Get my subject out of there in verse, my title out of verse 19, whether it be right, whether it be right, whether it be right. Now these two apostles, John and James, or John and Simon Peter were arrested. They were arrested for teaching the people, for preaching to the saints, to preaching to the Lord's people. And that really what upset them was that they was preaching the resurrection of the dead by the Lord Jesus Christ, by Jesus and Nazareth. And Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, preached the gospel in answer to their question, which was verse seven. This is what they asked him after they arrested him, set him in their midst. There was probably over 70 people in this group of people gathered around. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked him, by what power or by what name have you done this? Well, Peter with the Holy Ghost, he preached the gospel to them in answer to their question. And that's what they wanted to know, what name, what authority, where'd you get this power? Where'd you get the authority? How did you do this? This happened here. Well, the first thing he told him was, I'll tell you where the authority comes, I'll tell you where the power's at, and I'll tell you whose name it is. And that's what he says, that the Lord Jesus Christ, be it known unto you, and he says, and oh my, he's the one, he's the one who's authority. He's the one armed with authority. And so Peter preached the gospel to him. And he said that there's no other name. This man stands here before you because of this name, this man who's raised from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ. So these authorities here, all these people who thought they had the authority and had these men arrested, look what they realized when they got to they had arrested them. Now when they saw the boldness, of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. They realized this is the first thing they perceived. They said, these fellows are bold. They're not scared of us. They're not intimidated by us. They're not afraid of us. Oh, their boldness, and then it says they had such freedom of speech. That's what we pray for when a man's going to preach. Lord, quicken his speech, quicken his tongue, bless him to preach the gospel. And I tell you what, and look what it says there, the next thing, it said, not only do they see their boldness, these fellas not intimidated, they're not afraid. And they perceived something. They understood something. They said they looked at these fellas and they perceived something that they had never perceived before. Here's the first thing they perceived, that they were unlearned. These fellas ain't got no education. These fellas ain't got no education. What in the world are they doing here? They got no education, then look what else is said about them. And they were ignorant. Not only unlearned, but they were also ignorant. Ignorant men. And what that means is in the margin, and I looked it up, it said a person without any professional knowledge, unskilled, unlearned. That's what these fellows was. And let me show you what they said about our Master. You keep this and look in John 7, 14. Look in John 7, verse 14. Look what it said about our Master. You know, And really what they're saying was that these fellas were idiots. They're ignorant men, unlearned men. They didn't attend any of our schools. But look what they said here about our master. In John 7, 14. Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, how knoweth this man letters? Where did he learn this? Having never learned. That's what they're saying over here. These fellows are unlearned. That's what they're saying about Christ. Where did He learn? How did He learn this? Sin that He's unlearned. Sin that He's unlearned. And let me ask you this. Back over here in Acts. Who is the really unlearned people in this situation? Who really is the ignorant in this situation? I'll tell you some things. They were ignorant of Christ. They were ignorant of the Scriptures. They were ignorant of the truth. They hadn't been taught of God. They'd been taught in some school, but they hadn't been taught of God. So who is the unlearned here? Who is the ignorant here? Who is the people? And I mean, who's really the unlearned? The Scriptures tells us plainly that they all shall be taught of God. Who is? God's people, God's elect. And these fellas here, they were the ones that's ignorant. They were the ones unlearned. They was the one who didn't care anything at all about the Scriptures and what the Scriptures taught. And that's why the Scripture said, our Lord said, these things are hidden from the wise and prudent. But I've revealed them, who to who? To babes, to babes. People ain't got no, people that's unlearned. And then look what else it says here in verse, Verse 13, Acts 4. Now they saw the boldness in John and perceived that they were unlearned as ignorant men. And look what else it said, they marveled. They marveled. How could these men that's so ignorant and unlearned, how in the world possibly? They marveled that these fellows was this way. And then they started thinking, said, I'll tell you what's different about these fellas. I'll tell you why they're so bold. They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus. They were saying what they were doing was they were saying what Christ had taught them. They was preaching the same doctrine as the Lord Jesus Christ. You know what school these men had been in? James and John, they'd been in the school of Christ for three years. That's the best place you can get an education anywhere is in the school of Christ. You sit before Christ and learn of Him, and I'll tell you what, you'll get an education. Said this years and years ago. I said if you want a good strong education Something that up this best for your intellect is is the scriptures you start with creation you start with God who in the world can comprehend God any intellectual can comprehend God That's not a genius on the face of the earth it can comprehend God and then you comprehend God being made a man and Two natures in one person. One of them God and one of them man. How can that be? And then you start talking about creation. Where did all this stuff on the earth come from? Where did the materials in this building come from? God Almighty, who can figure this out? No wonder they said there's ignorant, unlearned men. Because they did not know Christ, they did not know God. The best thing for your intellect, you start thinking about God and your mind will just go, oh, he's too big, he's too great, he's too glorious. What can I do? Bow down and worship. Bow down and worship. Oh my. And then it says what it says there. No, I tell you, you know the best education you can have. I mean, I'm an ignorant unlearned man. I tell you all, I've told you this before, I believe. I quit school in the ninth grade. I quit school in the ninth grade. Lord had mercy on me and taught me how to learn. And I would rather, He enabled me just to read just so I could read the Bible. I learned how to read so I could read the Bible. But I couldn't understand it without the new birth, without Christ teaching me. And then look what it says there in verse 14. And they looked over there and they beheld, they looked standing there with Peter and John, and they also seen this, the man, they said, they looked and said, look at this fella, he's here with them. And behold, the man which was healed standing with them, and they said, well, there he stands. Ain't a thing in the world we can say about that. I mean, it's real, it's just a thing that's happened. He was standing with them. And down in verse 22, look what it says down here in verse 22. For the man was above 40 years old on whom this miracle of healing was shown. Now back over in Acts 3, when they was going to the temple, this man had been born lame from his mother's womb. He had been carried about all of his life And they laid him at that temple every day so he could beg. And then all of a sudden somebody walks up and he had not taken a step, he had not walked, not one day in his life had to be carried. And they spoke in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and Christ and his power to show the signs and wonders and power he had. That man got up and walked. And there's the evidence of it standing right there before him. And then look at their response. Look at their response. It says there in verse 15, but when they had commanded them, see, they still think they're in control. They commanded them. They commanded them. They had a problem. They had a real problem. They commanded them to go aside. And look what it says, and they conferred, get away from it, they conferred. You know what that word conferred means? There's over a debate in how we gonna deal with this situation. Well, how do we do it? All these fellows got around and got in a big huddle and they was having a meeting trying to decide what in the world can we do with these men? What can we do? They debated among themselves, conferred among themselves. And they said, what shall we do? Ain't that what they said? What shall we do to these men? For that indeed, listen to this, a notable miracle hath been done by them as manifest to everybody in Jerusalem. Everybody knows it. We can't deny it. And let me tell you something, they had the same, same identical problem with the Lord Jesus Christ. Look in John 11, same problem. They had the same issue with Christ. Look over here in John 11. And look in verse 46. Oh, this is after he'd raised Lazarus from the dead. So they had a real problem. This is the same problem they had with Christ. What are we gonna do? He does a miracle. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees and told them what things Jesus had done when he had raised Lazarus from the dead. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees And the counselor said, what do we for this man doth many miracles? Oh, I have trouble with that really, Bob. And if we just let him alone, all will believe on him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. If we let this fella go on, said, man, we're gonna be in a mess. Look what they said down in verse 57. Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment that if any man knew where he were, should show it that they might take him. They didn't like him doing these miracles. They didn't like him doing that, and that's what they had the same problem with the Lord. Well, what's their solution gonna be? Well, they had a problem, and they got a real, now, they got a problem. This is what the solution's gonna be. He said, I'll tell you what, this is the decision they came to after they conferred and debated about. Here's what they said before they even come and spoke to the men. But that is spread no further among the people. Let us straightly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them and commanded them, that's twice now they've commanded these fellows, not to speak at all or teach in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But it says there in verse 17, but that it, what it are they talking about? What it are they talking about? That is spreading no further. What is it? What is it they don't want to spread among the people? Is it the knowledge of the miracle? No, no, no. They can't deny that. You know what it is? It's the teaching and the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's the teaching and preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. That everything goes on in this world is by His authority. These fellows are standing up there by His authority. They had told them that there's no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. God, you said him it's nothing. You said he's nobody, he's nothing. Well, God took him and made him the head of the corner. Huh? And oh, listen, you still, and that's what they done. They looked him square in the face, and you still got to face this Jesus of Nazareth. You still got to face the one that you crucified. You got to face the one you hated. You got to face the one you despised. You got to face the one you rejected. And I'll tell you something else. He rose from the dead, and right now he sits in God's right hand. You're going to have to deal with him. And all those fellas didn't like that. Now they gotta face this Jesus of Nazareth. And where they gonna face him at? Through his people. Through his people. Oh my. I tell you. You know how many people would get angry? You know, all over town right now. Let me say this. Every, every, all over town. These manger scenes and all that stuff. And they build a great big one up here and they gonna have live, they gonna have people doing it. But let me tell you something. The only birthday that was ever celebrated in the scriptures, you know who it was? It was Herod. You know what happened? John the Baptist had his head cut off. And I tell you what, if you get up in the average place, you go in one of these places where they're doing all this rigamarole and talking about Jesus. They call it the Advent season. Now I don't know what that means, but I do know this. I do know this, you go into every church and you preach what these fellas right here preach, and look them square in the eye and say, this is who you gotta face, this is who you gotta deal with. And it won't be long, but you only get to preach there one time. And they may physically take you out. That's what they've done with this thing. And what is going on here is an issue over authority. They commanded them twice, commanded them, commanded God's service, commanded them. Now you fellas got to do what we tell you. Huh? And what did they threaten them to do? Not ever. Listen to this. Threatened them in verse 17 that they speak henceforth to no man in what name? The name that they just said said there's no other name. There's no other person. There's no other name. This man stands here before you by this man's name, by Christ's name, by the Lord Jesus' name. Oh my. I'm not here, I don't want you to speak it. I don't want you to teach nobody about it either. Huh? Oh my. Don't you dare. Can you imagine being told that you couldn't preach or teach in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Could you imagine that being happened? And oh my, and it was an issue. Don't you even teach in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? And then look what they said. And they called him after they decided to make that, and they called him and commanded them, told them, commanded them, don't you teach or speak, don't even speak the name of Jesus Christ. Don't speak it, don't teach it. That's pretty bold, ain't it? Well, how in the world you reckon these men gonna react? Now, this is what the Lord Jesus Christ meant, said, when the Holy Ghost comes upon you, then you'll have power to witness of me, to witness of me. Well, this is what's happened. That's why Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost. Look at Peter and John's reaction. These men had just spent the night in jail. They spent the night in jail. They were under arrest. And there were all these great and powerful people that had them arrested. And these great and powerful people, that man, Heaton and everybody else was against them. But look what Peter said. But Peter and John answered him. You tell us not to speak no more in His name? Tell us not to speak His name, teach in His name, do anything in His name? But Peter said it this way, whether it be right, and listen to this, in the sight of God. That's where everything happens, in the sight of God. What we're doing right now is in the sight of God. What everybody in this world is doing right now is in the sight of God. God sees everything, God knows everything, and look what he says there. He said, that's what, whether it be right in the sight of God. That's where everything's done. Todd was telling me today, he gonna preach out of Hebrews chapter four, verse 12 and 13. And it says, the word of God is quick, it's living, sharper than any two-edged sword. And what it does, it pierces asunder, it divides between the soul and the spirit. It divides, it divides between, your flesh and the Spirit. And I tell you, everything's open and naked before Him with whom we have to do. And that's what the Word of God does. It exposes men. It's just like laying them open. And then look what He says. Now, whether it be right in the sight of God. Now listen, He asked them this question. To listen to you, to hearken unto you, and do what you tell us to do. Then under God, he said, I'll tell you what, you fellas judge. What would you do? That's what they're saying. What would you do? We're gonna speak in the sight of God, we're gonna listen to you. We're gonna hear what God said, and we're gonna do it in the sight of God, and we're gonna listen to you. You judge. You judge, you be the judge. We're gonna listen to you and we're gonna listen to God, you know? And then look what they said. Oh, you judge, huh? He said in verse 20, we cannot bespeak the things which we've seen and heard. There's nothing else we can do. And we have to speak what we've seen, we have to speak what we've heard. What have they seen? They've seen the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep Acts 4 and look over with me in 2 Peter chapter 1. Let me show you something over here. You know, they was with the Lord Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration when Christ, when His manifestation as God Almighty, the way we'll see when we get to glory and the way He'll come back in all of His glory, He was glistening white, bright as the sun. They've seen Christ, they've seen his miracle, they saw his transfiguration. Now look what he said here in 2 Peter 1 in verse 15. Moreover, I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease, after I'm dead and gone, to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables. We've made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, by our witnesses of his majesty. Now he's talking about the transfiguration. For he received from God the Father, honoring glory, when there came from such a voice to him from the excellent glory. This is my beloved Son, in whom I'm well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven, we heard it when we were with him in the Holy Land. He said, I was right there. I was right there with Moses and Elijah. And I was right there when I saw Christ transfigured. I was right there. I heard the voice of God speak from heaven about His Son. Not only they saw His transfiguration, saw His miracles, walked with Him, but they saw His dead body. They saw Him dead on the cross. They saw Him crucified. And then after he was dead, they saw him three days later when he was raised from the dead and he appeared to them. Huh? Peter and John, you know, they went to the tomb. And then Christ appeared to them and said, here I am. And then they saw His ascension. They was all standing there when our Lord went up and they said, then those two angels said, why you look gazing up this same Jesus who you see ascending, He gonna come back? They saw Him dead. They saw Him raised. They saw Him ascend. And they said, all we can do is tell you what we've seen. And then they said, now we're gonna tell you not only what we've seen, but we're gonna tell you what we heard. What did they hear? The Lord Jesus Christ teaching them, instructing them, preaching to them. And then they was on the road to Emmaus, and then when he appeared unto them in the room, and he opened the scriptures to their understanding. Christ teaching them, opening the scriptures. When he told them, feed my sheep, And I'll tell you, he opened the scriptures to their understanding. So I say, we're not gonna stop. I don't care what you fellas do, but look what happens now. He said, oh my, we only speak what we've seen and heard. So when they had further threatened, verse 21, they let him go, but look what happens. They had to let him go, but it says, for when they had further threatened him, let them go. Why? Because they didn't find anything they could punish him for. They wanted to punish him. They wanted him to suffer. What would you punish a man for? For performing a miracle? For preaching? What would they punish him for? Finding nothing to punish him for. And listen to this. The real reason it happened is because of the people. Because of the people. They feared the people. Let me show you this, and I think it's Mark 12, 12. Look at this. Oh my. You know, when we see things like this, you can just find a Mark 12 Mark 12, 12. Look what it says here. And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people. Feared the people. For they knew that he had spoken this parable against them. And all the scribes and Pharisees heard it, and they feared the people because of his doctrine. They feared the people. That's why, I'll tell you something, they didn't fear God. They did not fear God. They didn't fear the judgment. They didn't fear lying. They didn't fear murder. But they feared the people. You know, Let me say this, you know why they came and got Christ at night? And why they came to the Garden of Gethsemane it was night? Because there wouldn't be a group of people around Him. Just be Him and His disciples. You know why they never took Him sooner? Because they was afraid of the people. The people would be in an uproar if He was to take Him. So what'd they do? They waited. to weigh up in the night, and our Lord was over in the garden of Gethsemane praying. And they came and got him at night. Nobody there would be there to bother him. Wouldn't have to worry about the crowd. Wouldn't have to worry about the people. And that's, you think, and these fellas did, they feared the people, but they didn't fear God. Didn't fear judgment. Wasn't afraid of lying, wasn't afraid of murder, wasn't afraid of cheating, wasn't afraid of hiring false witnesses. But I'll tell you one thing they knew without a shadow of a doubt. These fellows may be ignorant and unlearned, but there's somebody who's taught them something. And we sure didn't teach it to them. We've got to stop them. We've got to stop them. Well, I'll tell you what, the gospel does that to people. I'll tell you, it does one of two things. It'll give you life. or it'll leave you in darkness, no middle ground. Our Father, oh, blessed be your holy name. Thank you for allowing us to meet here tonight. Thank you for your precious word. Oh, Lord, it has so much power and has so much truth and just a little few verses, so much truth. And Lord, bless these dear saints as they go on their way in this old rainy night Bless them, and keep them, and preserve them, and encourage them. And Lord Jesus, please, if it would please you to restore people's health, that they can come be with us again. Forgive us of everything that's unlike you. Bring glory to yourself through this congregation of believers. For Christ's sake, we pray. Amen. Amen. Well, good night and God bless you.