In our study last week of Acts chapter 3 we saw how God used Peter to heal a crippled beggar, “6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.” Acts 3:6-7. As a result of the miraculous healing of the crippled beggar, Peter took advantage of the opportunity to preach to the large crowd that had gathered. In his sermon Peter made it very clear to them that it was not by any power he or John had that healed the beggar. Acts 3:12, “When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. These verses are the first of many that teach us about the application and results of the use of the name of Jesus.
Because of what God did healing the crippled beggar and Peter’s sermon, when we read further on in Acts chapter 4, we see the wonderful results. Acts 4:4, “But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”
In Acts 4:1-25 the story continues but now with aggressive and verbal opposition by the Jewish leaders because of the use of the name of Jesus. In Acts chapter 4 the aggressive opposition was focused on Peter and John and not at the church as a whole.
The opposition of John and Peter by the Jewish leaders begins in Acts 4:1-3; “1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.”
We need to remember that Christianity was in its infancy not much time had transpired since the arrest, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. One reason why Peter referred to these events in his sermon in chapter 3 because they were still recent events in the people’s memories.
It is almost unanimously agreed upon by Biblical scholars that the birth of the Christian Church happened at Pentecost we read this in Acts chapter 2, which happened just a few weeks before the events in Acts chapter 4.
When the Jewish leaders came to Peter and John and what they did to them we read in verses 1 and 3. However, the important point why they had Peter and John arrested is in verse 2, of which it is only part of the reason for arresting them. “2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”
We must remember that among the group of religious leaders were the Sadducees. Matthew 22:23 says this about them, “That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.”. This was one reason why “They were greatly disturbed…”
The Faith Life Study Bible gives us another reason for Peter’s and John’s arrest. “The religious leaders were not only disturbed at the apostles’ teaching, but likely offended that they were instructing the people in the first place. The priests and Sadducees, along with the Pharisees, typically occupied the role of teachers, and the apostles have usurped that status—with great success.”
Romans 1:21-22
“21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise,
they became fools…”
Verses 5 and 6 gives us the names of some noteworthy people who were present. Verse 7 is the interrogation of John and Peter by the Jewish leaders who asked them a question which is the main reason why they were arrested. Verse 7, “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Regarding the question asked by the Jewish leaders, we need to understand it reveals their spiritual ignorance concerning the faith of Peter’s and John’s use of the name of Jesus and its authority and power in relation to the crippled beggar’s healing.
The question asked by the religious leaders was a question about the power, “By what power or what name did you do this?”. “Notice that the leaders were not questioning the authenticity of the miracle.” In fact, they acknowledged in verse 16 that “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.”. Some Biblical scholars believe that the question implies that they were accusing Peter and John of using some magical name or demonic formula to perform the miracle.
In verses 8-20 Peter respectfully and comprehensibly answers the Jewish leader’s question, but also in doing so he reminds them of their involvement of the death of Jesus and God’s involvement of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Peter answered the Jewish leader’s question under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, verse 8 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…”. What Peter said is a perfect example of what Jesus said in Luke 12:11-12,”When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
In spite of the other important points Peter states, the emphasis or main point of Peter’s short answer is the use of the name of Jesus. “Peter received a fresh filling with the Holy Spirit that brought a sudden inspiration, wisdom and boldness that helped him to proclaim the truth of God.” Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.” (Ps. 118:20).
Salvation from sin had nothing to do with the religious leader’s question, however it was another spiritual fact and reality the spiritual leaders needed to know concerning the name of Jesus. 12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Verse 13, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Verse 13 is a point that we need to take note of because it applies to every believer in Christ. We as believers might never be interrogated by religious or any other authorities because of our faith in Christ Jesus as were Peter and John. However, do others see our passion, courage and confidence when we talk about Jesus, which comes from being full of the Holy Spirit? This should be obvious by our love and attitude, our words and actions that they can see in us because we spend time with Jesus. It is interesting that for some Christians it is easier for them to be zealous and confident when they are talking to others about a political party or a popular social issue, but when they are in a conversation about Jesus, they have little enthusiasm and knowledge of God’s word.
Verses 14 to 17 are about the religious leader’s conversation of the healing in their private meeting. It is easily seen that they did not seek for truth, but rather sought for some way to avoid and stop the truth. Even though they could not deny the evidence, verse 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”; their pride and hardness of heart stood in the way of responding to the evidence before them and to Peter’s brief sermon. The only solution they came up with was threatening the Peter and John and forbidding them not to use the name of Jesus. “This official sentence shows how much the enemy fears the witness of the church, for Satan has been trying to silence God’s people from the very beginning.”
As before the religious leaders demonstrate their spiritual ignorance in relation to the source of the authority and power of using Jesus’ name. However, they did recognize the influence using Jesus’ name by the apostles when speaking or teaching, Verse 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”
Peter’s and John’s answer is should be an example to ever believer in Christ today. If we are experiencing the reality of a changed life in Jesus being our Savior and because we have submitted our life to Him, which is a result of His presents and the power of His Word in us; can we also say that we cannot stop telling others of who the resurrected Christ is and who He can be in them? “19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
The use of the name of Jesus did not stop or was not hindered with the threats of the Jewish leaders. It is important to note when the resurrected Jesus lives in you and your life is changed, Jesus in every aspect of your life becomes the norm. Those who have not yet received Christ into their life do not understand this as 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us, “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”
The norm in the believer’s life and mentality is vividly clear by how they pray in verses 23 to 30 and what they did as seen in verse 31.
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Points to take note of the believers’ prayer.
Ver. 24, They acknowledged God’s sovereignty, “Sovereign Lord”, meaning, “God is has unrestricted in His supremacy, the power, wisdom, and authority to do anything He chooses within His creation.”
Vers. 25-26, They quoted scripture recognizing what God said in scripture and how the spiritual principle applied to their current situation.
Vers. 27-28, The believers recognized God’s sovereignty, will and omniscience in the events of Jesus’ arrest and death.
Ver. 29a, They only mentioned just few words about the threats of the Jewish leaders.
Ver. 29b, They said “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”, which is the opposite of fear and timidness. They did not ask for protection. They did not ask for God to justly deal with the Jewish leaders and their threats.
Ver. 30, The last point to their prayer is the most important point. They asked God to, “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” They did not demonstrate fear caution to continue to speak the name of Jesus. They acknowledged that it was God who worked through His servants and through the name and authority of Jesus.
Pastor John
