Acts 4:19-24
 
Acts 4:19 (KJB)
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
 
These leaders were probably expecting Peter and John to cower in fear of their threats instead they put the onus back on to the leaders. They literally wanted the leaders to ponder the decision as to whether they should obey God or man. Peter and John knew that they would be incapable of making such a decision and that probably caused them to have dissension among themselves. Peter and John had shown that they were using the wisdom of God because the leaders in no way could say that they were to obey man rather than God. Peter and John knew that they were going to obey God as they would continue to preach the Gospel of Christ. (Rom 1:16 KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The Apostle Paul had the same mindset that he was going to preach the Gospel of Christ. Once a Christian receives their commission, there is no turning back.
 
Acts 4:20 (KJB)
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
 
There was no way that Peter and John along with the rest of the disciples were going to remain silent. They are going to testify about the Lord Jesus Christ and they will testify of His earthly ministry to which they witnessed for over three years. They will also testify to the miracle which Jesus performed in the presence of thousands of people. They were not going to remain silent. (Jer 20:9 KJV) Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Even if a Christian for some reason wants to keep quiet about proclaiming the word of God, the very nature of the Word of God would not allow that because it is a living word and has to be released. Just like a volcano explodes when enough pressure builds up, the word of God does the same thing, it too explodes within us and causes us to proclaim it.
 
Acts 4:21 (KJB)
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
 
Had further threatened them - This is one Greek word in the text and is used only here. It carries with it the idea of an impact and further action against them.
 
Since the leaders could do nothing against Peter and John, simply because the evidence was walking around and showing himself to a great crowd. The leaders could have been in great trouble if they would have done some type of bodily punishment against Peter and John. A great miracle took place and the result was that God was getting the glory for that miracle. So at this point, the leaders could only do one thing and that was to threaten further action against them if they did not stop preaching in the name of Christ and let them go. I am sure that they thought that eventually they will deal with them as they dealt with Jesus.
 
Acts 4:22 (KJB)
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
 
The crippled man that Jesus healed was not a young man but was over forty years old. That makes the miracle a tremendous one because that means for over forty years this man was crippled which meant it was a permanent condition and not just a temporary injury. In that amount of time the muscles in the legs would have gone atrophy. So this miracle was more than just a healing of the ankles, it was healing of the entire condition that included the muscles and the legs. Then in one instant, he leaps up and then starts walking with a spring in his step.
 
Acts 4:23 (KJB)
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
 
Peter and John, upon release, had gone back to the others and told them what had transpired with the leaders upon their arrest. They had probably warned them that these things can be expected and will happen to them but when it does, they are to remain strong in their testimony since it will be false religion wanting the true faith to give in. That is exactly what is happening today as true Christians compromise with false religions under the umbrella of love or fellowship. However, no matter how hard a Christian tries, there can never be true fellowship with unbelievers or Christ rejecting religions.
 
Acts 4:24 (KJB)
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
 
The threats and the warnings that the Christians had received did not deter them one bit nor cause any discouragement. In fact, they had gone into a time of praising God and worshipping Him. They were extolling the fact that God was the creator of Heaven and Earth, and had the power to direct His creation any way He saw fit, including the fact that He can heal those who are beyond help in human terms. There was great harmony of mind and understanding as they praised the Lord. These words are a great testimony of the Sovereignty of God and His power that can control everything that is contained in Heaven, Earth, and the seas.

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