Acts Chapter Four

 Act 4:1  The apostles were still talking to the people, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees arrived. 

Act 4:2  These men were angry because the apostles were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death, just as Jesus had been raised from death. 

Act 4:3  It was already late in the afternoon, and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night. 

Act 4:4  But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it. So by now there were about five thousand followers of the Lord. 

Act 4:5  The next morning the leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses met in Jerusalem. 

Act 4:6  The high priest Annas was there, as well as Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family. 

Act 4:7  They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle while they questioned them. They asked, "By what power and in whose name have you done this?" 

Act 4:8  Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the nation's leaders and the elders: 

Act 4:9  You are questioning us today about a kind deed in which a crippled man was healed. 

Act 4:10  But there is something we must tell you and everyone else in Israel. This man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus to death on a cross, but God raised him to life. 

Act 4:11  He is the stone that you builders thought was worthless, and now he is the most important stone of all. 

Act 4:12  Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone. 

Act 4:13  The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain that these men had been with Jesus. 

Act 4:14  But they could not deny what had happened. The man who had been healed was standing there with the apostles. 

Act 4:15  The officials commanded them to leave the council room. Then the officials said to each other, 

Act 4:16  "What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we cannot say it didn't happen. 

Act 4:17  But to keep this thing from spreading, we will warn them never again to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus." 

Act 4:18  So they called the two apostles back in and told them that they must never, for any reason, teach anything about the name of Jesus. 

Act 4:19  Peter and John answered, "Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? 

Act 4:20  We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard." 

Act 4:21  The officials could not find any reason to punish Peter and John. So they threatened them and let them go. The man who was healed by this miracle was more than forty years old, and everyone was praising God for what had happened. 

Act 4:22  (SEE 4:21) 

Act 4:23  As soon as Peter and John had been set free, they went back and told the others everything that the chief priests and the leaders had said to them. 

Act 4:24  When the rest of the Lord's followers heard this, they prayed together and said: Master, you created heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 

Act 4:25  And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say: "Why are all the Gentiles so furious? Why do people make foolish plans? 

Act 4:26  The kings of earth prepare for war, and the rulers join together against the Lord and his Messiah." 

Act 4:27  Here in Jerusalem, Herod and Pontius Pilate got together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Then they turned against your holy Servant Jesus, your chosen Messiah. 

Act 4:28  They did what you in your power and wisdom had already decided would happen. 

Act 4:29  Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 

Act 4:30  Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus. 

Act 4:31  After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message. 

Act 4:32  The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. 

Act 4:33  In a powerful way the apostles told everyone that the Lord Jesus was now alive. God greatly blessed his followers, 

Act 4:34  and no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money 

Act 4:35  to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it. 

Act 4:36  Joseph was one of the followers who had sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas, which means "one who encourages others." 

Act 4:37  (SEE 4:36) 

ACTS CHAPTER FOUR  -  PETER CONTINUES HIS SERMON/JAIL

Verses 1-4: Peter continues preaching in the temple. Some officials hear of it and are angry over their teaching. They throw Peter and John in a holding cell overnight since it was late in the day.

1. Why would the Sadducees have a problem with Peter’s teaching? (2) - The Sadducees did not believe in life after death. This seems oxymoronic to someone who has been raised Christian. Why would anyone raised in the OT scriptures form a belief system that excludes a spiritual dimension?
Historical Notes:
The Sadducees were a strict sect of the priestly class that dominated  temple worship (although the Pharisee held more power arguably). They relied solely on the Pentateuch and refused to acknowledge oral tradition. They were typically well educated and wealthy. They also were friendly with Rome to a large degree which bolstered their secular status.    

2. Note the word “hold” (KJ) or “jail” (NAS) means “to keep silence, hold one’s peace.... to be kept in silence, be concealed”. Peter and John were not placed in a public jail, but rather, a place where they could not be heard. What was the motive to “hold” Peter and John? We must not lose sight of the fact that Israel is a Theocratic state. They are controlled by Rome, but their government is structured in their belief in God. Those who are deemed "pious" hold power over the people. There was a balancing act to perform to hold this position before the people and with the nation that is occupying the land.
Israel was conquered and subjugated by Rome. Once peace was established, a puppet government was put in place that was "friendly." This ensured continuity of taxes and peace. Anything that disrupted the "status quo" structure could spell trouble for any/all of the authorities involved. The changing of religious belief was a direct assault against power. (Jesus was the origin of this.)
The apostles are political prisoners and censorship is the first line of defence in the eyes of these authorities.
As in the case of Jesus, it begs the question, "were these leaders true believers in God, or were they afraid of losing their status/power?"

Verses 5-12: After a night in a holding cell, the temple leaders get together to question Peter and John, They by what authority they are doing these things. Peter implicates to them that questioning them about the healing misses the main point. The bigger issue is that the man was healed by the power of Jesus. He is the messiah who affords salvation, and they killed Him!

3. You are Peter and John, what is going on in your mind? First, I would be concerned and/or fearful. These people have power over me. They have already crucified Jesus. Next to Him I am even less in their eyes. Second, what we see is "Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit." That statement changes everything. How does that work? We know for sure that Peter knows the truth. That is where he looks for courage. Also, as stated, there was a great miracle which reveals this is all from God.

   a. What was Peter's accusation in verses 10-11? Their execution of Jesus was murder. Peter has done this over and again, not just to accuse, but to reveal the truth to those who will respond. Simply put, they just got it wrong.

4. Detail the characteristics it takes to stand before those who despise you and stand your ground. As stated, understanding that what wee hold is God's truth should give us he courage to speak it. Peter was already in jail for the truth and having that faith gave him the courage to confront those who were against it.
It's important to note that the delivery of the gospel is void of animosity. There is only truth and sometimes that truth seems harsh or confrontational. That is not for the bearer of it to worry about. If anything, the bearer should have a large dose of concern for the condition of those spoken to. They have a soul too. Maybe that soul is in grave jeopardy with God.

Verses 13-22: The council is impressed with the bravery and boldness of Peter and John. The remove them from the room. They discuss what is to be done with them since they cannot deny the miracle. They tell the apostles not to teach about Jesus any more. Peter answers "Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard." 
Since there were no formal charges to be had, they threaten the apostles then release them. Everyone (else) was praising God for the healing of the man. 

5. You are a council member; 

   a. What is your predicament? You are in a position of governmental and religious power. Jesus withstood both the Pharisee and Sadducee. If Jesus is God's will for a new order, my power, my place in society, my tradition, my wealth, my family, stands to lose some or all of it. 

   b. How would you handle it? If I have a heart toward God and the truth, I need to go with that. If I have a heart towards earthly gain, I will fight it tooth and nail.  

Verses 23-31: Once released, Peter and John report everything to their people. They pray and parallel the experience with David. Just as David, a messiah was attacked by enemies, so too was Jesus. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and encouraged to continue speaking/preaching about Jesus.

6. Peter and John had been severely threatened by the authorities; what did they do? They get together with the church and pray for courage.
KJ- "boldness" G3954 παῤῥησία parrhēsia par-rhay-see'-ah From G3956 and a derivative of G4483; all out spokenness, that is, frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication assurance: - bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly (-ness).
What is interesting is that they seek boldness through the Holy Spirit. It is not necessarily an intrinsic characteristic. The implications of this should encourage every Christian. 

Verses 32-37: There was a strong sense of unity among the people. Everything was shared between the body. Some members were selling property and giving it to the church to support the cause. One of them is named Barnabas.

7. What seems to be the first order of business of the early church? Unity. The sharing of wealth reveals just how important these believers regarded the gospel. 

ADDITIONAL: What was the work of the Holy Spirit in verse 31? In this section we see the Holy Spirit is looked to for unity and to embolden these first Christians. The work of the Holy Spirit has not changed. Today we seek to know the word to embolden us and unify us. The mission we have today is nuanced a little differently. These first Christians were attempting to change a culture entrenched in tradition. then they were going to change the world. Our mission today is to change people's hearts wherever we are.

Should Christians today sell their possessions for the Church? No. Not in the sense that it may bring poverty to the seller. The point is made in this context to put context into the next chapter. That doesn't mean that if a member decides to do this it is not ok. It's just not a rule. It does reveal just how dedicated the first Christians were for the church.