Acts 4

Acts 4

Peter and John Arrested

Now as they spoke to the people (which must mean that Peter and John are speaking at this point), the priests (the regular priests serving at the time), the captain of the temple (the chief of the temple police…..who ranked just under the high priest), and the Sadducees (the wealthy, influential aristocrats) came upon them (the idea is quickly, suddenly and not necessarily in a friendly inquisitive sort of way…..cutting them off from speaking to and even being around the people),

The religion of the Sadducees was largely one of social custom.

  • They believed only the written law, rejecting the oral tradition so vital to the Pharisees.
  • They did not believe in the resurrection of the body,
  • or in any future rewards or punishments.
  • In contrast to the Pharisees, they denied the existence of angels and the spirit world (Acts 23:8).
  • Finally, they rejected predestination and the sovereignty of God, believing man to be the master of his own destiny.

These theological liberals were the first to persecute the church.[1]

 2 being greatly disturbed (really provoked, thoroughly vexed), that they taught the people (probably at all….. not having the credentials of a teacher or being authorized by them) and (in addition to that Peter and John) preached in Jesus (whom the Jewish leaders persecuted as an apostate, a blasphemer) the resurrection from the dead (which the Sadducees thought was impossible for anyone to do). 3 And they laid hands on them (feeling that they and their authority had been directly attacked…..we don’t see that Peter and John put up any resistance to their arrest, but submitted to it), and put them (both) in custody (jail) until the next day, for it was already evening (It must have been a long sermon as it started at 3 PM…..The Jewish law did not allow for trials during the evening…..which they had just ignored when they tried Jesus…..Peter and John must have been thought of as little fish in comparison to Jesus, but the same members of the Sanhedrin would set in judgment over them that judged Jesus…..They would also find out soon that these so-called little fish, had “BIG” teeth!). 4 However (try as they might, the Sadducees couldn’t stop the work of Christ building His church as not a few but), many of those who heard the word (of God, not the men) believed (placed saving faith in Christ); and the number of the men (alone) came to be about five thousand. (This is the last time that we get an accurate count of new believers.  It is thought that the church exploded at this time where it would be impossible to keep track of the numbers…..Christ was beginning to turn the world upside down through the disciples.

Estimates of Jerusalem’s population at this time range from twenty-five thousand to eighty-five thousand. Josephus recorded that there were a total of six thousand Pharisees in Palestine. Thus, a total of five thousand Jewish Christian men (not counting women and children) was a very high percentage of the population! [2]

The early church had none of the “advantages” that some ministries boast of and depend on today. They did not have big budgets provided by wealthy donors. Their pastors lacked credentials from the accepted schools, nor did they have the endorsement of the influential political leaders of that day. Most of their ministers had jail records and would probably have a hard time today joining our churches, let alone leading them. What really was the secret of their success? This chapter provides the answer: the Christians of the early church knew how to pray so that God’s hand could work in mighty power.

When asked to explain the secret of his remarkable ministry, the noted British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon replied, “My people pray for me.” St. Augustine said, “Pray as though everything depended on God, and work as though everything depended on you.” Prayer is not an escape from responsibility; it is our response to God’s ability. True prayer energizes us for service and battle.[3]

Peter and John shared the gospel and ended up in jail. That’s not likely to happen to Western believers today. Still, there are risks in trying to win others to Christ—being misunderstood, rejected, ridiculed, ostracized, stared at, whispered about. We might be willing to face a night in jail if it would bring five thousand people to Christ, but shouldn’t we also be willing to suffer for the sake of one lost soul? What do you risk in witnessing? Whatever the risks, realize that nothing done for God is ever wasted. And no matter how great the risk, the reward will certainly be greater.[4]

Addressing the Sanhedrin

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers (chief priests), elders (heads of families and tribes), and scribes (the experts of the law, who were mostly Pharisees), 6 as well as Annas the high priest (as being the one who really had the respect and power of the high priest), Caiaphas (who who held the actual position of high priest), John, and Alexander (both of whom are uncertain entities), and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst (in the center of their semicircle), they asked, “By what power (by what means) or by what name (authority) have you done this?”

Homer Kent, Jr., points out that the Mosaic Law specified that whenever someone performed a miracle and used it as the basis for teaching, he was to be examined, and if the teaching were used to lead men away from the God of their fathers, the nation was responsible to stone him (Deut. 13:1–5). On the other hand, if his message was doctrinally sound, the miracle-worker was to be accepted as coming with a message from God. (Jerusalem to Rome [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992], 45–46)[5]

Objectivity is absolutely essential when truly searching for truth, which the religious leaders had no intention of being.

8 Then Peter, filled with (under the influence of) the Holy Spirit (takes an offensive stance and), said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

This principle is foundational to all the rest; yieldedness to the Holy Spirit is the key to successfully handling persecution. Because Peter was Spirit-filled, persecution merely drove him closer to the Lord. Lack of being filled with the Spirit is the reason the church today has difficulty facing opposition.

A Spirit-filled, uncompromising church will be uncomfortable in the world, since it will be a rebuke to it. It will, however, be a powerful, victorious church. Peter and John confronted the world head on, with a boldness and eloquence that caused their opponents to marvel (cf. v. 13). They were victorious because they were Spirit filled.[6]

 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed (which then breaks no law and) done to (or for the benefit of) a helpless man (a man who needed help but could not help himself), by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all (I’m more than happy to tell you), and to all the people of Israel (not just this counsel), that by the name (power and authority) of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (does that ring any bells?  You know, the One), whom you crucified (condemned not only to death, but a horrible means of death), whom God (His Father) raised from the dead (contrary to your hopes of terminating the exercise of Christ’s power and authority), by Him (Christ) this (lame) man stands here before you whole. (Immediately and completely healed….. We see here that Peter and John are not frightened into silence or compromise, but how can this be!  Acts 1:8.) 11 This (Christ) is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders (you Jewish leaders and nation[7]), which has become (through His death burial and resurrection) the chief cornerstone (the very thing that forgiveness and eternal life with God hinges upon).’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other (no other means or person), for there is no other name under heaven (in the entire universe and throughout all of time) given (offered) among men (the human race) by which we must be saved.” (If we are ever to be saved.)

Christianity is exclusive, and so is every other religion.  But, is not truth itself exclusive?  2 + 2 = will always equal 4.

  • Why Christ and no one else?  Why is it that only Christ can forgive sin and not another? 
  • Because the one who is offended by another, is the only one who can offer forgiveness at being offended. 
  • Christ being our Creator, has exclusive rights over us.  Chrsit the offended, is the Chief Cornerstone to finding the only forgiveness that can be found for sin.

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

13 Now when they (the religious leaders) saw the boldness (the courage and confidence) of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled (they were dumbfounded, shocked). And (then) they realized (remembered) that they had been with Jesus (they had been Jesus trained, and now they were saying and doing the same things Jesus said and did). 14 And seeing the man who had been healed (through Jesus’ disciples) standing with them, they could say nothing against it (The truth of God had taken wings and it was beyond their ability to stop it.  The seeds of truth had been planted and the plants were already springing up). 15 But (even so) when they had commanded them (Peter, John, and the lame man) to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? (Peter and John had broken no laws and had ably defended themselves from the Old Testament Scriptures. Further, to punish them would be risky [8]) For, indeed, that a notable (an obvious and substantial) miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and (as much as we want to) we cannot deny it (these men had no desire at all for finding truth for themselves….. Their concerns were completely self-serving….. What an insight into the heart and mind of an unbeliever).

When God says we were all dead in sin, He wasn’t kidding!  [ex. Rich man and Lazarus – if they don’t believe the Scriptures, they won’t believe one risen from the dead.]

The religious leaders were reliving again, their worst nightmare!  The killed Christ thinking that would end the nightmare, and now they have not 1 but 2 just like Jesus!

 17 But so that it (this incriminating truth) spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten (menace, intimidate, terrorize) them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name (the name of Jesus…..the name that Satan hates and fears above all names…..the name to which all mankind will one day bow the knee to and confess with their mouth).”

I find it sad, that in Peter’s day the believers had to be commanded to be quiet, even threatened to be so, and today we almost have to be threatened or guilted into speaking up for Christ.

18 So they called them (back into the counsel) and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Jewish law specified that at the first instance of wrong or illegal action, the guilty were to be warned and released. The second time they did wrong, they were to be beaten with rods (5:28, 40). With this official order, the Council would have legal grounds to impose more punishment in the future should the apostles choose to disobey.[9]

19 But (after taking their best threatening shot over the bow of this unwanted ship) Peter and John answered (fired back) and (and indicting them even again) said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge (no disrespect, but this is a no brainer guys). 20 For we cannot but speak (we can’t keep quiet about) the things which we have seen and heard.” (We are committed to the great commission God has called us to.  The Sanhedrin were rendered powerless.)

When you roll the stone, dig the pit or lay the snare for others, you may find that God will hang you on the same gallows that Haman found himself hanging from.

 21 So when they (the religious leaders) had further threatened them (again, overriding any and all truth), they let them go, finding no way of (unjustly) punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God (gave God credit) for what had been done (concerning the healing of the lame man).  22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed (the miracle was uncontestable and everyone knew it).

Prayer for Boldness

23 And being let go, they went to their own companions (we are not told who these “companions” are.  They may be their original companions in the upper room as the phrase “one accord” is used again in verse 24.) and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them (This verse does not say that Peter and John shared their response to the accusations.  This may show that they see their only real recourse to persecution isn’t in defending themselves, but in defining themselves as God’s children, absolutely committed to Him and resting in His Word and Person for their journey). 24 So when they (the companions) heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord (no one wavered in the face of persecution, like Peter himself once did at Jesus’ trial and John Mark would do later) and said: “Lord (I discovered that this is a rare word used of our Lord, it is “des—po—tase” and is only used 5 times in the Bible[10]…..it is the name for an absolute or supreme Authority…..When faced with persecution, the men found their confidence and courage in reminding themselves of God’s absolute sovereign authority…..thus the persecution they experienced was according to God’s will for them and that made everything alright) , You are God, who made heaven (above) and earth and the sea (below), and all that is in them (as well),  25 who by the mouth of Your servant David (as he was moved as all prophetic persons were by the Holy Spirit [2 Pet. 1:21]) have said (in Psalm 2:1-2, concerning his circumstances and now apply to ours): ‘Why did the nations rage (against You and Your will), and the people plot vain things? (as if You and Your will could ever be overpowered?!)  26 The kings of the earth (one after another) took their stand (took their best shot), and the rulers were gathered together (teamed up together even) against the Lord (then) and against His Christ (now).’

27 “For truly (even today) against Your (God the Father’s) holy Servant Jesus (God the Son), whom You (Father) anointed (for service in Your kingdom work), both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (joined together intent on countering God’s will and kingdom work—yet as of old, even in King David’s time, they could do no more than) 28 to do whatever Your hand (Your power and authority allowed) and Your purpose determined (decreed) before to be done (God who knows all history before it even began, orchestrates it as a master conductor into a kingdom masterpiece; completing and thus fulfilling His will utterly.  John MacArthurs says, “Having done their worst, they merely succeeded in fulfilling God’s eternal plan (cf. Acts 2:23). As the psalmist expressed it, “The wrath of man shall praise Thee” (Ps. 76:10)[11].

John 19:10–11 – Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

29 Now (as to the present opposition to Your kingdom work), Lord, look on their threats (not in the sense that there is any threat to Your will, as it can never be threatened, but in the sense of our desire to be involved in the working out of Your will) and grant to Your servants (doulos, slaves…..[We] have no will but [Yours, and], are wholly dependent on [You] and wholly bound to [Your] service[12]) that with all boldness (the freedom to speak frankly, or the courage to speak up) they (Your servants) may speak Your word (Your truth irrespective of all opposition…..This is what we need your help for.),

They do not ask for

  • punishment of the Sanhedrin,
  • nor that God should make its threats null and void;
  • they do not ask for protection against the execution of these threats,
  • nor for anything regarding their own person.
  • All they plead for is the gift of boldly[13]

 30 by stretching out Your (omnipotent) hand to heal (the sick, diseased and crippled), and that signs and wonders (all manner of miracles) may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus (so that His Person, gospel and servants may be legitimized).”

31 And when they had prayed (put action behind their thoughts and desires), the place where they (Peter, John and their companions) were assembled together was shaken (as another manifestation of the Holy Spirit); and they were all (without exception) filled with (under the influence and enabling of) the Holy Spirit, and (as a result) they spoke (not in tongues, but in their own language) the word of God with boldness, (frankly and courageously).

Sharing in All Things

32 Now the multitude of those who believed (which we have no idea of the number anymore) were of one heart and one soul (completely unified as a focused unit; totally in sync with their new identity and purpose); neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but (Their lives and their possessions were committed to God, their Creator) they had all things in common (for the mutual benefit of all). 33 And (this was all in addition) with great power (the enabling power of the Holy Spirit) the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (which the Sanhedrin had forbidden them to do). And great grace (God’s glorious favor) was upon them all (was obvious for all to see). 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked (suffered a need); for all who were possessors (owners) of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds (earnings) of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 And Joses (cousin of John Mark), who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite (of the priestly tribe) of the country of Cyprus (which may have played part in some way why he and Paul went to Cyprus on their 1st missionary journey), 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet (to be distributed as well among the poor.)

[1] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (128). Chicago: Moody Press.

[2] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (58). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 3:17). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

[4] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (58). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[5] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (132). Chicago: Moody Press.

[6] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (132–133). Chicago: Moody Press.

[7] Acts 3:13 – The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.

[8] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (136). Chicago: Moody Press.

[9] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (64). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[10] Revelation 6:10 – They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord (“Des—po—tase”), holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

[11] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (140). Chicago: Moody Press.

[12] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (183). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[13] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (182–183). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.