We Cannot But Speak The Things We Have Seen And Heard
March 4, 2007
By: Sellers S. Crain, Jr.
In Acts chapter 3, Peter, along with John, another apostle of the Lord, had gone up to the Temple in Jerusalem at the hour of prayer, which was about three o'clock in the afternoon. As they were entering the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, they encountered a beggar who had been lame from birth. He had sat in that spot daily for many years and asked alms of those who visited the Temple (2). When he laid eyes on Peter and John, he asked alms of them, but Peter spoke in a strong voice and said, "Look at us" (3,4). When they had the man's attention, Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (5,6). Peter then took the man by the hand and lifted him up. At first the man walked, no doubt testing his legs to see if he could, but then he followed Peter and John into the Temple "walking, leaping and praising God" (7,8).
When the people in the Temple saw this scene, they were "filled with wonder and amazed at what had happened (9,10). This drew an audience and presented Peter an opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ (12-16). This attracted the attention of the priest, and the captain of the Temple guard, and the Sadducees who controlled the affairs of the Temple (Acts 4:1). When they heard Peter preaching the resurrection of Christ, they took him and John into custody and brought them before the San Hedrin Council, the high court of the Jews (5-7, 15). When Peter boldly exclaimed to them Jesus Christ of Nazareth who they had caused to be crucified was the Messiah, and that God had raised Him up from the dead (8-12), they marveled and they realized that they has been with Jesus (13). They also acknowledged that a "notable miracle had been done through them" which was well known "to all who dwelt in Jerusalem" so they could not deny it (16). Their solution was to threaten Peter and John and to command them "not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus" (17,18). Peter and John's response to their threats was to say "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (19-20).
The U.S. House of Representatives is soon to vote on a piece of "hate crime" legislation (HR 254), which would make "sexual orientation" protected in a class with race, religion and gender. While the ultimate effects of this legislation are not known, it could conceivably radically alter and limit the freedom of speech to those who preach the Bible. For example, if a preacher taught that homosexuality was a sin, a fact taught in scripture (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), he could be charged with "hate speech" and be fined and/or jailed. A church could lose it's tax exempt status. Biblical language, even if it was a direct quote from the scripture, such as Leviticus 20:13, "If a man also lies with a man as he lies with a woman, both of them will have committed an abomination," could be classified as "hate speech".
If such legislation were passed, and if those who sought to radically change our right to preach what we sincerely believe the Bible teaches were to succeed in making it a crime, what should our reaction be? If we truly believe in God and believe that the Bible is His inspired, inerrant Word, we have no choice but to say what Peter and John said: "Whether it is right in the sight of God, you judge, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Brotherly,
Sellers
