15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 “But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.”
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.”
21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.” Acts 4:13-22.
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There are those preachers and teachers who preach and teach in a certain way which draws attention to their own education and skill and their own piety and righteousness. Some are outright flashy. Some may pretend to be humble and self-effacing, but they love the laughs, and they intend to present themselves as cute and clever. But, these preachers and teachers all love the personal attention, and they all seek their own glory.
On the other hand, there are those preachers and teachers who preach and teach in a certain way which draws attention to God and His works and His lovingkindness, His justice, and His righteousness. The listener almost doesn’t admire or notice or remember much about the personal attributes of the preacher or teacher. The listener only sees Jesus. These preachers and teachers seek God’s glory.
First of all, Jesus set the example for His disciples and also for us today. “But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” John 7:14-18.
Second, in today’s Scripture, we read about the apostles who were truly humble. They did not hide their own lack of education and training. They did not puff themselves up. We remember the words of Peter. “But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?” Acts 3:12. Rather, the apostles merely pointed to the healed man and gave credit to God. And the result was stated in verse 21: “… they were all glorifying God for what had happened.”
Third, we read about Paul who focused on “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified”. “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 