You are probably familiar with the expression, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you who you are.” Usually, someone uses these words to warn against the wrong kind of friends. In the case of Peter and John, it was just the opposite.
They were brought before the religious authorities because a lame man had been healed, and Peter had proclaimed his healing was the result of Jesus’ power released through the Holy Spirit. Like any authoritarian rule, when someone acts outside their prescribed behavior, it must be stopped. Free speech that challenges the existing order must be quashed.
In this instance, the authorities had a problem. The uneducated men from Galilee were eloquent in their defense, and a man who had been lame for 40 years was standing before them.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” (Acts 4:13-14)
During my last few years of public preaching, I had the practice of asking people to join me for the sermon. I was like the play-by-play announcer, and they served as the color commentator of a sporting event. What they shared was similar to the man beside Peter and John. They were the living proof of God’s love and healing power.
Peter and John were transformed by their friendship with Jesus, and the lame man was healed through association with them. Like these men, friendship and close association with Jesus will determine who we are.
Who Really Is In Control Here?
Like all authoritarians, the religious leaders believed they could order Peter and John to stay silent.
“So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18)
The religious leaders worked with the Roman rulers over Israel in the first century. They had great power, but compared with God’s authority and strength, they had none at all.
“But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.'” (Acts 4:19-20)
For several years, a Catholic priest joined a group of inner-city pastors and me for prayer on Thursday mornings.
He served as a missionary in a South American country during a time of great turmoil. The government viewed Catholic priests as troublemakers and tried to intimidate them. On several occasions, he wondered if he would survive the ordeal.
When he retired, he gave away all his belongings and rode a motorcycle back to South America. I do not remember where he settled, but he gave away the motorcycle and lived simply, in poverty and solidarity with the people he served.
Like Peter and John, he did not let the world’s demands control his actions. He boldly served Catholics in South America despite threats of government punishment. He also lived against a culture that says people should own many possessions. Instead, he let God guide his path and served Him faithfully each day.
It has been many years since I prayed with this priest, but I still remember his deep peace, calm, and quiet spirit. Being a friend of God changes how you view culture and authority. It is also a great source of peace.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 4:13-22 on YouTube today.
