“When Will People Stop Giving In?”
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Acts 4:19-21 (KJV)
In reading Acts chapter 3 we find that Peter and John had come to the temple to pray. Upon arriving at the door there was a lame man there who had been unable to walk all his life. During this time period families who had family members in their homes would bring them to the temple gates each day to beg for alms. When the man saw Peter and John he asked them for alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:4-8 (KJV)
Now when the religious folks heard about this they were angry.
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
Acts 4:1-3 (KJV)
The next day Peter and John were brought before the Jerusalem council headed up by the chief priest Annas. They ask Peter and John, by what power, or by what name they had healed this man. These men could not deny a healing had taken place this lame man who had never walked was up running all over the place praising God.
Here is Peter’s answer:
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Acts 4:8-14 (KJV)
They then sent Peter and John outside so they could talk about this. They said what are we going to do with these men, a notable miracle has taken place and that we cannot deny.
But so this thing will not spread any further we will just threaten them and tell them they cannot talk about this Jesus any more.
So they call Peter and John back in and tell them that they cannot speak nor teach in the name of Jesus any more. I guess that ended that for sure right? NO.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Acts 4:19 (KJV)
Peter and John went out and continued to preach, and multitude were coming to Christ.
So they were arrested again and brought before the council Acts 5:26 and they said did we not tell you that you could not teach in this name.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Acts 5:29-32 (KJV)
Then finally somebody said the right thing. Gamaliel a Pharisee said: Be careful how you handle these men.
Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Acts 5:38-39 (KJV)
Now if I can for just a minute vent about something that makes me so angry. All these forces that come against Christianity they are not fighting against Christians. They are fighting against God.
Christians serve the same God today that Peter and John served. The difference is Peter and John had a backbone. They and the rest of the disciples were bold and did not back down.
The only way they were able to silence these men was to kill them.
Peter was crucified upside down. While in Rome the Emperor Nero declared himself to be the chief enemy of God. Because of this Peter was killed, but not before watching his wife be led out to die. Peter rejoiced that she was going home and said to her “remember the Lord”
John also at the hands of the Roman Emperor Domitian was ordered to be thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. When he did not die but continued to preach from the cauldron, Domitian had him exiled to Patmos.
They lived and died by what they believed! We ought to obey God rather than men.
A student walks into a school where the Ten Commandments have been hanging in the entrance for decades, complains because she is an atheist and they take them down.
No, wrong answer. Tell her you are sorry if that offends her but there are other schools she can go to but the Ten Commandments stay where they are.
Just this week a guest comes to the University of Wisconsin and stays in one of the guest rooms where she finds a Gideon Bible in the room. She complains to the freedom from religion foundation they write a letter to the University and just like that they remove the Bibles.
No tell her you are sorry she is offended but there are other motels in the area she can stay in but the Bibles will stay where they are.
In December Temecula Valley first grader Brynn Williams and he classmates was given an assignment to find something at home that shares a family Christmas tradition and give a one minute presentation to the class. She brings the star off the top of their tree and begins to share that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Her teacher told her to stop immediately and take her seat.
Another first grader at another school brought candy canes to share with the other kids but was not allowed to pass them out because they were attached to a card telling the story about the candy cane and Jesus’ name was on the card.
In September the cheer leaders at Kountze High School in Texas were told by the aclu that they could not display Bible verses on banners that the team would run through at the start of the games.
Here is a thought if the Bible verses offend you, don’t go to the game! Or go to the game but let everybody else feel as free to be there as you do.
A woman who is elected to be on the city council who is an atheist, complains the first night because the meeting was opened in prayer so they stop praying?
No ask her why she ran for office if she knew they prayed before the meetings. If she does not want to pray then resign or stay home.
When will people stop giving in to the (One) who is offended and the rest who enjoy what they are doing have to stop?
Just say NO, let the aclu, the freedom from religion foundation take us all to court. They will soon run out of money and go away. But as long as people give in it gives them more power and money for their next victim.
So what if a bakery don’t want to bake a cake for a gay wedding, go to another bakery who will. Stop putting business out of business because they have to spend all this money in court defending their rights as a Christian.
Men like Peter and John and the rest had the boldness to stand for what they believed. And the same God who held them up will hold us up if we will just take the same stand.
They say we are intolerant, no we are not intolerant we simply agree with God that sinful lifestyles are wrong.
They say the Bible is filled with hate speech. No the Bible is filled with the truth, and the only ones who say the Word of God is hate speech are those that hate the truth.
The freedom we enjoy in this country are a direct result of the boldness of men and women over the centuries to proclaim without apology The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If we do not stand I am afraid we are going to give away the freedom of future generations.
And for that we will answer to God for.
