to prove to the world that they were sent by Him, and taught the truth in His Name. Their miracles were intended to confirm their doctrine, so that by them the world might believe this doctrine. “They (the apostles), going forth, preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed” (Mark 16, 20).
Jesus is the Author of life. He is the only Saviour of the world, and it is only through faith in Him and His teaching that we can obtain grace and salvation. He Himself said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh to the Father but by Mel” (John 14, 6.)
The limit of obedience to temporal authority. Jesus Himself submitted to authority and by His example taught obedience to His apostles. And yet, when summoned before the Council, both apostles declared that it would be wrong for them to obey the command given them to preach no more in the Name of Jesus! How was this? Why did they refuse obedience to this command? Because the Council required obedience in a matter which was obviously against the will of God. Jesus, to whom was given all power in heaven and earth, before His Ascension, had expressly commanded them to preach faith in Him to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles; and had, by the wonderful cure of the man born lame, testified that they were sent by Him to teach with His authority. The command of the Council was, therefore, in direct contradiction to the command of their Divine Lord, and on that account they refused to obey it, saying that they must obey God rather than men; and they continued to preach and teach as Jesus had commanded them to do.
The following Virtues were exercised by the apostles in the story we have just heard:
1. Firm faith. Peter did not doubt for an instant that all he had to do to cure the lame man was to invoke the holy Name of Jesus. He trusted implicitly in the truth of our Lord’s words: “Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it you” (John 16, 23).
2. Courageous confession of their faith before the Sanhedrin.
3. Humility. The apostles declined all glory for themselves, proclaiming loudly that it was not they, but the Lord Jesus, who had cured the lame man. They therefore gave glory to God.
4. Zeal for God's glory and for the salvation of souls. This zeal drove them to preach faith in Christ Jesus before the assembled multitude, to declare their sins, and urge them to do penance. It was no blind or harsh zeal, but was united with
