Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
It is absolutely amazing how our Lord “set up” His Church-Kingdom (Daniel 2:44, Matthew 16:18). He didn’t go to the universities and select the most intelligent, most highly educated, and those with accomplished positions and titles. He didn’t go to the palaces and choose those with proven leadership skills. He didn’t go to the military and choose those with extensive battle experience. He didn’t go to the philosophers and choose those gifted in the art of argument. He didn’t choose from among the most articulate and highly skilled public speakers. Neither did He go to the Temple and choose the glorious professors of religion. He reached down and took and chose ever-day, common men, without refined social graces or skills or institutional education. Then, He taught them Himself and empowered them with faith and wisdom to serve Him. The elite religionists considered them “unlearned and ignorant men”, and “they marvelled” that such men could speak and do such magnificent things. Furthermore, “they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus”; that is, it was clear that the Church-Kingdom of Jesus Christ lived on in the mighty work of these men and how great multitudes rejoiced in their teaching and joined with them. It is much the same with the Lord’s ministers in our day. Paul put it this way, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (I Corinthians 1:27-28). The Lord’s ministers must not take their humble calling for granted, they are Commanded to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) and to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II Timothy 4:2). Seasoned ministers are to “teach” other ministers; Paul put it this way, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (II Timothy 2:2). The Church of Jesus Christ our Lord is to entirely adhere to the Word of God (Romans 12:2) and not be altered or swayed by ‘modern’ philosophy, ideas, and opinions. Modern changes with every generation, but the Word of God is the same as it was when the Holy Spirit spoke it into the hearts and minds of those men who pinned it. The Lord is still calling into His service those who are perceived to be “unlearned and ignorant men”! Our Country and communities will be much more peaceful and happy if the Lord’s people will regularly go hear these “unlearned and ignorant men” proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!