Acts 4:20 gives the Apostles’ genuine (innermost) conviction … “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Things about Jesus, of course!

In Scripture there are a number of inviolable (Latin meaning “not to be violated“) principles given in the Word of God. For example, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

This one as well, from Jesus’ Lips. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34

These are not merely platitudes. Rather, fundamental Bible Truths!

I’d like to discuss the Acts 4 Verse cited above, as today’s Lesson Theme.

Some of the once-fearful Disciples are being threatened. The Jerusalem authorities sternly decided: “Let us straitly THREATEN them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:17-18 … or else!

Whereupon this bold but essential conviction was announced: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

If experience and belief reach a certain level (or a certain depth) … it becomes impossible to keep quiet!

It’s what Mary Magdalene saw and heard that made her the first witness to the Resurrection of Jesus! “Mary Magdalene came and TOLD the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” John 20:18

She couldn’t help it! She had seen and heard!

And Paul could not be reticent about that Damascus Road Event, either! He “told” his salvation experience three times in the Book of Acts alone, chapters 9 and 22 and 26! He too had seen and heard some things!

A verse from the Psalms here comes to mind. “I believed, therefore have I spoken.” Psalm 116:10

And the Apostle Paul (illustrating with him again) wrote to the Corinthians: “According as it is written, ‘I believed, and therefore have I spoken;’ we also believe, and therefore speak.” 1 Corinthians 4:13

The point of all this?

Do I believe that sincerely?

Do you?

Believe so sincerely that we cannot help but testify as to the Reality of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Have we “seen” enough, though a lot of that through the eye of faith? I’ll grant that, via “faith.” But still we have “seen!” (Like Moses of old: “As seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27)

Have we heard enough? We do have 31,102 verses of Scripture, I remind you! Heard enough to irrepressibly tell it? The life-changing Message we have heard!

If we have … we too will be “witnesses” for Jesus’ Sake!

Just as Jesus (even at age 12) felt He “must be” about His Father’s Business … even so should we be that intense in sharing the Gospel. the Counsel of Almighty God!

Yes, as Christians … “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

God, let it be so.

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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