SS11-09-03.

STUDY THEME: THE GOOD NEWS; POWER FROM ABOVE. 11-09-03

“ACTING BOLDLY FOR God.” ACTS 4: 1-4, 5-7, 8-12, 13-18, 13-18, 19-22, 23, 29-31.

PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO ACTS 4.

Many Christians are afraid to witness for Christ. They are not afraid of being arrested or put in jail, they are simply afraid of what other people may think. But we can learn from Peter and John’s boldness.

Today’s lesson “Acting boldly for God,” is based on the boldness of Peter and John, and the Church’s prayer for boldness. This lesson is designed to help us act boldly for God when the opportunity is afforded.

Last Sunday we left the beggar who had been lame for 40 years entering the Temple with Peter and John walking, leaping, and praising God. At the time of the afternoon prayer, many people were in the Temple. All the people noticed the man leaping and praising God. They recognized him as the lame beggar whom they often had seen outside the gate asking for alms. They were filled with awe and astonishment at what they saw.

The crowd gathered in Solomon’s Colonnade, greatly amazed. When Peter saw this crowd, he seized the opportunity to preach the good news of Jesus to them. Our lesson for today still gathers around the healed man. The spotlight of publicity was inevitably focused upon the whole incident.

1. PLEASE READ ACTS 4: 1-4.

Several priests serving their allotted week’s Temple service were near Solomon’s Colonnade and could hear Peter’s declaration about Jesus the Messiah. Alarmed at why this dangerous teaching against Jewish authority, they probably alerted the Captain of the Temple guard. The priests also alerted the Sadducees, who held prominent positions in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme court.

John McArthur’s Study Bible, and Dr. Ironside’s commentary, commenting on Acts say that Vs.4 does not mean 5,000 more were converted as a result of Peter’s preaching in the Temple; but that there were 2,000 more added to the 3,000 converted on the Day of Pentecost making a total of about 5,000 total believers as a result of the two sermons. The 2,000 believed, and because they believed they were added to the Company. Thus the church grew from 3,000 to 5,000.

Hershel H. Hobbs, writing in his lesson Commentary when we studied this same lesson on May 2, 1993, wrote: “Luke said noting about women, but gave the umber of believers among men at about 5,000. Added to the umber saved at Pentecost, the believers in Jesus had now grown to 8,000. Some one has estimated that the church in Jerusalem soon had 10,000 believers in its fellowship.”

“The late Robert G. Lee was fond of saying that wherever Paul went he started either a revival or a riot. It he was put in jail, he would come out with a jail door under one arm and a convert under the other. Peter and John had no jail door, but they had about 5,000 souls to lay at the feet of the Savior as trophies of His grace.” You will note that our commentary this week just omits vs. 4 entirely.

The emphasis here is on men, because in that time the men would have gathered together by themselves to hear the message, and the women would have been in the Court of Women (John 6:10). In modern Jerusalem men and women are separated in their worship at the Wailing Wall. The effectiveness of the healing and preaching bare fruit: The number of believers rose to about 5,000.

Into this crowded scene there came the priests, the superintendent of the Temple, and the Sadducees. The man called the Captain of the Temple was the High Priest’s right-hand man, his Chief of Staff, his executive officer. In particular he had the oversight of the good order in the Temple. When the crowd gathered it was inevitable that he and his Temple police should come on the scene. With him there came the Sadducees. Vs. 2 says they were “provoked” or “greatly disturbed.”

The last thing they wanted was any disturbance of the status quo. The Roman government was very tolerant; but on public disorder it was merciless. Therefore the Sadducees proposed to nip this movement in the bud; and that is why Peter and John were so promptly arrested. This action was necessary because the temple sacrifices had been concluded and the Temple gates were closed. Official action by the Sanhedrin would have to be taken the next day. This was the first open opposition to the apostles’ message in the new activity of Christianity. Despite the persecution, the church continued to grow.

2. PLEASE READ ACTS 4: 5-7.

After a night in the cooler thing heated up for Peter and John the next day. They were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jews highest ruling body. In Vs. 5 we have an exact description of the Sanhedrin. This court consisted of 71 members, 23 forming a quorum. The tribunal, in all the glory of robbing and the dignity of the men, would be seated in a semicircle, with the President in the center.

They brought Peter and John before them and inquired by what authority or in what name they had acted. They thought perhaps to over-awe these two plain, unlearned fishermen. Little did they know about the Holy Spirit who had baptized Peter and John into Christ and now had anointed them for service.

PLEASE LISTEN TO PETER’S REPLY TO THE QUESTION IN Vs. 8-12.

3. TEACHER READ ACTS 4: 8-12.

Carefully observe Peter and John as they stood before this august body. “They were filled with the Holy Spirit” That means that they had clear vision, absolute certainty, strong passion, and unflinching courage. We may have wondered how these two fisher-folk might fare. But we need have no fear; for they wee filled with the Holy Spirit, and they stood in the midst of that assembly with unflinching courage.

In making their defense, Peter took his cue from the question. Though he took his life in his own hands, Peter was not intimidated by this august body! Luke explained Peter’s boldness by stating he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Witness by any other power is futile. Note Peter’s reference to the “good deed,” not any criminal act. Then he let them have what Robertson calls a “center shot.” He gave them the whole load.

They asked as to the apostles’ authority and power. Peter wanted them and all Israel to know ha tit was “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” Note the full name---Jesus of Nazareth who is the Christ or Messiah. The Sanhedrin had rejected Him as their Messiah. Peter was not through. He continued, “Whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. “You” is emphatic, setting them over against God. They killed Jesus; God resurrected Him. I was by this same Jesus that the former lame man stood “before” them whole or healed.

In Vs. 11 “You builders” refers to the Sanhedrin, They had rejected Jesus, God’s Suffering Servant Messiah, in favor of legalism and their worldly concept of a political-military Messiah. (Ps. 118:22) But God had made Him the “head of the corner” in His redemptive purpose. Without this Stone the building would collapse.

Any system of religion that rejects Jesus is false. In raising Jesus from the dead, God had shown the falseness of legalism or any religious system concocted by human beings. That is why we are under so great an obligation to pay any price necessary to bear witness to Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior.

In Vs. 12 Peter could not have made his statement stronger. Even if someone else claims to be the saving Messiah, emphatically Peter declared that person is false. In my lifetime I have known several such. But they were as shooting stars soon to disappear. None of them faced a cross---only a brief notoriety and then oblivion. This has been true from the first century even until now.

There is no other name under heaven, in all the world’s history, by whatever name he or she might be called, by faith in whom we may be saved from the ravages of sin. Not Buddha, Mohammad, Moses, or any other---only Jesus. Jesus means Jehovah is salvation.

WHAT IMPRESSION DID THE APOSTLES MAKE UPON THE COUNCIL?

4. PLEASE READ ACTS 4: 13-18.

The Sanhedrin must have been surprised at the forthrightness of Peter’s answer and the conviction in his look and voice. Luke commented on how they were observing their boldness. Just a few weeks previously, Peter had been a coward and had denied that he even knew Jesus when He was on trial (Luke 22:57). Now Peter and John were different. The Sanhedrin saw no fear or hesitancy in them but a determination to answer according to their convictions, regardless of its effect on the Sanhedrin or what would happen to them. These officials couldn’t explain how the two men had such boldness of speech and fearlessness.

These Jewish leaders also realized Peter and John were uneducated and untrained men. Uneducated literally mean “unable to write,” but here the word probably means they had no formal education in matters of the law. Also, being untrained, they were just ordinary laymen who were not skilled in any professional field. They were not graduates of the rabbinical schools of Hillel or Shammai. Who were they to be teaching? How did they learn all they knew? What made them so confident and articulate in their witness and answers?

Their unanswered questions caused the Sanhedrin to be amazed at Peter and John. Then they remembered that Peter and John had been with Jesus. They recognized them as former companions of Jesus. They had followed Jesus during His earthly ministry and had been with Him during the week of His crucifixion. Now the Sanhedrin was opposing them as they had opposed Jesus. The apostles suffered this opposition because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. Like Christ, the apostles witnessed with boldness and spoke with an authority and certainty in their voices.

The Sanhedrin faced a dilemma. They could not deny the healing of the lame man because he stood there healed in their presence. They had seen him lame and begging in the temple for many years. The people were all excited about the miracle of healing. The Sanhedrin didn’t want to offend the people, so they decided on what they thought was a way to stop Peter and John.

The officials called for the two apostles. They ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Vs. 17 reveals that the Sanhedrin delivered this order, with a threat of severe consequences, if Peter and John ignored or disobeyed their order. The apostles knew the Sanhedrin was not just making a practical suggestion. Their instructions to them were the conclusions of the highest Jewish court in the land, one which very few Jews dared to defy.

5. PLEASE READ ACTS 4: 19-22.

Vs. 19 begins with the conjunction but. That little word was Luke’s way of letting his readers know quickly the response of those unlearned and untrained Christians. They did not bow down and apologize, promising to obey the courts decision. In fact, Peter and John put the decision they faced back into the hands of the Sanhedrin. They asked if it was right in the sight of God to obey the Sanhedrin or to obey God. From the apostles perspective, that was the question they faced and the decision they had to make.

Then Peter gave the court his and John’s response to their order. He said, “We are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” To do so would be to disobey God. So the Sanhedrin did the only thing they believed was possible at that point. After threatening them further, they released Peter and John from their custody. They could not find a way to punish Peter and John though they evidently tried very hard. The law was not the reason they couldn’t punish them. They were afraid of the reaction of the people, for the people were all giving glory to God for the lame man’s healing. They couldn’t run the risk of incurring the disfavor of the people.

Peter and John faced the opposition of the Sanhedrin and bore witness to Jesus. The two apostles had every reason to shy away from an encounter with the Jews’ highest religious and political court. But they held their stance and faced the Sanhedrin with boldness. They experienced what Jesus had earlier promised them when they had to sand before the authorities because of obeying Him. Jesus had said in Mark 13:11, “So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say. On the contrary, whatever is given to you in that hour---say it.” Christians today can face opposition that comes from following Jesus in that same power of the Holy Spirit who was with Peter and John.

Let’s read now of the movement of Peter and John and only a portion of the prayer of their fellowship; the Church.

6. PLEASE READ ACTS 4: 23.

Peter and John had made their decision to continue obeying the Lord. But they needed increased boldness. Therefore, after being threatened and ordered not to preach or teach the people any more, the two apostles went to their own fellowship or company. Peter and John reported everything that the chief priests (Annas and Caiaphas) and the elders had said to them. They needed the church’s support and their prayers.

LET’S READ A PORTION OF THE PRAYER THAT WAS PRAYED. THIS PRAYER HAS BEEN A MODEL FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVES IN EVERY GENERATION.

7. PLEASE READ ACTS 4: 29-31.

The church responded with deep understanding and sincere concern. With one voice the fellowship lifted up themselves and Peter and John in intercessory prayer. Vs. 24-28 of the prayer set the background to the petition they asked of God. Note that they focused on who God is and what He had done in the past before they offered their petition concerning their present situation. They used Ps. 2:1-2 as the basis for their confidence in the power of God to deal successfully with His enemies. True prayer is based on and guided by Scripture.

The first word in their prayer was “Master”, Sovereign Lord.” This is probably the strongest name applied to God. God is sovereign over all affairs on earth and everywhere else. Therefore, the Sanhedrin as well as Peter, John, and the believers came under his authority. These believers affirmed that God was sovereign, powerful, and the protector of His people.

In their prayer they quoted Scripture, such as Ps. 2:1-2, where the psalmist praised the Lord for protecting His anointed One from the enemies. First century believers interpreted that Anointed One as the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Now the authorities had come against the Messiah and His apostles.

Vs. 29 contains their primary petition. They used the name Lord when they addressed God the second time. This name is the more common term, which can mean “master” or “lord.” Usually the term implies that the one using it is a follower and a personal servant of the Lord. The believers were asking for the Lord’s instructions and for His help in responding to the Sanhedrin’s orders.

In their prayer they asked God to consider the threats of the Jewish authorities. Their request was serious, and they were urgent in asking God to help them in light of the ruling of the authorities. They considered themselves slaves who belonged to God and served Him in His labors. They wanted to carry out His instructions to proclaim Christ to everyone, so they asked God to enable them to speak His message with complete boldness. They believed they were on mission for the Lord, delivering His message to every one they could. Therefore, they asked for boldness in carrying out the Lord’s orders to preach the gospel.

What they did not ask for reveals much about these believers. They did not ask for personal protection or for God to strike the opposition dead. They didn’t question their orders to proclaim the gospel or seek to get the Lord to rescind His commission to go and preach. Nothing in their prayer is negative or evidence of fear or doubt. They had already made their decision to obey God and preach Jesus to the people. All they wanted was the boldness to proclaim that message accurately, clearly, and effectively in the power of the sovereign creator God.

They also prayed for miracles to confirm the validity of their message and to demonstrate he power of the living Lord to the people. Miracles demonstrated the authenticity of their message and were not just an end in them selves. Their petition was for God to stretch out His hand and perform healing, signs, and wonders through the name of His holy Servant Jesus.

The miracles grabbed the attention of those who saw them and made the people wonder how they were done and what they meant. Like a signpost the miracles pointed beyond themselves to the power of the resurrected Christ and what He wanted to do spiritually in their lives. This is what the community prayed for---more signs to under-gird the word, more boldness to proclaim it. They surely knew what the result be---more persecution.

Their prayer was ended and God answered immediately. He gave them a sign that He heard them and was with them to help them. The place where they were gathered together was shaken. This is a biblical sign of God’s presence. Someone said it like this: “The place was shaken, and that made them all the more unshaken.” They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s message with boldness.

The Spirit-filled people became bold witnesses for Christ. The surest sign someone is filled with the Spirit is bold actions and words for Christ.

God’s response was not just physical: it was also spiritual. He filled anew Peter, John, and the believers with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:3 at Pentecost, they had received the Holy Spirit who filled them and began to lead and control them. In this verse they did not receive the Holy Spirit again as at Pentecost, when He came to indwell the believers permanently. This was no “second Pentecost.” Instead, in this experience the Holy Spirit filled them anew. Believers may experience many such fillings at significant and important events in their lives.

In this experience the Holy Spirit’s new filling empowered the apostles and the church to proclaim the gospel in the face of opposition. The verb translated “began to speak” describes the action of both apostles and the Christians. They ignored the ruling of he Sanhedrin. Instead, they went out from their prayer meeting and continued speaking God’s message as before. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to speak the word of God with power and without fear.

Today, Christians in many lands are forbidden to speak and act in the name of Jesus. Speaking for Jesus is often severely punished. In our land we have nothing so threatening for speaking for Jesus. We have the freedom to speak, but do we have the boldness? Peter knew about fear and about boldness. When his eyes were solely on himself, he denied Christ. After seeing Jesus alive, being commissioned by the Lord, and filled with the Spirit, Peter became bold in his witness for Christ.

This experience of Peter and John and the Christian fellowship of which they were a part reveals the courage and boldness the power of the gospel had given to those early Christians. Peter and John had been away from the fellow Christians when they were in the Temple at the time of prayer. They had faced their arrest, imprisonment and interrogation by the Sanhedrin by themselves. But God was with Peer and John, and the believers rallied to their cause when they found out what had happened.

The experience of Peter and John reminds us that we have opportunities to act boldly by telling others about Jesus. We will face opposition from others for Jesus sake and must use every opportunity that God gives us to speak the word of God.

NEXT WEEK FROM ACTS 13 WE FIND THAT GOD CALLS BELIEVERS TO TAKE THE GOOD NEWS TO PEOPLE IN OTHER PLACES. A.V. DAUGHERTY 11-09-03.