Bible Study - When Opportunity Strikes - Acts 4:23-31 - November 29, 2015
Bible Study – When Opposition Strikes – November 29, 2015
This is a special lesson to help us consider what if we, as Christians, find ourselves in circumstances where we need to stand firm in our faith like Daniel and his Jewish friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Our focus scripture is Acts 4:23-31.
We can boldly face any opposition because GOD is in charge.
As JESUS had promised, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to earth, in Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost. Three thousand Jewish worshippers had come to know CHRIST as their Savior via the preaching of the Apostle Peter.
One day, Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray and GOD gave them the opportunity to heal a man, in the name of JESUS. The man had been lame since his birth and he was now over 40 years old. This miracle resulted in 2,000 more Jews coming to a saving knowledge of CHRIST. This threatened the religious positions of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. These religious leaders had Peter and John arrested for presenting CHRIST to those who had embraced the Jewish religion and now accepted CHRIST as their Savior.
Could this happen to Christians today? Are Christians being silenced by religious leaders and institutions? Oh, yes! Unfortunately, many, who call themselves Christians in our churches, have embraced a politically correct agenda. Those filled with and led by the Holy Spirit are considered different and not with modern culture.
Let’s read Acts 4:1-22: (Background)
1 Now as they (Peter and John) were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them,
2 because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in the person of Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.
4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.
Notice, the very people who should have known truth were ignorant of truth. Just because a person appears religious and serves in religious institutions does not mean that he or she knows the truth and has the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Christians must have the gift of discernment because there are those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Beware!
After an overnight stay in jail, the religious leaders were not through with Peter and John.
5 The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem
6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family.
Notice, those instrumental in having JESUS crucified were witnessing the power of JESUS name. Surely this was a witness to these religious leaders but did their pride and position prevent them from seeing the truth that JESUS was the promised Messiah?
7 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: "By what power or in what name have you done this?"
8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders:
9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man-by what means he was healed-
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead-by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.
11 This [Jesus] is The stone despised by you builders, who has become the cornerstone.
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved."
If the religious leaders had not thought that JESUS was the promised Messiah, surely Peter’s message made it clear to them. Pride or position prevents many from embracing truth.
13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that they had been with Jesus.
14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in response.
15 After they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves,
16 saying, "What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign, evident to all who live in Jerusalem, has been done through them, and we cannot deny it!
What do we do with truth once it has been revealed to us?
17 But so this does not spread any further among the people, let's threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again."
18 So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Truth threatens. So what do those in earthly authority attempt to do? Put the lid on truth. Do we live in a world that attempts to keep those who know truth silent? Where do we find truth? GOD’S Word, the Bible.
19 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it's right in the sight of God [for us] to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;
20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Once we have seen the truth and accepted CHRIST as our Savior, we cannot stay silent about truth as revealed through our relationship with CHRIST.
21 After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done;
22 for the man was over 40 years old on whom this sign of healing had been performed.
Even the Jewish religious leaders knew that the lame man was truly lame because they had observed him over the years and now they saw him leaping, jumping and praising JESUS for healing him.
Once Christians experience opposition, what do we need? We seek the comfort and strength of fellowshipping with one another. It is not in fear but in the joy of seeing the hand of GOD work as the Gospel of CHRIST is being spread and the need for prayer for the Gospel to continue to be spread.
Prayer is powerful and is a must as Christians march forward as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-13:
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Since Christians are NOT fighting against flesh and blood, we must be equipped with the spiritual tools used to battle in heavenly places.
This is so vital for Christians today. If you have not seen the movie “War Room” I encourage you to see it. It is powerful. Also, the study led by Priscilla Shirer, Tony Evans daughter, entitled “The Armor of God” is powerful. The study book that accompanies the study is outstanding to help Christians to be focused upon truth as revealed from GOD’S Word, the Bible. These are available from LifeWay book stores or contact LifeWay.com.
We are living in times when evil is rampant. I believe it is because we, as Christians, are remaining silent when we need to be taking a stand and speaking out.
Let’s read Acts 4:23-28:
23 After they were released, they went to their own fellowship and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God unanimously and said, "Master, You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them.
25 You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot futile things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against His Messiah.
27 "For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed,
28 to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place.
GOD had revealed truth through King David but earthly powers attempted to prevent GOD’S plan from being fulfilled. But the earthly rulers were blinded to truth which was used to fulfill GOD’S plan as we read in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8:
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
We as Christians know truth. What will we do with the truth we know?
Let’s read Acts 4:29-31:
29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness,
30 while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
We as Christians know truth and we must speak truth boldly as GOD gives each of us opportunity. We are to move forward as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We must be in step with our LORD JESUS. The power and presence of GOD was manifested through CHRIST through signs, wonders, healings and many other miracles. CHRIST was 100 percent obedient to the leadership of HIS Father. We, as Christians, must be 100% obedient to our Father and in perfect unity, harmony and lock step with HIM as we serve HIM according to HIS plan and purpose for us.
So often, we see GOD manifesting Himself through other Christians and we become jealous or Satan implants thoughts that our faith is inadequate. When that happens we tend to lean on our own understanding and test GOD. We move ahead of the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives and we stumble. But even when we stumble, we learn and we get back in step with GOD.
31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God's message with boldness.
GOD gave those gathered together a sign of HIS power among them and confirmed their resolve to move forward in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and with boldness. Christians must keep in mind that this world is not our home or our final destination.
Christians are not upon earth at this exact time by accident but by design and for a purpose. May we all rededicate our lives to CHRIST and seek the fullness of CHRIST in our lives as we function in a world that needs the love of CHRIST as never before. Blessings!!!
posted by Bible Study | 3:23 PM
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