Definition: And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 4:18. It's a really important part of understanding how early Christians started to grow and spread their message. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they stopped the group from publicly sharing Jesus’ teachings. Let’s unpack that: “They called them…” – This refers to a group of people who were gathered at a conference or meeting. “…and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” - This is the core of it. They essentially told these people not to preach or explain their beliefs about Jesus . They weren't allowed to openly share their faith. Why did they do this? The verse describes a situation where some people were actively trying to spread their beliefs about Jesus, and it was causing trouble. It’s suggesting that these individuals were: Confusing others: They were making claims that weren't clearly defined or consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Creating division: Their insistence on a specific interpretation of Jesus led to disagreements and arguments among people. Possibly causing disruption: Their public preaching was upsetting or distracting from the community’s focus on faith and worship. What did it mean for the early church? This command was a crucial step in establishing a more focused and consistent message. It meant that the early Christians were prioritizing teaching and discipleship – teaching and guiding people to understand and follow Jesus – over broadcasting their beliefs to everyone. In short, this verse highlights that early Christians needed to carefully control how they shared their faith to ensure it was understood and applied correctly. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this verse in more detail?