Acts 4:19-22 ESV

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

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19 Ngunit sumagot sa kanila si Pedro at si Juan, “Kung matuwid sa paningin ng Diyos na makinig muna sa inyo sa halip na sa Diyos, kayo ang humatol, 20 sapagkat hindi maaaring hindi namin sabihin ang aming nakita at narinig.” 21 Pagkatapos na muling bigyan ng babala, kanilang hinayaan silang umalis na walang nakitang anumang bagay upang sila'y kanilang maparusahan dahil sa mga tao, sapagkat niluluwalhati nilang lahat ang Diyos dahil sa nangyari. 22 Sapagkat mahigit nang apatnapung taong gulang ang tao na ginawan nitong himala ng pagpapagaling.
MEN OF CONVICTION

When Peter and John were reprimanded not to preach Jesus, they said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” They were challenging the Sanhedrin—the judges of Judaism—to choose between God and themselves. They told the chief priests that their wishes were contrary to the God they claimed to worship. Thus, they were telling the lawyers that they are ordering them to break the law. Hence, they were telling the religious authorities that they no longer recognized their authority. They would follow God directly.

Most Christian claim they adhere unto their beliefs. But, only a few believers had the convictions of proclaiming Christ like Peter and John. They were so committed that they were willing to suffer the difficult consequences for their decision. This day, Peter and John had willingly obeyed Jesus, the Son of God, over the priests, elders, and scribes.

This was the beginning of a huge paradigm shift among the Jesus-followers. Just before Jesus had ascended into heaven, He told His disciples, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This isn't a command, is it? It's just a statement of fact of the movement of the gospel. Later, Peter would validate the salvation of the Samaritans (Acts 8:14–17) and Gentiles (Acts 10). John will write his Gospel (John 21:24). Paul would insist he has no choice but to preach the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Are we men and women of convictions? Are we determined to stand for the truth despite the consequences? Do we value our eternal souls more than our bodily comfort? Do we value Jesus' will more than anybody else? To obey man's orders would be to directly disobey Jesus. Have we burned our bridges behind because we are determined to obey Jesus alone?

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