Acts 4:23-26

Verse 23: “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.”

“So….what did they say???”

How many times have we asked that of friends who were involved in secret conferences? How many times have we wondered what was discussed behind closed doors? We are so anxious to be “in the know” that we can’t wait for someone to fill us in on what transpired. I was reminded of this recently, seeing a “late breaking news” blurb on sports TV regarding a press conference that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was going to have after he met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell concerning the recently released findings of the “Deflategate” incident involving the Patriots’ quarterback, Tom Brady, and under-inflated footballs used in a playoff game last year. Given that Kraft was very defiant in his public and private protestations over the report’s findings, I was amazed to hear him accept the team’s penalties so that most all involved could move past this issue and get on with the NFL’s business.

Certainly, Peter’s and John’s Christian companions had heard the news of their being arrested and brought before the authorities. What was going to happen? As the Scripture states, they went straight to their companions after being released and told them all that had transpired. According to footnotes in 2 different Bibles I own, the followers realized that they were beginning to see the fulfilling of the prophecy found in Psalms 2: 1 and 2 (used in Acts 4:25-26): “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed…” The people marveled, they rejoiced, they praised God thanking Him for deliverance, and prayed all the more.

In both circumstances, the groups of people were surprised to hear news that they had not expected. And, you know what else? In both circumstances, God already knew what would happen. Of course, in the latter story, He had already sent word to His servant David in the Psalms concerning it. Talk about being “in the know”.

Something to think about.

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Acts 4:20-22

Verse 20: “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

You Are There was a television program based on a radio show on CBS that ran from 1953 to 1957. It starred then correspondent Walter Cronkite hosting reenactments of major world events, complete with reports and interviews being broadcast as the event “happened”. The program’s closing lines were memorable: “What sort of a day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times…and you were there.” (information here gathered from The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946-Present 4th edition, copyright 1988, by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh.)

The program apparently showed famous events as they were just happening, showing the viewer the action as if it were happening NOW…and that they saw it and heard it with their own senses.

Peter and John didn’t have to have a reenactment. Not only did they walk with Jesus as His disciples, there WERE there, doing miracles in His name, and preaching the Good News. They couldn’t help but tell what they had seen and heard, even in the face of persecution from the authorities. Praise God for their boldness that they even outright TOLD them that.

May we be as bold today when we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”.

Something to think about.

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