ACTS 4. JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION Truth preached and practiced goes right to the heart of the Gospel in both saints and sinners: those who love the Lord and those who are enemies of the King. Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ personally as their Savior find great joy in hearing the Gospel preached, and the word of God is their delight. Those who “killed the Prince of Life whom God raised from the dead” will try to oppose and challenge such preaching.
The Challenge, v.1-7. “By what power or by what name have you done this?” The power of the message was evident in the fact that the lame man was healed. That power could not be denied, and those who opposed the preaching of Peter wanted to know where such authority came from; likely, they wanted to charge him with satanic power. Many people gathered together to challenge Peter and John, who plainly and scripturally preached Christ and Him crucified. They found no joy in seeing a beggar who was born blind healed. We can miss out on joy and blessing if we are more concerned about our personal reputation and dignity than about the blessing of God on other people.
The Defense, v.8-12. “Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost…” His words were not just for those who gathered there but for all of Israel and us today. Faithful, courageous, and impactful are the words, “There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” The power of the name of Jesus is the foundation upon which the work of God is built. The healed man was a witness to the power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it was a testimony to the
The Results, v.13-22. “…they marveled… they could say nothing against it… they conferred… called… commanded… threatened.” The boldness of faith in Christ results from the new nature and the new character of believers. God chooses the foolish, weak things to confound the wise and mighty. The confident assurance of one doing the will of God from the heart silences those who rattle on with words that only express personal opinions – not God’s truth. There is no power in opinions to change lives and be used by God to perform miracles. Guilty fear moves those who are condemned by the confidence of faith in God and the grace of new life to remonstrate and resist obvious evidence of reality in those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We should never lower the banner of faith because what we “have seen and heard” is real, not what a person thinks or conjures up in one’s mind.
People who love the Lord love God’s people. One evidence of divine life is “We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.” Like those early believers when the church was first formed by divine authority and saints gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we seek out and stick with fellow believers today. There is an appeal to our nature to be together, and there is unity in prayer when we join together for strength and consolation.
Their Prayer… Was Believing Prayer, v.24. “Lord, Thou art God…” They didn’t pray into the air but into the ear of a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. When we come to God, we believe that He is – that He exists as a real Person – He is whom the scriptures say He is. He is the One who made heaven, earth, sea, and every creature. The God we pray to is the God of creation. Was United Prayer, v.24. “They lifted up their voice with one accord.” They had been together and prayed together in one accord before and knew the power of unified prayer. United prayer is the great weapon of the church.
Was Scriptural Prayer, v.25-28. “By the mouth of Thy servant David.” The Holy Spirit who moved holy men to write the Old Testament scriptures is the same One who gives power to the whole word of God today. The infallible word of God gives us an understanding of what to pray, and He gives us the power of believing, united, and scriptural prayer today.
Was Definite Prayer, v.29. “Now Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak Thy word.” Specific requests in prayer leave no doubt that the prayer is answered. There is confidence and power in our petitions when we know what the word of God says, as God answers our direct personal appeal in His own chosen way. It may be a verse of scriptures that leaves no doubt about God’s will in our mind. The answer may come in circumstances in life over which we have no control. Answers may come through people or peace in our own souls that pass natural understanding.
Was Christ-Honoring Prayer, v.30. “Signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy Holy Child Jesus.” In the prayers of God’s people, the Holy Spirit's guidance gives the highest honor to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, more than the church, the house of God, or God’s people. It is God’s will that in “All things He might have the preeminence” and the prominent place in everything.
Was Answered Prayer, v.31. “When they prayed, the place was shaken.” To be filled with the Spirit is God’s answer to our prayers as we apply ourselves to His service as servants of the Lord and witnesses to His name. Those men spoke the word of the Lord with boldness, not their opinions or way of looking at things. The word of God is wheat, and the words of men’s opinion are chaff.
Boldness and power in preaching were accompanied by grace and voluntary giving to the Lord so that others might be blessed. God's blessing is bestowed on those who spoke the word of God in public witness.
LIVING AS WITNESSES