Bible Studies

Acts Chapter Four, The Boldness of Peter and John

by John Clark 
05/18/16
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After Peter finished speaking to the crowd that had assembled for the healing of the 40 year old lame man in chapter three, the captain of the Temple Guard and Sadducees were "greatly disturbed." Peter and John were arrested and thrown in jail (verses 2-3). The reason? They were "teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead"(verse 2). However, 5,000 men were converted (verse 4).

     Now, for a couple of side notes. First, who were the Sadducees? The Sadducees was a religious sect, the members of which considered themselves to be very righteous, but had beliefs in opposition to what Peter and John were teaching, one of them being the issue of the resurrection. Second, it is interesting that scripture says 5,000 men. Most likely, there were women and children present, too. But I believe that God wants spiritual men to be leaders in their families, communities, and within the body of Christ. I can imagine that many of these men went home and shared their experience and new-found faith with their spouses and children. This is the second round of a huge influx of new believers, the first one recorded in 2:41. There it says "three thousand souls."

     In verses 3-5 Peter and John were questioned by authorities and religious leaders, asking, "By what power, or in what name have you..." healed the sick man?  In verse 8, Peter replies, filled with the Holy Spirit (we are once again reminded of this important truth), "...if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man...let it be known to all of you...that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-by this name this man stands here before you in good health" (verses 9-10).

     Peter had a way with words. He throws things back in the face of the authorities and religious leaders with a question, "Are we on trial for a benefit done to a sick man?" Ouch! That's making them bear the responsibility for a senseless decision. Then Peter again reminds them that they crucified the very One who healed him. If this isn't enough, adding insult to injury, verse 12 records what Peter said, one of the key verses in all of the Bible, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."

     The statement in Acts 4:12 is considered very politically incorrect today, to the liberals and religious apostates, but it sums up, quite, well, the position of born again Christians.

    The reaction of those in authority is given in verses 13-14. Notice two important things: 1) They observed the confidence of Peter and John, with no education and training, "and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."  2) "They had nothing to say in reply." Talk about silencing the opposition! 

     After being ordered to no longer speak or teach, Peter once again boldly declares. "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard" (verses 19-20).

     As it turned out there was no basis for punishment because the people were all glorifying God for what had happened (verse 21). The voice of the majority did make a difference. 

     The apostles went back to their local congregation to report all that had happened (verse 23). There was rejoicing and prayer for even more boldness, as all were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were "of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them" (verse 32, 34-37). They even sold their houses and land and used the proceeds to help the work of the Apostles. This is the second time this is mentioned, the first instance being 2:44-45. The selling of private possessions to help those in need would not be well received in today's Christian American, materialistic Church. The people in Acts didn't need a welfare system. 

     Application questions:

     1. When is the last time that your church had something so exciting happen that it caught the attention of the general public?

     2. Are any people in your church boldly speaking out for Christ in public?

     3. Is your church being politically correct and therefore, depriving people of hearing the gospel message of salvation?

     4. Are you putting the oppostion on the defensive?