The title of today’s blog comes from an often-used fishing term where anglers are allowed to catch fish and then release them back into the water. No eating your catch! The whole point is that for most fishermen, the thrill comes from outsmarting those little creatures, not eating them! They will live another day to replenish the pond with more fish. Well, that leads us to our next chapter in the Book of Acts.  

After Peter’s second sermon, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees (who don’t believe in a resurrection of any kind) were disturbed because the disciples were proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. As a result, they laid hands on them and threw them into jail until the following day, when they were released. However, upon their release, the rulers, elders, and the chief priest asked them by what power, or in whose name, they had healed the lame man (last week’s blog). Peter replied:

“Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by this name this man stands here before you in good health” (Acts 4:10).

Peter made it clear that it was through the name of Jesus that the lame man was healed, and furthermore, that it was not the Romans, but they were the ones who crucified Him. Peter pointed the blame directly at the religious leaders and no one else. Furthermore, because the One who raised others from the dead was Himself in the grave, it was only God who could have raised Him from the dead. Peter went on to say:

“He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very corner stone. And there is salvation in no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which you must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12).

Jesus was rejected by the leaders as not even worthy to be a stone placed at the back of the temple because He was not the kind of Messiah they were looking for. But God had different plans for the “Suffering Servant,” as His Son became the chief cornerstone, the one Stone that determines the integrity of the entire structure. And this “structure” is the New Covenant Temple which we know as the Church, of which each of those who are in Christ are the “living stones” that make up this Temple.

Furthermore, Peter made it clear that salvation comes through no other name than the name of Jesus. Our faith is a “one-way” faith, that is, we believe that Jesus is the only Way, and the only One who can save us from the penalty and power of sin.

After being released, Peter and John were commanded not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus, to which they replied:

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

Threats and intimidation could not deter them from their mission — to speak the name of Jesus to all who would listen. And when they rejoined the other disciples, they prayed together, saying:

“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bondservants may speak Thy word with all confidence, while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Thy holy servant, Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

It was a prayer asking for confidence to speak the name of Jesus in spite of their threats and intimidations. And when they finished praying:

“The place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

The confidence that they needed came from the Holy Spirit who gave them boldness to speak the word of God with all who would listen. And it is the same confidence and boldness that the Holy Spirit gives to each of us to speak the name of Jesus. Let’s ask God to take away our shyness and give us confidence to speak His name and tell all who will listen what great things He has done for and in us. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit who not only gives power, but also confidence to speak out boldly and proclaim the name of Jesus, the One who died for our sins and rose from the grave.

So, what’s keeping us back? Let’s just speak His name and wait to see what God will do in those who hear our words.