As the early church grew in the Book of Acts, so did the persecution. The preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ annoyed the religious elite. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. (Acts 4:2, NLT) They arrested Peter and John and, at their trial, attempted to prevent them from ever speaking Jesus’ name again. But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further…they commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:17–18, NLT)
That was a mistake! Persecution is like fuel to fire, and the gospel began to spread with intensity. So, the Apostles were arrested again. And when they had brought them…the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching…” (Acts 5:27–28, ESV) The name of Jesus was the problem! Yes, the Son of God, Jesus, the one who went about doing only good during His life on this earth, the one they crucified, the one who rose from the dead—He and His name are the problem.
As I read about the effort to shut down any mention of Jesus’ name, I was reminded of a scripture: Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11, NKJV) The gospel is not going away, and neither is Jesus! What a reassurance of hope we have as believers, though we may be persecuted for His name’s sake. Yes—eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess this powerful name!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Acts 4-6:15.