Acts 4:15-18 ESV

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

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15 Kaya't kanilang inutusan sila na umalis sa kapulungan, samantalang pinag-uusapan pa nila ang pangyayari. 16 Kanilang sinabi, “Anong gagawin natin sa mga taong ito? Sapagkat hayag sa lahat ng naninirahan sa Jerusalem ang isang kapansin-pansing tanda na ginawa sa pamamagitan nila; at hindi natin ito maikakaila. 17 Ngunit upang huwag na itong lalo pang kumalat sa bayan, atin silang bigyan ng babala na huwag na silang magsalita pa sa kaninuman sa pangalang ito.” 18 Kaya't sila'y ipinatawag nila at inutusan na sa anumang paraan ay huwag na silang magsalita ni magturo sa pangalan ni Jesus.


SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH

The Sanhedrin has ran out of reasons. They conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. The message of repentance, forgiveness, and resurrection has resonated with a great number of people, and the Sanhedrin felt their influence was slipping away (Acts 5:17).

The evidence of Jesus’ claim and power was too evident to ignore. Sadly, instead of repenting, they continued to deny, even strive against it as a man pushing against the current of the river. A hardened heart can be so unreasonable like the Sanhedrin. They kept holding on unto their traditions and beliefs even when the evidence of the truth is apparent as broad as the daylight.

A people who are seeing but not perceiving, knowing but not convicted. They suppressed the truth. The issue was in their heart. It’s so sad that they resorted in suppressing the truth rather than embracing it. Can darkness extinguish the light? Perhaps, for a moment, one could cover it. But, eventually, the light will beam and suppress the darkness.

These leaders are no different to what Paul described in Rom 1:21,22, that is, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Suppressing the truth is the act of the fool.

Today, when we are confronted to the truth, do we embrace it or suppress it? Let’s be warned. As James says, “ But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” [Jas 1:22-25]

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