“21b When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin — the full Senate of the sons of Israel — and sent orders to the jail to have them brought. 22 But when the temple police got there, they did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 As the commander of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this.

25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple complex and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commander went with the temple police and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them. 27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us!”

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Acts 5:21b-32

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Peter and the rest were so compelled by the power of the Gospel message, the movement of the Holy Spirit in them, and the truth of what they had seen and heard, that there was simply no force apart from death that could silence them. They were convicted, determined and excited by and because of this hope that now lived inside of them. Jesus’ teachings were authoritative enough to be worth teaching, they were -the- truth after all. But the fact that they and all of Jerusalem had seen Him arrested, tried, convicted, crucified, dead and buried…and to have Him then walking, eating, talking and still performing miracles 3 days later…that was enough for them to turn their lives over in glad and joyful surrender. 

And that’s what it takes to follow Jesus, we must surrender to Him. We cannot try to save ourselves, to preserve our former way of life. We have something new and wonderful and amazing to take part in. A new purpose, a new life, a new state of mind, of heart and of the soul, in which to walk and live and exist. Following Jesus comes with a Great Commandment to GoLove Go & men, a Great Commissioning to baptize, to teach & make disciples. There is nothing that should stop us, quiet us or keep us from sharing what we now hold so dear. Like Peter & the other apostles, death itself should be the only thing that should keep us from speaking in the Name of Jesus Christ, and even then, in our deaths, we should still proclaim His Name with our last breaths. 

We cannot be silent or silenced. We cannot live in fear or timidity. We cannot compromise the Good News for the sake of comfort or for secular social ‘standards.’ Faith in Christ and a general silence do not work, they are not compatable. The joy that has been planted in us compells us each in our own ways, with the giftings we have been given, to speak the truth in love, to serve others in His Name, to teach them what we have learned and to then equip them to do the same…in other words: to ‘go and make disciples.’  

Peter & the rest were in prison for what they had said about Jesus. Would we risk prison?

Peter & the rest were prepared to go before the highest court of their people because of what they said about Jesus. Would we risk trial?

Peter & the rest spoke up in defense of the Gospel message to people who were more educated than they were. Would we risk public shaming?

Peter & the rest were simply human beings, flawed human beings, who had been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit now dwelled. How do we see ourselves today, we who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and in whom dwells that same promised Holy Spirit? Do we see oursleves with the capacity to be bold to the point of prison, court and death? Or do we walk timidly, trying not to stir the pot too much, not to make too many waves? 

We must make our own decision. Do we follow Christ, living as He intends, witnesses for His gospel walking the narrow road, or do we try to make up some middle ground for ourselves, trying to ‘play it safe’ hoping that Jesus will excuse our complete lack of faith in Him? We know the correct answer & so we should live it, trusting in Him, loving Him more than we love this life.