The apostles of Jesus are standing trial before the high court of the Sanhedrin. The high priest sternly addresses them: “We positively ordered you not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name. Yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.” (Acts 5:27-28) The message is clear: Stop preaching​—or else!

 

 How did the apostles respond? Their commission to preach came from Jesus, whose authority was divinely bestowed. (Matt. 28:18-20) Rather than cave in to fear of man and be silenced, these unschooled and unsophisticated men stood firm and continued preaching? They continued to fill the city of Jerusalem with their teaching about Christ and took this teaching to the distant parts of the world.

 

Additional scriptures referenced include Acts 5:17-26, 41-42; Matthew 28:16-17.