ACTS CHAPTER 4

Persecutions Begin

INTRODUCTION

            In chapter 3 we learned of the healing of lame a man. This was the first recorded miracle by Peter using the power of the Holy Spirit. We also read the second sermon by Peter and studied its contents.  In chapter 4 we will read about the first persecution of the apostles. The apostles were teaching about Jesus, His resurrection and being seating at the right hand of the Father. The Temple guards and Sadducee's  who were very concerned about this teaching. They arrested the apostles Peter and John. Soon after being arrested Peter was released.  We will see the believers begin to share their possessions with each other as needed.

First Persecution

        1.  As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees' came up to them, 

           The captain of the Levitical guard was annoyed at the disturbance around the Temple.  The Temple guard served as the Temple police.  Who were to ensure Temple decorum.  The Sadducees' were angered because Peter was preaching of the resurrection ( Acts 23:8 ), which overthrew their doctrine.  The Sadducee were chief priests and they were very important and very wealthy. Their wealth and status was made possible by the Romans who appointed them to these high positions to use them to keep the peace among the people.  The Sadducees' wanted to keep their power. They were will to take what ever measures needed to keep their position and their wealth. 

2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead

The Sadducees' did not believe it possible dead people could become alive again, even though they must have heard of the resurrection of Lazarus   The large crowds gathering to hear Peter was threatening the peace, and thereby endangering the peace with the Roman occupiers.

3   And they laid hands on them  and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.   4 But many of  those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 

          Although only men are mentioned here I believe there were and equal if not more women outside the Temple listening to Peter.  The Temple guards arrested both Peter and John, however they could not stop the good news from spreading near and far.  The Temple guards arrested both Peter and John, however they could not stop the good news from spreading through out Israel

5   On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem: 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.

Nothing is known of Alexander I think we can assume he was of the Sanhedrin, comprised of the high priest and 70 other men.

The Sanhedrin headed by Caiaphas that year demanded the death of Jesus (X Jn 18:12-14, 24)

7 When they had placed them [Peter and John] in the  center, they began to inquire, “By  what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

They legitimized the miracle by asking the question by what power, or in what name... ( Acts 4:16 ). Once this was said they could not deny that a miracle had been performed.  They could arrest and punish Peter and John, but they could not stop the good news they preached.  You could easily substitute in this verse the phrase “in what name” by what authority

8 Then Peter, filled with the  Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, -(See also 13:11 , Luke 21:15 ).

 Jesus told the believers not to be concerned when speaking with important people. Don't worry about what to say the words will come to you. see also Luke 21:14-15 .  As believers today we often face the same situation. We often fear to speak to people of importance. We often don't even try because were not sure of what to say to them.

 

9 if we are on trial today for a Benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 Let it be known to all of you and to all people of Israel, Jesus Christ the Nazarene, who you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by this name this man stands here before you in good health. (See also  Acts 4:14)

Peter making a formal statement to the Sanhedrin points out that what he had done was to help a lame man a man who was sick. Peter proclaimed proudly that this miracle was done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.  Without a pause Peter also let them know that they were the ones who had crucified the son of God who was raised from the dead. He stated further that it was Jesus who healed the man not Peter.

11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which become the chief cornerstone.

Peter points out in this verse that they just considered Jesus a troublemaker a rabble-rouser, but what they failed to realize is that Jesus was the cornerstone of the faith; not just the cornerstone but the head of the newly forming church.

 

12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

Peter’s closing words to Israel’s were an eloquent expression of his love, and hope for the world.  Peter’s proclamation of salvation places salvation through Jesus the Christ, and only through Jesus

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to Recognize them as having been with Jesus.

Now both Peter and John were uneducated. They did not receive any related rabbinical training during their youth. They were considered to be common men, certainly not trained teachers. They may have remembered these two men as being with Jesus. However more likely it was these men's demeanor that was the witness of Jesus in their lives.

14  And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.

The healing of the lame man was all the evidence people needed to believe what Peter was saying about Jesus was true.

15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to Confer with one another,

It was common practice for the Sanhedrin to ask the accused to leave the area or the room before rendering a verdict.

16 saying, “What shall we do with These men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

You may ask at this point how did Luke know?  Peter and John were escorted out while the Saducees' conferred with each other as what to do with Peter and John.  Or maybe Gamaliel, (Paul's teacher) was there and told Luke later. Another possibility is that a member of the Sanhedrin told Luke at a later time. Paul, a member of the Sanhedrin, was undoubtedly there. Paul could have told Luke at a later time of the events surrounding the details of the trial of Peter and John.

17 “But so that it will not  spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.

Peter and John had committed no crime. The Sanhedrin knowing this, had no reason to keep them or question them further. The Sanhedrin did want to find some way to silence the apostles about the fact that Jesus was alive, and about the miracles they did in Jesus' name. And so the members of the Sanhedrin conferring together decided to issue a strict warning to both Peter and Paul to cease and desist.

18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

The Sanhedrin had no idea of the fire that was burning within the apostles brought about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

The apostles could no more hold their tongues the than they could prevent the sun from rising in the morning. For the Holy Spirit was working mightily within them.  This very same feeling should be evident in the believers of today. The Holy Spirit can work the same miracle He did in Peter and John within us. We too would not be unable to keep from proclaiming the wonders of the risen Savior Jesus the Christ.

21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Once Peter and John were dismissed from the Sanhedrin Council, they lost no time in reporting to the disciples all the events that had transpired.  We will see this in verse 23.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

Notice here the first thing they did was to pray to God. Their prayer was a prayer of worship of the majesty of our Lord. It is comforting for believers to know that when we have a problem we can go to our Lord for the answers.  God is bigger than any problem we may have. And yet, even our little problems can and should be brought to Him.

25  who by the  Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our  father David your servant, said “why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise futile things?

Although the Romans stopped the man Jesus from preaching they could not stop his message from going forward through His apostles.  The apostles went among the people healing many and preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus the Christ.  The Christian church was growing at a fast rate. Many people were following the apostles teachings and believing in Jesus as Lord.

26 ‘ the kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.” gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.”

Still quoting from David's book of Psalms, we read a prophecy that has yet come, Or has it? The world for the most part has turned it's back on Christ. Truly the nations of this earth are lining up in opposition to Christ. Even in the United States of America, arguably the last bastion of religious freedom, as a nation, we have turned our back on Christ. And because of the separation of church and state we see christian persecution.  I believe as a consequence of this action this country is no longer under God's grace, and will no longer be protected from disaster.

27 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

In this verse the word Gentiles refers to the Romans. Even though King Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Romans, and the people of Israel cried for Jesus to be crucified; this was all part of God's plan.

29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak your word with all confidence, 30 while you extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Even though the Sanhedrin had persecuted the believers, the believers did not pray for the Sanhedrin to stop their actions.

The believers prayed for courage to speak boldly and power about Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

The Holy Spirit is essential in our missions for God, as it was for the apostles of Christ so it is for us. The Holy Spirit can move mightily when believers pray with one heart one mind one soul, believing their prayer will be answered.  As we have read; at Pentecost the Holy Spirit was upon the apostles. Now we see that the Holy Spirit filled everyone again. God answered their prayers immediately, and they began to speak in a bold manner.

 

Sharing among Believers

32  And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

This verse should not be mistaken for an endorsement of communal living or a communistic form of society. Believers still owned property however they had a deep abiding love for one another. The apostles did not ask or require them to share their property.  however in love they were willing to share with those brethren who were in need.  

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

We've all heard the quote power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. In verse 33 we read that they were empowered with great power. They were also endowed with abundant grace for without grace that power would have corrupted them.  Once again we see where Luke records that Peter testified as to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

"The Greek words here mean that people would put the money down' at the feet of the apostles. This showed that they were actually offering it to God“ [2]

 

36 Now Joseph, a Levitt of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Barnabas, otherwise known as Joseph was a member of the tribe of Levitt's anointed priests of the Temple.  Jews and their families lived in larger groups called tribes, a closer tie than mere neighborhoods. They were 12 tribes in Israel. The tribe of Levi served God in the Temple.