The physician Luke wrote how Peter and John were arrested for the healing of the lame man and speaking to the people in the temple about the resurrection, and when they were questioned by the religious authorities, “Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; 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 has 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 straightly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name”, and in chapter four and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the religious leaders, “called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach” where we read:
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
The verse begins, “And they called them, ...” Luke began with the words, “and they” which means “and the religious leaders” “called them” which means “beckoned, invited and bid forth Peter and John”. Luke shared how the religious leaders “beckoned” Peter and John to return to the midst of them.
The verse continues, “... and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Luke added the words, “and commanded them” or “and ordered and charged Peter and John” “not to speak at all” which means “no and not in any way to utter, declare and proclaim anything” “nor teach” or “nor to hold discourse, instruct or deliver didactic discourses” “in the name of Jesus” which means “by using and employing the name which is used for everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”. Luke shared how the religious leaders followed through on their idea of “commanding” Peter and John not to “use” Jesus' “name” in their “speaking or teaching” people.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the religious leaders carried out their idea to “threaten” Peter and John to be certain they did not “speak or teach” in Jesus' name any longer. We shall see their response in our next verse, but for now, let us keep in mind that the “gospel” of Jesus Christ does not come without opposition. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. “Speaking and teaching” in the “name of Jesus” may not always be well received on earth, but it will insure those who share Him with others that they will enjoy living with Him forever.
Next time Luke shares how, “Peter and John answered” the religious leaders, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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