“When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to the people of Israel, that his man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John … they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. … They said, ‘What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’ ... But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.” John 4:7-13a, 13c-14, 16-17, 19-21
By what power or by what name did you do this? Jesus. No, no we reject that name. There is salvation in no other name, we say again Jesus. Amazed, seeing with our own eyes the miracle that has been accomplished we have nothing to say, except, “speak no more in this name.” We cannot keep from speaking about Jesus. They could find no way to punish them, for all the believers praised God for what had happened.
Have I/you ever felt threatened to stop speaking the name Jesus? Have I/you ever given into that pressure? Jesus name, the power of God cannot be stopped, however by our own denial (even if only temporary) the spirit and power of God can be quenched, we and others may be separated from God. Who will I/you (we) follow, who will we declare Lord, who will we praise and give thanks? We are called to be witnesses, to testify about the truth of God, even when others would prefer we be silent. May I/you (we) always answer, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard. JESUS