The story continues and the action intensifies. Peter and John rocking the boat and being tossed in jail. The rulers and elders use their best intimidation tactics, but Peter, again "filled with the Holy Spirit" refuses to back down. Verse 19-20 - "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Why were the leaders so adamant that Peter and the others needed to be stopped? I believe the answer is found in verse 12, as Peter's speech includes the line about Jesus, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." That's the issue isn't it? The exclusive claims of Jesus. It's not much different today. I heard a Pastor say this once: In our society we can talk about God, we can talk about Jesus, just don't you dare suggest that He's the only way to heaven. That will certainly cause a stir.
It's too bad really. If Jesus is the only way to God, doesn't it make sense to be grateful that there is a way to God?
Next week the action takes a bizarre turn as we read Acts chapter 5.
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