Read: Acts 4:13-22

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Reflect:

What to do?  What to do?

In the passage above two groups of people are faced with the same question – what will we do?  The first group of religious leaders were perplexed at the miracle performed in the name of Jesus.  Their response to “warn them to speak no more to anyone in (Jesus) name” was really one of compromise because they were afraid of the people.

When face with the same question, the response of Peter and John is one of stark contrast: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Respond:

Take a look at the newspaper headlines today.  There are plenty of opportunities for the Christian to respond either in compromise or integrity.  Let’s follow the example of the Spirit-filled life of Peter and John and stand boldly.