Previously, Peter and John told their accusers that “…there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.’”  (Acts 4:12) 

  Their accusers were members of the Rulers of the Jewish faith, the Sanhedrin.  These men are the “they” in the following verses.
(NASB) Acts 4:13-15, 18-20 “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another…”
  [This devotional will consider what these men talked about tomorrow.]
18 “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” 

  What are some things we can learn from Peter and John’s witness before their accusers?
*They were confident men, even after spending the night in jail (Acts 4:3).
*Their confidence was noted by their accusers (Acts 4:13).
*They were respectful to their accusers yet did not back down from what they had done (healed a lame man Acts 3:1-9) and what they had said about Jesus (in Jesus alone is there salvation Acts 4:12).
*Their faith and allegiance were in the living God and not in men.
*Their integrity was kept intact by what they had seen and heard.
*They did not deny, retract, or change their words for anyone or for any reason. 

Question:  Many followers of Christ are being put to this test in many countries today.  How would you, or how do you, respond to those who threaten you and/or your family with very real threats?

  Peter and John’s response:
(Amplified Bible) Acts 4:19-20 “But Peter and John replied to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge).
20 But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard.” 

  Peter and John’s response of bold confidence was in the living God rather than the fear of threats from men. 
  Is this your response?