ACTS Chapter 4

Teacher: John M. Brown, Flatwoods church of Christ, Wednesday Bible Class November 2003

I. PERSECUTION BEGINS, 4:1-22

  1. Peter and John are arrested, vv. 1-4
  1. The priests, temple captain, and Sadducees lay hold on Peter and John.
  1. They are grieved that Peter and John taught the people.
  2. They are at variance with the message of the resurrection from the dead through Jesus.
  3. They came upon them (v. 1), laid hands on them (v. 3), and imprisoned them that very night (v. 3)

(Recall that Jesus had foretold persecution: see John 16:1-3)

  1. Many who had heard the word believed -the number of men came to be about 5,000 (compare Acts 2:41- 3,000).
  1. Peter and John are brought before the council, vv. 5-7
  1. Peter and John are brought before the rulers, elders, scribes, Anas, Caiphas, kindred of the high priest at Jerusalem.
  2. This council (the Sanhedrin) asked of them,

“By What power, or by what name, have ye done this?”

  1. Peter’s Defense before them, vv. 8-12
  1. Peter declares that this lame man was made whole “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead”
  2. Jesus is the stone which was set at nought of the builders, Who is become the head of the comer!
  3. See Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14; 28:16
  4. Compare also Matthew 16:13-19; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:5-8
  1. Neither is there salvation in any other!

(see John 3:14-19; 8:.24; 14:6; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy2:5;Heb. 6:4-6; 10:.26)

  1. There is no other name given among men whereby we must saved!

*Question: Is there anything in a name? See Psalm 111:9; 5:1; 8:1; 72:17; Genesis 12:1-3; 17:5; 17:15; 35:10; cf. Proverbs 22:1; Isaiah 25:1; Jeremiah 10:6; Daniel 2:20; Joel 2:26; Micah 4:5; Malachi 1:11,. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21,23; 6:9; 12:20; 18:20; 21:9; John 1:12; 3:18; 5:43; 14:13-14; 17:6; 20:31; I Peter 4:14; Acts 8: 12; James 2:7; Revelation 2:13; 3: 5; 22: 3-4;1 John 3:23; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 3:17

  1. The REACTION of the council, vv. 13-22
  1. They marveled at the boldness of Peter and John (for these were not men of great intellectual skill or cultural prominence);they had been with Jesus!
  1. They discharged Peter and John to confer among themselves.
  1. They acknowledged none could doubt a “notable miracle” had been done.
  1. They determine to threaten Peter and John and command them not to speak “in this name.”
  1. Peter and John are called back in, and this command is issued.
  1. Note Peter’s response: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”
  1. Peter and John are again threatened, and released.

II. THE DISCIPLES PRAYER, Acts 4:23-31

  1. Peter and John reported all that had been said unto them.
  1. The disciples with one accord lift up their voice in prayer to God:
  1. An acknowledgment of God as Creator.
  2. The opposition to the Christ (see Psalm 2:1-2, Acts 2:22-24, 36).
  3. All gathered against Christ (Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, Israel)
  4. They pray for BOLDNESS to speak God’s word.
  1. When the prayer was concluded, the place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spoke God’s Word boldly.

III. THE DISCIPLES HAVE ALL THINGS COMMON, Acts: 4:32-37

  1. They had all things common (see 2:44-46).
  1. None among them lacked; things were shared together “unto every man according as he had need”
  1. We learn of the generosity of Barnabas.