Acts 4 Like the apostles concerning the deed done to help the crippled man, we might never know the outcome of a deed done in the name of Christ. v. 7. "By what power or what name did you do this?" Power is force; Name is authority. The officials asked, "By what magical power did you do this, and by what right did you use this power?" They were trying to bring Peter and John under the death sentence prescribed by the Old Testament law. Ex. 22:18; Deut. 13:1-5. Peter made no defense but took the offense exactly as Jesus had done. This is the same accusation they made against Jesus. Peter had learned from his TEACHER. They both used the same scripture. Ps. 118:22. Jesus in Matt. 21:42 Peter in Acts 4:11
THINGS NECESSARY WHEN OPPOSITION ARISES. A. A CONSISTENT MESSAGE. v.10. 1. The death and resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:23,24; Acts 3:14,15; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39-40; 1.Cor. 15:3. This is the Good News he was told to preach in Mk. 16:15.
2. No other way of salvation.
Other religions tell us what we ought to be. Christ transforms us into what we ought to be. Other religions make us aware of our needs. Christ meets our needs.
3. Forgiveness granted and assured.
B. THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT. For speaking, serving, shepherding, rebuking, dying. v.8. 1. To be under the constant control of the Spirit, we must live in daily obedience to the Word of God. Jn. 6:63. "The words I have spoken unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." v.13. 2. They had been with Jesus and it was noticeable. C. OBEDIENCE. v.19-20. They were under different orders than that of the Pharisees and elders. D. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. v.24-30
1. They reported to the brethren.
2. Prayed.
a. Admitted to the fact of opposition. b. Recognized their opponents were under God's divine authority and power. c. Recognized God controls everything, everywhere, at all times.
3. Asked for boldness for themselves, knowing God can give it.
4. Asked God to do a great sovereign work of blessing their enemies, as they
realized the objective is to communicate the Gospel.