Acts 4:1-22 OPPOSITION Just as the Lord Jesus had told them, opposition to the Gospel and the work of evangelism started when the apostles moved out into the community guided by the power of the Spirit. Religious leaders who knew they were responsible for the death of Christ acted in haste to stop the preaching of "Jesus and the resurrection." The Pharisees had been the major opponents to the Lord Jesus Christ when He was here. Now the Sadducees became the leaders of the opposition because one of their fundamental beliefs was threatened. The did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. These were powerful men who had wealth and were the majority group in the Sanhedrin. They were considered the intellectual leaders because of their humanist teaching. We have the same kind of people today who because of their education and rejection of faith as a real guiding principle in life, will mock, repudiate and challenge with open outspoken opposition, any who confess to faith in the risen Christ as the only way to heaven. You will find modern Sadducees are people who anchor television programs, teach our children and young people in schools and universities, and take places of leadership so they can change the laws and the moral principles of the nation. What we are up against in evangelism today is nothing new.
Our greatest influence in such people is the calm, contented assurance of people whose lives have been changed. There is a peace and happiness in spite of opposition that frustrates those who think they have the answers to the issues of life based on science and mans' opinions. When such opposition arises, our message needs to be consistent. It would be wrong to change the truth of God in any way to suit the opinions or sensitivities of people. The death, burial and resurrection of Christ leaves no room for any private interpretation. Peter risked persecution and rejection, and was put in prison for insisting there was no other way of salvation. There is "none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
No other religions tell us what we ought to be but Christ transforms us into what He intends us to be. Other religions make people aware of their needs. Christ meets our needs and forgives our sins. Peter did not take a defensive position but as the Lord Jesus did when He was under opposition, Peter went on the offensive right away.
Those Jewish leaders were very disturbed and unhappy with two "unlearned and ignorant men" who took control of the meeting by teaching them what they should have known. The keystone of the arch of truth who they should have received, was "the head of the corner" (the keystone of the arch). The name Jesus Christ of Nazareth was again proclaimed as the ultimate authority. 5000 adults had been added to the 120 and the 3000 who were saved previously. The One the leadership had sacrificed "for the good of the nation" now had followers who were impacting the people in the same way their Lord did because of the power of His name. There was undeniable healing, there were thousands who believed on Him and were joined to the few who had followed Him. The position and power of those leaders was in jeopardy and they knew it. Their reputation was at stake under the bold courage of those men who were speaking for God so articulately and giving the Gospel message to them personally.
Part of the impact on those leaders and people of that day, and the leaders and people of our day, is the conviction of believers that the Lord Jesus Christ only is the Savior of the world. No one else is His equal nor can give eternal life and salvation from sin. The respect and reverence for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for Him personally, in our life and attitude is a powerful testimony to what we have to say. Whether people choose to believe or choose to refuse does not change the undeniable facts of the changed lives of those who believe in Jesus. Minds may remain closed but by prayer, continually presenting the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, hard hearts can be softened and closed doors and minds can be opened.
It is a fact that when we share our faith in Christ with others, many will feel uncomfortable. Some people will not only reject the message, but will also reject the messenger. That is to be expected. The same Holy Spirit who confounded and convicted the Sanhedrin, used those who were available and filled them with His power to reveal the solution for sin to those same people. Whether they accepted the truth that was told them and the Savior who was presented, was up to them. When the opinions of men, or even the laws of expediency that have been imposed on the people, are contrary to the will of God, we are obligated, no matter what the consequences are to obey God. Those men were told by the risen Lord Jesus Christ to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. That still must be done by us. Our orders come from the highest of all courts - the court of divine authority, commission and approval. The powers that be are ordained of God, but when they usurp His authority, our obligation is to God in spite of whatever opposition may come against us.
I wonder do they really know who they are up against When decisions are made to oppose God's will, it doesn't make any sense Those who oppose divine initiatives have absolutely no chance to win Against the Mighty Judge of all who knows every secret sin.
I wonder if people really think they will come on top at the end Men are so helpless against the forces of Him who controls sea and wind. Yet for some reason they deny His existence and think they are in control Until some event happens to awaken them to the need of their eternal soul.
I wonder if some think if they can humiliate one enough, that person will no longer preach It is possible they have never understood or been willing to hear what the scriptures teach Perhaps they deliberately stay away so their consciences won't be awakened And then a storm or flood or disease makes their opinion forever shaken.
I wonder when a person is on their bed at night if they are concerned about what happens next Maybe they are drawn in the depths of their soul to remember some scripture text In the past, they had learned from faithful parents, truths they have long rejected And they begin to think about Jesus and the salvation they have willfully neglected.
I wonder when people get together with friends to drink, and joke and laugh If they think there is hope for some meaning in life, or if they think all hope has passed Is there an urge deep within their soul to kneel down and really try to pray? I wonder if when they are in such a state, they want to sincerely know what to say.
I wonder if some word they have heard long ago will shed on their dark soul some light Would it be possible they are willing to surrender and no longer against God will fight?
If they lay down weapons of rebellion and submit to the truth that in them hides I know God is there to bring conviction and the commitment to go against the world's tides.
I wonder if there are those right here God is bringing to the place of repentance. And they are considering as I write these words, that Christ bore sin's awful sentence I wonder if the Spirit of God is using some memory or some spoken word That will bring them in child-like faith to Christ, where they will accept Him as Savior and Lord.
"Father, may I keep in my mind throughout this day the thought that some word spoken in fellowship with Thee may be the difference between life and death to some sinner. Help me to guard my words today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."