ACTS LESSON 9
We will begin this lesson in Acts 4:17 "But that it spread no
further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they
speak henceforth to no man in this name."
In the previous lesson, we saw the leaders of the temple confining
Peter and John for over night. They could not hold them, because they
had no charges against them that were believable. They could plainly
see that the lame man could now walk, and they could not deny it was a
miracle. Somehow they were going to have to get the People's minds
off Jesus Christ of Nazareth, or they felt it would jeopardize worship
in the temple. The people who regularly came to the temple to worship
might begin to believe in Jesus as the Christ, and if they did they
would lose the rule over them. At this point, these officials had to
know that Jesus was indeed the Messiah (Christ). Rather than lose
their position in the church, they would not openly admit to believing
in Him.
Acts 4:18 "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak
at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
Here, we see a spiritual truth about whether we should obey the
government when it conflicts with the teachings in the Bible. The
answer is, we should at all times do what we are taught to do in the
Bible. We are directed to obey those that rule over us, but not when
it opposes God and His teaching.
Acts 4:19 "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether
it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto
God, judge ye."
We see, here, a boldness in Christ. These disciples are speaking
of the righteousness of Christ. They are not concerned with what the
world will do to them. They want to be in the perfect will of God.
The same God that saved Daniel in the Lions' den could save them in
whatever trials come. These religious people of the day knew the law,
but were not acquainted with the Lawgiver. I like the way these
apostles tell them that they will have to follow God, rather than
earthly leaders. They make the rulers of the temple decide. If these
rulers say to do as they say, they would be saying don't listen to
God.
Acts 4:20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen
and heard."
Here, we see the apostles explaining that they are compelled to
speak the things that have been shown them. Many ministers in our day
should be like these apostles. They should speak what they have seen
and heard of God regardless of whose toes they step on.
Acts 4:21 "So when they had further threatened them, they let them
go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people:
for all [men] glorified God for that which was done."
The people would have come against these rulers of the church, if
they had tried to punish Peter and John here. This leaves it unsaid,
but it appears above that these rulers would have punished Peter and
John to get them hushed up (in spite of this great miracle. I see
over and over in these rulers a fear of losing their position in the
temple and with the people. It was evident there was a miracle, (but
they were able to overlook that) just to save face and stay as the
leaders of the church.
Acts 4:22 "For the man was above forty years old, on whom this
miracle of healing was shewed."
The temple leaders had forty years to help this man, and they did
not. Now, that he is walking after so long a time, this not only
gives power to the ministry of Peter and John, but discredits these
religious leaders in the temple.
Acts 4:23 "And being let go, they went to their own company, and
reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them."
Now, we see Peter and John returning to the other disciples to
draw strength from each other and, also, to report to the others what
opposition is out there. This really is the beginning of the
followers of Jesus being persecuted. This looks, to me , as if the
people who are supposed to be the spiritual leaders in the temple are
turning down these new workings of God. They fear it might do away
with temple worship, and in turn, cause there to be no need for them.
These temple leaders, up until this time, have enjoyed being put up on
a pedestal by the temple worshippers. They do not want to lose their
position of importance regardless of whether these miracles are of
God, or not. These apostles have gone back to their fellow servants
to pray to God for strength and guidance.
Acts 4:24 "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to
God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou [art] God, which hast made
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:"
This prayer to God was from an inspired powerful group (filled
with the Holy Spirit). These people are still in agreement, only God
can cause this one accord. These disciples have not only accepted
Jesus as their Saviour, but have, also, made Him their Lord. He gives
the orders, they just carry His orders out. Notice, how, at the very
beginning of this prayer, they glorify God. You can easily see, also,
that the Scriptures have been quickened to them, as well. They are
recalling Scriptures that David spoke of the non-believers around them
in the next verse.
Acts 4:25 "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why
did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?"
We see that people who are already set in their ways and have
already made up their mind that God is a certain way, are not eager to
hear the good news of the gospel. They have studied for years the bad
news of the law. The law was threatening and this grace was
promising. They were not ready for this, and they became very angry.
These people, spoken of in this prophecy of David's, were self-
centered, full of vanity, and had no intention of listening, even if
it was good news.
Acts 4:26 "The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were
gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ."
This is speaking of people of all degrees of authority who oppose
Christianity. Possibly this meant civil and religious leaders.
Probably the same crowd which had crucified Him. They have no
intention of admitting they made a mistake.
Acts 4:27 "For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou
hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and
the people of Israel, were gathered together," Acts 4:28 "For to do
whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."
We see, here, that the heathen mentioned in verse 25 includes,
Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, and people of Israel who rejected
Jesus. All of these people had a hand in destroying Jesus. Even now,
many of the same people are still rejecting Jesus as the Christ risen
from the dead. This prayer is addressed to the Father as all prayers
should be and that is why Jesus is spoken of as His Holy Child.
Acts 4:29 "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant
unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"
This is a cry for help. Of course, the Father is already aware of
the threatenings. They have never stopped all through the years. If
you are living for Jesus, the world hates you. This prayer is not so
much to get God to stop the threats, as it is a request of Jesus'
followers to be able to speak the uncompromising word with great
boldness in the face of the threats.
Acts 4:30 "By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs
and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."
The gifts of the Spirit of God to the believers are given
severally as you will. We read in I Corinthians 12:11 "But all these
worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will." Read all of chapter 12, beginning with the
first verse through 11, and it will explain the gifts of the Spirit of
God that believers in Christ Jesus can have operating in their lives.
Each gift must be received by the person desiring it. Notice, these
disciples in verse 30 want these gifts to be operating in the power of
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The signs and wonders are to
cause people to believe.
Acts 4:31 "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where
they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
When the Spirit of God is present, old structures are shaken,
lives are changed, people are strengthened anew to speak of the things
of God. My own personal belief is that, there is one baptism in the
Holy Ghost, but many fillings. Sometimes we get weak in the Spirit
and we need God to breathe life into us afresh. When Peter had said
earlier in his ministry that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the
Living God, Jesus told Peter that the Holy Spirit had revealed this to
him. No one can speak powerful messages for God except the Holy
Spirit reveals it to them. The boldness comes from God.
Acts 4:32 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one
heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the
things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
common."
We see, here, that all of these disciples became as one big
family. They shared their worldly goods that God had entrusted them
with. In the first part of verse 32, it says one soul, I believe this
means that they were all walking in the will of God. They had made
Jesus Lord and had given their will over to His will.
Acts 4:33 "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
We see, here, that the boldness they prayed for came. The
resurrection was a high point of argument with many of the Jews who
did not believe in life after death. This grace was not only God
toward them, but them toward others, as you see in the next verse.
Acts 4:34 "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as
many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the
prices of the things that were sold," Acts 4:35 "And laid [them] down
at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man
according as he had need."
This is concern for each other to the utmost. You must remember,
they were expecting Jesus back just any minute, and they did not want
to be caught up in worldly things when that happened. This way no one
suffered, everyone who gave up jobs to work for God, at least had
their necessities met.
Acts 4:36 "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,
(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and]
of the country of Cyprus," Acts 4:37 "Having land, sold [it], and
brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet."
Notice in all of this, that they were not required to do this.
These were freewill offerings of what they had. This is not
necessarily the pattern our churches should take today. This is just
what these people were led to do at that time. It was possibly the
only way the church could begin, because those who work for God, have
no time to make a living for themselves. This unselfishness on their
part gave Christianity a real foot-hold. Without their unselfish
generosity, the church would have taken longer to put together. This
was not commanded of them to do by the Lord. This was from their
loving hearts. Even today, the good news of the gospel could not go
forth, if it were not for people who are willing to give much more
than is expected of them to win a lost world. The followers of Jesus
Christ have always paid, so that the unbelieving world might be saved.
This Barnabas (seldom mentioned) was truly a man of God who gave all
to the work. This son of consolation means, to me, that he preached
or exhorted the Word of God. He was certainly one of the unsung
Heroes of the Bible. This was the same Barnabas who travelled with
Paul later.
Notes
Acts 9 Questions
1. Who threatened Peter and John not to preach about Jesus Christ and
His resurrection?
2. Should we always obey government rules?
3. Who did Peter and John tell them they would obey?
4. What two things must Peter and John speak?
5. After they had threatened Peter and John again, what did they do
to them?
6. Why did they not punish them?
7. How old was the man who was made whole?
8. Where did Peter and John go when they were released?
9. Why do you suppose these temple rulers would not admit this
healing was of God and that they had made a mistake about Jesus?
10. What did they do as soon as they were with the other disciples?
11. What is the first thing they do in this prayer?
12. What has the Spirit helped them recall?
13. What had David said?
14. In verse 26, who was gathered against the Lord?
15. Who are the heathen spoken of here?
16. Who should all prayers be addressed to?
17. Whose name should you pray in?
18. In verse 29, they ask God to grant them what?
19. The signs and wonders are to be done in whose name?
20. What are the signs and wonders for?
21. Quote I Corinthians 12:11.
22. When they had prayed, what happened?
23. What are some of the things that happen when the Spirit of God is
present?
24. Why would they be filled with the Holy Ghost again?
25. What does being of one soul mean?
26. What happened to their personal belongings?
27. With great power gave the apostles witness of the ___________,
28. When they sold their houses and land, what did they do with the
money?
29. What did the apostles surname Joses?
30. What does his name mean?
Notes
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