The priests and rulers were amazed at the boldness of Peter and John.

1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 August 3, 2011 Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus ; They were thrown in prison for the night. Acts 4

2. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignoran t men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. They were brought before the priests, elders, and scribes the next morning. The world thinks that everybody who believes God and His Word -- is ignorant . Creation, Virgin birth, Resurrection, Miracles, Angels, Supernatural God

3. Saved or damned. They could have been saved right there and then. God's grace was extended to them.

4. 14 And beholding the man which was healed stand-ing with them, they could say nothing against it. The proof of the Power of Jesus' Name was standing right there before them. Yet they rejected their only hope of salvation. People still reject Jesus, not because they can't believe, but because they don't want to believe . God has given to every person the measure of faith.

5. 15-17 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it . But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name. They knew it was Truth , but they hated the Truth. They had killed Him.

6. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus. Yeah -- that's really going to work. That may well happen to us in this country. It's already a hate crime to speak out against certain sins in this "land of the free".

7. 19 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. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. We must be bold enough to say what God says, listening not to men who hate God. Campus Crusade for Christ has changed their name to Cru -- a name they admit has no meaning. That's the wrong direction.

8. 21 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. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. They threatened , but could do nothing . God's Hand was protecting Peter and John then. They had a mission from the Lord, Jesus Christ.

9. Why were these religious leaders, rulers of the people not glad for this man's healing. In their minds, it came from the wrong Source . Jesus had done nothing but good . They hated Him and anything done in His Name.

10. The church , the body of Jesus Christ, does most of the good that is done in the world today. Governments resent that, and try to stop it . Not only in Islamic nations, but all over. Tolerance of anti-Christian attitudes in the United States is escalating. Recently, a woman in Houston, Texas was ordered by local police to stop handing out gospel tracts to children who knocked on her door during Halloween. Officers informed her that such activity is illegal (not true), and that she would be arrested if she continued. http://www.worthynews.com/1710-persecution-of-christians-growing-in-the-united-states

11. In Madison, Wisconsin, the Freedom from Religion Foundation distributes anti-Christian pamphlets to public school children entitled, "We Can Be Good Without God." ... The FBI and the Clinton White House branded fundamentalist Christian groups as hate mongers and potential terrorists. http://www.worthynews.com/1710-persecution-of-christians-growing-in-the-united-states Mainstream media labeled the mass murderer in Oslo, Norway a Christian , Even though he said he didn't believe in God.

12. We must be willing to suffer injustice and persecution to stand up for Jesus' Name. The government of The United States of America declares often and loudly "We are not a Christian nation." This hatred of God and Christianity is wide-spread and growing year by year.

13. The proof of the Power of the Lord, Jesus Christ to change lives is evident all over the world. Churches are full of people whose lives have been changed . If people wanted their lives changed, they would come to Jesus and obey His Word. But -- we must give them that choice.