Peter and John, who had preached the gospel, are thrown into prison and threatened not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles answer that they cannot help speaking about what they have seen and heard. Respecting authority is part of the life of God’s people, but when human orders go against the task God has entrusted, God’s word comes first. Like Daniel’s three friends, who confessed before the fiery furnace, “But if not,” the reason for obedience is not the outcome we want but faithfulness to God.

Together with the released apostles, the community does not only ask God to take the threats away. They pray that they may speak the word with boldness. That faith did not stop at testimony. In the sharing of those who gave up their own possessions so that no one among them was in need, and in the devotion of Barnabas, who sold his field, witness to the resurrection and a life of caring for one another are joined as one.