ACTS LESSON 8

    We will begin this lesson in Acts 4:1 "And as they spake unto the
people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees,
came upon them," Acts 4:2 "Being grieved that they taught the people,
and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead."

    We see here, a quick response to the Sermon Peter had preached.
The priests, and the captain which guarded the temple, and the
Sadducee (aristocrats) who did not believe in the resurrection came,
because Peter and John had been preaching that Jesus rose
again. This teaching of Peter and John is in direct opposition
with what the Sadducee believe. This preaching of Peter and John
angered these men from the temple.

    Acts 4:3 "And they laid hands on them, and put [them] in hold unto
the next day: for it was now eventide."

    This is the beginning of the persecution of the followers of
Jesus. We see that they held them overnight.

    Acts 4:4 "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and
the number of the men was about five thousand."

    This believing the word which Peter and John had preached is an
extension of chapter 3 in the last lesson. We read earlier how about
3,000 believed, now the group of believers has grown to 5,000 men. At
this time there were many women who believed, so the number of
believers is expanding greatly.

    Acts 4:5  "And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers,
and elders, and scribes," Acts 4:6 "And Annas the high priest, and
Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred
of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem."

    This shows that the higher-ups in the temple were all gathered
together to see if they couldn't trap Peter and John.

    Acts 4:7 "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By
what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"

    This is an interrogation of Peter and John. The question, itself,
lets you know that these in power here did not have respect for the
name of Jesus Christ. Instead of being pleased that a man crippled
from birth can now walk, they were ready to criticize what they had
done.

    Acts 4:8 "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them,
Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel," Acts 4:9 "If we this
day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what
means he is made whole;" Acts 4:10 "Be it known unto you all, and to
all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by
him doth this man stand here before you whole."
    It is so important to notice the difference in Peter, here, and
the Peter who had been afraid and denied Jesus three times. This Peter
is filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. He is looking These
accusers in the face and telling them that they killed Jesus. He is,
also, telling these powerful (worldly) men who do not believe in the
dead rising again, that Jesus whom they killed, rose again. In fact,
he is telling them that this power to do miracles, that no one in
their group was able to do, came just by mentioning the name of this
Jesus they had crucified.  Peter has no fear of what these worldly men
can do to him. He also reminds them that they are trying to punish him
for a good deed, not a bad.

    Acts 4:11 "This is the stone which was set at nought of you
builders, which is become the head of the corner."

    Peter gets even bolder and tells them that Jesus was the
cornerstone upon which all the church fits together with, and these
supposedly godly men rejected the most important part of the
church. Jesus, the cornerstone, brought physical Israel and spiritual
Israel into the family of God.

    Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved."

    The Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood on Calvary to save us from
sin and death. Christianity is really the only religion which promises
eternal life after death, and hell after death, if we reject so great
salvation. The religions of the world (other than Christianity) center
around man's life on the earth. The difference in most religions and
Christianity is that Christians worship the Creator of all the
earth. Most other religions worship the created things of the earth
and heavens. Jesus is the Judge of all the world, and we will stand or
fall by whether we are His or not. He is our great Shepherd and on
judgement day, if we are His sheep, we will live eternally in heaven
with Him. If we are not His sheep, we will go the way of the goats to
eternal damnation. You may read about this in Matthew chapter 25 from
verse 32 on.

    Acts 4:13  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled;
and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

    These men had not been taught in the rabbinical schools as the
Levitical tribe was. This boldness, when speaking out for the good
news of the gospel, is very important: not only to the apostles then,
but also to the preachers today. All who receive this baptism whether
preachers or laymen receive power to minister more boldly. One of the
beauties of the effective preacher is in his or her boldness to speak
in common every day English, so that all can understand what you are
saying. The Lord does not choose ordinarily the highly educated
to carry the simple message of the gospel. People with a great deal of
education, sometimes, want everything proven in black and white. The
Bible and its teachings are accepted by faith. Faith and proven facts
are the opposite. The Lord generally chooses those with am humble
heart who He can teach His ways. These apostles, Jesus had taught one
on one. It was easier for them to believe, because they did not have
pre-conceived ideas.

    Acts 4:14 "And beholding the man which was healed standing with
them, they could say nothing against it."

    We can quickly see, that the evidence was stacked in favor of
Peter and John. The man who had been lame from birth was standing in
front of them. These priests, Sadducees, captains and high ranking
people from the temple could not deny the man could now walk. They
would have to let them go.

    Acts 4:15 "But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the
council, they conferred among themselves,"

    This, had these high officials of the temple confused as to what
to do. They had no idea how they would be able to discredit the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and still not deny this miracle. Either
way, the council would look bad.

    Acts 4:16 "Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed
a notable miracle hath been done by them [is] manifest to all them
that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it]."

    These religious men should be repenting for refusing to accept
Jesus as Messiah. They have been shown, again, by this tremendous
miracle in His name, who He is and was. They really should be asking
help of Peter and John, instead they are trying to figure out a way to
save face with their temple people.

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                           Acts 8 Questions

1.  As Peter and John spoke to the people, who came up?
2.  What were these men grieved about?
3.  What did they do to Peter and John?
4.  In verse 4, we find that the number of the believing men had grown
    to what number?
5.  Who gathered together at Jerusalem as a council against Peter and
    John in verse 5 and 6?
6.  What question did they ask Peter and John?
7.  What caused Peter to speak so boldly?
8.  How did Peter answer their question?
9.  Who did Peter say crucified Jesus?
10. What is the difference in Peter now, and the Peter who denied
    Jesus?
11. What is Jesus called in verse 11?
12. Who is salvation in?
13. Which is the only religion that promises eternal life just by
    believing?
14. Who is the great Shepherd?
15. When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, they perceived that
    they were _________________and __________________men.
16. These men knew that Peter and John had been with whom?
17. What is one of the most important assets a preacher needs?
18. Who does the Lord choose to work for Him?
19. What and proven facts are opposites?
20. Why could they not say anything against Peter and John healing the
    man?
21. In verse 15, where did they command Peter and John to go?
22. When the council met, what had them confused?


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