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THE KING’S BUSINESS
straitly) threaten them, that, they speak henceforth to no man in this name." As they were unable to deny the fact o f the power o f Jesus’ name, and at the same time were unwilling to admit it, they hit upon the expedient o f trying to silence all report o f the fact. They Were attempting the impossible; the truth cannot be silenced, undeniable facts must come to light—they cannot be covered up. The attempt to cover them up only results ultimately in their finding a wider currency and hearing. vs. 18-20. “And they called them, and commanded ( charged) them not to speak at all or teach in the name o f Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge y e : For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen (saw) and heard." Peter’s and John’s answer to the council when they attempted to silence them, is both inspiring and crushing, it does not so much need comment as meditation. The peril that faced Peter and John was very reap and very great, but they were not in the least moved by it. It was a direct issue: would they listen to God Him self, or would they listen to those who claimed to be but were not His representa tive^? All o f us sooner or later come up against the alternative o f turning a deaf ear to God, or turning a deaf ear to man, even men in high ecclesiastical positions sometimes. There cannot be a moment’s question o f what we ought to do under such circumstances. However high the (1 ) Committed to Prison, vs. 1-4. For what were Peter and John commit ted to prison? v. 2. | Who had commissioned Peter and John? Mark 16:15. What were they to preach? Luke 24 :46 t 47. O f what is the servant worthy'who fails to preach the whole Gospel? Luke 12:47. LESSON
position o f the man or men, whatever claims o f authority they may have, never theless, when it comes to -a question o f listening to God or listening to any man or company o f men, we cannot hesitate a moment as to what to do, we must hearken unto God rather than unto any man or company o f men. One who really knows God, and- knows His Son Jesus Christ, and knows the truth about Christ, cannot keep still, he “ cannot but speak" the things which he has seen and heard. 1 v. 21. “So -when they (and they, when they) had further threatened them, they (omit, they) let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that whiéh was done."' Thé authorities were helpless. They could threaten, but they dared do no more. They wished to punish Peter and Jôhn for their faithful ness in proclaiming the Lord Jesus and the power o f His name, but they feared the people. The miracle was so evident that to have punished them for performing it would have brought down upon them the wrath o f all the people. The people were glorifying God for that which was done. That God had done it was beyond a per- adventure, for the miracle was o f a charac ter the reality o f which all could see, so unlike some o f the “modern miracles of healing” for which we have no evidence but that o f the person claiming to have been healed, but who to all appearances is a§ sick as ever, or of-whose former sick ness we have' no conclusive proof. OUTLINE. What was the spirit o f the priests and scribes? Matt. 26:3, 4; 27:1, 2, How should evil treatment be received by His servants? Matt. 5:10-12. What consolation had Peter and James? Phil. 1:12-14. ( 2 ) Peter's Confession Before the Coun cil, vs. -5-12. Were the high priests^ jealous, o f the apostles? Matt. 21:23; John 2:18. 1 - m
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