Acts 4: 18 - 20 Peter & John speak boldly
| Peter and John speak boldly |
| Acts 4: 18 - 20 ( King James Version ) |
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| And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus |
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| Verse 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. |
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| Verse 20 > For we cannot but speak the things whcih we have seen and heard |
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| Acts 4: 18 - 20 ( New International Version ) |
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| Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the namd of Jesus |
| v. 19 > But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. |
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| v. 20 > For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. |
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| v. 21 > , |
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| Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy |
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. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:19, 20. {CC 329.1}
On the day following the healing of the cripple [Acts 3], Annas and Caiaphas, with the other dignitaries of the temple, met together for the trial, and the prisoners [Peter and John] were brought before them. In that very room and before some of those very men, Peter had shamefully denied his Lord. This came distinctly to his mind as he appeared for his own trial. He now had an opportunity of redeeming his cowardice. . . . {CC 329.2}
This principle we in our day are firmly to maintain. The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founders of the gospel church and by God's witnesses during the centuries that have passed since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands. . . . We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church" or a "Thus saith the state." The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates. {CC 329.5} |
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In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling His banner, advocating His word. When the authorities command us not to do this work; when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say as did the apostles: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19, 20. {CW 70.2} {6T 395.3}
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| We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do anything that would necessarily close up our way. We are to go forward in Christ's name, advocating the truths committed to us. If we are forbidden by men to do this work, then we may say, as did the apostles, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." [ACTS 4:19, 20.] -- "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 68, 69. {GW 390.1} |
| The principle for which the disciples stood so fearlessly when, in answer to the command not to speak any more in the name of Jesus, they declared, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye," [ACTS 4:19.] is the same that the adherents of the gospel struggled to maintain in the days of the Reformation. When in 1529 the German princes assembled at the Diet of Spires, there was presented the emperor's decree restricting religious liberty, and prohibiting all further dissemination of the reformed doctrines. It seemed that the hope of the world was about to be crushed out. Would the princes accept the decree? Should the light of the gospel be shut out from the multitudes still in darkness? Mighty issues for the world were at stake. Those who had accepted the reformed faith met together, and their unanimous decision was, "Let us reject this decree. In matters of conscience the majority has no power." [D'AUBIGNE: "HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION," BOOK 13, CHAP. 5.] {GW 389.1} |
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| "In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling his banner, advocating his Word. When the authorities command us not to do this work; when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say, as did the apostles: 'Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.' Acts 4:19, 20. {RH, March 30, 1911 par. 7} |