Acts 4

Acts 4:1-22

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin (which, simply put, is an assembly of Jewish leaders)

¹ The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. ³ They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’^[a],

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

Footnotes:

1. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22

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Observation

Priests, captain of temple guard, and Sadducees were disturbed by the apostles' teaching about and proclamation of Jesus (v. 1-2).

The number of men who believed the message they preached grew to about 5,000 (v. 4).

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 8)

*Salvation is found in no one else* (Acts 4:12).

Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men. Rulers and elders noticed this and were astonished (v. 13).

Even though unschooled and ordinary, under the Holy Spirit, Peter quoted scripture (v. 11).

The rulers and the elders were speechless for the healed man was standing there, so they could not refute the apostles (v. 14).

Peter and John expressed that they would still preach--a direct disobedience to the rulers and elders' command to not teach in the name of Jesus (v. 18-20).

The people were praising God for what happened (v. 21).

The man who had been healed was over 40 (v. 22).

Interpretation

Peter and John were met with opposition after doing God's work, even by the spiritual leaders of the people. I will be met with opposition when I do the work of God.

The Holy Spirit used ordinary men to share His gospel. Through the testimony of the beggar and the opportunity to preach the gospel that came through that testimony, the number of men (I'm assuming that were added to the Christian body) grew to about 5,000.

In Mark 13:11, Jesus tell Peter, James, John, and Andrew "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." This word is proven true in this passage of scripture.

In response to the leaders and rulers' command to not preach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John declare that they and will do what is right in the sight of God, not man. They respond with boldness and courage instead of fear.

The Sanhedrin could only threaten them. They had no control over what Peter and John would do after they let them go. They did not have true power.

Question:

Even though the people were praising God, the Sanhedrin really wanted to punish Peter and John for teaching in the name of Jesus. Why? What was their motivation for being leaders and teachers of the law? Did they truly believe that teaching in His name was heretical, or were they set of preserving what had always been/maintaining their status?

The beggar that God healed through Peter was over 40 years old. God radically changes things that seem impossible/people that seem like they will be the same forever. He brought glory and praise to His name by healing the beggar and added to the church. My testimony is a means of salvation. Through it, if I make use of the opportunity, God saves.

Under the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke with authority and courage. As I look through other passages where the Holy Spirit is at work, we will see if this is characteristic of the Holy Spirit.

Under the Holy Spirit, Peter declared that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (v. 12). Words of God, not man.

Application

Will I respond like Peter and John did when there is opposition against the proclamation of Christ's name? Boldly and without apology?

Under the Spirit, Peter spoke with courage and authority. But he also had knowledge of the Scriptures and of Jesus. I can be a ready vessel for the Spirit to use/prepare myself to be used by Him by making myself knowledgeable about the Scriptures and about the life and purpose of Jesus.

In verse 4, many who heard the message believed. I need to share the message in order for people to believe. And not all who heard believed, but Peter was called to preach.

Moreover, when Peter healed the beggar, I do not know if he knew that that action was going to turn into a gospel-sharing moment. In any case, when the opportunity presented itself, he made use of it. He used the testimony of this man to share the good news of Jesus Christ. I must make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel:

Colossians 4:5

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

1 Peter 3:15

... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have....

What would it look like if in the face of opposition, I still said that I would preach in the name of Jesus? If I obeyed man rather than God?

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Lord, I pray that it would be so. That I would serve You and love You above man. I pray that I would obey You no matter what the circumstance or the outcome, even to the death. Make my faith in You that strong. I thank You Lord for being who You are. I praise You for having superb character. Hallelujah. In the name of Jesus the Christ I pray, let it be so, Amen.

1:36 am (Tuesday 6/21/11)