They counted the cost and preached Jesus anyway. Why?
They had never known such love, joy or meaning
as they now experienced in their relationships with Christ.
His mercy and forgiveness--the hope he extended transformed them,
and there was no going back.
Besides, all of them knew people who had been miraculously healed or set free from evil spirits by one of the apostles. No, they could not, would not refute the power of God at work amongst them. The rest of Acts chapter 5 records the back and forth: God doing signs and wonders, the apostles preaching Jesus, then the Jewish leaders trying to silence them by throwing them in jail.
When they got out of jail, they went right back to the Temple, preaching the gospel, starting at daybreak. Not even a merciless flogging deterred them.
But, why? At the risk of their very lives, the apostles share the love of Jesus Christ every chance they get. Clearly, the punishments are getting worse...does not matter.
This is not reasonable, is it?
'Reminds of the patient saying to his physician:
"Doctor, doctor, it hurts when I do this!" To which the doctor replies, "So don't do that!"
Peter, John and the other apostles were devoted to the cause of Christ regardless of the personal cost. Are you? Am I? We know Christ-followers around the world are tortured, imprisoned and killed because they share the gospel with others, refusing to renounce their own faith. Again I say, this is not reasonable behavior on the part of the Christian!
So, why?
The other day I asked the question 'Why, God?' regarding his swift, severe punishment of lying, prideful Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5.1-11; but today, looking at vv. 12-42, I am asking 'Why, Peter? Why, John? Just shut up about Jesus, and all will go well for you.' But, no.
Why?
Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people."1
Peter broke it down again. "The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”2
Eye witnesses - the most important evidence in a court of law.
Eye witnesses - many of them to Jesus' own teaching and miraculous healings, also Eye witnesses - many within earshot of Jesus on the Mt. of Olives when he said,
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”3
Two things. They would not be silenced because they simply knew too much.
First) The apostles knew their lives were so beautifully different as they worshipped God together--praying, reading Scripture, encouraging and taking care of one another.
Second) They knew Jesus had told them face-to-face, 'you go tell others what you have seen and experienced!' You be my witnesses. Period. And. they. obeyed.
“We must obey God rather than people."
One of my worst nightmares is me, standing before God, just about to enter Heaven, when one of my neighbors arrives at the Pearly Gates at the same time. But she is not going to enter Heaven, but rather will be separated from God forever. She turns and looks at me and says, 'Why, O Why didn't you tell me about Jesus? Why didn't you tell me about Heaven? 'You knew this truth but didn't share it with me?' [Now of course it is not likely to go just like that, but you get the point.] Jesus commissioned us to tell others about his great love - how he gives our lives true meaning, hope, and the only pure joy--through a relationship with Jesus Christ. You and I possess the best news ever!
"Shut up, will you?!" (July 28, 2025)
by Christine
yesterday
Listen along here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2e7c6677/shut-up-will-you-i-cant-ive-got-the-best-news-ever-acts-no19
The apostles had been warned:
"stop talking about Jesus or else!"
But that did not shut them up.
They counted the cost and preached Jesus anyway. Why?
They had never known such love, joy or meaning
as they now experienced in their relationships with Christ.
His mercy and forgiveness--the hope he extended transformed them,
and there was no going back.
Besides, all of them knew people who had been miraculously healed or set free from evil spirits by one of the apostles. No, they could not, would not refute the power of God at work amongst them. The rest of Acts chapter 5 records the back and forth: God doing signs and wonders, the apostles preaching Jesus, then the Jewish leaders trying to silence them by throwing them in jail.
When they got out of jail, they went right back to the Temple, preaching the gospel, starting at daybreak. Not even a merciless flogging deterred them.
But, why? At the risk of their very lives, the apostles share the love of Jesus Christ every chance they get. Clearly, the punishments are getting worse...does not matter.
This is not reasonable, is it?
'Reminds of the patient saying to his physician:
"Doctor, doctor, it hurts when I do this!" To which the doctor replies, "So don't do that!"
Peter, John and the other apostles were devoted to the cause of Christ regardless of the personal cost. Are you? Am I? We know Christ-followers around the world are tortured, imprisoned and killed because they share the gospel with others, refusing to renounce their own faith. Again I say, this is not reasonable behavior on the part of the Christian!
So, why?
The other day I asked the question 'Why, God?' regarding his swift, severe punishment of lying, prideful Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5.1-11; but today, looking at vv. 12-42, I am asking 'Why, Peter? Why, John? Just shut up about Jesus, and all will go well for you.' But, no.
Why?
Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people."1
Peter broke it down again. "The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”2
Eye witnesses - the most important evidence in a court of law.
Eye witnesses - many of them to Jesus' own teaching and miraculous healings, also Eye witnesses - many within earshot of Jesus on the Mt. of Olives when he said,
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”3
Two things. They would not be silenced because they simply knew too much.
First) The apostles knew their lives were so beautifully different as they worshipped God together--praying, reading Scripture, encouraging and taking care of one another.
Second) They knew Jesus had told them face-to-face, 'you go tell others what you have seen and experienced!' You be my witnesses. Period. And. they. obeyed.
“We must obey God rather than people."
One of my worst nightmares is me, standing before God, just about to enter Heaven, when one of my neighbors arrives at the Pearly Gates at the same time. But she is not going to enter Heaven, but rather will be separated from God forever. She turns and looks at me and says, 'Why, O Why didn't you tell me about Jesus? Why didn't you tell me about Heaven? 'You knew this truth but didn't share it with me?' [Now of course it is not likely to go just like that, but you get the point.] Jesus commissioned us to tell others about his great love - how he gives our lives true meaning, hope, and the only pure joy--through a relationship with Jesus Christ. You and I possess the best news ever!
Best News Ever, the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acbcKrnnJAk&list=RDacbcKrnnJAk&start_radio=1
Tell Somebody.
Christine - PastorWoman.net
Acts, no.19
1 - Acts 5.29
2 - Acts 5.30-32
3 - Acts 1.8