Acts 4:19-31

Compelled to Preach

Peter and John made it clear that in their view the Sanhedrin had no authority to countermand a command from God. Further, they felt compelled, by the power of the things they had witnessed, to proclaim to all the good news. Because the miracle was such common knowledge and had caused so many to glorify God, the council had no other recourse but to let the apostles go without any further punishment. They simply added a few more threats and let them go rather than risk the people taking the apostles' side (compare Mark 12:12). After all, a man who had been lame forty years was now walking (Acts 4:19-22)!

Upon their release, Peter and John went back to their companions and related the whole story of their arrest and the words of the council. The entire group lifted up their voices in praise to the Almighty Creator. Their expression of praise included a recognition of God's providential working in the death of Jesus. Then, they asked the Father to give them all the strength to preach the truth in spite of the threats of the Sanhedrin. Additionally, they asked that God continue to work miracles through them which would clearly demonstrate the authority of Jesus Christ the Lord. Immediately, the place where they were gathered was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to preach the word with boldness (Acts 4:23-31).