sanhedrin READ V13 They notice that Pe and J are not intimidated by them; they know that they are unschooled and ordinary men; the result is astonishment and an acknowledgment that ‘these men had been with Jesus’. WHAT DOES A PERSON LOOK LIKE WHO HAS ‘BEEN WITH JESUS?’
STORY -
“On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: James Butler Bonham - no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom. No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of his true followers.”
What does a person look like who has been with Jesus? - I’d like to say turn to the person next to you and take a look.
VV14-18 The Sanhedrin are now caught in the horns of a dilemma. They know that the crowd are utterly captivated by this message from Peter and John, indeed in the relatively small city of Jerusalem over 5000 men had already believed, which was a significant number, so if they punish them they risk a riot. They go into a secret huddle and in the end decide that they can realistically do nothing except give them a strong warning. So they call Peter and John back in and warn them not to speak or teach again in the name of Jesus. You know I just smile when I read this. It reminds me of when I was a wee boy and someone would say to me, “Don’t do that…or else!” and the unspoken threat would hang in the air between you. And if you were feeling especially brave you’d reply, “Or else what?” To which they either backed down or knocked lumps out of you!
So they threaten the disciples, “Shut up …or else.” Just let’s stop and think about that for a moment. “Or else what?” The worst they can do is kill them, and these disciples have no fear of death at all any more! The resurrection of Jesus has changed their outlook on everything. They don’t fear these toothless old men any more. “Oh death where is your sting, Oh grave where is your victory?” When your future is linked with Jesus the worst that men can do but ushers us into his presence. Isn’t it great to have that assurance as a Christian?
The disciples response to this threat in vv19-20 goes a long way to explaining why the early church grew so quickly. They say, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen or heard.” Remember I said a couple of weeks ago that the one obvious thing that was missing from the list of activities of the early church was ‘evangelism’? Here we can see why. It was just so much part of a Christian’s life that it did not need stating. “We cannot help speaking about (Jesus)..” the disciples say. Would that we could say the same as a church! Why don’t we resolve today to become people who just simply talk of Christ in the everyday situations of our life? I suppose I could come up with some reasons… but none of them are good reasons.
The message from Peter is unequivocal - we have nothing to hide. Salvation is found in no-one else, except Jesus Christ. Jesus is alive today; we still heal in his name. Have you trusted him with your fragile life yet? Today’s your opportunity, salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.