Let me tell you what I heard!

     As I teach each day there are a few things that you can always count on.  There will be students that will not have their work, students that turn pale when you use the words pop quiz and the great need to share.  If you relate a story, example or experience the hands will pop up as fast as weeds in a garden.  Everyone has a story they want to share, most of the time out doing the last person that spoke.  Smaller students want to tell you all about their missing tooth, what their baby sister did and, much to the embarrassment of parents, what Mom and Dad talked about last night.  As adults we share over the phone maybe over a cup of coffee.  In this tech savvy age we e-mail, tweet, text and face book all over the world.  We are never far from information wanted or unwanted.   We talk about the game last night or the latest rumor that’s going around the office.  If you really want someone to talk, ask a grandparent about their grandchildren, just try me and see.  There does not seem to be an end to the things that we will talk about and discuss with those that are around us.  However there does seem to be an exception to this rule.  In an age of political correctness it is frowned upon to talk of religion, morals and beliefs. We have been inundated with the ideas of be more opened minded, be more accepting and there are no rights and wrongs.  In Acts chapters 3 and 4 Peter and John are dealing with political correctness. They have gone to the temple and as they are about to enter they encounter a lame man that ask alms of them. Peter explains to him that they have no money but they will give him what they have.  What they have is the ability to heal him through the power of Jesus Christ a gift I’m sure he much preferred.  After this miracle Peter and John take the opportunity to preach Jesus to the crowd that has now gathered.  As they are preaching the priests, captain of the temple and the Sadducees come and take them away, holding them over night.  The following day they are brought before Annas the high priest and his friends.  They are asked by what power or by what name had they healed the man.  Peter takes this opportunity to proclaim unto them Jesus Christ and how there is salvation in no other.  This goes against all that the political and religious leaders of the day want the people to believe, it’s not politically correct.  The council realizes that the evidence is there and they cannot speak against it (when the truth of the gospel is proclaimed its power and simplicity cannot be denied).  The only alternative is to tell them to keep quiet. Peter and John refuse, their reasoning can be found in Acts 4: 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.  There were many who believed because of the boldness of the apostles.  How will people believe today if we continue to remain silent about the things that we have seen and heard through the scriptures and in our own lives?  The world will never have a shortage of voices that will proclaim the works and deeds that are contrary to the will of God.  Let us there for put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6) and like Peter and John say, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”