Bible Study - Unstoppable (5) - Unstoppable Courage - Acts 4:1-4, 8-12, 19-20 - November 13, 2016

Bible Study – Unstoppable (5) – Unstoppable Courage – November 13, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Unstoppable Gospel.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 4:1-4, 8-12, 19-20.

GOD gives us courage to speak boldly for CHRIST.

Last week’s lesson ended with Acts 3:10. Let’s read Acts 3:11-26 with special attention to verse 11:

Preaching in Solomon's Colonnade

11 While he (the man lame since birth) was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, greatly amazed, ran toward them in what is called Solomon's Colonnade. 

Solomon’s Colonnade or porch was constructed by King Solomon’s workers. It became a popular gathering place in the temple complex for Christians in Jerusalem. It had a raised porch which was covered. 

My speculation is that it was constructed so the acoustics were such that the person speaking could be heard by those gathered in that area.

Peter, John and the man JESUS healed were at Solomon’s Colonnade. Those in the temple complex ran toward them. The people were eager to see and to hear about this miracle.

12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 

Don’t look at us but look at JESUS Who healed this man. How often do we like to get the credit for marvelous things that GOD does through us? That is one of Satan’s lies that he tries to get GOD’S chosen to embrace. Beware! Peter made it clear Who healed this man as we read on.

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 

14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked to have a murderer given to you. 

15 And you killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. 

16 By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you. 

17 "And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. 

18 But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets-that His Messiah would suffer-He has fulfilled in this way. 

19 Therefore repent and turn back, that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 

20 and He may send Jesus, who has been appointed Messiah for you. 

21 Heaven must welcome Him until the times of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about by the mouth of His holy prophets from the beginning. 

22 Moses said: The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He will say to you.

23 And it will be that everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people. 

24 "In addition, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, have also announced these days. 

25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your forefathers, saying to Abraham, And in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed. 

26 God raised up His Servant and sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways."

This was the Apostle Peter’s message to those gathered after witnessing the healing the lame man in the name of JESUS.

This leads us into our focus scripture.

Let’s read Acts 4:1-4:

Peter and John Arrested

1 Now as they 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.

Political correctness was alive and well even in the times of JESUS. 

The Sadducee's did not believe in the resurrection that is why they were sad-u-see. This group of religious leaders came upon those gathered to witness this miracle suddenly but apparently they had been listening.

The Sadducee's were wealthy aristocrats from the high priestly families. They were very religious but very much involved in politics and supported the ruling authority which was Roman. They would go after any authority which threatened their position or wealth. That is why they went after JESUS.   

Peter and John were teaching that JESUS, whom they knew was killed and buried but was raised from the dead. A person being raised from the dead was out-of-the-question according to the Sadducee's. When a person died he or she did not come back to life. 

So the religious leaders were provoked. It is hard to go against the establishment but Peter and John did. But going against the establishment has consequences.

But notice, not only were the people listening but so were the priests, the commander of the temple guard and the Sadducee's. Did any of them become followers of JESUS? Only eternity will reveal it.

3 So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.

Bad things happen to good people. But in GOD’S hands HE can make lemonade out of lemons.

Peter and John were arrested. Doing the will of GOD does not prevent you from experiencing problems upon earth even by those who say they are serving GOD. It was evening so they held Peter and John in custody until the next day. It was a show of power by the Sadducee's.

4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

What was more important trying to be politically correct or being obedient to the will and purpose of GOD? About 5,000 souls were born into GOD’S family up to that period. What rejoicing there was in heaven for each one who became Christian’s!

Those with self-imposed pseudo authority get upset when they are threatened. Their lust for power blinded them to the truth of what had taken place under their very noses.

Let’s read Acts 4:8-12:

Peter and John Face the Jewish Leadership

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.

The religious leaders called in any one with clout. What a blessing it is to be able to present truth to those who need to hear truth and see the evidence of that truth.

The Jewish ruling body was called the Sanhedrin which consisted of 71 members which included 70 elders and the high priest as the one who presided. In this case, it would have been Annas.

Here we get to see the hand of GOD and HIS love for this group who were either involved in or instigated the crucifixion of JESUS. HE gave them a second opportunity to hear and witness truth. The truth is that JESUS is truly the promised Messiah, sent by GOD as the Savior of the world for all who will place their faith in HIM.

This was an august body assembled to hear Peter give a message in the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as the healing of the man lame since birth was not an accident but by design, so was this special occasion ordained by GOD. If any group should have been able to put these facts about JESUS together it was this group. They knew the scriptures but their self-righteousness blinded them from seeing the truth.  

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?"

This must have been music to the ears of Peter and John. “By what power or in what name have you done this?” WOW! Do you think they looked at each other and said did I hear that question right? GOD always leads and prepares the way for HIS chosen to present what needs to be presented. GOD works in the innermost part of our being and those being gathered needed to hear the message of the resurrected JESUS.

8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders:

Peter did not have time to prepare a sermon. He did not need to prepare one because he knew the truth. When GOD provides the opportunity, HE also gives us HIS message and it was delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter opened with a pleasant opening statement.

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.

JESUS is the cornerstone for building GOD’S kingdom upon earth. Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22:

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

The “cornerstone” is the stone which is used at the base of a corner where two walls meet. The cornerstone provides stability and establishes the point from which the walls will be aligned.

GOD is so amazing. I picture the two walls coming together. One wall is Judaism and the other wall is Christianity. 

GOD made Himself known to the Israelite's. HIS only Son was born via the Virgin Mary, a young Jewish peasant girl. JESUS is the Chief Cornerstone and brings the two together upon which Christianity is built and upon which GOD builds HIS kingdom and Spiritual body of believers.

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."

These religious leaders thought, if anyone would go to heaven it would be them because they were so good. Peter pointed out that faith in JESUS was the only way to GOD.

Let’s read Acts 4:13-20:

The Name Forbidden

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.

The religious leaders and rulers knew that they had been with JESUS. How did they know that? Would others know that we were Christians by the way we talk?

14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in response.

They had a man who had been born lame and was healed standing with them. It was powerful evidence that a miracle had taken place. 

This evidence caused them to pause and consider their potential actions further.

15 After they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves,

The religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, had Peter, John and the healed man to leave their presence so they could ponder this situation further.

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!

The religious leaders found themselves in a pickle. Standing in their midst was the man they knew had been lame since birth. They knew the man was over 40 years old. They could not deny what had happened because the evidence was overwhelming. Okay, they had to nip this in the bud.

17 But so this does not spread any further among the people, let's threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again."

So they would threaten them. Isn’t it interesting that those in authority think they are the ultimate authority.

18 So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

WOW! They came up with a solution. What was Peter and John’s response?

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."

When you know truth and have experienced truth you cannot put a lid on it. Those who have never experienced truth DO NOT COMPREHEND OR UNDERSTAND.

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.

Were Peter and John trembling in their sandals? NO! But the ground upon which they stand would shake, as we read further.

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." 

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.

Are we, as Christians, willing to speak boldly for GOD?

Blessings!!!