The elect will be saved – Acts 04:07

Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

We will now, consider this matter of authority about which the leaders of this world are deeply anxious. 

In Acts chapter 4, we see that the leaders commanded the disciples not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. This was a total ban on taking the name of Jesus.  Acts 4:18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

In Acts chapter five, the command not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus was reiterated with greater intensity. Acts 5:28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

In between Acts chapters four and five, did the teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus, stop?  No, it did not.  The disciples decided to clearly and openly disobey the command placed on them.

After imprisoning and beating the Apostles they were once again threatened with further punishment and told not to speak in the name of Jesus.  Acts 5:40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

What began with the early church, has continued across cultures over centuries and has become even shriller and harsher by the day.  Has all the authorities of different nations and governments and all their commands and edicts, over time, been able to stop the teaching and preaching of the name of Jesus?

Authority is all about the power and position to rule over people.  John 11:47-48 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. (48) If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

This remark made by the leaders gives us an insight into the heart of man.  We want people to have a good opinion of us.  We, therefore, seek to gain the favour of people.  Man also wants position and the power that flows from the position over people.  This is deep inside every man. 

The Lord taught His disciples how to deal with this issue of authority.  Luke 22:25-26 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ (26) But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.

The Lord taught us not to be worried about winning the favour of people or seeking for position and power that comes with the position.  The method to counter this itch for authority is by becoming a servant.  The Lord served His disciples and demonstrated that we too must each serve our respective communities.   

Leaders desire to create an impression on their people.  Matthew 6:1-2 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. (2) Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Whereas, the Lord taught us to do our good deeds in secret.  Matthew 6:3-4 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Jesus demonstrated this life of meekness, which is not weakness. He called us as His church to be meek and thereby inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Jesus was a serious threat to the leaders since He was deflating their ultimate goal in life.  Jesus, therefore, had to be eliminated.  The leaders were able to take Jesus to the cross, and have Him killed and buried.  This was in their power to execute.  They were even worried about His resurrection and so they did what they could to prevent even a notion of His resurrection to spread. 

Yet, the Lord rose from the dead. The disciples, who earlier were so full of fear, were now bold and were not afraid to teach and preach in the name of Jesus. 

As we face fierce opposition to the name of Jesus, let us be encouraged that we are part of history. Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Let us be assured that whatever the courts or governments may command, the name of Jesus will be taught and preached and the elect will be saved.

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